Page 3 - Tourism

India, Malaysia ink MoU to strengthen tourism ties, promote growth

The MoU signed between India and Malaysia is expected to further strengthen the economic and cultural bonds between the two nations

Tourist haven destination Maldives under markets pressure as debt slumps

The security due 2026 dropped to 70.24 cents on the dollar Thursday, a record low. The sukuk has posted double-digit losses in August

Rajasthan govt plans to bring a policy to promote medical tourism

The state has 35 medical colleges and 16 dental colleges in the government and private sector, contributing to a well-trained pool of health care professionals

With visa-free norm ending soon, Indian tourists surge to Thailand

With more seats being added, the average base fare has also come down from $153 last year to $144 now

Hong Kong expects to double Indian footfalls this year with events lined-up

Hong Kong is expecting to double the number of Indian travellers this year with a line-up of festivals and events to boost tourism, a top executive of HK Tourism Board has said. Last year, 2,08,000 Indians travelled to Hong Kong. "We want to double this number this year and have many festivals and events lined up to boost tourism this year. In the first half of 2024, Hong Kong welcomed 1,81,000 visitors from India, which is 89 per cent of the pre-Covid time," Hong Kong Tourism Board Director, South Asia and Middle East, Puneet Kumar told PTI. Looking at this growth in momentum, the HK Tourism Board is hoping to cross the pre-Covid (2018) level of tourist arrivals this year, he added. Hong Kong Tourism Board takes 2018 as the benchmark for pre-Covid times as in 2019, the tourism industry almost came to a standstill with cancellation of hundreds of flights as the country saw protests against the Hong Kong government's introduction of a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance w

Rajasthan must announce tourism policy before investor meet: Industry execs

Investors will know about government facilities and subsidies for investments in tourism

Indian tourists flocking to Oman, arrivals up 70% at 600k: Al Busaidi

Oman has emerged as a favourite destination for Indian tourists, with their number rising to more than 6 lakh last year, an increase of 70 per cent over the previous year, according to Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. We hope to surpass the number this year, Al Busaidi told PTI in Mumbai on Thursday. The closeness and proximity between Oman and India makes one feel almost at home, he added. This momentum shows no signs of slowing, with the first five months of 2024 already seeing a 15 per cent increase in arrivals, he said. India is Oman's largest tourism market beyond the Gulf Co-operation Council countries, he said. Of the 40 lakh tourists who visited Oman last year, 6.25 lakh were from India, Al Busaidi said. Adventure tourism is a growing segment for tourists in Oman, he said. Tourism is one of the five focus areas for Oman as a part of its Vision 2040 plan, he added. We are now seeing more diversity in segments of ...

Himachal CM Sukhu announces projects worth Rs 696 cr to boost tourism

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that 11 projects with an outlay of Rs 696.47 crore are underway to give a fillip to the tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh. Presiding over a meeting of the tourism department here last evening, he said tenders have been invited for all these projects, aiming to enhance the influx of tourists in the state, a statement issued here on Wednesday said. "It was essential to enhance the overall tourism experiences in the state and create new infrastructure as tourism is a key sector for our economy supporting the livelihood of thousands of families directly or indirectly," he said. As per the statement, the 11 projects include a convention centre at Dharamshala (Rs 161.91 crore); beautification of Palampur and Nagrota Bagwan (Rs 95.50 crore); wellness centre at Nadaun (Rs 91.42 crore); ice skating rink cum roller skating rink at Dharamshala (Rs 39.51 crore), among others. The chief minister directed the officers to expedite the projects and .

80th NSS round: Surveys soon on health, domestic tourism, and travel

The survey on health will build upon the 79th round of the NSS, which had covered only a few topics on health, in contrast to the latest round, which is expected to be more extensive

Visitors to Paris museums, restaurants up 25%: France tourism minister

Tourism Minister Olivia Gregoire said that the number of people staying at hotels in French cities hosting Olympic events had risen 16%

Surprise discovery: Bihar tourism dept finds 113 acres of 'lost land'

The land piece was 'discovered' during a review of old communications with the land and revenue department, as part of the tourism department's initiative to identify and develop its land holdings

Nuclear tourism: China opens atomic power plants to public, seeks support

Members of the public in China can now book visits to the country's power plants in nice cities, as the country moves to shore up public support to expand its clean energy generation capacity

Spending on outbound tourism to rise 11%, reaching $55 bn in 2034: Report

Spending on outbound tourism is expected to grow from USD 18.82 billion in 2024 to USD 55.39 billion in 2034, a report said. The 'Navigating Horizons' report jointly prepared by Nangia NXT and Ficci said packaged tours still dominate the outbound market in India, with a share of 39.20 per cent in 2024, as there is a preference for choosing pre-planned tour packages from travel service providers due to greater convenience and customisation. The report said that availability of Indian or vegetarian food options as well as awareness about niche tourism will help increase the number and frequency of Indians engaging in foreign travel in the coming years. The market has already seen robust growth with rising disposable incomes, an expanding middle class, systemic ease and flexibility in obtaining visas, and a desire for international experiences. "Countries like Egypt, Azerbaijan and Georgia, among others, known for their rich history, cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique ...

Decoded: What is 'Dark Tourism' and why has Kerala Police warned against it

Kerala authorities are advising the public to steer clear of the affected areas, warning that 'dark tourism' could impede vital rescue efforts

Jungle Camps aims to hit Rs 100 cr revenue by 2028; firms up IPO plans

Jungle Camps India Ltd, which provides wildlife and conservation-focused lodges to guests, on Wednesday announced plans to achieve Rs 100 crore in revenue by FY28 from Rs 18 crore in FY24. In line with its growth strategy, the Delhi-headquartered company has set its sights on an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to fund its expansion plans. Jungle Camps India clocked a total revenue of Rs 18.10 crore and a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 3.59 crore in FY24, compared with total revenue of Rs 11.24 crore and PAT of Rs 45 lakh in FY23, registering a healthy growth of 61 per cent in revenues and a five-fold jump in profit. "With the rising demand for unique experiences in sync with ever-evolving consumer preferences, we're excited to announce an ambitious expansion plan to add one or more resorts & hotels to our portfolio. We're exploring funding opportunities through an IPO to broaden our reach and offer even more exceptional options to our guests," Gajendra Singh Rathore, Chairman of ...

Japan attracts record 3.14 mn visitors in June as weak yen draws tourists

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure was 3.14 million last month, exceeding the previous monthly record of 3.08 million set in March

N Korea to launch major tourism site in 2025 despite blocking tourists

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a major tourism site being constructed on the country's eastern coast and discussed steps to open the zone by next year, state media reported Thursday, though the country still blocks visits by most foreign tourists. The Wonsan-Kalma zone is one of Kim's most talked-about tourism projects. For years North Korea has been building luxury hotels and recreational facilities there to create a key attraction for international visitors. But the project reportedly suffered setbacks due to shortages of construction materials as a result of toughened UN sanctions and COVID-19 restrictions. Kim toured the Wonsan-Kalma zone with top deputies on Tuesday and discussed preparations for its opening by May 2025 as decided by a ruling party meeting in January, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. A coastal wonderland to be known to the world as the best tourist resort of (North Korea) would be successfully built, Kim was quoted as saying by KCN

'Goa targeting new markets for tourism through international trade fairs'

Goa is looking forward to tap new and emerging markets through participation in global trade fairs after international tourism was affected due to the Russia-Ukraine war and other problems, minister Rohan Khaunte said on Wednesday. During COVID-19, the international footfall in Goa was only 33,000, which has now increased to 4.5 lakh for this particular year (calendar year), Tourism Minister Khaunte said in the state assembly. Responding to a question raised by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai in the assembly, he said after the COVID-19 pandemic, the perception about tourism in the state is changing, taking it away from beaches. Sardesai said Goa spent Rs 63 crore in the last four years (on various events), including Rs 29.84 crore to promote the state within the country. Former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar had emphasised on the pre-audit of roadshows and that accountability parameters should be framed, he said. Khaunte said after the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism ...

Saudi Arabia to lure ultra-luxury travelers with Red Palace stays

The Red Palace was built in the 1940s for the then-crown prince. Now, the 9-acre, art-deco manse is being transformed into an ultra-luxury hotel designed to give guests a taste of the Saudi royal life

Why are Barcelona residents spraying water on tourists? Explained

The recent wave of 'anger' follows a significant protest on June 8, when around 3,000 young people rallied in the streets