Category Archives: MOT

Ministry of Health has issued revised ‘Guidelines for domestic travel (flight/train/ship/ bus inter-state travel)’ to States and Union Territories and announced, “to facilitate inter-State travel, while observing required precautions, the guidelines for domestic travel (flight/train/ship/bus inter-state travel) are revised so as to have a uniform protocol for domestic travel across the country.” The revised guidelines come in line with the “declining trajectory of COVID cases across the country after a peak in reported cases during mid-May as part of the second wave. It added that in case RT-PCR or RAT tests are required prior to entry into a State, as notified by the State government, it must be publicised widely to maximise traveller convenience. As per the revised guidelines, asymptomatic persons who have taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, 15 days having elapsed since the administration of the second dose, and are in possession of the final vaccination certificate issued through the COWIN portal, may be exempted from mandatory requirement of possessing a negative RT-PCR report or RAT test on their entry into a State Previously states could develop their own protocols with regards to quarantine and isolation as per their assessment of the local COVID-19 situation. According to the revised guidelines, passengers who are found symptomatic on arrival shall be subjected to Rapid Antigen Test at the Terminal to aid early identification. “In the event of an unusual surge in cases in any State/UT, the States/UTs may institute appropriate public health measures promptly and States may implement additional restrictions, based on local requirements,” the Ministry added.

G Kishan Reddy, Cabinet Minister, Tourism, Culture & DoNER addressed the mega-tourism event ‘Ladakh: New Start, New Goals’ virtually, where ‘A Tourism Vision for Ladakh’ document was unveiled which focuses on overall development of the Ladakh Region. “The Central government has also contributed Rs.23.21 Crore for Tourist Water Screen Projection Multimedia show and other tourist attractions and also developing Chaukihang Vihara Project under the PRASHAD scheme,” announced Reddy.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman has launched the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) that will include the government’s four-year plan to monetise its brownfield infrastructure assets. For this project, the Centre has finalised Rs 6 lakh crore worth infrastructure assets that will be monetised. The list includes a range of assets. Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, has said, “15 railway stadiums, 25 airports and the stake of central government in existing airports will be up for monetisation.”

India organised the IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Tourism Ministers’ virtual meeting recently where G. Kishan Reddy met the Tourism Minister of Brazil and the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa via videoconferencing. The meeting was to promote tourism cooperation among member states. A significant aspect of the meeting was the adoption of an outcome document on cooperation and promotion for speedy recovery of travel and tourism.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture & DoNER, held a meeting with Invest India team to discuss the strategy policy for the promotion of tourism in Ladakh. In a tweet, Reddy said, “This will help in paving the way for the UT’s tourism sector by bringing growth and investment.” The MOT is also planning to visit Ladakh this month with a huge delegation and also release a vision document on the destination as well.

Ministry of Tourism is organising a 12-episode web-series on Dekho Apna Desh in collaboration with the Association of Universities (AIU) to celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. “I am sure that the nation-wide, 12 episode-based series that we are launching today will give them this opportunity and take the participants on a virtual journey of India. Since the format of the activity requires active participation, the follow up interactive sessions will inspire even greater interest and excitement about India@75,” said Reddy.

G Kamala Vardhan Rao has been given additional charge of the post of Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism. He would remain as the Chairman & Managing Director, India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. till appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The announcement was made by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Tourism ADG Rupinder Brar has announced that the country will have a uniform national travel guidelines soon, stating that demand for balancing internal travel has been raised by private industry stakeholders. “The Ministry is working on this and directions will be given to states in this regard. The Ministry is also in dialogue with Ministry of Health and is working on systems that can assure safety to reopen destinations for international travel.”

Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy has said that the sector has always been a strong driver for economic growth in the country and has one of the highest job creating potentials. “In 2019, the industry contributed US$194 billion to the Indian economy. For a Rs10 lakh investment, tourism can provide 78 jobs, as compared to 45 jobs in the manufacturing sector,” he added.

Indiatourism Hyderabad organised a ‘Walk and Cycle Rally’ to create awareness on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The event saw enthusiastic participation, and about 100 students of University College of Women, Koti, participated in the rally. At the culmination of the event, everyone got together and sang the national anthem. Government of India is commemorating 75 years of India’s independence, which falls on 15th August 2022, at national and international levels in the form of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.