Tag Archives: Culture

The parliamentary standing committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its 331st report said that with the increased competition among various countries to attract more foreign visitors, it is an imperative need for India to prepare a better marketing strategy by hiring marketing experts to attract foreign visitors.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture will be leading the International Day of Yoga (IDY) Celebrations at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad in Hyderabad. The Chief Guest will be Vice President of India, M Vankaiah Naidu. The State Tourism Ministers, Shripad Yesso Naik and Ajay Bhatt, will be leading the celebrations at Churches and Convent of Goa and Wagah Border, Amritsar, respectively.

After a successful meeting with the tourism and culture ministers of Northeastern states in Guwahati, Ministry of Tourism, is now planning a similar conference with the tourism ministers of Southern states, revealed G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER in his address at the World Tourism Day celebration in New Delhi. The meeting, as per Rupinder Brar, ADG, MOT, will be held in Karnataka, most probably between Bengaluru and Hampi.

Cabinet Minister for Tourism & Culture, G Kishan Reddy, recently met with Alok Ranjan, Minister of Art Culture & Youth Department, Government of Bihar, to discuss the several initiatives undertaken by the state for the promotion of its culture and heritage. As part of the continued efforts, Bihar Museum is also all set to open its largest gallery for visitors from September.

The Department of Culture and Tourism of Inner Mongolia, autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China organised the Inner Mongolia Culture and Tourism Festival as part of the ongoing Chinese New Year festivities. Representing the travel trade, Chitra Bhatia, General Secretary, OTOAI and Rajeev Sabharwal, EC Member, OTOAI were present at the event. Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in India and the Government of Inner Mongolia, the promotional event was aimed to promote and attract tourists to the region of northern China. Briefing about the attractions in Inner Mongolia, Shi Mo, Deputy General Secretary, People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, introduced the guests while Ai Lihua, Vice Chairman, People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Zhu Xiaohong, Culural Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in India presented the welcome remarks. On the ocassion, He Zhiliang, Director of Department of Culture and Tourism, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region said, “This is the first time we have come to India to promote Inner Mongolia province. We are trying to promote the culture of Inner Mongolia by showcasing it through a art performance by ‘Anda Union’. I hope the Indian audience will like this event and visit Inner Mongolia.” During the event, a cooperation agreement was signed between Zhong Xin International Travel Co and Delhi-based Pettitts India Tours.

The top 10 revenue generating monuments during 2015-18 are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Sun Temple Konark, Group of Monuments Mamallapuram, Ellora Caves, Group of Monuments Khajuraho and Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad. The information was shared by Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate change in reply to a starred question in the Rajya Sabha. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) spent Rs 41,076.79 lakh in 2017-18 for the conservation of protected monuments.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise PATA Travel Mart 2019 in Astana, Kazakhstan in September. The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC. “As the destination stands at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, it is the perfect venue to organise the association’s signature travel trade exhibition in a uniquely transformational city that blends various cultures and heritages of both the East and West,” said Dr Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA. Yerlan Kozhagapanov, Vice Minister of Culture And Sport, Republic of Kazakhstan, said, “We are honoured to be the bid winner and are grateful for the opportunity to host PATA Travel Mart 2019. We are positioning Astana as a MiCE hub for Central Asia and looking forward to welcoming PATA members, hosted buyers and visitors at PATA Travel Mart 2019.” According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Kazakhstan received a total of over 7.7 million total visitors in 2017. Special discounts are available for sellers located within Central Asia, while early bird discounts are available for those registering before December 31, 2018.  

Adding one more feather to its cap, Linkin Reps recently bagged the media representation account for Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in India. Linkin Reps, through a well thought strategy and year-long media plan, will work towards highlighting Turkey as a destination for Indian travellers, ease of travelling, cultural affinity and present its lesser known destinations to the Indian audience. Promoting Turkey as a complete tourism destination will be the prime focus of Linkin Reps during its tenure. The decision was driven by Turkey’s growing outbound demand, witnessed in the steady rise in visitation from India, along with rises in the length of stay and spending power of Indian travellers. Speaking after the announcement, H Deniz Ersöz, Culture & Tourism Counsellor, Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in India, said, “Our partnership with Linkin Reps will further strengthen our outreach and presence in the country. We have a very interesting calendar planned out for the year which will be executed in partnership with Linkin. We are aiming at increasing the outbound travel from India to Turkey and invite more of Indian travellers to experience the rich culture and beauty of the Republic of Turkey.” Commenting on the appointment, Komal Seth, Director, Linkin Reps said, “With a series of campaigns planned, we will strengthen Turkey’s positioning as the first choice of destination for tourists from India.” Turkey is the home of unique nature, culture’ and deep-rooted historical and religious prestige, which reflects in its 18 world heritage sites, recognised by UNESCO.

Four-day Jammu Mahotsav will be held from April 13-16 which will showcase the cultural heritage and multi-cuisine of the land of Dogras. According to Priya Sethi, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Floriculture and Parks, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, this festival will mark the beginning for Jammu in taking its spot in the national and international tourist circuit as an independent and attractive tourist destination. “Jammu Mahotsav is a step to elevate Jammu beyond its existing identity primarily as a religious tourism destination and make it a hub for multi-faceted tourist activities. This event will also be made an annual feature for the city,” she said. Special packages will also be introduced in association with Jammu Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) during the festival to facilitate and divert the tourist movement to nearby tourist destinations in the region. The main events of the festival will be held at Bagh-e-Bahu. “Local cultural extravaganza and cultural carnival are planned on April 11 and 12, live performance by Lakhwinder Wadali and laser show on April 13, live performance by Abhay Sopori on April 14, and live performance by Jassi Gill and Babbal Rai on April 16. Folk dances and cultural programs, multi-cuisine stalls and cultural modelling show are some of the other programmes for the event,” said Sethi. She further added that in Jammu and Kashmir a self-sustained tourism model was being implemented in all three regions of the state for inclusive socio-economic development besides ensuring emergence of each region as exclusive independent tourist destination. (Source: PTI)

Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi said that efforts are being made to develop Jammu into an international level golf destination. Addressing delegates of India Travel Mart, Jammu, Sethi said the State Government with the support of Centre would give a big push to the development of the state. The Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has a geographical advantage which when properly utilised can make J&K frequent host for the international level golf tournaments. ‘Whereas the golf courses available in Kashmir are open to people in summers, Jammu Tawi Golf Course provide year round location available to the national and international golf lovers’ the Minister added. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, Minister for Cooperatives, T Dorjey, Secretary Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism Sushma Chauhan, senior officers of State administration besides representatives of Tourism Departments of many states, tour and travel bodies were present in the inaugural function of the three day event.