Tag Archives: Government of India

A new civilian terminal is expected to come up at the Kheria Air Force Station in Agra to provide international facilities to passengers visiting the Taj city, revealed Mahesh Sharma, Tourism Minister, Government of India. The Kheria airport is currently under the control of Indian Air Force which allows one of its air strips to be used for civilian flights. Post discussions with the district officials, Sharma informed, Rs. 100 crore has already been sanctioned for upgrading the Kheria airport and construction of the civilian terminal, for which about 50 acres of land has already been acquired. Sharma further informed that the proposed Jewar International Airport in Gautam Buddha Nagar is expected to cater to the aviation needs of the national capital region (NCR), while the Agra airport will primarily cater to the tourists visiting the Taj Mahal. (Source: Business Standard)  

PATA India Chapter in cooperation with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is conducting its business development roadshows in six European cities from October 17-27, 2016. The roadshow will begin in Helsinki (Finland) on October 17, and move on to Stockholm (Sweden) on October 18, Copenhagen (Denmark) on October 20, Vienna (Austria) on October 24, Prague (Czech Republic) on October 26, and conclude in Warsaw (Poland) on October 27. PATA India Chapter’s Executive Director, Runeep Sangha, said, “PATA looks forward to carrying 15-20 sellers from India including airlines, hotels, special interest groups, and destination management companies.” The meetings aim to promote inbound tourism from these important and emerging source markets for India.

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (International Cooperation Division) is organising the BRICS Convention on Tourism from September 01-02, 2016, in  Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Delegation from the BRICS nations including Tourism Minister of South Africa is expected to participate in the Convention, which is being held as a precursor to the BRICS Summit to be held in Goa on October 15-16, 2016. The two day event will comprise of inter-governmental exchange of views and ideas, panel discussions on technology, innovation in tourism, and cooperation between the BRICS countries for promoting intra-regional tourism. B2B meetings between the India Travel Trade and their counterparts from the BRICS countries will also be organised. Elements of culture, handicrafts and cuisine from different regions of India will be showcased during the convention. The inaugural ceremony and proceedings on September 1, 2016, is being organised at the Convention Centre of Ramada Hotel, Khajuraho. Madhya Pradesh Tourism is sponsoring a gala cultural evening and dinner at Clark’s Hotel Khajuraho on September 01, 2016, for the delegates attending the BRICS convention. On September 02, 2016, panel discussions on the topics, “Cooperation among the BRICS countries for promotion of Tourism” and “Technology, Innovation in Tourism: Adapting to change” has been organised. Post-convention familiarisation tours are also organised for the BRICS delegates from September 03-06, 2016. The itineraries for the familiarisation tour would cover important tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which include Varanasi-Bodhgaya, Orchha/Agra, and Bhopal-Sanchi-Bhimbetka. The familiarisation tours will be hosted by the respective state governments.

Nashik will be developed as a mega tourist destination under the Visit Maharashtra plan 2017. Jaykumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Maharashtra, Government of India, said that Nashik Circuit, comprising tourist spots in the region, would be promoted under the 2017 plan and the idea of ‘Visit Nashik’ would be publicised on the lines of Visit Maharashtra. He also assured of making air service available through small airlines and the gap payment will be borne by the Union and state governments. Various tourism options were also discussed like ropeway at Saptashrungi Gadh, promotion of medical tourism in the state, dam tourism, wine tourism and agro tourism promotion including the controversial boat club. “The chief minister announced 2017 as Visit Maharashtra year. He wants to give number one priority to tourism. We are trying to attract tourists not just from India but from abroad. We can promote Nashik in Visit Maharashtra project. Our tagline Maharashtra Unlimited can also be applied as Nashik Unlimited. We will develop a circuit here,” said Rawal. He further revealed that Nashik Circuit will include travel from Mumbai to Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar, Bhandardhara, Bhavali, Hathgad, Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur, Nandur Madhyameshwar, Saptashrungi, Chandwad, Nashik, Trimbakeshwar in a planned manner. “We can have Godavari Aarti every evening like Ganga Aarti. Nandur Madhyameshwar Bird Sanctuary is of international importance. We will also resolve the problems with respect to Gangapur Boat Club and will start it soon,” said Rawal. (Source: Times of India)

Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India to have an understanding for smooth execution of various projects for development and creation of tourist facilities and amenities in and around centrally protected monuments/sites in Maharashtra. This is the first MOU the Archaeological Survey of India has signed with any tourism board in India. The MOU was signed by Dr. K.H. Govinda Raj IAS, Managing Director – Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Sharad Sharma, Additional Director General (ASI Delhi) in presence of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister Tourism; Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Valsa Nair Singh IAS, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture, Government of Maharashtra and other officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)Mumbai and Aurangabad Circle. MOU was signed in a meeting at Trident BKC on 23rd August, 2016. Government of Maharashtra shall arrange requisite funds for all the projects from Central Financial Assistance (CFA), State Govt. agencies, Corporate Social Responsibility Fund (CSR) of Private Companies or through Public Private Participation (PPP). ASI shall not have objection for any kind of fund raising by Govt. of Maharashtra. Initially, the tenure of this agreement shall be 10 years. The agreement shall be extended for further period of on mutual consent of the parties mentioned herein. Rawal said, “This is great step to develop infrastructure for the use of tourists in and around centrally protected monuments and sites under jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Maharashtra. As per the policy of PPP declared and promoted by   Govt. of India, Director, Govt. of Maharashtra or MD, MTDC shall explore the possibility of PPP …

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has formed a task force with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to address and simplify regional connectivity scheme. Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, MOT, Government of India, said, “By working together, we aim to make travelling for tourists much simpler especially for those who opt for the different theme based circuits.” A meeting was held last week between the two ministries to discuss the particulars and address complications that may arise. This would also simplify travel for the transnational Buddhist Circuit which is in the pipeline and has recently been approved.

The Ministry of Tourism is planning theme based events for attracting tourists in the country, revealed Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, while addressing he members of Indian Association of Tour Operators in New Delhi. He said, “We are working on theme based events in India in the next six months. We have shortlisted three themes—medical tourism, adventure tourism and MICE tourism. We want to create a buzz about India and partner with FICCI or some other organisation and organise an international event, to attract the world’s attention to the country. However, we will focus on only one such event this year.”

The Ministry of Tourism has confirmed that they are looking to extend the e-Tourist Visa (eTV) facilities to 36 other countries, among which Italy is one of the key countries. “The e-Tourist Visa has been the biggest game-changer for the industry,” commented Suman Billa, Joint Secretary-Tourism, Government of India. “Initially, we began with a handful of countries which were our eight major source countries. We now stand at 150 countries and are looking to expand the list. Most of our most important source countries have already been included but Italy is one of the other major markets that will receive this facility after approval.” During January-June 2016, a total of 4,71,909 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 1,26,214 during January-June 2015, registering a growth of 273.9 per cent. A total of 36,982 tourists arrived in June 2016 on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 15,557 during the month of June 2015 registering a growth of 137.7 per cent.

Ministry of Tourism is pushing for medical e-visa for attendants who will accompany patients travelling to India for medical purposes, revealed Suman Billa, Joint Secretary-Tourism, Government of India. “There are several aspects that are being looked into to develop medical tourism facilities in the country. Currently, the patient has to report to the FRRO within 15 days of entering the country. However, we are trying to empower the hospital to file the FRRO clearance for the patient.” Billa added that MOT is also trying to simplify the requirement of providing medical certificates from local doctors – a mandate applied for several African nationalities who travel to India for medical purposes.

India Tourism is the Premier Partner for World Travel Market London 2016, as it looks to promote the diverse tourism product the country offers. Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “India is privileged to be Premier Partner of WTM London 2016. The event is the perfect platform to promote the diverse tourism products the country has to offer, from cultural heritage to beaches, cruises, eco-tourism, medical tourism and religious tourism and to showcase that India is truly “Incredible”. “There is an ever-increasing amount of new and exciting products to educate the world’s leading buyers about. WTM London is an event when the Indian tourism stakeholders get to meet the world’s buyers and sign business agreements. The Ministry of Tourism and the Indian exhibitors look forward to a very successful WTM London 2016.”The Indian Government has in the last 18 months invested more than $300 million on developing its tourism infrastructure around the country as it aims for more than 13 million visitors a year by 2020. India is experiencing a 10 per cent annual growth in foreign tourist arrivals this year taking visitor numbers to a projected nine million in 2016. The Ministry of Tourism will be looking to speak to WTM Buyers’ Club members from its key source markets of the USA, UK, China, Australia, France, Germany, Canada and Spain as well as the growing markets of South East Asia, the Middle East and Russia. The key to India’s strategy is also to focus on a variety of products including heritage, cultural, rural, wellness, medical, adventure, and golf. A special focus is being put on coastal and beach tourism, cruise and eco-tourism. The government is developing …