Tag Archives: tourism

Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior, is organising 6th Asia-Euro conference 2016 in Tourism, Hospitality & Gastronomy from November 9-12, 2016, in Gwalior. Conference Chairman and Director, IITTM Prof. Sandeep Kulshreshtha, informed “It is the first time in India that this conference is being organized in collaboration with Taylor’s University, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia and University of Toulouse, Jean Jaures, France. The theme of the conference is ‘Envisioning Tourism 2050’. More than 150 academic experts representing Asian and European universities and institutions from France, Italy, Switzerland, UK, US, Mauritius, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Uzbekistan etc. besides Indian tourism academic experts will be attending the international conference.” The Inaugural Ceremony shall be held on November 10, 2016. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Government of India & Chairman, Board of Governors of IITTM, and Vinod Zutshi, Secretary (Tourism), Govt. of India & Vice Chairman, BOG of IITTM as well as  other dignitaries including Dr. Graig Arden, President – Taylor’s University, Prof. Jean Pouline – France, Prof. T.V. Kattimani – Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak; Prof. S.P. Bansal – Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi State University, Haryana, are expected to grace the inauguration function. Special panel discussions on ‘Future of Tourism’ and ‘Indian Diasporas & Cultural Dimensions’ are also scheduled beside technical sessions on different related themes.

Tourism has been given industry status by Haryana Government for land use purpose. The tourism projects identified under land use are activities relating to amusement, recreation, theme parks; adventure tourism projects; heritage hotels except standalone hotels, tourist resorts, food streets, outdoor dining areas, food courts, restaurants; commercial components within recreational and commercial activities etc. informed Devender Singh, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Haryana. Singh added that the provisions would be applicable to mega projects only involving an investment of Rs 100 crore or above or employing more than 500 people. The conditions would also be applicable with prospective effect to all the new as well as expansion projects involving an investment of Rs 50 crore or more. He also added that the notification to this effect has been issued. (Source: Times of India)

The Ministry of Tourism is planning theme based events for attracting tourists in the country, revealed Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, while addressing he members of Indian Association of Tour Operators in New Delhi. He said, “We are working on theme based events in India in the next six months. We have shortlisted three themes—medical tourism, adventure tourism and MICE tourism. We want to create a buzz about India and partner with FICCI or some other organisation and organise an international event, to attract the world’s attention to the country. However, we will focus on only one such event this year.”

The West Bengal Tourism department has launched a mobile App based on its theme of ‘Experience Bengal’. Alongside information on places of tourist interest, the App would be loaded with other facilities like maps and directions. The sight would be powered by information on each and district of the state and the various places that can be visited and activities that can be taken up. There would also be information on the various festivals of the state. Through some related links on the App, the users can also get access to Facebook, Twitter Page of West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation and Bengal cuisine website. Online booking facilities would also be available through the App available on android.(Source: Economic Times)

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Qatar for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. The main objectives of the MoU are to create favourable conditions for long-term co-operation in tourism, exchange expertise, publications, information/data and statistics related to tourism, encourage cooperation through the exchange of programmes, propaganda and marketing of their tourism products via media etc. The MoU also entails exchange visits of tour operators and media for promotion of two way tourism. It will also encourage co-operation between tourism sectors, tour operators, travel agents and other tourism private sector’s firms and bureaus in the two countries. Qatar is an emerging tourism source markets for India (India received approximately 6313 tourists from Qatar in 2015). Qatar is a potential market for India in terms of Medical tourism and provides vast opportunity for India in this field. The signing of MoU with Qatar will be instrumental in increasing arrival from this emerging source market.

In a bid to boost medical tourism into India, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is planning to extend e-medical visa facility, said Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India. Speaking on the recently held first meeting of National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board, he said, “India has a distinct advantage, in terms of cost of people in the medical industry, the time required for getting operation dates, and having state-of-the-art hospitals. Now, we are also contemplating to get the e-medical visa facility extended to various countries, so that the medical and wellness tourism in India prospers further.”