Category Archives: States

CT Ravi, Tourism Minister, Karnataka, has said that the state is planning to introduce a new tourism master plan, which will focus on the overall infrastructural development of tourist destinations, improving inter-connectivity between destinations, along with providing adequate security measures. Through this, the tourism department plans to increase its revenue contribution to the state’s GDP to 20 per cent from the existing 14.8 per cent. Also, with a new tourism policy, the government hopes to create about 2 lakh direct jobs, said the Minister. Karnataka’s existing tourism policy ends next year. With a thrust on experiential tourism, the tourism department will work towards skill development for tourist guides, promoting local fests at tourist destinations and others. Traditional sports like Kambala will also be promoted, added Ravi.

A total of four islands will be developed for tourism in Andaman & Nicobar (A&N), while five will be developed in Lakshadweep, revealed Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog, while speaking at the pre-application conference for Eco Tourism Resorts for Andaman & Nicobar Islands. “These are some of the most pristine islands, and one of the last destinations in the world to be opened. We want to develop them as high-value destinations. They will be built around the carrying capacity of the island after detailed analysis.” Chetan B Sanghi, Chief Secretary, A&N Islands, Administration, said, “The islands are Long, Aves, Smith and Shaheed Sweep of A&N islands. We will ensure that investors get easy and early clearances. Also, initially 30 per cent and later 60 per cent of the local population will get employment.”

Eco-Tourism programmes in Kerala, managed by the forest department of the state, have earned good profits in last one year. The department has generated an income of Rs 137.31 crore through ticket sales from eco-tourism activities conducted by various wildlife divisions in 2017-18. There are 60 such sites in Kerala. The eco-tourism spots saw a huge number of visitors with 12.68 lakh visitors in the same period. As many as 24,537 foreigners and 42,032 students visited these spots. The scenic Athirappilly waterfall, generated Rs 47.77 crore followed by Parambikulam division which generated a sum of Rs 29.41 crore.

The number of domestic tourists in Himachal Pradesh is expected to grow to 26.97 million by 2023. (CAGR 5.90%). In terms of foreign tourist arrival, the state is expecting the number to 0.66 million by 2023. (CAGR 6.49 %). During the period, the state has planned to highlight adventure tourism, spiritual tourism and eco-tourism, revealed a tourism, hospitality and civil aviation report revealed during the Rising Himachal Global Investor Summit in Dharamsala. Notably, tourism sector’s contribution to state’s GDP is 6.8 per cent.

Tourist destinations in Kerala will be made differently-abled friendly by 2021, informed Kadamapally Surendran, Tourism Minister, Kerala, who revealed in the state assembly that they have identified around 120 tourist spots across the state in the first phase. Of these, 98 destinations have already been made completely differently-abled friendly. A host of facilities, including special parking areas and toilet facilities will be made available. Work on the remaining centres is in progress. Special tour packages for the differently-abled will also be brought out under the responsible tourism initiative, the Minister added.

Addressing a gathering of Indian diaspora in Bangkok, Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Northeast India is being developed as a gateway to Southeast Asia. He also said that plans are on cards to establish seamless connectivity between Thailand, Myanmar and North East India in the years to come. He also said, this initiative will immensely strengthen India’s Act East Policy and Thailand’s Act West Policy.

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched direct service between Chennai and Tokyo. With the new service, Chennai has become the first city in South India to have the flight connectivity to the Narita International Airport, Tokyo. The Chennai-Narita connect will operate thrice a week on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday, AAI said.

To make Goa the number one adventure hub in the country, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is offering several adventure sports such as river rafting, scuba diving, parasailing, paragliding, and hot air ballooning. Nikhil Desai, MD, GTDC, shares, “We have introduced India’s second highest bungee jumping facility at Mayem Lake and have tied up with reputed private operators to ensure safety.” A full-fledged family theme park is also in the offing here. Desai also adds, “In addition, we are introducing several new tourism facilities like an underwater submarine, giant wheels, and bike tourism circuits that would allow tourists to hire bikes and go to nearby places like Hampi. A hanging restaurant, which would go up to 100 metres in the sky, is also in the offing, and would allow people to get a great view of Goa while enjoying their food.”

Goa is all set to have a convention centre in Panaji, Goa. Nikhil Desai, MD, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, said, “For MiCE, there is a full-fledged convention centre in the offing at Panaji, with a capacity of 1400 people, with a mini expo centre as well. Also, there are talks about a large convention centre, with about 5000 seating capacity, to come up in Dona Paula near Panaji.” Goa has a lot of scope in terms of MiCE and is one of the most favoured destinations for events. Having convention centres in the state would certainly boost the number of conferences as well as arrivals to the state.

The State Government of Karnataka has decided to return the Rs 96 crore under the Swadesh Darshan programme, which was sanctioned by MOT for development of coastal tourism projects in three districts of the state, after not being able to implement the project within the stipulated time. According to CT Ravi, Tourism Minister, Karnataka, reportedly said that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 95 crore for the integrated development of coastal tourism circuits in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts in 2015-16. After that MOT also released Rs 19 crore to start the work. However, the state could not make any progress, and thus has decided to return the sanctioned amount. They will now submit a new implementable detailed project report in two months and get it sanctioned again.