A team from the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s India Office led by Director Sammy Yahia, along with Consul General of Israel and Govardhan Eco Village’s Director – Shri Gauranga Das Prabhu met with Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra, to inaugurate the Indo-Israel Partnership for Experimental Learning between the Israel Ministry of Tourism and Govardhan Eco Village. The Ministry of Tourism and Govardhan Eco Village are working closely together to curate a comprehensive 10-day course for the students that will expose them to Sustainable Ecosystems in India (3 days) – at the Govardhan Eco Village, and in Israel (3 days), as well as an immersive cultural experience in Israel (4 days).  The Experimental Learning Partnership courses are being curated to attract approximately 5,000 young Indian adults, over the next 3 years, in higher levels of education, to offer them the opportunity to experience Israel. While the education program is still be designed, scholars will study the different aspects of sustainability in Israel, while increasing awareness of Israel’s excellent education system.  The cultural aspects of the course will include immersive experiences in different parts of Israel.  This could include visiting the Dead Sea Region – for its unique ecosystem; Jerusalem for its interesting history, architecture and cultural diversity; and Tel Aviv for its leading start-up ecosystem. Sammy Yahia, Israel’s Director of Tourism for India and Philippines said, “I am elated by the interest of the Govardhan Eco Village to exploit Israel’s immense potential and making it available to young Indian adults, who can come to Israel and learn about environmental sustainability and ecotourism, while experiencing the unique culture of Israel.”

In a bid to promote adventure tourism, the Maharashtra government approved the state’s new adventure tourism policy. The policy will channelize adventure tourism on land, air and water. Around 25 different adventure activities like trekking, paragliding, water rappelling, river rafting, biking, rock climbing, scuba diving etc. will be covered in the policy.  The policy will cover the promotion of adventure activities as well as registration, regulation, monitoring, planning, promotion, training etc. of various adventure event organisers and adventure training organizations. State Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray shared, “Safety being the priority, adventure tourism organizers will need to be vigilant as per the provisions mentioned in the policy regarding the safety of tourists. Norms for trained and experienced trainers, quality, and standardized equipment will be laid down. State level committees and divisional level committees will be constituted for effective implementation of adventure tourism policy. These committees will consist of experts in land, air and water tourism.”

Subhash Goyal, President, Confederation of Tourism Professionals, has said that the Government should announce immediately E-Tourist Visa and Scheduled International flights in the month of September/October. “The Tourist season to India is from October to March. While domestic tourism is helping a few hotels but people like Govt. recognized Tourist Guides, Tourist Transport Operators, Tourist Taxi Drivers pan India and small Tour Operators and Vendors are starving. We have to fulfil our Prime Minister’s dream of making India a 5 trillion dollar economy,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the much-awaited Rudraksh convention centre at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. In a tweet, the PM said, “I am delighted to be inaugurating the Rudraksh convention centre in Varanasi. Constructed with Japanese assistance, this state-of-the-art centre will make Varanasi an attractive destination for conferences thus drawing more tourists and businesspersons to the city.”

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated various development projects in Varanasi, which includes Tourist Facilitation Centre under the Project ‘Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme – Phase II’ and operation of Cruise Boat from Assi Ghat to RajGhat under the Project ‘Development of River Cruise in Varanasi under PRASHAD Scheme’. Anandiben Patel, Governor, Uttar Pradesh; Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; and Minister Nilkanth Tiwari and M. P. Surendra Narayan Sinha were also present on this occasion The project “Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme – Phase II” was approved by the Ministry of Tourism with the cost of Rs. 44.69 crores in Feb. 2018. The components viz. ‘Panchkoshi Path’, ‘Pilgrim Facilitation Center’, ‘Rameshwar’, ‘Road Development’ and ‘Signages’ have been successfully completed and dedicated to the nation. The project ‘Development of River Cruise in Varanasi under PRASHAD Scheme’ was approved by the Ministry of Tourism with the cost of Rs. 10.72 crores in Feb. 2018. The components viz. ‘Passenger Cum Cruise Vehicle’, ‘Modular Jetty’, ‘Audio Visual Interventions’, and ‘CCTV Surveillance’ have been successfully completed and dedicated to the nation. Prime Minister praised the state government for the optimum use of the funds released by the Government of India for creating the facilities of international standards.

Thailand continues to be a dream destination for golfers from all around the world. In a recent survey, more than 97% respondents from India reveal that they rate Thailand as a top-quality destination for a golfing break. Besides world-class golf courses, factors contributing to this choice include warm hospitality, value for money, affordable luxury and proximity to India. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director TAT, New Delhi, says, “It is expected that Thailand would be the first destination where the majority of golfers would travel for their first golf holiday post two years of COVID-19.”

India has recorded the highest domestic air traffic since the second wave of Covid-19 hit India, revealed Jyotiraditya Scindia, Cabinet Minister, Civil Aviation. “We are well on our way to gradually regaining pre-COVID-19 traffic levels!,” he said in a tweet.

Kamala Vardhan Rao, IAS, C&MD, ITDC, has said that India has tremendous potential for medical value tourism. Speaking at a webinar for Tourism Collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia, he added, “India holds 10th position globally as far as Medical Value Tourism is concerned, due to affordability, accessibility, and availability of medical facilities. It is the 7th dominating country in the world and 3rd in Asia Pacific region in terms of wellness tourism. India has received 4.95 lakh medical tourist in 2017 which has gone up to over 7 lakhs in 2019. With 800 NABH and 36 JCI accredited hospitals, India is a viable destination for medical facilities due to a robust ecosystem which is already well developed. Medical Value Tourism (MVT) is one of the 10 champion sectors identified by the Government of India, and we are perhaps the only country in the world with a dedicated Ministry of alternate healing and traditional medicine, the Ministry of AYUSH, which promotes Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy medicine. Ayurveda is taking off in a very big way world-wide, with its proven efficacy in the post-COVID recovery phase.”

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, has said that while the strategy for international marketing in terms of incentives, promotions and media campaigns will be similar, but it will change from 15th August, when we enter 75th year of Independence. “We’ll merge that kind of messaging or campaigns, which will be aimed at celebrating 75th year of India’s independence, with existing media strategies, as well as new schemes and programmes,” he said.

Commenting on tourists flocking different domestic destinations and raising concerns of COVID and over-tourism, G Kishan Reddy, Cabinet Minister, Tourism & Culture, said, “While the state governments are responsible to control the spread, and they have been given advisories to follow COVID protocols, but COVID spread cannot be controlled without the cooperation of the people and tourists. Of course, the Central Government, State Governments, district and local administrations are working on it, but people’ cooperation is needed to make it happen.”