Category Archives: States

The Kargil Campus of the University of Ladakh hosted a remarkable programme to commemorate International Mountain Day on 11 December 2024. The event, themed around sustainability and the preservation of Ladakh’s unique mountain ecosystems, featured renowned filmmaker and environmental advocate, Stanzin Dorjai (Gya), Founder and Director of the Himalayan Film House, as the special guest and keynote speaker. Organised collaboratively by Department of Environmental Science, Kargil Campus, University of Ladakh and Department of Travel and Tourism Management, Government Degree College, Kargil, Ladakh, the event commenced with a warm welcome and traditional Ladakhi khatak presentation, followed by the national anthem setting an auspicious tone. Dr Mohd Salim, Coordinator, Biodiversity Research Centre, opened the event with a compelling welcome address. He underscored the urgent need for collective action to safeguard Ladakh’s mountains and glaciers, given their unparalleled beauty and vulnerability to climate change. Prof. Disket Angmo, Principal, GDC, Kargil, UT Ladakh was not present at the event due to prior engagements. She displayed her appreciation and gratitude for the invitation virtually. A major highlight of the programme was the screening of the award-winning documentary “Jungwa: The Broken Balance”, directed by Dorjai. This powerful film, previously showcased at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris, captivated the audience with its exploration of the delicate balance between human life and nature in Ladakh. Following the screening, Dorjai provided an insightful commentary on the documentary, eloquently connecting its themes to Ladakh’s traditional culture and the profound interdependence of its people and the environment. During an interactive session, Dorjai reflected on the serenity of the Himalayas and shared the philosophical undertones of his work, including the concept of karma. His address left a …

As per Booking.com, there has been an increase of 40-100 per cent in domestic year-end searches from the same time last year. Besides metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, Indian travellers are keen on exploring destinations offering one-of-a-kind experiences. With the boom in spiritual journeys, Varanasi is experiencing a 100 per cent increase in year-end searches.

Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism & Culture, Govt of Andhra Pradesh unveiled the state’s Tourism Policy 2024-2029. He said, “Main objective is to attract investments worth ₹25,000 crore under PPP model. The policy offers opportunities across various sectors including temple, eco, village, wellness & agricultural tourism.”

Seeking to attract investments worth Rs 15,000 crore and position Telangana among top five states in domestic and international tourist arrivals, the state government has tabled its ‘Telangana Tourism Policy 2025-2030’. The first-ever dedicated tourism policy, after the formation of Telangana, also aims to create additional employment opportunities for three lakh people in the next five years besides enhancing tourism contribution to 10% or higher of the Gross State Domestic Product.

Goa tourism is bouncing back, with over 71 lakh visitors recorded till September, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic. The state tourism department said efforts have been made to boost tourism through initiatives like enhanced infrastructure, improved connectivity, and active promotion in global markets, ensuring that “Goa remains a sought-after destination for travellers from across the world.

Between October and December 2024, Agoda observed a 4 per cent rise in inbound searches and a 10 per cent increase in domestic searches for popular spiritual destinations across India. As per the report, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Varanasi lead the charge for domestic and international visitors.

Arunachal Pradesh, which has captured the imagination of adventurers for thrilling and off-beat experiences, tops the adventure travel destinations list for 2025. The list was released by Vaibhav Kala, Senior Vice President, ATOAI and Founder, Aquaterra Adventures India, after a survey of over 1,000 passionate adventure travellers.

Raja Vaqoob Farooq, Director, Tourism, Kashmir revealed that Union Ministry of Tourism is in dialogue with Ministry of Home Affairs on allowing satellite phones for trekkers in no-network zones in the Kashmir valley. Farooq said trekking is an important part of the valley’s tourism and the department has identified 75 new tracks.

The 125-key hotel will be a standout addition to IHG’s portfolio and strengthen presence in key spiritual destinations in India.  IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement to develop a Holiday Inn Express hotel in the city of Ayodhya. Scheduled to open by mid-2028, the signing aligns with IHG’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in high-growth markets in India, including key spiritual destinations that are attracting large volume of travelers. With over 3,100 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing hotel brand. Renowned for its accessible, comfortable accommodations and streamlined services, the brand is a preferred choice for travelers seeking rest, recharge, and productivity. Once open, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will embody these core principles, catering to both spiritual, leisure and MICE travelers. Ayodhya rose to prominence as India’s most visited tourist place in 2024, with over 110 million visitors in first half of 2024. Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and just minutes from both the main temple complex and the Railway Station, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will be easily accessible, making it an ideal choice for travellers. The hotel will feature 125 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining, a fitness centre, business center, parking space, laundry room and a spacious meeting room. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya. Ayodhya has become one of India’s most preferred tourist destinations in 2024. With Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya’s strategic location, the hotel will benefit predominantly from spiritual tourism year-round. The hotel is poised to offer …

PS Dhami, CM, Uttarakhand said that all possible efforts are being made in security, management and promotions by the Uttarakhand government to promote winter tourism and pilgrimage sites of the state. The preparations for the Char Dham Yatra 2025 have also started so that the pilgrims do not face any difficulty, he shared.