Category Archives: States

The Sikkim government has decided to close its borders for all kinds of visiting tourists until October 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19 in the state. As of date, Sikkim is the only Indian state that has not reported any COVID-19 case so far. Making the announcement, Ganga Prasad, Governor, Sikkim said that the state will be closed for all tourists activities for the next 6 months. Reportedly, Sikkim was also the first Indian state to enforce statewide lockdown on 17th March. The state borders are closed since then.

Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, APTDC, has said that this is the time to commission a good study on domestic tourism, which details the action plan for the way forward to boost domestic tourism. Speaking at the second Digital Conclave by TravTalk, Lohani said, “Now is the time to commission a good study on domestic tourism, which is not too long but only 25-30 pages of action points. Then make all the states and stakeholders start following that. A lot of small things must be done. Collectively, they become very big and they impact the state. For energising domestic tourism, we need to have a very aggressive campaign, which can create that desire in the hearts of people to explore their own country.”

Speaking at the first session of the second Digital Conclave held by TravTalk, Lohani, Chairman, APTDC said, “Everybody needs to get ready for domestic tourism, travelling within the state as well as the region is likely to grow. People will be apprehensive to go far but will be willing to travel within the country. India has everything to offer, now is the right time to position domestic tourism in the country. We need to commission a study on domestic tourism and all states and stakeholders need to follow that.”

After a long time Ganga water has become good for achaman (ritual sipping). The cause behind cleaner Ganga water is a 500% decrease in total dissolved solid, industrial effluent, sewage from hotels and lodges, and lack of human activities as no pilgrims have been visiting Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Rubbishing rumours that all tourism activity in Kerala has been banned till November 2020, Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President, Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), has said that the situation in Kerala is expected to become normal by the end of the second phase of the lockdown. “The state is now making all preparations to receive tourists once the country becomes COVID-free. Kerala Tourism is drawing up ambitious plans to attract domestic tourists in a big way.” KTM denies reports that all tourism activity in Kerala has been banned till October – November this year in view of COVID-19 outbreak, asserting that the State Government has not come out with any such instruction. “Certain quarters are spreading this false propaganda by misinterpreting the positive suggestion made by State Finance Minister Dr TM Thomas Isaac that efforts to revive tourism in the state should start now itself. It is significant that the Finance Minister has also noted that the experience of the foreign tourists, who have recovered from COVID-19 by receiving effective treatment in Kerala itself will boost the state’s tourism prospects in the coming days,” he added.

Kerala Tourism, in its latest video, is urging its followers to ‘take a trip home’ and ‘travel later’ by using local cooking as an alternative. The video states, “Is your heart craving for soft, piping hot Ramasseri idli? when you have all the time in the world, why not try your hand at cooking them from the comfort of your home.” The video uses a snippet from an earlier video, which shows a lady from Ramassery Idli Kada, Palakkad, preparing their famous Ramassery idli, using a traditional method.

The Delhi government has announced a Rs100-crore scheme to introduce the national capital as a tourism brand to domestic and foreign tourists and create news jobs in the sector. Presenting the Budget in the Delhi Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Delhi has the resources to become the country’s tourism capital. “But due to lack of branding and information, most tourists take Delhi as a transit point, because of which tourists coming to Delhi spend (only) a day on an average here. Whereas, in cities like London, Singapore and Tokyo, a tourist spends three days on an average,” he said. A tourist visiting Delhi should spend at least two days on an average. Only a difference of a day will create millions of new jobs and opportunities for economic growth, Sisodia said. Under the new scheme “Branding Delhi”, Delhi tourism will be re-branded and the city will be introduced as a tourism brand in the country and abroad to domestic and foreign tourists, he said. The AAP government also proposed “Campaign for Communal Harmony” in the wake of the recent violence in northeast Delhi that left 53 dead and over 200 injured. “The government is working towards making the national capital”s dynamic structure an important part of Delhi”s tourism. Last year, we celebrated Diwali in an environment-friendly manner without bursting firecrackers and organised a laser show with cultural activities. It was widely appreciated,” he said. ‘Delhi Ki Diwali’ will be celebrated this year too. Also, a new festival called “Purvanchal Utsav” is proposed to be celebrated, the deputy chief minister said. Source: PTI

Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot has written to PM Modi demanding a relief package for those affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality industry. In a statement, Gehlot said that there is an unemployment crisis for 29 lakh families and demanded for a unemployment allowance as well. He also sought GST payment waiver or postponement for tourism & hospitality industry and MSMEs. The Rajasthan government has already announced the reimbursement of SGST for the state’s tourism and hospitality industry. The CM has also written a letter to the Finance Minister and urged to address the crisis being faced by the state’s tourism & hospitality industry.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has banned the entry of foreign and domestic tourists into the state and shut down public places such as educational institutes till April 15 in view of novel coronavirus outbreak. He also appealed to the people of Sikkim to avoid travelling outside the state unless it is an emergency. There will be a complete ban on visits of even domestic tourists in Sikkim, the chief minister said, adding a notification in this regard will be issued on Tuesday. The Himalayan state is a favourite destination of both domestic and foreign tourists. Over 1.33 lakh foreigners visited Sikkim in 2019, while nearly 12 lakh Indians visited the state till September last year, according to government data. The Tourism Guest House at Rangpo will be converted to a quarantine centre and similar arrangements will be made at Melli, he said. All government and private schools, colleges and universities and public places such as discos, casinos, gyms, fairs and festivals will remain closed till April 15, the chief minister said after a high-level meeting in Gangtok. Students should stay put in Sikkim and refrain from travelling outside even if it means travelling to their home states, Tamang said. He asked people to take these decisions positively as nothing is more important than public health and life.   PTI “Sikkim is fortunate to have not a single case of coronavirus, but we should continue to take all precautionary measures,” the chief minister said. Tamang said the authorities concerned have been directed to store all essential commodities to avoid any shortage in future.

According to HVS India Hospitality Overview 2019, Chandigarh recorded the highest growth in RevPAR (12.3%) in 2019. However, Mumbai continued to record the highest RevPAR of ₹6,464 in 2019. The report also states that Goa and Bengaluru remain the top markets for brand signings. However, increasing supply poses a concern for the Goa hotel market performance in the near future.