Category Archives: States

Kerala government has announced that all pilgrims visiting Sabarimala, regardless of online registration status, will be able to have a seamless darshan. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasised that the government is committed to ensuring a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage for all visitors. To achieve this, extensive coordination has been established among various departments and agencies to enhance the facilities at Sannidhanam, Pampa, and the base camps.  

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, announced the signing of a resort in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. This greenfield project will be under the Gateway brand. Speaking on the occasion, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Prayagraj, with its deep-rooted cultural and religious importance, has been a prominent destination for pilgrims and leisure tourists alike. This signing aligns with our strategy of penetrating emerging markets in Tier II and III cities. We are delighted to partner with Ecavo Hospitality Limited for this project.” True to its ethos, the 150-key Gateway Prayagraj seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with local architectural influences. Guests can choose from an array of culinary options like an all-day-diner, a bar, a specialty restaurant, and a lounge. It will feature a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool and spa. Spanning over 5000 sq. ft. the resort’s banqueting space makes it the ideal choice for social and corporate events. Abhishek Gupta, Managing Director, ECAVO Hospitality, said “We are thrilled to partner with IHCL to introduce the Gateway brand to Prayagraj. This hotel will be a premier destination for domestic and international travellers, offering them an unparalleled experience.” Playing host to the renowned Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world. Th city is also an emerging corporate hub due to the presence of the Allahabad High Court and several educational institutions.

With the opening of Golden Tulip, it becomes the second Golden Tulip hotel and the sixth hotel under Sarovar Hotels portfolio. Sarovar Hotels announced the grand opening of Golden Tulip Vagator, a stylish retreat located in the heart of North Goa. Known for its golden sands, dramatic red cliffs and thriving nightlife, Vagator is one of Goa’s most scenic and exciting destinations. This latest addition to Sarovar’s upscale Golden Tulip portfolio enhances the group’s growing presence in Goa, delivering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for both leisure and business travellers. Golden Tulip Vagator offers 30 elegantly designed rooms across two categories – Superior and Deluxe with modern amenities and captivating views of greenery or pool. The hotel provides guests with a rejuvenating escape, offering a wide range of facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and two dining options: Tulipe, an all-day dining restaurant with a capacity of accommodating 60 guests and Chill, a tropical bar and lounge with a capacity of 25 guests. The hotel’s proximity to Vagator Beach, Chapora Fort and other major attractions makes it the ideal choice for anyone looking to experience the beauty and culture of Goa. Ajay K. Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels and Director, Louvre Hotels India, commented, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Golden Tulip Vagator in partnership with Prime Avia Consultants. Located in the heart of North Goa, Vagator is truly a hidden gem, and we believe our guests will be captivated by its stunning landscapes, exceptional service, and modern design. Our vision is to create an unforgettable experience that harmoniously blends Goa’s unique charm with world-class hospitality, establishing it as the go-to destination for travellers …

Hotels in India are witnessing unprecedented wedding bookings this season. Properties are nearly sold out for key dates, with rates increasing by up to 25%. Unique offerings and services are being launched to cater to the growing popularity of destination weddings in Udaipur, Goa, and beyond.

Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency recently organised the 6th edition of its annual B2B showcase Explore France at the JW Marriott in Goa from 7th to 11th October. A delegation of 23 key stakeholders representing the diversity of France’s touristic offering interacted with 50 members of the Indian travel trade fraternity over 2 days of pre-scheduled meetings and also interacted with trade media representatives. An approximate of 1100 meetings took place over these two days enabling the partners and agents to understand the evolution of travel trends and discuss potential business opportunities. This evolutive edition of the showcase commenced with a presentation for the delegation on the Indian travel landscape and the ever-evolving profile of the Indian traveller and trends prevalent in the country. The presentation included a showcase of the legacy of family run travel businesses in India and the importance of the family segment in Indian outbound travel by Neil Patil, COO, Veena World. There was an introduction also by NPCI Payments International Limited and Lyra on the importance and integration of UPI as a seamless mode of digital payments and its advancement in France. The opening dinner of the workshop took place in the presence of the Consul General of France in Mumbai Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet. In addition to the pre-scheduled meetings, this year, the delegation also had an opportunity to present their offerings to the assembled agents. An interactive visa session was also organised in association with the Consulate General of France in Mumbai and VFS Global to discuss visa procedures and address commonly asked queries by Sami Bouakaze – Consul and Deputy Head of Mission. The networking evenings provided many opportunities for the participants …

Leading hospitality chain Royal Orchid Hotels Limited (ROHL) announced its 5th property in Jaipur and 10th in Rajasthan while debuting its reimagined midscale brand – Regenta Place. Donning a fresh identity and design language, Regenta Place Jaipur aims to disrupt the value-driven mid-market space through a dynamic combination of vivacious social spaces, cutting-edge technology, and quirky décor. Arjun Baljee, President, ROHL said, “We are delighted to create a distinct visual identity for “Regenta Place.” This will help us further create a clear distinction in our portfolio of properties, both for our owners and for our guests. By focussing on a modern aesthetic to local design, we hope to create a brand that is relevant to the micro-market it operates in. Over a period of time, we hope to roll this out across the platform of Regenta Places, so that they are consistent with the broader vision of providing fresh and vibrant spaces to young and modern travellers.” “The new property serves as a testament to our ongoing dedication to consistently innovating and remaining relevant in the industry. In the near future, the travel and hospitality industry will be significantly influenced by the increasing emphasis on experience-driven travel by Gen Z and Millennials. However, the moderate-tier segment of the Indian hospitality industry is distinguished by a visible service gap. The rebranding of Regenta Place is a step in the direction of creating a niche brand that can align the aspirations and budget considerations of young Indian travellers without compromising on the quality of their stays,” Baljee added. Accommodation at the 40-key hotel is thoughtfully furnished with functional amenities and decorated to reflect a contemporary yet quirky look. To meet the discerning …

Aiming to make India a global hub for cruise tourism, Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, GoI, launched the Cruise Bharat Mission in Mumbai and shared insights on how this initiative will boost the cruise sector. The 3-phase programme targets 50 lakh pax by 2047.

A Platform to Showcase Karnataka’s Hidden Gems The Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) successfully hosted the second edition of its Destination Showcase Event in Bengaluru on 1st October 2024, focusing on the attractions of North and Coastal Karnataka. Following the success of the inaugural showcase on Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur in March, this event received an overwhelming response from industry stakeholders. The event was inaugurated by Srinivasulu, (IFS), Commissioner, Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka. Key dignitaries present included K Syamaraju, President, KTS and newly elected President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), along with other KTS executive committee members. Dr. K.V Rajendra, (IAS), Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, visited the event and engaged with stakeholders, discussing marketing efforts and the effectiveness of the showcase. The showcase was supported by several government bodies, including the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Jungle Lodges & Resorts and Mysore Sales International. This initiative highlighted the unique tourist destinations of North and Coastal Karnataka, emphasising its rich cultural heritage, tranquil beaches, and vibrant local arts. K Syamaraju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society, said “This initiative, a collaboration between KTS and various tourism bodies, provides a unique opportunity for travel agents, tour operators, and hospitality professionals to discover the hidden gems of North and Coastal Karnataka. By bringing together industry leaders and showcasing the region’s unique attractions, this event aims to unlock the full potential of these areas and foster sustainable growth.” The event featured over 150 participants, including travel agents and industry professionals, who engaged in networking and business-to-business (B2B) meetings. The showcase brought …

The Ministry of Tourism released key statistics recently that stated that over 15 million Indian nationals visited foreign countries in the first half of 2024, compared to over 13.2 million in January-June, 2023. Delhi was the biggest port of departure for Indian nationals, accounting for 24.35 per cent of the traffic. Mumbai was second in the list with 20.09 per cent of the departures. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, United States, Thailand, and Singapore were the five biggest destinations for Indian nationals.  

On 27th September 2024, Tourism Department Kargil in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Government Degree College, Kargil celebrated World Tourism Day 2024, on the theme “Tourism and Peace” in the seminar hall of GDC Kargil. The team of UTDRF, Fire and Emergency Services and Tourism Department displayed various equipments related to adventure tourism and search and rescue during the program and; large number of students were oriented of adventure tourism and firefighting techniques.   Aga Sayed Mujtaba Musavi, Executive Councillor was the chief guest of this event. Prof. Disket Angmo, Principal, Government Degree College;  Prof. Nazir Shabani, Commerce Department, Government Degree College, Kargil; Rehmatullah, Assistant Director Tourism; Haji Zaheer Bagh, General Secretary, AKTA; Muzammil Munshi, Root Ladakh; Goba Ali, Thang Turtuk and Er. Raveesh Sharma, Assistant Professor Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Government Degree College, Kargil made deliberation on tourism in Ladakh in special reference to Kargil tourism during panel discussion. Prof. Disket Angmo, Principal Government Degree College, Kargil stressed on the issue of unemployment related to tourism and hospitality industry and asked the AKTA General Secretary, Haji Zaheer Bagh if he can provide internship as well as on the job training and jobs for the students of tourism and hospitality industry. On this special occasion the Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Government Degree College, Kargil made the official announcement for the registration of college with Yuva Tourism Club, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. All the dignitaries, guests, faculty member and students were also present during the official announcement of the Yuva Tourism Club in the seminar hall of the GDC Kargil.