Category Archives: States

The Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department has restarted the online mode of registration of tourism units. Secretary, Tourism of the state, Sarmad Hafiz formally kick-started the online service by handing over the registration to two unitholders. He said the portal is very dynamic and user-friendly which will streamline the registration process by a great measure.  

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath will soon be visiting Ayodhya to review the progress of the developmental works that are being carried out to provide world-class facilities to tourists. He will visit spots and oversee the progress of projects which include expansion of Bhajan Sandhya Sthal, Queen Ho Memorial Park, Ram Katha Park, and beautification of Ram Kath Gallery, Ram Ki Paidi. Development works include widening city roads, construction of multilevel parking sites and revamp of bus and railway station.

In order to revive film shoots in Jammu & Kashmir, a delegation of film-makers led by producer Mahaveer Jain met Nitishwar Kumar, J&K Principal Secretary to LG, to discuss challenges and opportunities. Also present at this meeting in Mumbai were filmmakers Ekta Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, in his address at the 10th ADTOI Convention has said that Kevadia is the most powerful example of how tourism can improve the standard of living of all. He also added that things are returning to normal in the last quarter of this financial year, adding that 2020 was unprecedented in many ways. Singh also informed that constant discussions are going on with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Health Ministry to relax the ban on tourist visas and the right decision will be taken in this matter when the appropriate time comes.

With a special package of Rs 300 crore received from Centre to celebrate its independence from Portuguese rule, Goa government now may have to part with some of it for tourism. Nilesh Shah, President of Travel & Tourism Association of Goa, says “We hope 50 per cent of this fund is allocated to tourism.” There is no clarity on when the funds would be disbursed and if they would come for any specific purpose.

Arunachal Pradesh deputy CM Chowna Mein has asked the department of tourism to simplify the process of obtaining Inner Line and Protected Area Permits for tourists willing to visit the state. He said, “This will increase tourist inflow and make the state more traveller-friendly. A large number of tourists want to visit Arunachal but many are reluctant because of the complexity one has to go through in obtaining these permits.”

The 15th Finance Commission ((FC) has recommended the Central government to provide a grant of Rs 875 crore to Tripura for five state-specific projects related to tourism development. The projects included construction of ropeway at Mata Tripureswari Temple and installation of light and sound show at Neermahal Palace near Tripura.

Maharashtra’s tourism department has announced 20 mini festivals across six regions of the state – Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur – in Feb and Mar. An amount of Rs100 lakh has also been earmarked for organising these festivals that will provide tourists an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage tourism of Maharashtra.

Kerala Tourism Minister, Kadakampally Surendran while addressing the Tourism Session of  Kerala Looks Ahead Virtual Summit said that they are exploring news strategies for marketing domestic tourism. “A special marketing plan has been developed in the context of COVID, special campaign has been launched to promote domestic tourism where safe environment and achievement in healthcare will be highlighted.”

The State Department of Tourism, Kerala, has given great importance to the Pilgrim Tourism Circuit and it has conceived various projects to construct basic pilgrim amenities at many religious centres. Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran recently laid the foundation for the Rs3-crore pilgrim amenity centre at Madre De Deus Church, Vettukad.