Category Archives: States

MTDC conducts week-long culinary festival in Nagpur

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) showcased various culinary offerings of the state through the Maharashtra Food Festival held in Nagpur from December 20-25, 2017.  The six-day festival offered authentic vegetarian and non-vegetarian Maharashtrian delicacies. MTDC has also held a meeting with several hotels and restaurant chains in Nagpur to create awareness about this event. Apart from food, activities like a musical show by popular Marathi singer Savani Ravindra, fashion show by LAD College, lavani performance, rock band show and folk dances were also held. The art forms, handlooms and handicrafts of the state were also be exhibited. Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Tourism & (EGS), Government of Maharashtra, said, “The aim behind organising such a festival is to bring together people from different walks of life to taste the diverse cuisine of the state. The food festival is guaranteed to satisfy the taste buds of every traveller. The Hospitality & Tourism industry in Maharashtra is expected to grow at a rapid pace between now and 2025. We are also planning to tie-up with the private hospitality colleges to offer internship to students in our resorts and generate employment opportunities.”    

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Kerala gears up for Phase II of promotional campaign to woo foreign tourists

Kerala Tourism is gearing up for a three-month long international campaign in its bid to lure foreign tourists to God’s Own Country. The Phase II of the campaign would commence with the participation of Kerala Tourism in Vakantiebeurs, the tourism-leisure fair of The Netherlands, followed by FITUR, the international tourism trade fair of Spain. The German cities of Dusseldorf (January 23) and Hamburg (January 25) would be the venues for the first roadshows in Phase II. The roadshows in the emerging West Asian markets will be held between February 26-28, 2018, which includes Qatar (Doha- February 26), Oman (Muscat-February 27) and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi-February 28). Later in April 2018, B2B meets will be organized in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. On January 24, the campaign will kick-start in New York City of the United States, followed by the New York Times Travel Show scheduled to be held from January 26 to January 28. Further road shows will be organized in Los Angeles (January 30) and San Francisco (February 1), which has been escalating foreign tourist arrivals to Kerala. The campaign would culminate with BIT, the international travel expo and road show at Milan in Italy (February 11 – 13, 2018). The Tourism Department of Kerala had received overwhelming response to the Phase I campaign, at International Trade Fairs and B2B meets in 12 countries, which ended last month. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Co-Operation, Tourism and Devaswom, Government of Kerala, stated: “With the promotional strategy, we aim to showcase diversified tourism products across high-potential markets in order to attract tourists to visit the state. Kerala Tourism has been centered on leisure tourism, but now we aim to re-brand Kerala …

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1st Jheel Mahotsav at Bargi Dam, Jabalpur (MP) from Dec 21-Jan 1, 2018

Considering the tourism potential of Bargi, Jabalpur Tourism Promotional Council (JTPC) is organising the first edition of Jheel Mahotsav from December 21 to January 1, 2018. The 12-day festival, taking place at Bargi Dam built on Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, will witness water sports activities from leisure cruising to jet skiing. Folk dance performances and melodious music by renowned bands reflecting the culture of Madhya Pradesh, all form a part of Jheel Mahotsav.

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J&K Tourism taps South Indian market

In a bid to tap the South Indian market, the Department of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir organised a familiarisation tour for the travel agents from Chennai and Bengaluru who visited Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yusmarg and Srinagar city. The department is planning an aggressive marketing campaign, including roadshows and seminars in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka this month to counter negative media publicity which has affected tourist flow to Kashmir. The hosted travel agents were all praises for the hospitality they experienced during their visit to the state. The visit included recce to budget, high-end properties and houseboats, the valley’s main USP. Source: UNI

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AAI and Haryana Govt. to create aviation hub in Hisar

In a  move to develop civil aviation infrastructure in the state, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Haryana for creating a world-class international aviation hub in Hisar. The MoU was jointly signed by Ashok Sangwan, Advisor Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation Department (DCA), Government of Haryana and Anil Gupta, General Manager (Business Development), AAI in the presence of other officials on December 11. Sangwan appreciated the role of AAI in creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure and airspace in the country. Gupta reiterated AAI’s commitment in assisting the Haryana goverment for creating and developing world-class civil aviation infrastructure in the state.

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Adventure Rock Hill at Jatayu Earth Centre, Kerala opens for public

Jatayu Earth’s Center – Kerala’s first build–operate–transfer (BOT) model ecotourism project, ‘Adventure Rock Hill’, is now open for visitors. Located at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala, the Jatayupara Nature Park was rechristened as Jatayu Earth’s Center. Covering four hills in Chadayamangalam, there are few more ventures pending to make the Nature Park fully operational by April 2018. Adventure Rock Hill is open for a group of 10-100 people, with entry of Rs 3500 per person. Spread across 65 acres, it offers abundant activities like camping, rock climbing, trekking, 6D theatre, a virtual reality museum, a Siddha and an Ayurvedic cave resort. The key highlight of the Jatayu Earth Centre is the world’s largest bird sculpture, which has an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. Rajiv Anchal, Concept Designer, Chairman and Managing Director, Jatayu Earth’s Center, stated, “Considered as a glorious example of eco-friendly tourism in India, the center is a result of 10 years of sustained dedication. ‘Jatayu’ symbolises an era when humans and other living beings cared for each other and lived together peacefully.” P. Bala Kiran, Director, Kerala Tourism, said, “From adventure enthusiasts to families, young generation of travellers to couples, this tourist spot caters to a wide audience. The center allows the tourists to have thrilling experiences, while exploring the natural beauty of the place.”  

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Sikkim to get skywalk by 2019

A one-of-its kind skywalk is all set to be developed in the eastern state of Sikkim. C Zangpo, Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, said that they are working on a big project in Bhaleydhunga. “A skywalk in Bhaleydhunga is being constructed by a world-renowned company. We hope to complete the project by 2019. In fact, we have already completed around 40 per cent of work. Apart from this, we are focusing on adventure as we have tremendous trekking trails, which appeal to foreigners too,” he shared. The skywalk is said to be a major tourist attraction in the state for both domestic and foreign tourists visiting Sikkim.

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Madame Tussauds Delhi opens; entry fee @Rs 960

The 23rd edition of Madame Tussauds opens in New Delhi at the historic Regal building in Connaught Place. The entry fee is Rs 960 for adults while children below the age of 12 will be charged Rs. 760. The museum is operational starting December 1 from 10 AM to 7 PM every day, informed Anshul Jain, General Manager and Director, Merlin Entertainments India. With a star-studded line up of Indian and international celebrities, historic personalities and sportspersons from diverse genres, this toiurist attraction features 50 incredibly life like figures. “This is a truly exhilarating and emotional feeling to finally see Madame Tussauds open in Delhi. This will be the 23rd Madame Tussauds attraction globally and following in the footsteps of our sister attractions, we here in Delhi are all set to give our guests a truly unique experience. The tickets can be bought online also and there is a discount of Rs 100. We will also offer special packages to the visitors from outside Delhi who visit Delhi through the travel agents. There will also be special price for groups and school children.”

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Kerala Tourism’s Green Carpet Action Plan set to roll

As part of implementing responsible tourism initiatives in the state, the Kerala Tourism department organised a workshop in Thiruvananthapuram.  P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism and Managing Director of Kannur International Airport elaborated on the new Tourism Policy, Responsible Tourism and the Green Carpet Action Plan formulated by the government at the workshop. He said, “The Tourism policy 2017 implementation will commence with the implementation of Green Carpet action plan 2017-18. Also, the tourism department shall implement Green Protocol in all 78 locations by Dec 15th.” Speaking on the Green Carpet Action Plan, P. Bala Kiran said that the action plan has been formulated by including nine agendas by inculcating the points from the total 16 agendas that is being discussed and deliberated upon worldwide. The Green Carpet Action Plan, in fact, aims at transforming the tourism sector in Kerala into different travel-friendly destinations. The plan is being implemented by imbibing the points in the new tourism policy. The general development aspects that have been put forward by the Tourism policy, the Green Kerala Mission and Responsible Tourism are being implemented in this regard, he said. Pointing out that Responsible Tourism forms the crux of the state government’s tourism policy. The features incorporated are People-friendliness, Nature-friendliness and aspects that remain socially acceptable. The projects and schemes undertaken toe a well charted out roadmap.

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Kerala Tourism Minister flags off Sargaalaya Heritage Tour

The Handicrafts Heritage Tour, organised by the Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village, was flagged off by the Minister for Co-Operation, Tourism and Devaswom, Government of Kerala, Kadakampally Surendran in Thiruvananthapuram. The Sargaalaya Handicrafts Heritage Tour will travel from the state capital to Kasargod and will pass through various villages known for its tradition, arts and handicrafts. On the occasion, Minister for Excise and Labour T.P. Ramakrishnan was also present. The Heritage Tour is being organised in the run up to the seventh annual ‘Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival’, scheduled to be held between December 21, 2017 and January 8, 2018 at the Sargaalaya Village at Iringal in Kozhikode. The handicrafts festival is being organised with the support of the Departments of Tourism, Industries, Culture, and Coir, Government of Kerala. The festival will have the participation of more than 400 artisans from as many as 25 states in India. Besides, artisans from South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Nepal, Sri Lanka will also be participating in the event. The Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival will put on display-and-sale handicrafts items made by around 500 artisans. The festival will also include arts and entertainment programs organised under the aegis of the Central government’s South Zone Cultural Centre, Tanjavur; the State Department of Culture’s Bharat Bhavan; and the Kerala Folklore Academy. Artisans from villages like Aranmula (known for the renowned Aranmula Mirror), Thazhava (known for unique mats), Perumbava (renowned for the manufacture of Mridangam and Maddalam), Vellinezhi (known for the decorative accessories used in Kathakali make up), Aruvacode (famous for clay products), Cherppu (known for wooden handicrafts items) and Kunhimangaalam (famous for the manufacture of metal handicrafts products) will be a part of …

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