Tag Archives: Minister of State for Tourism

Robert Romawia Royte, Minister of State for Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs (I/C), Mizoram, has said, “Northeast states are rich in diversity. We can promote eco-tourism and nature-based tourism here,” adding that there needs to be a circuit among the northeastern states so that by collaborating with each other, the Northeast may become a potential emerging region in the tourism sector.

With around 250 foreign buyers and 150 exhibitors, the first-ever India Tourism Mart (ITM) 2018 was inaugurated by chief guest Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, Coal and Corporate Affairs, Government of India, along with Mohammed Sajid, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicraft and Social Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco, KJ Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Government of India; Navjot Singh Sidhu, Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Museums, Government of Punjab; Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala and other officials.

K J Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Government of India will be inaugurating the project ‘Development of Tribal Circuit: Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur- Maheshpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon- Nathiya Nawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh’ implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, in Gangrel, Chhattisgarh on September 14, 2018. This is the second project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme being inaugurated in the country. This project was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in February 2016 for Rs 99.21 crores. The project covers 13 sites in Chhattisgarh, namely, Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Kamleshpur, Maheshpur, Kurdar, Sarodadadar, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Nathiya Nawagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, Tirthgarh. Development of Tribes and Tribal Culture is one of the prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the tribal region.  The Ministry is developing the tourism infrastructure in the region under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan. Under the tribal circuit theme of the scheme, the Ministry has sanctioned four projects to Nagaland, Telangana and Chhattisgarh for Rs 381.37 crores. Major components sanctioned include eco log huts, craft haats, souvenir shops/ kiosk, tourist reception & facilitation centres, open amphitheatre, tribal interpretation centres, workshop centres, tourist amenities centres, last mile connectivity, wayside amenities, viewpoints, nature trails, solar illuminations, signages solid waste management, etc. These components are perceived to improve existing tourist facilities and enhance the overall tourist experience.  

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has tied up with Google for promoting tourism through its new website. KJ Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) addressed the media and revealed that they have tied up with Google for their new website, which was launched recently, with an aim to promote India as a destination in countries around the world and attract tourists. Alphons said that Google is helping them bring online a 360 degree virtual reality video that features the iconic destinations in India and offer an immersive experience for visitors on the website.

Attracting private investors for effective implementation of tourism policy, the tourism board of Madhya Pradesh has procured above 849.077 hectare land for the tourism department at 144 places of 49 districts of the state and created a land bank for tourism projects in MP. Besides this, at 71 points, an additional 432 hectare land has been identified. Tenders have been invited to build hotels, resorts and other establishments that will encourage tourism. For this, noted groups like Mahendra Holiday, Orange County, State Express, Jahanuma Palace Hotel, Gen-X Hotel, Sristi Ventures have been included. Land procurement is in process and soon it will be transferred to the tourism department. Surendra Patwa, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), informed that the state has been segregated in five tourism regions and potential of private investment has been identified. In Indore region, Indore, Dhar, Khanwa, Burhanpur, Khargone, Badwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Ujjain, Ratlam, Dewas, Agra Malwa, Mandsaur and Neemuch district in 43 areas around 233 hectare land has been transferred to tourism department by the board. In Jabalpur Region, land has been identified in Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Dindori, Shahdol, Umaria and Anuppur district at 28 areas around 82 hectare land has been transferred, while at 10 points 32 hectare additional land has been identified for land acquisition. Similarly, in Bhopal region at 33 points, around 135 hectare land has been transferred in Bhopal, Sihore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Raisen, Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda districts.    

Under ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ project, Letters of Intent for 40 monuments to nine agencies of Phase-II and Letters of Intent for 22 monuments to eight agencies of Phase-III were handed over by the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Tourism, during the closing ceremony of ‘Bharat Parv’ held at Red Fort. The project was launched to preserve the rich cultural and natural heritage and promote tourism across the length and breadth of our country. In addition, the MoUs were signed with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and State of Jammu & Kashmir for two natural sites, namely, Mt Stok Kangri trek route, Ladakh, J&K and Gangotri Temple Area & Trail to Gaumukh, Uttarakhand. Addressing on the occasion, K.J. Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism said that the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project plans to entrust heritage sites to private and public sector companies, and individuals for the development of tourist amenities. The basic and advanced amenities in the tourist destinations would be provided by them. He called upon people to actively take part in the Swachhta Abhiyan for cleanliness in tourist destinations.

The Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) conducted its 6th Annual Convention this time in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Convention was held from September 2-3, 2017, at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer. With an aim of trying to revive the rich, cultural, historical and architectural heritage of India IHHA 2017 saw the participation of several heritage hoteliers. The Association which was formed with only 14 members has now reached a whopping 198 members in 2017, with members spread over different parts of the country. This year’s theme – ‘Harnessing Heritage to Tourism Advantage’ also focused on reviving the traditional art, culture music and to provide local artisans opportunities to practice their craft. The convention was inaugurated on September 2 by the Minister of State for Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Krishnendra Kaur along with other dignitaries by lighting the traditional lamp. The session was headed by IHHA President, Maharaja Gajsingh of Jodhpur. The panel saw the participation of Deputy Speaker, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Rao Rajendra Singh; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, NC Goel; Vice President of IHHA, Jose Dominic; Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab, Jaspal Singh; Member of Parliament, Yuvraj Sambhiraje Chattrapti and Joint Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism, Ashutosh Rathore. The session witnessed discussions on several topics such as – India’s large young workforce, as its strength; promoting the art and culture of special regions and generating employment; framing a National policy on heritage tourism and promoting wellness tourism. The session was moderated by Mr. Rakesh Mathur. The vote of thanks was given by the Honorary General Secretary of IHHA, Randhir Vikram Singh. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje attended the heritage hotels convention on September 3 at …