Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Hello Meghalaya Conclave took place in Shillong, serving as a vibrant gathering for the cultural community. As Meghalaya’s indigenous OTT platform, Hello Meghalaya offers invaluable opportunities to filmmakers, artists, and content creators. The event was organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. Since the launch of Hello Meghalaya in 11th July 2024, the app had seen an overwhelming response with over 3.14 lakhs total app downloads and 2 lakh registrations in just a span of 5 months, 281K total number of views, 7.33K total content downloads, and 5.05K total content shared. The top-performing content includes Ka Daw, Thong Iong Nga, Ehrang, Ka Chithi, and Papa, with Thadlaskein, Laskein, and Mawlai being among the top regions for views. Hello Meghalaya also boasts a strong social media presence, with nine thousand YouTube subscribers, five thousand Instagram followers, and over four thousand Facebook followers, all achieved within six months. Dr. Vijay Kumar D, IAS, expressed his pride in the success of Hello Meghalaya as an OTT platform launched by a state government. He shared an experience from his visit to Nongnah, a village in Southwest Khasi Hills located over three hours from Shillong. During his interaction with farmers and youth in the village, the youth showcased the Hello Meghalaya app, highlighting its impressive reach even in remote areas. The conclave showcased the video presentation of the journey of Hello Meghalaya over the span of 5 months. Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister launched the Guidelines of Film Grant Booklet, to encourage film production and to promote the use of local language a corpus fund has been created by the Government of Meghalaya to provide financial assistance to filmmakers. The …

On Saturday, 14th December 2024 the world’s steepest cable car starts operating. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren was officially opened the day before as part of a VIP opening ceremony. At the same time, the first section of the cable car between Mürren and Birg will go into operation. It marks the completion of the first major construction phase of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project: the opening of the new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is the steepest cable car in the world with a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The classic aerial cableway connects the valley floor with the car-free mountain village in just four minutes via the vertical walls of the Mürrenfluh. It covers a height of 775 metres on a journey of almost 1194 metres. The two cable cars from Carvatech in Oberwies, Austria, have space for 85 people or 6.8 tonnes of cargo. 800 people per hour can be transported at full capacity. A striking feature is the very long suspension arm of 11 metres, which was essential due to the extreme gradient. The AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) aerial cableway with constant monitoring by cameras and sensors enables autonomous operation without personnel inside the cable cars and stations. A fully automated loading robot takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of luggage and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container attached underneath the cable car. Grand opening On Friday, 13th December 2024, the cable car was officially opened in the presence of over 600 guests. The lively celebration, hosted by Monika Erb, took place in the new Stechelberg valley station. In addition to the official opening ceremony and rides on the new cable …

Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) has proposed to the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, to include tourism in the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) framework. It stated, “Such inclusion will ensure affordable credit, pave the way for sustainable development, and will catalyse investments, create jobs.”

As per Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Director Tourism, J&K, in 2024, the Union Territory witnessed 2.7 million tourist arrivals. Furthermore, the J&K administration launched an ambitious plan to develop 75 new tourist destinations, 75 heritage and cultural sites, 75 Sufi and religious sites, and 75 adventure treks, to attract tourists across all four seasons.

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, GoI believes that a well-thought-out policy framework is essential to address existing challenges in the tourism sector. “We should undertake carrying capacity studies to assess factors such as vehicular traffic, room availability, waste management, disaster resilience, etc.,” he added.

As per Cleartrip report, in 2024, Southeast Asian destinations have emerged as travellers’ top choices due to affordable travel and payment innovations adopted by Gen Z and senior citizens. Bookings to Denpasar (Bali) surged by 73 percent compared to 2023. However, on domestic front, bookings to Agatti Island in Lakshadweep rose by 94 per cent, due to increased air connectivity.

The annual “Neravu” distribution event, organised as part of the Asha Prakash Shetty Support Program, was held on 25 December at 3:30 PM at Goldfinch City, Mangalore. The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with several dignitaries and beneficiaries coming together to make the initiative a grand success. This year’s event was graced by Adamya Chetna Foundation chairperson, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, who attended as the chief guest. Other prominent personalities present included Dr M Mohan Alva, President, Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodabidri; Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA, Kappu; Gaurav P. Shetty, Managing Director, MRG Group; and Dr K Prakash Shetty, Founder & Chairman, MRG Group. Over six crores in assistance was distributed to 3000 families, benefiting approximately 15,000 individuals. The beneficiaries were carefully selected following a rigorous review of applications and verification of details to ensure the support reached the most deserving individuals and organisations. This year, the initiative prioritised those with mental disabilities, long-term illnesses requiring continuous treatment, physical disabilities, cancer, and other severe conditions. Assistance was also extended to individuals excelling in academics and sports or facing challenges in continuing education. Transport facilities for beneficiaries were arranged, with volunteers ensuring smooth execution. At the venue, 25 counters were set up for efficient distribution of assistance. Beneficiaries presented their pre-distributed tokens to receive their cheques at the counters. The well-coordinated efforts of volunteers ensured that the distribution process ran seamlessly without disruptions. The programme also supported organisations conducting impactful, community-focused initiatives, including maintaining cleanliness, empowering women, enabling youth, skill development, and promoting social transformation. Assistance for organisations ranged from ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000, while individual beneficiaries received amounts between ₹10,000 and ₹1,00,000, depending on their specific needs. Medical cases formed a significant portion …

NueGo, India’s largest electric intercity bus service from GreenCell Mobility, has  partnered with CheckMyBus, world’s leading bus travel metasearch platform, to revolutionize intercity bus travel for both international and domestic guests in India. This collaboration aims to provide an eco-friendly and sustainable travel experience, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions. With a network connecting over 100 cities across India, NueGo’s electric buses offer a safe, cleaner & comfortable alternative to traditional bus services, promoting a future of pollution-free travel with focus on guest experience. This partnership will make NueGo’s extensive network easily accessible on the CheckMyBus platform, enabling global travelers to discover and explore India’s diverse destinations in an environmentally conscious manner. Devndra Chawla, MD & CEO – GreenCell Mobility, shared, “Partnering with CheckMyBus allows NueGo to connect with global travelers from over 100 countries, offering them a premium intercity bus experience in India that prioritizes sustainability. Together, we are redefining travel by embracing greener alternatives and contributing to a better future. By combining zero-emission mobility with India’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, NueGo electric buses are making eco-friendly tourism a reality.” Marc Hofmann, CEO of CheckMyBus, stated, “We are excited to partner with NueGo to bring a climate-friendly bus travel experience to our global travelers in India. As the world shifts towards greener alternatives, the NueGo and CheckMyBus partnership aligns perfectly with our mission make it simple for travelers to find sustainable mobility. This collaboration not only enhances the travel experience but also contributes to a cleaner and greener planet.” Nuego’s fleet of electric buses is designed to offer comfort, safety, and convenience while minimizing the environmental impact. By choosing Nuego, travelers …

According to a report by CRISIL Ratings, branded hotels are expected to post double-digit revenue growth of 13-14% this fiscal and 11-12% in the next, fuelled by demand outpacing supply. While domestic leisure and business travel will continue to be the primary demand drivers, growing traction in the MICE segment and pickup in foreign tourist arrivals will provide an additional fillip.

In a significant change for the hospitality sector, the GST Council has decided to allow high-end hotels to choose between two indirect tax rates for restaurant services provided on their premises. Starting from 1 April 2025, such hotels will have the option to choose between two GST rates: 5% without Input Tax Credit (ITC) or 18% with ITC.