Category Archives: MOT

Ministry of Tourism recently conducted its Domestic Tourism Roadshow in the western state of Goa. The chief guest at the event was Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, who shared that a complimentary development of domestic tourism is needed to further make way for an enhanced growth of international tourism.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, has said that they are in discussion with Quality Council of India organising the entire travel trade, on the lines of SAATHI & NIDHI hospitality platforms. “In the supply chain there are tour operators, OTAs, taxi operators and bus operators. The idea is not just to bring people into a database, but to make sure to reach out as support to the industry from the Government perspective and also to make the ecosystem safe for the future traveller. It is not only from the COVID perspective, but because a value chain needs to be created for the consumer.

Speaking at a webinar, Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture, has said that Niti Aayog is working on infrastructure development for tourism & hospitality, and they are waiting for the Govt think tank’s report to discuss this with the industry. “Niti Aayog is working on it and even the development work in Andaman has been started as a model initiative for the same.   Even the Prime Minister wants us to exploit opportunities with our long coastline. We will be working with other ministries, as well as the private sector, once Niti Aayog comes with its report,” he said.

Meenakshi Sharma, DG, Ministry of Tourism, has said that their campaign for the international market highlighting they are COVID-proof and geared to work with them is ready. “Representatives from the industry have seen some drafts, and it should be finalised in a month or so. The campaign says what India is trying to do,” Sharma says.

Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has said that the Medical and Wellness tourism is rapidly growing in the country and more than 130 countries around the world are competing for a pie of this global business. “The total number of inward medical tourists doubled in a span of just three years in India,” he said.

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism & Culture, chaired the 5th meeting of  National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board, which saw in attendance representatives from different concerned ministries, insurance companies, medical service providers, Director AIIMS, and many other concerned executives. The aim of the meeting was to consider ideas for plans in this segment.

Ravi Gosain, Hony. Treasurer, IATO, has said that the Government should announce a date for reopening of visa applications for India, whether it eventually happens or not. “If they make the announcement, it will be an important step for inbound market, because it would allow people to plan well in advance. If there is a possibility of doing it in March, the should announce it now, of if they think it can open by June-August, they should announce it as soon as possible, so that professionals can work for promotions and plan something,” he advised.

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism and Culture has virtually inaugurated the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) International Convention. The ABTO Convention is being held at Hotel Oaks, Bodh Gaya.

Ministry of Tourism has appreciated Vasuki K. Sundaram, Chairperson, IATO Maharashtra Chapter, on twitter for her positive feedback on her recent trip to Shirdi, where she mentions that her experience was great in the temple without crowds, social distancing maintained, hotels adhering to compliances, and she pointed out that the wayside amenities on her way back to Mumbai were clean. MOT, in their tweet shared a video of Sundaram saying that it shows the idea of Dekho Apna Desh being executed thoroughly.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, has shared that the content they are creating for international and domestic market will also focus on the growing infrastructure in the country and not just the heritage of the country. “We noticed that we do focus on monuments, cities, palaces, etc., but we are not showing and leveraging on the growing infrastructure in the country. Hence, the content needs to show that when you land in India, you are landing in a country which may be 1000s of years old, but at the same time, it is backed up with infrastructure that is as modern as it can get,” she added.