Category Archives: States

M Mathiventhan, Tourism Minister, Tamil Nadu has taken a decision to go ahead with the ongoing work to upgrade amenities and make tourist spots safe from COVID-19 so that these sites are ready to receive tourists, mostly domestic, when they start to travel. The minister took the decision after a review meeting he chaired. A project report is being prepared for upgrading Mamallapuram at a cost of ₹441crore under iconic site category and to develop Rameswaram and surrounding tourist sites at a cost of ₹40crore.

Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, has said that Maharashtra’s Aurangabad needs both an international airport as well as a state-of-the-art convention centre to boost tourism in the region. Kant announced this at his recent two-day visit to Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC), and added that while other newer cities took time to establish, Aurangabad already has ready infrastructure.

A recent Tweet by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) suggests that an RT-PCR report is no longer required to enter the state. Tourists are, however, requested to enter their particulars on http://covid19epass.hp.gov.on before entering Himachal. HPTDC is also offering a 30% discount on bookings at all its hotels.

The Uttarakhand government has approved a compensation of Rs 29 crore for the state’s tourism industry reeling under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the compensation package, Rs 10,000 would be provided to registered travel and adventure tour operators, tour and rafting guides. The government will also waive off the interest on loans for homestays.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has issued detailed guidelines to unlock the state, which also paves way for the entry of tourists into the region. There will be no restrictions of entry of tourist in J&K whether by road, rail or air apart from undergoing a COVID-19 antigen test. Restaurants in hotels can remain functional for in-house guests.

All popular holiday destinations in Kerala may soon be declared as complete “vaccinated zones” as the state government is mulling to provide COVID-19 jab to everyone in the tourism sector. “We are mulling to make famous tourist destinations in the state 100% vaccinated zones by July 15 with the support of the health department,” said Kerala Tourism Minister, PA Mohammed Riyas.

Representative heads of six travel trade associations from Gujarat met the State Tourism Minister Jawahar Chavda on June 8 to urge for support to the trade for survival and revival in these challenging times. The six associations include the state chapters of TAAI, TAFI, IATO, ADTOI and Global Travel Agent Association (GTAA) as well as state-specific trade association of Tour Operators & Travel Agents Association of Gujarat (TAG). The minister heard the delegation out and has promised to look into the issue.  

Members at a recent educational seminar conducted by Indiatourism Mumbai that was attended by more than 50 participants, requested to re-open e-visas for foreign tourists. NS Rathor, Chairman (Western Region), IATO, says, “Since international travellers start planning six months in advance, this would be the tight time to open up e-visas which would allow them to plan for the upcoming tourist season. It is important that our next steps are planned so that inbound tourism can open up smoothly and safely.”

The Government of Gujarat has taken a decision to waive off property tax of hotels, resorts, restaurants and water parks for the period of 1 April, 2021 to 31 March, 2022. In addition to this the government has also decided to give waiver of fix charge in electricity bills to hotels, restaurants, resorts and water parks. The government has decided to levy electricity bill only on actual use of electricity. The decision was taken in a core committee meeting chaired by CM Vijay Rupani.

Reacting immediately to the fire incident that occurred at the Bhawan in Katra yesterday, KB Kachru, Member of Board of Trustees, Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, J&K, says, “At around 4.00 p.m. on 8 June a fire incident took place at Bhawan. The fire hydrants were pressed into service and the fire was brought under control by 4.25 p.m. No person has been injured in the said incident. There has been no hindrance to the yatra. The Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is progressing smoothly.”