In 2018, Kashmir reportedly witnessed the lowest ever tourist footfall in the last seven years, recording only 8.5 lakh domestic and foreign tourists visiting the valley in total. This was a decline of about 23 per cent from 2017, which saw around 11 lakh tourists visitors to Kashmir. Zahoor Qari, Chairman—TAAI, J&K Chapter, said that the figures are by and far correct, and blamed the decline to negative media coverage about the state on electronic channels. “The decline in the number of tourists to Kashmir is because of the uncertainty projected by electronic media around the country. The smallest of incidents in the remotest part of the state is being highlighted in the media, which is not even close to the tourist sites in the valley. This works against the tourism in the state.” Despite actively participating in multiple travel trade shows around the country and abroad, the state witnessed the low visitor numbers. The tourism department also undertook many promotional initiatives in 2018 to boost the numbers. Qari said, “We even arranged a Fam trip for the media to Kashmir, but that also did not work. Instead, there was negative coverage on mainstream channels about Kashmir.”

The Central Government has sanctioned 11 projects for the development of coastal circuits in India for a total of over Rs 800 crore. This also includes the amount for the development of Sindhudurg coastal circuit in Maharashtra for Rs 82.17 crore, which was sanctioned in 2015-16. The coastal circuits are being developed under Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which also aims at integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. Apart from this, the Centre, under the assistance to Central Agencies Scheme, has sanctioned the upgradation and modernisation at International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai for Rs 1,250 lakh during 2017-18 and the development of Kanoji Angre Lighthouse for Rs 1,500 lakh during 2016-17. Source: The New Indian Express

Lemon Tree Hotels has signed a license agreement for a 69-room property located at Viman Nagar in Pune. The hotel is expected to be operational by March 2019 and shall be the third hotel, besides two other owned hotels of the company in Pune. Carnation Hotels, the hotel management arm of the company, will be operating and marketing this hotel.

Foreign tourists can now directly fly to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the government has designated Port Blair airport as an authorised immigration check post for entry into and exit from India with valid travel documents. The decision came more than a month after the killing of an American national by members of a highly protected tribe in one of the islands of the Union Territory. “In pursuance of sub-rule (b) of rule 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, the central government hereby designates Port Blair airport of Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an authorised immigration check post for entry into/exit from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers,” a home ministry notification said. In another notification, the home ministry appointed the Superintendent of Police, CID, the Andaman and Nicobar Police, as the “civil authority” for the immigration check post at Port Blair airport with effect from December 31, 2018. The Andamans, under global spotlight after the killing of an American national, has emerged as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the country receiving on an average four lakh tourists, including several thousand foreigners, annually. According to data available with the home ministry, the archipelago has received 4,02,393 tourists, including 11,818 foreigners, till October, 2018 while it received 4,87,229 tourists, including 15,310 foreigners in 2017. In 2016, as many as 4,00,019 tourists, including 15,467 foreigners, had visited the Andamans and in 2015, a total of 3,11,358 tourists, including 14,674 foreigners, had gone to the union territory, the data revealed. Source: PTI  

The Indian Railways is all set to start ‘Panj Takht Express’ from January 14, 2019, which will link the five takhts (temporal seats) of Sikhs — Akal Takht in Amritsar, Takht Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo near Bathinda, Takht Hazur Sahib at Nanded and Takht Patna Sahib in Patna. With 800 seats in three-tier air-conditioned coaches, the train will complete the journey in 9 nights and 10 days. Costing Rs 15,750 per head, the pilgrims taking the tour would be lodged in hotels or gurudwaras.

Alibaba Group has opened its first ‘future hotel,’ known as Flyzoo Hotel, in Hangzhou, China. The hotel’s operation relies on smart interactive technologies, particularly facial recognition. A 1-meter high robot serves as a receptionist, remembering guests by using facial-recognition technology. It also uploads guest details to the country’s national public security system via a machine located in the lobby. However, to run housekeeping, FlyZoo still employs humans.

Centre has announced reduction in GST (Goods and Services Tax) on a total of 23 goods and services. Under the new rates, air travel of pilgrims by non-scheduled/charter operations, being facilitated by the government under bilateral arrangements, will attract a lower GST rate of 5 per cent. This would include pilgrimages like Mansarovar Yatra, the Haj, and the Pashupatinath tour. These tours are usually done by chartered and non-scheduled flights, and will now be cheaper under the new GST rates. Earlier, tours through chartered flights attracted 18 per cent GST.

According to a recent notification by Air China, commission for all tickets issued on Air China Document by travel agents in India will be 0% (nil) with effect from January 1, 2019. In line with it, the airline said, “We are currently updating all systems, all tickets issued before this update for travel on or after January 1, 2019 will follow our current IATA Commision Rule.”

Lemon Tree Hotels will be operating 85 hotels with 8,674 rooms across 57 cities by FY2021, informed Rattan Keswani, Deputy Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels and Director, Carnation Hotels. He said, “This year, we have enjoyed very high occupancy, close to 79 per cent. We have opened a few properties this year, including Dehradun, Pune, Siliguri and Morjim. We should be able to open an owned hotel in Mumbai, followed by Kolkata. Then we should be able to open a managed property in Kalina, Mumbai.”    

Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) saw a 10 per cent increase in overall air traffic movement as compared to the previous reporting periodm, according to GVK MIAL’s recently-published fourth biennial Sustainability Report 2018. The report also said that there was 22 per cent increase in domestic passengers and 13 per cent increase in international passengers during the reporting period as compared to the previous reporting period. The report is based on the theme – ‘Coming Together for a Sustainable Tomorrow’, showcases performance and achievements for FY 2016–17 and FY 2017–18. Through this report, MIAL aims to keep its stakeholders informed regarding progress on vital sustainability issues such as climate change, safety & security, environment & health and others to create value in short, medium and long term. MIAL is the first and only airport operator in India to publish Sustainability Report in public domain. Through the report, MIAL has demonstrated its commitment towards meaningful participation for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report has been developed ‘In accordance’ – Comprehensive option of the latest Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) Standards. Based on GRI database MIAL is the first airport operator in Asia to release the sustainability report in accordance with GRI Standards – comprehensive option. The report is externally assured by Bureau Veritas (India) in line with requirements of the AccountAbility 1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS) (2008) – Type 2 Moderate level.