Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI, said, “What we need on national tourism day is a national tourism policy with a country wide focus on tourism, that can become a model for the states to follow, at least in terms of themes, larger policy related issue, existing tourism, and what can be done to encourage people to come into tourism, taking due note of how much employment is generated in tourism. In so far as locations are concerned there are a lot of locations. I think religious tourism looks very good. With infrastructure developing, many tier II, III cities have been given renewed energy now. More financial outlay is being given to tier II, III cities. Beach tourism also needs to be looked at with 7500km of coastline.”

Ajay Prakash, National President, TAFI, said, “Tourism is one of the biggest global industries and typically grows at a faster rate than GDP. Post-pandemic, Indian tourism has shown amazing resilience and recovery, especially in terms of outbound and domestic tourists. National Tourism Day is a day to celebrate the power of tourism to not only boost the economy, but to connect people across all boundaries. The two major challenges before the industry are geopolitics and climate change. Sustainability of the industry is a corollary of global peace and sustainability. On this National Tourism Day let us take a pledge to spread greater awareness of Tourism as a Force for Global harmony.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “Tourism has become our blood stream. Led by our Hon’ble Prime Minister we the stakeholders breathe tourism. As the world opens up, India has positioned itself yet once again to be a vibrant destination with Ayodhya as the Spiritual Hub leading the pack. Ministry of Tourism synergizes our endeavour in both Domestic and International tourism, demand in diverse facets will grow in a geometric proportion, supply will rush to fill the gap catering to a sizable investment in tourism infrastructure.”

To mark its 25th anniversary and to signal its future-driven business approach, Hahnair is introducing a new brand identity. The contemporary logo, vibrant colour palette and visual appearance underscore the company’s position as a global force in aviation distribution and its commitment to taking a leading role in the distribution landscape of the future. The new brand appearance is the first step in a series of new developments to accompany the company’s anniversary celebrations. Kirsten Rehmann, CEO of Hahnair, comments on the company’s past and future developments: “25 years ago, Hahnair transformed airline distribution and moved to become a connecting force between travel agents and airlines. The travel industry has always been competitive and dynamic. We are proud to have been contributing to our partners’ successes over the past two and a half decades and we extend a heartfelt thank you for their trust and collaboration. Our exceptional team of experts has always been supporting them with the right solutions at the right time. It is therefore only a natural continuation of our story to offer airlines and travel agencies smart and forward-looking solutions that equip them for the future. We are proud to be sharing exciting new developments throughout our anniversary year.” In 1999, the founders, Hans Nolte and Nico Gormsen, started Hahnair’s ticketing business to expand airlines’ distribution reach beyond their key markets, while at the same time providing travel agencies around the world with additional ticketing opportunities. Today, the partner portfolio of the distribution specialist spans more than 350 partner airlines and more than 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets. To learn more about Hahnair and its solutions for travel agencies and airlines, visit www.hahnair.com.  

The historic Ram Raja Temple in Orchha celebrated the momentous occasion of Pran Pratishtha, marking the consecration of Lord Shri Ram’s divine presence in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. This unique temple holds a distinctive position as the only place where Lord Shri Ram is worshipped not only as a God but also as a King. Originally the palace of Queen Orchha, the temple’s fascinating history traces back to the 16th century AD as a testament of queen’s profound devotion. When the Chaturbhuj Temple was undergoing its finishing stages, the queen acquired a statue of Lord Shri Ram from the sacred Sarayu River in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Due to the temple’s ongoing construction at the time, the queen placed the statue in the palace’s kitchen overnight. Miraculously, the next day, Lord Ram refused to be moved from that spot, turning the palace into a divine temple. Since that miraculous day, the Ram Raja Temple has been witness to the daily Guard of Honour bestowed upon King Shri Ram, emphasizing the unique dual role of the deity as both a divine figure and a royal sovereign. Under the dedicated leadership of Commissioner Smt. Urmila Shukla, the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives, and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, has been steadfast in its efforts to preserve and protect the rich cultural and heritage assets of Orchha. The Directorate’s commitment extends to safeguarding prestigious monuments such as the Chaturbhuj Temple, Jahangir Mahal, Cenotaphs of Orchha, Raja Mahal, Laxmi Temple, and numerous other historical marvels. The Directorate of Archaeology has garnered commendable recognition for its relentless work in the conservation and preservation of the state’s monuments and artifacts. Smt Urmila Shukla’s leadership has been instrumental …

The new Coastal Odyssey expedition launched by MoT is aimed at promoting environmental conservation and bolstering security along coastal regions. The project is aligned with PM Modi’s vision of border area outreach and connecting coastal communities. The expedition, stretching along India’s 6,200 km of coastal border, marks a collaborative effort between Incredible India and the Indian Armed Forces.

Amadeus research reveals how travel companies in India are increasingly embedding environmental and social sustainability initiatives. It states, 58% will increase their ESG Environmental, Social and Governance investment in 2024 with technology as key enabler. The study highlighted a clear role for technology to help the industry reach its ambitions where 91% respondents indicated technology is important to help organizations achieve environmental sustainability objectives.

Lauding Maharashtra govt’s approach to boost tourism in Vidarbha, Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI, says, “Such initiatives not only showcase the natural beauty of the region but also create immense potential for growth in the hospitality sector. The Ambhora bridge development, coupled with innovative attractions like the light and sound show, aligns perfectly with our vision for Maharashtra as a nature-focused, holistic tourism destination.”

The Ministry of Tourism is organising a nine-day annual mega event “Bharat Parv” at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of Red Fort, Delhi as part of the Republic Day Celebrations. Being held since 2016, this year it is being celebrated from 23rd – 31st January 2024. The highlights of the mega event are the Republic Day Parade tableaux, dynamic cultural performances by the Zonal Cultural Centres and engaging presentations by cultural troupes from various States and Union Territories, food stall representing all the States and UTs, handicraft and handloom display and enthusiastic performances by the Armed Forces Band. The event is open to the public and entry is free. This year the Parv has participation from 26 Central Ministries and Departments showcasing citizen centric schemes and initiatives of the Government such as Mission Life, One District One Product, Viksit Bharat, Nari Shakti, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. An experiential zone through latest technology has also been setup to promote Dekho Apna Desh. Additionally, the event will feature a Food Court with stalls offering delectable delicacies representing the diverse culinary traditions of different states and UTs in India. To enhance the cultural experience, a Pan-India Crafts Bazaar will be set up, featuring handicraft and handloom stalls, adding to the richness and vibrancy of the overall showcase. Thematic Pavilions of more than 30 States/UTs have also been setup to showcase diverse tourist attractions of the country. Cultural performances by various Delhi based regional cultural associations will also be organized. Parva is also promoting Vocal for Local by the way of local artisans across the country taking part in this by displaying and selling their products.

Touted as a game-changer, the newly-launched UDAN 5.3 aims to revitalise point-to-point air connectivity. The new round will focus on connecting unserved, underserved cities of India. Scindia says, “In addition to aviation infrastructure we are addressing issues of capacity building across the value chain including human resources. We have liberalized policies so as to ensure adequate availability of pilots, cabin crew, engineers, etc. in the country.”