Category Archives: States

TOFTigers India Wildlife Association & Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) sign an MOU in an event held at Hotel Ashok, today at the Assam Tourism Road Show in New Delhi to training Wildlife Park guides and Safari Vehicle drivers in Guest Handling and to promote and support the strategy and concept of sustainable tourism. With a vision to create a sustainable future for tourism, TOFTigers has taken several steps to achieve this goal since 2005. The MoU is yet another milestone in this journey of change and improving environmental and economic sustainability in the state of Assam. TOFTigers will actively support and promote the introduction of the training for improving the guides’ and drivers’ knowledge of conservation, ecology, and storytelling skills for better visitor experience – which will potentially help them generate more income, while also furthering conservation awareness among tourists. TOFTigers and ATDC have a strong view towards promoting sustainability and social responsibility within the travel sector. The MoU was signed in the presence of dignitaries from the state of Assam and leaders from national tourism industry who had gathered in a large number at the event. Sustainable tourism practises are about putting local communities and the environment at the heart of business operations, in addition to economic factors. “TOFTigers is dedicated sustainable tourism organisation in India and would like to support the travel industry in India towards sustainability,” said Mr. Vishal Singh, Director TOFTigers. The travel and tourism industry are one of the largest industries in the world and contributes enormously to the economic well-being and development of many countries by helping to alleviate poverty throughout the world. It has recognised cross-cultural benefits as well as educational, health …

The Rajasthan Cabinet approved the Rural Tourism Scheme 2022. to create employment opportunities in the villages and protect the handicrafts industry by establishing rural guest houses, agricultural tourism units, camping sites and caravan parks. The scheme will also acquaint domestic and foreign tourists with Rajasthan’s rural culture. 

Tourism Principal Secretary KS Srinivas said the state’s tourism and hospitality industry has already regained the pre-pandemic robustness. “This is evident from the fact that Kerala recorded a staggering 196% spike in domestic tourist arrivals during the first three quarters of the current year as compared to the corresponding period a year earlier,” he says. Kerala recorded a total of 1,33,80,000 domestic tourists in the nine months till this September, registering a 1.49 per cent increase as compared to the same period of pre-COVID 2019.

J&K Pilgrim & Leisure Tour Operators Forum (PILTOF), the premier Tourism body of J&K having iconic members with more than 40 years’ experience in travel trade held the season’s first interactive session with top 140 Travel Agents of Thailand & members of Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA). In his welcome address, the Chairman Showkat Pakhtoon while welcoming the guests emphasized the need for marketing India and Kashmir aggressively since all the travel trade fraternity has suffered due to the pandemic and it is our responsibility that PAN India destinations are to be sold in THAI market aggressively. Dharmendra Singh, First Secretary (Economic & Commerce) and Head of Chancery, Embassy of India in Thailand who was the Chief Guest assured Thai agents all support from Embassy for facilitation to visit India. The Indian Embassy Official present Bhaskar Kalra also gave a presentation on Incredible India. The TTAA was represented by its Vice Presidents Shivek Sachdev and Sittichai Odomkitthanakul, Asstt Secretary NINA, besides other Office Bearers. PILTOF was represented by Chairman, Showkat Pakhtoon, Vice Chairman, Noor Shangloo, Event Head Nasir Shah and senior members Mohammad Akram Siah, Mir Anwar and Ather Yameen.

Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa, has said that they have started eco-tourism on a big scale. “We are moving into the hinterlands, trying to gather local communities, which will touch upon the homestay segment. Also, we are looking at wellness, adventure, as well as spiritual tourism,” he added.

Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary Tourism and Director General, Uttar Pradesh Tourism, said that the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is ready to lease forts on a very nominal fee for them to be converted into heritage hotels. The state is also open for hosting weddings at these forts to promote the destination and leverage the potential of the state.

Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Goa, has said that the contribution to the GDP, from the tourism sector of Goa is about 16.43 per cent. “We need to grow that and boost employment opportunities through skilling, upskilling and re-skilling. These will be our priorities in the days to come,” he claimed.

Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism, J&K, has said that they are celebrating different occasions and festivals, like spring festival and early almond blossom festival. “In spring, i.e. March and April we have tulip festival. There are many summer festivals, winter carnivals and we have a houseboat festival. Such events help us convey a message that things are happening in J&K,” he added.

K S Srinivas, Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, has said that the state’s tourism and hospitality industry has already regained the pre-pandemic robustness. “This is evident from the fact that Kerala recorded a staggering 196 per cent spike in domestic tourist arrivals during the first three quarters of the current year as compared to the corresponding period a year earlier,” he added.

The Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal is going to introduce exclusive Tourist Pick-up and Drop Points across the city of joy. Tour Operators in Kolkata often faced difficulties due to the traffic restrictions in and around the city while dropping off or picking up tourists in front of places of tourist interest or hotels. To address this issue and to facilitate the free movement of tourist vehicles across the city of joy, the Indian Association of Tour Operators – IATO recommended introducing pre-specified Pickup- Drop points in different strategic locations across Kolkata with specific signage where only commercially registered tourist vehicles operated by ATSP should be allowed to pick-up-drop tourists. Considering the above the Department of Tourism – Government of West Bengal has initiated a joint inspection to finalize the proposed Tourist Pickup and Drop Points along with the representatives from Kolkata Traffic Police Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Department of Transport, and Chairman IATO on 26th July 2022 and 4th August 2022 respectively. It has been proposed that the commercially registered tourist vehicles with a seating capacity of up to 10+1 will be allowed for 05 minutes and vehicles above will be allowed to stop for 10 minutes at the respective TP&D points for operations. The Department of Tourism – Government of West Bengal has already initiated the required action with the competent state government departments and a notification has been issued on 3rd November 2022 to implement this at the earliest. The idea is to facilitate the recognized tour operators and tourist transport operators to ensure seamless movement of tourists across the city of joy and position Kolkata as a Tourist-friendly City. Super happy to be a part of this …