Tag Archives: United Nations World Tourism Organization

Pan-India domestic tourism revival initiative has been introduced in the form of India City Walks Festival™ (ICWF™). It is supported by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India). This initiative is in line with the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions of Hon’ble Prime Minister. The focus of India City Walks Festival™ is on heritage, monuments, history, tradition and city sightseeing destinations for walks, storytelling sessions, events, and experiences both on-ground and virtual. The Festival is the initiative of India City Walks (ICW®), three-time National Award recipient and Hall of Fame award recipient operating under parent company City Explorers Private Limited. The India City Walks Festival™ is being organised, and on-boarding of locals is ongoing to register as Hosts. It begins with the curtain raiser walks (virtual and on-ground) in Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Agra and Varanasi. In February 2021, successful training and events took place in the state of Uttarakhand with Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. More events in India City Walks Festival™ are lined up for March and April, 2021. India City Walks Festival™ (ICWF™) aims to take people on a journey of exploration around cities of India to reveal iconic locations and little-known facts and best-kept secrets. Join the biggest heritage and cultural festival of all times to celebrate your city and your neighbourhood. To register, fill the Google form: https://cutt.ly/submit-entry For more information, check https://www.indiacitywalks.com/festival/ or get in touch at +91 9899692790 | indiacitywalksfestival@gmail.com

K J Alphons, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, along with a delegation of senior officials is attending the 109th session of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council in Manama, Bahrain. During the opening day of the Executive Council meeting, Alphons chaired the ‘Programme and Budget Committee’ meeting of UNWTO. The three-day session of UNWTO Executive Council began on October 30, 2018. The Executive Council will discuss several topics on the agenda that are related to the development of global tourism sector. In his opening remarks, the Minister highlighted the role of tourism in socio-economic development through job creation, enterprise and environment development and foreign exchange earnings. As the chair of the committee, the Minister informed the session that for the first time, UNWTO had a surplus budget and most of the arrears due have been paid. India will be the chair of Programme and Budget Committee of UNWTO Executive Council till 2021. At the sidelines, the Minister also met Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, UNWTO, and discussed on involving UNWTO in developing tourism as a strong agent for the better future of the world and establishing the Global Public Private Partnerships.

Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), an ISKCON project and a wellness destination which is a premium MahaBhraman status certified by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), announced the launch of Govardhan School of Yoga. It recently received the prestigious UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism. Dr. K.H. Govinda Raj, IAS, Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, stated, “We are delighted to be associated with Govardhan Eco Village as they are significantly contributing through innovative initiatives which are competitive and at the same time sustainable in character. Govardhan Eco Village is the only destination in Asia to be awarded by UNWTO this year. As more people embrace overall healthier lifestyles at home, we are now seeing those behaviours translate and be integrated into their travel and vacation habits. This initiative will attract tourists from all across the world.” Govardhan Eco Village highlights the importance of spiritual ecology. The 28-day residential program will enables guests to not only learn and teach yoga, but also to learn healthy eating, taking care of your body but also meditation practices. Gauranga Das, Director, Govardhan Eco Village said,” It’s our honour and privilege to receive this award on behalf of land of India and we would like to express our gratitude to UNWTO for giving this opportunity to share this message of sustainability on a larger scale especially in this year which is celebrated as the year of sustainable tourism.”