Category Archives: States

In a re-shuffle of the state cabinet, the Odisha government has posted Surendra Kumar, who was the Principal Secretary – Steel and Mines, in the General Administration department with the additional charge of the Tourism department as its Principal Secretary. Vishal Dev, who was the Principal Secretary of Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs in the Odisha government, has been appointed as the new Principal Secretary of the Finance department.

Gurpal Singh Chahal (IAS), Deputy Commissioner – Ferozepur District, Government of Punjab, informed that recently Punjab Government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for developing light and sound show at the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala Border. The Indo-Pak Retreat Ceremony at Hussainiwala Border is a popular activity and can be witnessed from as close as 100 feet from the Zero Line. If developed and marketed properly, this can outshine the retreat ceremony at Wagah Border.    

Amadeus’ latest Travel Trends report says that Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are still the most searched destinations in India in 2021, the same as 2019. Mani Ganeshan, its Head of R&D, Asia Pacific, says, “This suggests that Indian travellers are looking to explore closer to home, albeit cautiously. However, in 2021, the travellers’ duration of stay is lengthening which tells us the desire to travel never falters, and that travellers are creatively making the most out of their travel and taking advantage of the new hybrid working model we are seeing unfold.”

The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu is now trying to promote a little-known destination in the UT called Kishtwar. Rupinder Brar, Additional DG, MoT, said that Kishtwar is blessed with beautiful geaography and rich culture, and has immense potential with regard to several types of tourism, ranging from nature to ethnic tourism. She said, “We need to work with the local administration and develop connectivity to the destination, hospitality units workforce quality and marketing strategy for Kishtwar. We are planning roadshows and other promo activities to promote the region extensively.”

Cabinet Minister for Tourism & Culture, G Kishan Reddy, recently met with Alok Ranjan, Minister of Art Culture & Youth Department, Government of Bihar, to discuss the several initiatives undertaken by the state for the promotion of its culture and heritage. As part of the continued efforts, Bihar Museum is also all set to open its largest gallery for visitors from September.

Robert Romawia Royte, Minister of State for Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs (I/C), Mizoram, has said, “Northeast states are rich in diversity. We can promote eco-tourism and nature-based tourism here,” adding that there needs to be a circuit among the northeastern states so that by collaborating with each other, the Northeast may become a potential emerging region in the tourism sector.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, has shared that the goal with the MICE tourism strategy would be to increase the number of MICE events that take place in the country. We see that we have a very small percentage of the global MICE market, and that a large number of Indian groups and Indian MICE events are held abroad as people like to Southeast Asia, Middle East or Maldives to hold MICE events. Hence, the short terms strategy would be to attract some of them because of the restrictions on travel, and if they are doing any MICE events, to encourage them to hold them at many places in India, instead of going to neighbouring countries.”

The Maharashtra government has approved the state’s new adventure tourism policy which covers around 25 adventure activities. The policy will cover the promotion of adventure activities as well as registration, regulation, monitoring, planning, promotion, training etc. of various adventure event organisers and adventure training organisations. Organizers will be given a temporary registration certificate from the Directorate of Tourism (DoT) and a final registration certificate after obtaining all the required equipment details and qualifications. Under this policy, the organisers of adventure activities will gain several benefits like refund of SGST, discount in stamp duty and power charges.

Applauding the progress of the work of Jewar Airport, Yogi Adityanath, CM, Uttar Pradesh, has said that the airport would not only prove to be a milestone in the development of Uttar Pradesh, but would also give a new dimension to  make air connectivity universal and world class in the country. “Jewar Airport is a great medium for us to pursue the future prospects, which will help in making Uttar Pradesh a one trillion economy,” he added. He further informed that the work on Kushinagar International Airport had been almost completed may start  international flights anytime.

G Kishan Reddy, Cabinet Minister, Tourism & Culture, met with ML Khattar, CM, Haryana, where they discussed several matters pertaining to the overall development of tourism in the state & propagation of its cultural heritage. Also, he met Oinam Lukhoi Singh, Minister of Tourism, Manipur, and deliberated on key issues in improving tourism in the state of Manipur.