Category Archives: States

Goa is all set to have the sixth edition of its two-day tribal festival, which will be organised by the Adivasi Sangatna, Quepem on January 7-8, 2017. The festival aims at reviving, promoting and preserving the state’s traditional games, culture and cuisine, especially the customs of the tribal population. There will be various events, competitions, folklore programmes and special programmes for children. The festival is being organised at the Village Panchayat Ground, Xeldem, Quepem.

Along with its successful ‘God’s Own Country’ campaign, Kerala will now be promoted as the ‘Land of the Biennale’ as well, says U.V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism. The new moniker comes in line with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) by the Government of Kerala, which allocated Rs. 7.5 crore towards operational expenses for the KMB’s ongoing third edition – besides committing to finding India’s only Biennale a permanent venue. “Kerala Tourism has allotted around Rs. 6 crore to promote both the biennale and the state through ad films, national and international road shows and campaigns as well as other initiatives,” Jose said. Noting that the theme of the new campaign would be related to art, he said the Tourism Department had sanctioned Rs 60 lakh for a film to promote Kerala as the land of the Biennale. “For the next three months, over the duration of the Biennale, Kerala Tourism will showcase it at national trade fairs, international road shows and tourism and trade conventions. We will also roll out the ‘Live Inspired’ campaign, which is themed around the inspiration and pride of having the chance to view and experience such top class artworks here,” he added. The Director said that while the state was known for such distinctive offerings as its Ayurveda therapies and houseboats, the Biennale would be added to that list of iconic Kerala products. He noted that there were already links between the Biennale and the Muziris Heritage Project with Kottapuram fort in Kodungallur being one of the 12 venues for KMB 2016.

Maharashtra Tourism’s new initiative — Maharashtra Unlimited — is an umbrella programme to boost tourism infrastructure in the state. Jayakumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra, informed that as part of the initiative, Mumbai-Lonavla-Pune circuit and Mumbai-Igatpuri-Nashik circuit will be developed as tourist stretches where tourism events will be promoted and roads and five-star hotels will be developed in order to promote the same. A heritage policy on 450 forts in the state is also in the pipeline. “The upkeep and development of the forts has been the focus of the tourism department since long. Sambhaji Raje, descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and social reformer Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj of Kolhapur have been chosen as the brand ambassador for the same. Plans are afoot to develop the government area around forts by introducing tourist amenities like tents and hotels,” said Rawal. The state also plans to develop Konkan coast on the lines of amenities and tourist facilities seen in other coastal regions like Goa and Kerala. “Wellness centres in Lonavla and Igatpuri are in order, apart from starting a boating competition in Mumbai on the lines of ‘Boat Grand Prix’,” he said.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) have entered into an agreement to allow tourists to visit the depth of a WCL coal mine in Saoner, tour an eco-park and visit the open cast mine in Gondegaon. To raise awareness about the importance of coal mining, the tourists will be taken inside Saoner Underground Mine No. 1 up to 1.5km from its entrance which is located about 37km from the city. A man riding system will take the tourists inside and WCL and a guide will facilitate this trip, taking them about 100m down from the ground surface. According to the five-year MoU signed between MTDC and WCL, the tourism facilities for visitors, bookings and marketing of the concept will be done by MTDC. Source: Economics Times

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recently organised its first ‘Sarangkheda Festival’ from December 13-27 in order to boost tourism in Nandurbar. The festival witnessed the arrival of more than 2,000 horses at its market place which is also one of the largest horse fairs in the country. The festival also showcased horse dance show and powra, a tribal dance by the locals of Nandurbaug district. MTDC also organised a host of initiatives such as the Tourism Conclave, Uttar Maharashtra Ratna Gaurav Puraskar and Horse Painting exhibition. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mentioned that the government is committed to take the Sarangkheda horse fair to a global platform and that the fair should become a brand on the lines of Pushkar’s camel fair. The Chief Minister and the Tourism Minister also spoke about positioning Nandurbaug as a tourist hub through Sarangkheda Festival. Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “To give the state a further impetus in terms of tourism, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and MTDC organises various festival like Ajanta Ellora Festival, Nagpur Festival, Koradi Festival, Kalidas Festival and now the Sarangkheda Chetak festival and many more. To highlight the array of destinations and varied facets of Maharashtra, we plan to work towards development of proper infrastructure for tourists and utilise the budgets for the development of these destinations. One such festival, Sarangkheda Chetak Festival, which is a 500-year-old fair but, remained ignored for so many years. But, now, we are committed to take it to a global platform through development of infrastructure, marketing and branding. We also plan to have a horse museum for tourists that will enlighten them about the various qualities of breed, …

Assam Tourism has appointed leading Bollywood lady Priyanka Chopra as its brand ambassador. She has signed a two-year contract with the state government to promote Assam tourism both at the national and international levels. This was informed by Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tourism Minister, Government of Assam. Sarma said “She would arrive here on Saturday and address an international tour operators’ meeting. She will also feature in still and video commercials of Assam tourism and promote Assam tourism wherever she goes.” Talking about the marketing plans of the state tourism, Sarma said, “This time, our tourism campaign will go global instead of being confined within the country. We will focus on countries like the UK, the US, Japan and Germany.” He further informed that the financial component of the tourism campaign will be included in the next budget and while Chopra will not charge anything for being the brand ambassador for Assam tourism, she will be paid a fee for the time she spends shooting for commercials and for whatever activity she undertakes for promotion of state tourism.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in association with Vidarbha Economic Development Council will be hosting ‘Maharashtra Food Festival’. The six-day festival will be held from December 6, 2016 to December 11, 2016 at the South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur. The first three days will showcase cultural performances followed by a khadi fashion show to promote the use of khadi material. Madan Yerawar, Hon’ble State Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra stated, “The local cuisine of the state is the greatest indicator of the traditions of Maharashtra. Maharashtrian food has created benchmarks all over the world with certain dishes being specialties of the regions or communities. Nagpur is a major and third most populated city of the state of Maharashtra in India and is famous for its culture, cuisine and oranges. This six-day festival will not only boost tourism in the state but will also highlight various facets of the city and will also push local economy.”

Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has brought all tourism business’ under the ambit of cashless transactions. Whether hotel reservations, package tours, cruise rides or any other tourism service, GTDC has introduced systems that have facilitated cashless transactions, both on-line and off-line. Cashless facility is made possible by GTDC through online portal, booking of services and products through mobile app on iOS and android platform at GTDC residencies and restaurants through point-of-sale machines thus enabling a 360-degree approach to the new cashless system. GTDC is also working  to introduce  pay wallets and  talks are  underway  with  leading pay wallet  providers so that  pay wallets can be accepted  as another mode of   cashless payments. The Santa Monica Jetty also offers payments through credit cards and debit cards. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “To further this  process,  the launch of  the  new e-commerce portal and mobile app  in February this year has  provided  a fool-proof platform for e-business and cashless transactions  also bringing  other tourism stakeholders into the cashless circuit. Official records from the  GTDC reveal that  cashless transactions  to the tune  of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh are executed daily for various  services provided by the GTDC which  is in addition to  cashless  transactions recorded on GTDC’s e-commerce portal and mobile app.” Gavin Dias,  General Manager (Hotels), GTDC said,  “All GTDC residencies are provided with point-of-sale (POS) machines to facilitate cashless payments and most tourists prefer to use this facility. It is encouraging to see tourists opting for cashless transactions.” He pointed out that  in addition to  cashless business for  GTDC’s hotel accommodation,  GTDC through the e-commerce portal has direct tie ups with  more than  160 …

Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) has setup a Soft Adventure Park at Garden of Five Senses Said-ul-Ajaib Village. The park was inaugurated by Kapil Mishra, Minister for Tourism, Art, Culture & Languages and Water, Govt. of Delhi in the presence of Dr. Pooja Joshi, General Manager, DTTDC and other senior officers of Govt. of Delhi. While inaugurating the Adventure Park, Mishra said, “This Adventure Park came up as a blessing for people of Delhi and will provide children with space to play and get enthralled with adventure activities which this park has to offer. It will also act as a catalyst to promote Garden of Five Senses as an eco friendly project and bring more families to spend their time in the Garden”. The sprawling park is designed keeping nature lovers in mind in the area of 22 acres of the Garden. The games are such that one would feel close to the nature. Some of the highlighting features/activities the Adventure Park has to offer are :- Paint Ball, Rock Climbing Wall, Zip Line, Burma Bridge, Commando Net, Running Bungee, Sumo Wrestling, Zorbing, Air Rifle Shooting, Archery and more. The Adventure Park will commence its operations for general public from tomorrow. The entry ticket to the Garden of Five Senses has been kept Rs. 30 per person only (for adults) and Rs. 10 only (for children) and the price for activities ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 120 per person.

Kerala Tourism has rolled out ‘The Great Backwater Experience’ zone at a special interactive stall in the departure terminal at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi. The initiative uses virtual reality to allow passengers to experience a Kerala experience while waiting to catch their flight. Similar zones are also being set up at airports in Mumbai and Bengaluru. U.V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism, said, “The zone is up and functional at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi and visitors can get an immersive experience of sitting inside a ‘kettuvellam’, a traditional Kerala houseboat, floating on tranquil backwaters in a place situated over 2,000 km away. This has been made possible through the innovative use of virtual reality.”