Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Joel Katz, MD (Australasia), CLIA, has said that cruise tourism is managed tourism. “Ships don’t just turn up. Visits are planned 2-3 years out and in coordination with local port authorities who manage the port bookings. Cruise tourism contributes to the economic vitality of ports, neighbouring communities and local residents.”

Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur has said that the government is going to announce a new filmmaking policy. “The incentive for foreign film production has been enhanced from 30% to 40%. The incentive for foreign film production in the country stands today at 40 % of the expenses incurred with an increased cap limit of Rs. 30 crore and an additional 5% percent bonus for Significant Indian Content (SIC). This step will give further impetus to India’s efforts to attract medium and big-budget international film projects to the country.”

India has resumed e-visa services for tourists of Canadian nationals after a pause of almost two months. The resumption of services for all categories of visas comes hours ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s participation in the virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit. Earlier in September, the Indian Mission in Canada suspended visa services for Canadian nationals until further notice, citing operational reasons.

Sharing his views on the resumption of e-tourist visa for Canadian nationals, Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO, says, “We are happy and pleased with this development as opening of visas for Canada which is one of the largest source market for India, will be a big booster shot for our inbound tourism. Hopefully, the tourist flow from Canada will begin by January. Also, we will urge the government to allow e-visa for Chinese visitors. While other visas are open for the Chinese travellers, the absence of e-visa is still an impediment for them. Hopefully, the government will consider this as well.”

Clarks Collection Somnath in order to cater to changing travellers’ demands, has designed a personalized package for the travellers. The property has witnessed an increase in spiritual travelers. In order to provide a holistic experience of Somnath, Clarks Collection has created a spiritual package, along with a local guide, and local transport, and the priests or their representatives will be present in all the temples to help the guests. At the same time, the hotel organizes shows of local artists for the guests, who narrate the story of Somanth and the different folklore associated with the place. They also try to conduct religious discourses from time to time on the property for spiritual travelers. This is a unique step taken by the property in that area. Somnath holds special significance to the Hindus because of the Somnath temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important spiritual sites in the Hindu circuit. It is widely believed to be the first of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country, the temple witnesses an annual footfall of 80 to 90 lakh visitors. Clarks Collection Somnath is located within walking distance of the temple. Due to its significance, this is the first place incorporated in the itinerary. Second comes Shri Ram Temple, located 1 km from Somnath temple. It was built by Shree Somnath Trust in 2017 and is the newest addition to the array of religious places in and around Somnath. The temple is graceful and the sanctum has artistic idols of Lord Rama, Sita Devi, and Lord Lakshmana. The itinerary also includes a visit to Triveni Ghat, located near Somnath beach and one of the most important holy places, it is believed to be …

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon, New Delhi-NCR is pleased to declare a Malaysian Food Festival – A Malay Odyssey which is an ode to Authentic Malaysian Flavours and Cuisine. The food festival will commence at Asia Alive-South East Asian Restaurant on 17th Nov and will conclude on 26th Nov 2023. Hilton’s Guest Chef from DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Chef Jais Bin Manan will be crafting an inspiring culinary trail celebrating Malaysia’s gastronomic wonders which food enthusiasts can sample over curated Set Meals for Lunch at 2000 + Taxes and elaborate buffet spread over Dinner at INR 2500 + Taxes. “A Malay Odyssey”, is more than just a feast for the palate; It’s a cultural journey that immerses gastronomes in the traditions and stories behind each dish. From the bustling street food stalls of Kuala Lumpur to the traditional delicacies of Malay Peninsula – The festival embraces the entire spectrum of Malaysian cuisine which is characterized by variety of herbs, spices and ingredients that make dishes flavourful, aromatic and colourful. The most popular food in Malaysia is often a combination of Sweet, Sour and Spicy and use of fresh Ingredients like coconut milk, Chilli, tamarind and lemongrass is also an essential aspect of country’s food culture. Prepare to be enchanted as Chef Jais Bin Manan will skilfully bring forth an exquisite mix of these flavours. Don’t miss the chance to taste its signature dishes like Nasi Lemak which is Malaysia’s National Dish, Ayam Rending Tok (Traditional Malaysian Chicken Curry), Tumisan Masak Hitam (Flavored Charred Lamb), Tumis Lemak Berladu (Sambal Spiced Yellow Curry) and Bubur Kacang Hijau (Traditional Coconut Pudding) amongst other delicacies. These culinary delights will not only satiate the …

After Sri Lanka and Thailand, Vietnam may be the next destination to allow entry of Indian travellers without the need for a visa. Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Nguyen Van Hung has called for short-term visa waivers for major markets like India to drive tourism recovery. In the first ten months of this year, Vietnam received nearly 10 million international visitors, marking a 4.6-fold rise compared to the corresponding period in 2022 and surpassing the targeted goal for 2023.

Sharing his views on the current startup landscape, Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip says, “Over the years, we’ve seen a startling paradox. Loss-making companies often receive astronomical valuations, while bootstrapped, profitable ventures garner relatively modest market caps. In a world enamored with valuations, profitability often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves.”

Given the government’s focus on rural and border tourism and developing tourism infrastructure in rural areas of Ladakh, the Administration of UT of Ladakh plan to establish 10,000 homestays over the next 5 years. It has recently released its revised Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023 to strengthen its rural economy. It is drafted based on feedback from stakeholders.

According to the latest McKinsey & Company report, prior to the pandemic, India’s outbound market was among the fastest growing markets in Asia. It has already recovered 61% of its pre-pandemic market, with 13 million outbound tourists in 2022. This represents a much quicker recovery than most Asian countries.