Jammu & Kashmir’s gets its first-ever open-air floating on the Dal Lake. The theatre was inaugurated by J&K chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, and is aimed at attracting more tourists to the region. On this occasion, a Shikara rally, adorned with shining lights passed through Nehru Park to Kabootar Khana with local artists singing and dancing to Kashmiri songs which entertained guests and passersby. Old Indian film ‘Kashmir ki Kali’ was screened during the festival.

Aaditya Thackeray, Tourism & Environment Minister, Maharashtra has said that in the post COVID world, tourism sector will be our sponge industry which will absorb the highest number of employment growth, highest revenue for the state, and it will have a ripple effect on the country’s economy.

Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, has said that as per the Global COVID-19 Sentiment Survey conducted by DCT Abu Dhabi, 65% of Indian travellers’ decisions depend on low COVID-19 case numbers in the destination of their choice and 43% of Indian travellers perceive Abu Dhabi as an ideal holiday destination for families. “Taking this sentiment into account and the understanding that Indian travellers are more likely to take short haul flights than mid-long-haul flights, Abu Dhabi is ready to welcome business and leisure travellers from India,” he adds.

Uttarakhand is working towards setting up a cave tourism circuit in Gangolihat, Pithoragarh. It is a set of nine underground caves, which were recently discovered and have the potential to be a great tourist attraction. MPS Bisht, Director, Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), said in a statement, “These are natural heritage sites, which we are going to protect and eventually they will be opened for tourists. The central government has already given a nod. Slovenia earns almost 30 per cent revenue through cave tourism. We, too, can generate good tourism income this way.”

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation inaugurated the IndiGo flight between Kanpur – Bengaluru. Scindia said that this new route will not only enhance connectivity to/from Kanpur but will also promote trade, commerce and tourism between these cities. Flights between Kanpur and Mumbai & Hyderabad have also started. In addition, he recently inaugurated first direct flights on Indore-Prayagraj, Indore-Jodhpur, Indore-Surat routes, in a bid to boost regional connectivity.

Waxpol Hotels & Resorts has won the Trav Talk -WTM World Travel Leaders Award, given based on key themes of this year’s WTM London: Reconnect. Rebuild. Innovate. The hospitality group was given this honour because it set up a COVID taskforce to help its teams to stay safe, providing access to medical care if needed, and extending additional financial support. There have been no lay-offs or pay cuts. The company has also supported local schools by providing separate toilets for girls; desks and chairs for classrooms; library and sports facilities; screens with internet connectivity for digital education; and playground equipment. Furthermore, it worked with others in the industry to develop Covid-19 guidelines and training for homestays, camps, resorts and hotels.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has prepared the Guidelines for Sustainable Ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas-2021. The overall goal of these Guidelines is promoting better understanding of nature and wildlife conservation while generating income and opportunities for the local communities in an ecologically, culturally and economically sustainable manner. The States Union Territories may take further action, as appropriate, in this regard.

Embassy of India, Muscat has informed that the Government of the Sultanate of Oman has added Covaxin to the approved list of COVID-19 vaccines for travel to Oman. The Civil Aviation Authority issued a notification on 27th October regarding this. All passengers from India who have received two doses of Covaxin at least 14 days before the estimated arrival date will now be able to travel to Oman without the requirement of quarantine. All other COVID-19 related requirements/conditions, such as pre-arrival RT-PCR test shall be applicable for such passengers. This notification will significantly ease travel to Oman for Indian nationals who have taken Covaxin, Passengers, who have taken AstraZeneca/Covishield are already permitted to travel to Oman without quarantine.

A Heritage Walk was conducted on 26 Oct 21 by the Andaman Association of Tour Operators in association with the Ministry of Tourism (India Tourism Port Blair). The walk was a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations by AATO. Students of BBA Tourism of JNRM College participated in the walk along with AATO members and India Tourism officials. The walk was flagged off from National memorial Cellular Jail by AATO president Shri.M.Vinod and Assistant Director India Tourism Port Blair Shri.Ramakrishnan. JNRM faculty members Shri.Abdul Salam & Ms.Saida also graced the occasion. From Cellular Jail the participants walked to the Battle of Aberdeen war memorial where Joint Secretary AATO Shri.Saikat Biswas briefed the participants about the famous war of Aberdeen and the importance of the war memorial. The walk terminated at JNRM college, where the participants were distributed certificates and refreshments. Speaking on the occasion Shri.M.Vinod highlighted the importance of Celluar Jail in the freedom struggle of India and urged the students to carry forward the vision of the freedom fighters on the occasion of 75 years of India’s independence. Delivering the vote of thanks Shri.K.Hamza, General Secretary of AATO thanked India Tourism Port Blair, JNRM tourism faculty and Heaven on Ocean Tourism (Coral Safari) for the support rendered for conducting the Heritage Walk. AATO in association with the ministry of tourism will be conducting FAM trips for the JNRM students and also organise photography & Essay writing competition as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has initiated a campaign to raise awareness on the copyright issues faced by hospitality establishments over playing recorded music. The campaign has been launched in the wake of recent incidences that occurred in Pune when two Mumbai-based private firms extorted Rs1.37 lakh from businessmen under the pretext of issuing them copyright licenses for staging musical performances at marriage ceremonies in a star hotel. HRAWI has met and submitted a written appeal to the Pune Commissioner of Police requesting him to take cognizance of the crime and register economic offence against the private agencies for extortion