Category Archives: States

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.

Nandini Chakraborty, Tourism Secretary, West Bengal, has revealed that the current occupancy at around 30 operational properties of West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDCL) is 100%. “We have done extensive promotion on social and other media about our properties as well as the state, and the response has been phenomenal,” she commented. Hotels and guest houses at popular tourist destinations Bengal are seeing over 80% occupancy in the last 2-3 months, which is more than the average occupancy of 60-70% which these properties have recorded in the last 2-3 years. Source: TOI

The Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the World Bank signed a US$ 105 million project to improve the inland water transport infrastructure in Kolkata, West Bengal. In the first phase, the project will enhance the capacity and improve the safety of the Inland Water Transport system; including rehabilitating existing jetties and buying new ferries.

With Chipi airport in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra set to be operational later this month, Government of Maharashtra plans to develop the region further as an alternative destination to Goa. This will help boost tourism in the coastal district, currently reached by tourists mostly via rail or road.

Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director (Events & Marketing), Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, says, “We are already in the process of conducting both virtual and physical roadshows. MP Tourism has also started organising virtual and physical events such as the Jal Mahotsav, and has started planning a virtual Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart to promote our tourism products.”