Category Archives: States

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has woven sustainability into every aspect of its operations, driven by a deep understanding of the environmental impact of modern air travel. Through initiatives in waste reduction, energy conservation, and resource management, CSMIA is setting a new benchmark in the Indian aviation industry—leading the way towards a cleaner and greener future in air travel. Minimising waste across operations At the core of CSMIA’s sustainability efforts is a powerful waste management system that has diverted 99.6 per cent of its waste from landfills. CSMIA has streamlined various initiatives to minimise waste across the operations: Waste Segregation and Recycling: A comprehensive waste management system includes waste segregation at source and safe disposal through authorised vendors across both commercial and cargo operations. Plastic Waste Reduction: CSMIA is a proud flag bearer of green initiatives in the Indian Aviation industry, under which Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) were installed to encourage passengers and the airport community to recycle plastic bottles by safely disposing them in RVM’s Organic Waste Management: Organic waste from food and beverage outlets is processed in an on-site composting facility, producing compost for landscaping. E-Waste Management: The airport has set up e-waste collection points for the proper collection of electronic waste generated within the airport. Mumbai Airport disposes all the e-waste via authorised vendors. Tissue-less toilets: To minimise paper waste, hand dryers have been installed in washrooms, significantly cutting tissue paper consumption. Through these innovative steps, CSMIA is creating cleaner, greener, and more sustainable airport experience. Engaging passengers in sustainability efforts A key part of CSMIA’s sustainability drive is engaging passengers to create a culture of shared responsibility. To make recycling simple and intuitive, CSMIA has …

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), in Kaziranga in Assam, underscored the Northeast’s legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasizing its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity. This ITM is a remarkable opportunity for Northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world and also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region, he said. He further highlighted the significance of hosting the ITM in Kaziranga, stating that it reflects the increasing importance of the Northeast on the national stage. Mentioning the event in Kaziranga as special, the minister said that over the past decade, development in the region has accelerated.

The ongoing International Tourism Mart 2024 (ITM 2024) in Kaziranga, Assam until 29 November is aligned with the MOT’s Travel for Life initiative. The 3-day event aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders to expand the Northeast’s global tourism footprint and highlight the region as a must-visit destination.

Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C) for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GoI, inaugurated the prestigious VISA-THSC Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Project in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, on 19 November. The Minister, who endorsed the MoU signing between THSC and VISA, has been instrumental in championing this transformative initiative, which is set to recognize, certify, and upskill over 20,000 individuals across India’s tourism and hospitality sectors over the next three years. In his inaugural address, Chaudhary underscored the profound impact of this project, stating, “Through the RPL initiative, we are not merely certifying skills; we are acknowledging and validating the hard work, expertise, and experience of our people. This project is a powerful step toward recognizing and empowering the skilled workforce in Bharatpur and Rajasthan, especially in tourism and hospitality—sectors integral to India’s growth and cultural heritage. By certifying these skills, we are laying a strong foundation for economic upliftment and sustained job creation.” Targeting the certification of nearly 7,000 individuals in its first year alone across India, the project focuses on roles such as Tour Guide, Customer Service Executive, Food Server, Walk Tour Facilitator, and Paragliding Ground Crew Chief. Bharatpur’s Keoladeo National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site and major tourist attraction—offers an ideal setting for the project, enabling local residents to gain formal recognition and contribute as ambassadors of India’s heritage and hospitality. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC, shared his vision for the VISA-THSC RPL Project, stating, “The Project aligns closely with THSC’s mission to bridge skill gaps in the tourism and hospitality sectors by providing individuals with industry-recognized certifications. This initiative will uplift livelihoods in Bharatpur and beyond, enhancing service quality across the industry. By raising service standards, …

Sharing the state’s investment plans, Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya, said, “We are planning to invest approx. ₹4,000 crore in the tourism sector in the coming years. The government invested ₹2,000 crore since the last three years, creating about 50,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.”

BL Sharma, CM, Rajasthan, called for promoting state’s tourist sites, fairs, and festivals with effective branding and marketing at the global level. He added that the government is committed to tourism skill development programme and steps should be taken to make monuments and panoramas of the state more attractive.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation bagged ‘Excellence in Responsible Tourism Practices’ award at ITA 2024. Manasi Kothare, Officer for Responsible Tourism, MTDC, said, “We have pioneered several projects, including development of carbon footprint calculator, a crucial tool for environmental conservation.”

Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival is returning to the City of Lakes, promising an enchanting experience from 10 to 12 January, 2025. Known for celebrating the ancient art of oral storytelling, this festival has captivated audiences by gathering renowned storytellers, writers, and enthusiasts worldwide. In its sixth edition, the event promises even more magic, set against the captivating backdrop of Udaipur. This year’s festival will feature a range of storytelling genres, including history, romance, mysticism, and mystery, along with a dedicated children’s section. This diversity ensures something for everyone, taking listeners on a journey into different worlds, emotions, and experiences. Adding to the charm, live folk art performances and fusion music will enhance the atmosphere, creating a memorable blend of storytelling and melody that reflects Rajasthan’s cultural richness along with national and international heritage. Audiences can look forward to performances by celebrated storytellers like Dev Dutt Patnaik, mythologist and writer, the legendary Qutubi Brothers in qawwali, and storytelling artist Fauzia Dastango. Colombian nomadic storyteller Juliana Marin, French story writer Laurence Hugues, Indian film and TV story and dialogue writer Divy Nandini Sharma, and actor Vicky Ahuja will also be among the artists gracing the stage, each bringing their unique style and heritage to the event. For those interested in the art of oral storytelling, the festival will host engaging workshops and interactive sessions, offering a chance to connect with master storytellers and delve into the cultural significance of storytelling across different traditions and eras. Families will find the festival’s atmosphere welcoming, with a dedicated segment designed especially for children, making it an ideal event to introduce young listeners to the world of stories. The Festival village will have unique stalls …

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that air travel plays an important role when it comes to connectivity in the Northeastern region. He added that the state government is working aggressively to upgrade and optimise tourism, trade, health services and other sectors. “When it comes to connectivity and other issues that the Northeastern region faces, particularly Meghalaya, air travel plays an important role in achieving the wide gamut of goals that the state is striving towards,” the chief minister said.

Apart from a slight decrease in the average daily rate (ADR) of Delhi and Goa, all other major markets like Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai showed considerable growth in ADR and revenue per available room figures, with Hyderabad leading the list. The city recorded the highest RevPAR growth of 23.6% in Q3 2024 as compared to Q3 2023. Although occupancy levels remained relatively stable across the board in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, ADR levels improved, leading to an increase in RevPAR across all major markets.