Tag Archives: Government of Telangana

Around 250 regional level guides from different units of India recently attended the Tourist Guides’ Federation of India (TGFI) Annual National Convention in Hyderabad. Representatives from tourism associations like Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) also marked their presence at the event. The convention held discussions on current tourism policies, tourism promotion, tour guide fee revision, general body elections and cooperation with Ministry of Tourism (MOT) and IATO, etc. Sunita M Bhagwat, IFS, Commissioner, Department of Tourism, Government of Telangana was the chief guest for the inaugural ceremony. Shreevats Sanjay, Regional Director (South), India Tourism; Subhash Goyal, Honorary Secretary, FAITH; K Ranga Reddy, Chairman, IATO Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Chapter; C V Shankar Reddy, Assistant Director, India Tourism were also present at the opening ceremony. TGFI unanimously elected New Executive Body for 2018-2020. Ajay Singh has been elected as the President of the association.

Telangana Government has proposed heliports at various locations in the state to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in an attempt to boost tourism and exploit commercially potential areas. These heliports have been proposed at Dundigal, Hakimpet, Nadirgul in Hyderabad, Basanthnagar in Karimnagar, Nagarjunasagar, Nalgonda, Alair (Yadagirigutta), Warangal and Kagaznagar (Sirpur). The state is also planning to develop new greenfield airports at Zakranpally, Nizamabad, National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) at Zaheerabad. According to V.N. Bharat Reddy, Director-Aviation, Government of Telangana, “The state government has submitted the proposals to Ministry of Civil Aviation under Regional Connectivity Scheme for 10 unserved airports. These can be converted into full-fledged airports in future.” Since air trafiic is on the rise travellers can avail heliservices. For instance, the state government has taken up development of Yadagirigutta temple and a heliport is being proposed at Alair. Similarly, Nagarjunasagar in Nalgonda district has always been a tourist spot. Kagaznagar and NIMZ are industrial areas where individuals can avail of the facility, apart from VIPs. Source: Times of India

Government of Telangana and O2 Skills Academy have signed MoU to train 1,260 men and women between the ages of 18-35 over the next 3 years. This collaboration will aim to provide employment linked, market-oriented vocational training that will enable filling in the gaps the spa and hospitality industry faces by providing trained resources. The role of O2 Skills Academy will be to ensure effective mobilisation, training, certification and finally placement into apt jobs. This agreement is within the purview of the Telangana Employment Generation and Marketing Mission (EGMM) which falls under the Department of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development. The first batch of students under this program starts classes from the 17th of October 2016. A maximum of 35 students per batch will undergo practical and theoretical classes for 3 months with an option of being trained in Wellness therapies, Hair and Beauty treatments in addition to Hospitality (F&B and Housekeeping).The curriculum is designed and approved by the Government of Telangana (EGMM).

The third edition of IIMTC, a first of its kind niche tourism congress, was held from September 3-4 in Hyderabad. B. Venkatesham, Secretary Tourism, Government of Telangana, inaugurated the conference. He said, “Hyderabad has immense potential for medical tourism. The world class medical tourism facilities, nursing, qualified doctors along with a vast heritage and culture, beautiful landscape makes Hyderabad an ideal place for medical tourism. The tourism department along with the health department of the state is working to highlight this aspect of travel.” Representatives from various countries like CIS countries, USA, UK, Germany, Middle East besides representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health , Health and Ayush departments, Government of India, Chambers of Commerce, international associations, academicians as well as healthcare professionals  were present at the two day conference.

In an attempt to leverage medical tourism in Telangana, the Tourism Department and Health Department of the state have come together to form a Medical Tourism Society. The society is aimed at creating a single platform for all stakeholders both public and private to interact and address issues regarding medical tourism. B.Venkatesham, Secretary Tourism, Government of Telangana, said, “Till now we have involved the hospitals, accreditation bodies, health officials and tourism officials in improving medical tourism but we understand the importance of medical travel facilitators and thus this platform will allow the travel agents to put up their issues and participate. The government will also assist and act as a facilitator to the travel agents functioning in this segment of tourism.”