Page 13 - Tourism

G20 Leaders' Summit 2023: The world knocks on a door more than ajar

A rich, many-faceted dialogue is underway in India as part of the G20 meetings, and diplomats hope for a successful summit, never mind the alarm bells

Sri Lankan tourism revenue sees significant increase in month of May

Sri Lanka's estimated tourism revenue in May saw a remarkable growth of over 200 per cent year-on-year, reaching $131.5 million, according to the latest data from the country's central bank

IndiGo's audacity? Media platform founder complains about high ticket costs

Chaturvedi took to Twitter and shared her disappointment after she had to pay Rs 21,000 for a one-way ticket from New Delhi to Ahmedabad

India deservedly claiming its position on world tourism stage: Chhatwal

Indian travel and tourism is at an important inflection point and the country is deservedly claiming its position on the world tourism stage with its presidency of the G20 providing the perfect platform, according to Indian Hotels Company Ltd Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal. In his address to shareholders in the company's annual report for 2022-23, Chhatwal said India is on a growth path and the services sector including the travel and tourism business is emerging as a major growth engine for the Indian economy, having successfully put the pandemic behind. "People are once again flying in great numbers, airports are crowded, hotels are well booked, and travellers want to explore, connect and feel alive through the exhilarating emotion of travel," he wrote. Chhatwal said India is deservedly claiming its position on the world tourism stage. "With India's Presidency of the G20, we are positioned like never before to showcase our nation's cultural heritage, our unique and ...

CM Sukhu announces zoological park worth Rs 300 cr in Kangra district

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced a slew of development projects, including the setting up of a zoological park in Bankhandi area in Kangra district. Addressing a gathering at Haripur in Dehra assembly constituency, Sukhu said the park is estimated to cost Rs 300 crore, and will provide employment opportunities to 5,000 local youths. The project will be completed in three years, he said. The Chief Minister also said Rs 70 crore have been earmarked to promote adventure tourism at Pong Lake. The introduction of hot air balloon activities and the construction of a floating hotel have also been planned, he said. In a bid to create employment opportunities, the state government will also provide financial assistance to local youth to help them buy 'shikaras', Sukhu said. The Chief Minister also announced the operation of five new bus routes in the area and the construction of an indoor stadium with a swimming pool in the Dehra assembly ...

ITDC registers highest-ever turnover of Rs 458.08 cr, up 58% on-year

India Tourism Development Corporation on Thursday said it has registered the highest-ever financial performance with a total turnover of Rs 458.08 crore in 2022-23. This represents an increase of over 58 per cent compared to the previous fiscal, a statement from the Mini Ratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Tourism said. Its profit before tax (PBT) for FY2022-23 jumped 983 per cent year-on-year to Rs 86.12 crore, while PAT stood at Rs 60.33 crore against Rs 4.38 crore a year ago. "These astounding growth figures demonstrate a historic moment for us, as we celebrate the highest-ever turnover and profit by surpassing all previous records and accomplishing notable milestones, particularly a huge rebound after the negative impact of COVID-19," its Director (Commercial & Marketing) Piyush Tiwari said. "We have achieved the highest consolidated turnover ever recorded for a full year, along with an unprecedented profit before tax. This incredible performance showcases ...

G20 tourism track meet in Srinagar successful: Korean ambassador to India

The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting here was a success, South Korean Ambassador to India Chang Jae-bok said on Wednesday, adding that Kashmir is a wonderful place with kind people. The Korean ambassador said Seoul strongly supported India's presidency and expressed hope that New Delhi will make the G20 meetings successful. He told PTI, "The G20 meeting (in Kashmir) was successful." Jae-bok and other delegates to the working group meeting also visited the refurbished Polo View Market in the Residency Road area here. He said Kashmir is a wonderful place and the people are very kind. "It is a wonderful place, the people here are very kind. I hope more people come here to discover the beauty and diversity of India," he added. The Korean ambassador further said, "India is becoming a global power. Right now, India is the fifth biggest economy and it will become the third biggest economy very soon. We hope that India and Korea will continue to have good relations," he said. YN Brugge

Govt committed to boost tourism, infrastructure development: Nitin Gadkari

Gadkari further announced plans for the Sky Bus service, connecting Dhaula Kuan in Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana, which will alleviate traffic congestion for the commuters

States need to have formal policies for promotion of film tourism: Reddy

Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said states and Union Territories need to have formal policies for promotion of film tourism. Reddy was addressing a side event on "Promoting Incredible India through Film Tourism" during the third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting here. "Tourism has the greatest ability to generate overall employment, especially among the vulnerable communities," Reddy said. He added that film production can have a lasting impact on travel destinations as cinematic exposure transforms a place into a tourist location The minister impressed upon the states and the Union Territories to have formal polices for the promotion of film tourism. Where there is an existing policy, it can be strengthened to pave the way for film production. Addressing the event, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said India has no dearth of talent with a century-old film legacy boasting the likes of Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray, who have been acknowledged for their art. Singh expre

Keen to work with G20 to promote sustainable tourism in India: Reddy

G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said that the Tourism Ministry is keen to work with G20 nations to promote sustainable tourism in India and around the world

Govt chalking out comprehensive strategy for tourism in Kashmir: Reddy

Film tourism has emerged as a powerful medium to promote the tourism industry and the government is chalking out a comprehensive strategy for its growth in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday. He said tourism helps in creating employment opportunities in hospitality and gastronomy. "We are chalking out a comprehensive strategy for tourism growth. Film tourism has emerged as a powerful medium to promote tourism, to promote a destination, Reddy, the Minister for Culture and Tourism, said. He was addressing the delegates from the G20 countries on the side event 'Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation' at SKICC here. The event is a part of the three-day third Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20 countries being held here. The minister said Srinagar is India's of one of the most beautiful cities. "I would like to highlight the beauty and cultural heritage of the host destination. Srinagar is India's one of the oldest cities," he added. Redd

Overseas travel ban lifted on Lanka's ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa

A Sri Lankan court here on Wednesday ordered the lifting of the overseas travel ban on former president and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Fort Magistrate's Court imposed a ban on overseas travel on Rajapaksa, 77, and over a dozen other politicians in May last year in view of investigations against them for their alleged involvement in the deadly attack on peaceful anti-government protesters in Colombo. At least nine people were killed and over 300 others injured in the violence in May. The overseas travel ban on former president Rajapaksa, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and ex-Provincial Council member Kanchana Jayaratne was completely lifted by the Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, newsfirst.lk website reported. Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the court registrar to immediately convey the order to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. The impounded passports were ordered to be released to the four politician

Tulip Garden at Jammu and Kashmir's Sanasar records over 53,000 visitors

The Tulip Garden was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on April 8

Tourism department plans tours of unexplored places in Delhi for students

The Delhi government's Tourism department will approach the Education department to take students on tours of places not often visited to increase footfall at unexplored sites, an official said. The Tourism department often assists schools during their tours and picnics at monuments in the national capital. "We have been conducting guided tours for quite a long time but we just provide assistance to the schools at present. They do it on their own. There are certain parts in the national capital that are not visited often. "We are planning to take it up with the Education department if they can send schoolchildren to these spots," the official told PTI. Among these unexplored places are Mirza Ghalib ki Haveli, the Mughal period Chor Minar, Bijay Mandal, Rajon ki Baoli, Adham Khan's tomb and the Bade and Chhote Khan tombs. The official said the department is also offering guided tours to "unexplored" Delhi. "The Haunted Heritage Walk that started with guided tours of Malcha Mahal i

International tourism reaches pre-pandemic levels, doubles in Q1FY23

In the first three months, almost 235 million tourists travelled internationally, more than double in the same period in 2022

Banned Garo National Liberation Army regrouping in west Meghalaya: Official

Banned Garo National Liberation Army is regrouping and trying to send young people from the western Garo Hills region of Meghalaya to Myanmar for basic guerrilla warfare training, officials said on Monday. The state administration has already taken measures to thwart such attempts and is monitoring activities of surrendered cadres of the outlawed organisation, they said. We have inputs that the GNLA is regrouping. The information is internal and actions have been taken, a senior home department official told PTI. Some youths have been recruited, and attempts have been made to send them to Myanmar to pursue basic guerrilla warfare training, he said. In a wireless message 10 days ago, a special branch deputy SP had urged officers in all police stations in Meghalaya to strengthen the intelligence network to monitor movements of former members of the outfit, he said. Monitor closely the movements and activities of surrendered/arrested cadres of the outfit, known overground ...

Terror to tourism: G20 meeting set to herald all-round development in J&K

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is all set to host a working group meeting of tourism delegates from the G20 nations in ten-day time. The Summit is set to usher in a new positive phase in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT).The citizens of Jammu and Kashmir are upbeat and are extending full support to the Jammu and Kashmir Administration to make the program a grand success, believing that the event is going to be historical in showcasing Jammu and Kashmir's potential as a tourism destination, not just for India, but also for the entire world.It's for the first time in the past 70 years that J & K would be hosting an international event like G-20, and the occasion offers UT a chance to rise to the occasion of exhibiting its market prospects, and ecotourism ventures."G20 Summit in Kashmir is set to boost tourism, providing a platform for the region to showcase its beauty to the world. It is a proud moment for every Kashmiri and a significant milestone for the ..

Nepal sees uptick in tourism after Covid; 28% of total arrivals from India

Nepal's tourism industry is recovering faster in the post-Covid era, with 3,26,528 tourist arrivals by air from January to April this year, of which around 28 per cent were Indians. Tourist arrivals in the country have increased a lot in the recent period, which is very positive and encouraging, said Nandini Lahe-Thapa, senior director of PR and Publicity, at Nepal Tourism Board. The tourism board estimated that around 1.2 million tourist arrivals, an equivalent to the arrivals the Himalayan nation achieved in 2020, were expected this year. We are no longer concentrating on the traditional destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini, she pointed out. Five-star properties are coming up in eastern and western Nepal as well. "New hotels are being constructed, lots of tourism-related activities are coming up, and new cable cars are being operated, Thapa said. We are very positive and hopeful about the prospects of the tourism industry in the country in the post-Covi

India regains top spot in Sri Lanka's inbound tourism market

India regained the top inbound market for Sri Lanka's tourism market after six months as about 20,000 Indian tourists arrived in the island nation in April this year. Tourism Authority figures showed that 19,915 Indians had visited the island in April over 14,656 Russian tourist arrivals. Russians remained the top inbound market from October last year to March this year. India enjoyed a 19 per cent market share in April followed by 14 per cent from Russia and 8 per cent from the UK. In April, the arrivals topped 100,000 for the fourth consecutive time since 2019. Tourist arrivals to the island had slumped since the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that left 270 persons, including 11 Indians, dead and over 500 injured.

G20 meeting a great opportunity to promote J-K's tourism potential

The upcoming G20 meeting which will be held here is a great opportunity to promote Jammu and Kashmir's tourism potential globally as it will show the world that the union territory is a wonderful destination for all, an official said on Saturday. The third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held in Srinagar from May 21 to 23. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the trailer launch of the movie "Welcome to Kashmir" at Inox Cinema here, Tourism Secretary Syed Abid Rasheed Shah said the department has identified 300 new destinations for film shootings and will facilitate production houses. "The third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting is taking place in Kashmir which in itself is a major international event. I do not think such a big international event has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir ever before," he said. "Whether it is adventure tourism or leisure tourism, or our focus areas of film tourism and MICE tourism, we are working to attract the attention of the world and t