Category Archives: States

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) plans to open two new resorts at Sinhagad Fort and Akkalkot. “There was a resort at Sinhagad fort that we had given on lease. After the lease expired, it was shut for a year. Now, we have renovated that place and we are opening our own resort. Almost 95% of the work has been completed. Once all the finishing touches are done, we will open within a month,” said Deepak Harne, Regional Manager (Pune), MTDC.

The Sikkim government has announced 2022 as ‘Visit Sikkim’ year, a declaration on year-long tourism promotion and marketing for the state focusing on having tourists in Sikkim for the whole year instead of otherwise practised season-based tourism endeavour.

Manipur is planning to develop war tourism in the state by preserving the historic Koirengei in Imphal, which is an old airfield in the northeast state. The British had built nine airfields in the state, all of which played some role in the war. N Biren Singh, CM of Manipur, says, “As Manipur is now on War Tourism Map with numerous British and Japanese tourists flowing in to visit the war memorial sites, it is important to develop these sites.”

Goa Tourism will be the single window and nodal department for granting permissions to all tourism events, according to new guidelines released by the State Government. Recently, Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa, had revealed that they are in the process of giving single window clearance for all permissions required for events.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani has announced the new tourism policy with a view to develop and augment tourism in a sustainable manner. “The New Tourism Policy has been framed keeping in mind the mission of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ so as to be ‘Vocal for Local’ thereby boosting local employment,” he said.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism recently conducted a two-day agent familiarisation trip to Jal Mahotsav, India’s biggest water carnival in the state. Around 14 travel agents from the state travelled to Hanuwantiya Island in Madhya Pradesh for this event, which will conclude on January 15. The month-long water fest was inaugurated by Forest Minister Vijay Shah.

TOFTigers, the Travel Operators for Tigers India Wildlife Association, will conduct a 10-part series of virtual destination knowledge and sustainability sessions, starting from January 13, 2021 at 2pm to educate the trade about nature destinations and sustainable travel. Ritu Makhija, Sustainability Manager says, “The idea is to share knowledge and expertise to the entire travel community.”

The Kerala Government is set to begin a Rs 100-crore Travancore Heritage Tourism Project that envisages conservation of the region’s palaces, mansions and temples. “The project is an attempt to boost tourism, creating a new circuit for visitors to explore Kerala”, said State Tourism Minister Kadakampally  Surendran. Phase one of THTP will give a facelift to the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and adjoining East Fort, besides 19 majestic building complexes on either side of arterial MG Road up till Vellayambalam, spanning five kilometres. These structures will be illuminated by employing state-of-the-art techniques. As part of the project, the state secretariat will be made more attractive with laser project.  Simultaneously, a 14-km stretch from East Fort, to Enjakkal will have 21 heritage-value structures lit up aesthetically.

Hotel Association of India (HAI) has launched its West Bengal Chapter, and has submitted a memorandum of industry demands to West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Dr. Amit Mitra, seeking industry status for the hospitality sector. The association has suggested that this will help in reducing costs and encourage re-investment while bringing greater transparency in the sector functioning. A favourable policy decision of according industry status and allowing benefits available to manufacturing will strengthen the Indian hospitality industry, preserve and unlock its immense potential to make a significant contribution to the State’s GDP and jobs, supporting the post-pandemic economic revival of the region. MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India, said, “The Association believes that granting industry status to the sector will enable hotels across the state to avail benefits towards electricity and water tariff at an industrial rate, lower property tax, rationalisation of taxes & license fees, simplified approval process for hotel projects & hotel operations and other benefits accorded to industries – thus helping in ushering transparency, reduce costs, and encourage reinvestment. Such small steps are crucial for revival of the sector after the disastrous impact of the Pandemic and essential considering the extent of employment and income the sector generates.”

Kashmir Travel trade has opened their residential homes for tourists stuck up due to closure of national highway and the air connectivity, after consistent snowfall in the valley. In a statement issued to press, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) issued a helpline to reach out to the stranded tourists who need any help for accommodation, medical assistance, food, and other services. Farooq Kuthoo, President, TAAK, said, “Many travellers are stranded here in Kashmir due to cancellation of the flights and closure of national highway. Keeping up with the legacy of hospitality that Kashmiris are known for through centuries we would not see our guests’ sufferings.” They have assured the stranded tourists through social media, newspapers and radio not to worry and contact on the helpline numbers displayed for any assistance. He also appreciated the department of Tourism for establishing a helpline for the stranded tourists and offering them free accommodation in department owned hotels.