Category Archives: States

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.

In a bid to promote adventure tourism, the Maharashtra government approved the state’s new adventure tourism policy. The policy will channelize adventure tourism on land, air and water. Around 25 different adventure activities like trekking, paragliding, water rappelling, river rafting, biking, rock climbing, scuba diving etc. will be covered in the policy.  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 organizations. State Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray shared, “Safety being the priority, adventure tourism organizers will need to be vigilant as per the provisions mentioned in the policy regarding the safety of tourists. Norms for trained and experienced trainers, quality, and standardized equipment will be laid down. State level committees and divisional level committees will be constituted for effective implementation of adventure tourism policy. These committees will consist of experts in land, air and water tourism.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the much-awaited Rudraksh convention centre at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. In a tweet, the PM said, “I am delighted to be inaugurating the Rudraksh convention centre in Varanasi. Constructed with Japanese assistance, this state-of-the-art centre will make Varanasi an attractive destination for conferences thus drawing more tourists and businesspersons to the city.”

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Usha Padhee, recently met with Office of the Lt. Governor in Leh, Ladakh to discuss and seek his guidance on various air connectivity issues. Secretary Civil Aviation, Ladakh Saugat Biswas and officials from AAI and SpiceJet were also present. She also visited Kargil. The meeting was to discuss flight operations in Kargil. Approval from DGCA for air operations, assessment for land, infrastructure, etc and the prospect of acquiring aircrafts on lease for both civil and commercial purposes was also discussed.  

Officials flagged off the state’s first vistadome coaches at the Mangaluru Junction railway station on Sunday. The state has introduced them with the aim of promoting rail tourism. Each vistadome coach has a seating capacity of 44 with seats that are rotatable up to 180 degrees. Wide windows offer a clear close-up view for the passengers.

In a bid to boost tourism in the post-pandemic world, the Odisha government is decking up the ecotourism destinations in the state with houseboats as well as water-sport-based recreational facilities. Over 100 destinations are likely to be included in the plan, with boats and jetties expected to be set up by December this year.

Dr. V Venu (IAS) has been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Kerala. An IAS officer of 1990 batch, he has been appointed several times before in the tourism department during his tenure. He has also been appointed as the Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education. Apart from this, he will be having additional charge of Member Secretary, Planning Board.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said that 46 heritage places belonging to the Kempegowda era have been identified in three circuits that would be developed at a cost of Rs 223 crore for promoting tourism. A plan has been prepared to develop the Magadi circuit at a cost of Rs 132 crore. Rs 47 crore for the Bengaluru circuit, and Rs 44 crore for the Nandi circuit.

Two more international airports will be added in North Eastern states, at Imphal and Agartala, with the aim of increasing connectivity in the region, said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region. The airport at Itanagar will be functional by the end of the year and that a facility is also coming up at Kohima. At present, there is an international airport in Guwahati.  

Gujarat Tourism recently organised a familiarisation tour for members of IATO and ADTOI associations in Ahmedabad city. Titled ‘Dekho Ahmedabad’ the agents toured the city on a double decker Bus. The tourism board will conduct another fam this month for 24 members to Velavadar that has the Blackbuck National Park.