World Tourism Day to see launch of Medical & Wellness Tourism Board

The Ministry of Tourism will announce the establishment of the Medical & Wellness Tourism Board and its functioning on the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 27, 2015. The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma informed this while interacting live on the social media with BBC Hindi in New Delhi. He said that there will now be a focused approach to Medical Tourism and all the information will be made available on a single portal. The Minister disclosed that information dissemination will also take place through the 14 overseas offices of the Ministry of Tourism. The Minister said that in order to ensure safety and security of tourists especially the women tourists, the Ministry of Tourism has set up the ‘Incredible India Helpline’ service. 

The service is available on toll free telephone no. 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 for tourists. The Ministry of Tourism has set up the Parytak Police (Tourist Police) with the help of states for the security of tourists. Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi, while participating in the Public Speak Programme gave details about the Government’s plan to promote eco-tourism with the help of states to generate employment in the rural areas.

Ministry of Tourism also launches several new initiatives on World Tourism Day 

Medical and Wellness Tourism Board constituted, Tourism Vision Document 2030 released

The Union Ministry of Tourism launched several new initiatives on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2015. 

The Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge), and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma announced the constitution of the Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board at a function in New Delhi today. The Board has been formed to tap the potential and advantages that India has in the field of medical and wellness tourism. The Centre of Excellence in Hospitality Education to operate from Hotel Samrat in New Delhi was also inaugurated at today’s function. Release of Tourism Vision Document 2030, launch of the revamped website of Ministry of Tourism http://tourism.gov.in/ which has now been made bilingual, release of Audio Visual Presentation ‘ Introduction to India’ and a seminar on the theme of World Tourism Day 2015 “ One Billion Tourist, One Billion Opportunities” were some of the other highlights of today’s function on the occasion of World Tourism Day. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mahesh Sharma said that low cost medical facilities are India’s strength and we must take advantage of the same for the purpose of promoting tourism. It is for this reason that the Government took the important decision of setting up the Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board. The Board will have a corpus fund of Rs 2 crore initially, the Minister disclosed. Dr Mahesh Sharma said that the AYUSH facilities will be promoted along with regular medical facilities. 

Dr Mahesh Sharma also announced that Discover India fares of Air India. Under the scheme, a tourist can discover India in one or two weeks at a reasonable travel cost. A Tourist can buy 5 coupons for Rs 32,500 (15 days validity) or 10 coupons for Rs 60,000 (30 days validity) for exciting Indian destinations, serviced by Air India & Alliance Air without worrying about ticket price fluctuation. In another initiative, Air India will introduce Incredible Air India holiday packages from 1st December, 2015. Air India will also launch Delhi-San Francisco flight from 2nd December, 2015 onwards which will fly thrice a week, Dr Mahesh Sharma announced. 

Secretary, Tourism, Sh. Vinod Zutshi; CMD, ITDC Sh. Umang Kumar; CMD, Air India, Sh. Ashwani Lohani and other Senior Officials and members of the Travel Industry Stakeholders attended the function. 

The details of some of the new initiatives launched today are as below: 

Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board: The Board will provide leadership of the Government within a framework of prudent and effective measures, thereby enabling promotion and positioning of India as a competent and credible medical and wellness tourism destination. The Board will be chaired by the Union Tourism Minister and consists of members representing the related Government Departments, Tourism & Hospitality sector and experts in the Medical, Wellness and Yoga. 

Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management – Centre of Excellence : The Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management is part of the HRD division of India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.,(ITDC) a PSU under Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. As part of its contribution towards supplying trained manpower to the Hospitality Industry, ITDC has envisioned to set up a Centre of Excellence in Hospitality Education at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi. The courses offered by AIH&TM are a blend of the rich heritage and culture of India and hospitality management education system. It provides the students with a world class contemporary education to have an edge over others in the field. 

Tourism Vision Document 2030: The document goes into the challenges for the sector and details the way towards Vision 2030. ‘Tourism vision 2030’ has been commissioned by the Experience India Society and prepared by KPMG. 

Launch of Bi-Lingual Website of Ministry of Tourism: The official website of the Ministry http://tourism.gov.in/ has been revamped and translated in Hindi. This Administrative website of the Ministry of Tourism contains the activities and information of all the divisions of the Ministry including the web based E-Recognition System for recognition of Travel Trade Service Providers and Approval and Classification of Hotels. 

Audio Visual Presentation ‘ Introduction to India’ : The Indian Association of Tour Operators, the Apex Body of Tourism Industry and especially promoting inbound tourism to our country has produced a 6 minutes AV presentation depicting all tourism products of India and a element of human engagement with the various tourism products . This video presentation is to be used by IATO in all its promotional activities including Road Shows, international travel marts and other industry Interactions. 

A seminar on the theme of World Tourism Day 2015 “ One Billion Tourist,One Bilion Opportunities” was held, with Shri Vikram Oberoi, President Hotel Association of India, Shri Subhash Goyal, President Indian Association of India and Shri Atul Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer of National Skill Development Corporation as panellists. 

Among other important events, a street play was also enacted today at the Dilli Hatt, INA Market by the Students of Institute of Hotel Management, PUSA, New Delhi on the theme “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan-Swachh Bharat Swachh Paryatan”. Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Minister, Dr Mahesh Sharma made an appeal to provide clean, safe and hospitable environment to the tourists. It is our moral responsibility to conduct ourselves properly with the tourists and especially foreign tourists, he added. The students performed the play at regular intervals throughout the day to sensitize the tourists and visitors to Dilli Haat about keeping India clean. 

Press-release Source: 

Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Tourism

Link: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=128222

Foundation stone laid for Paryatan Bhawan

Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, Arun Jaitley laid the foundation stone of the new office complex of the Ministry of Tourism ‘Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Paryatan Bhawan’ at Mandir Marg in New Delhi on the occasion of World Tourism Day. 

The foundation stone was laid in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge), and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma and Member of Parliament, Meenakshi Lekhi. Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi, senior officials of MOT and NDMC Chairman Naresh Kumar were also present at the function. Jaitley said that we need modern airports and maximum inflow of flights for attracting international tourists. Indian Tourism Centres should be opened in those countries from where we receive maximum tourist inflow, he explained. Clean railway stations and a good experience of rail travel is another component along with availability of low and medium budget hotels. Highlighting the role of states, he said that for creating strong tourism infrastructure, it is important to take the help of states. The Finance Minister said that the new Paryatan Bhawan will now provide a base for working on all aspects of tourism and increasing the potential of tourism in India. Sharma said that tourism is the engine of economic growth and we need to increase India’s share in world tourism from 0.68 to 1 % by 2020 to realise the full potential of this sector. Tourism helps in women empowerment and youth employment.

Zutshi said that tourism is an important instrument of economic growth. We must utilize every opportunity to enhance tourism in India which can help in building the economy and generate employment. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Paryatan Bhawan is a project of Ministry of Tourism for multilevel car parking cum new office complex. The new building will be structure of G+3 storeys plus 2 basements with stack car parking with area of 23,000 Sq. Meter. Estimated cost for the project is Rs 150 crore approx.

Starwood’s Aloft to debut in Delhi in 2016

ALOFT NEW DELHI AEROCITY - OPENING DECEMBER 1, 2016

Starwood will be launching its first Aloft in New Delhi at Aerocity. Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, which is set to open on December 1, 2016, will have 1,335 square meters of meeting space along with high speed internet access in all the meeting/event facilities. The hotel, which will have 200 guest rooms, has an outfitted tactic with the best A/V set-up, including a 50” flat-panel plasma TV with both laptop hook-up and a DVD player.

ARRIVE & EXPLORE: WHAT'S NEARBY

An easy breezy adventure awaits you in India’s capital city! Aloft New Delhi Aerocity is adjacent to Indira Gandhi International Airport and a quick trip to all of the city’s must-see cultural sites and bustling business districts.

STAY & PLAY: PUBLIC SPACES

Meet & mingle with friends at our w xyz(SM) bar, grab a sweet, savory, or healthy snack from re:fuel by Aloft(SM), our 24/7 pantry, or play in our re:mix(SM) lounge. Plus, you can always stay connected with free hotel-wide wired and wireless High Speed Internet Access!

REST & REFRESH: ALOFT ROOMS

Breeze into one of our Aloft rooms, featuring our ultra-comfortable signature bed, walk-in shower, custom amenities by Bliss® Spa, and more. Our plug & play connectivity station charges all your electronics and links to the 42” LCD TV to maximize work and play.

Japan and Google all set to revamp Indian Railways | Google is planning to set up free WiFi across 400 railway stations in India

Japan is gearing up for a billion dollar investment in Indian Railways Networks and Google is planning to set up free WiFi across 400 railway stations in India. 

 Japan gears up for a billion dollar investment in Indian Railways Networks:

The Indian railways is all set for a complete transformation in the next five years.

Japan the country known for its immense technological strides has set the ball rolling for revamping the Indian Railways network with a whooping 140 billion dollar investment to improvise the existing infrastructure. Nearly 400 stations have been listed in the modernisation project of the Indian public transporter network.

Japan will provide its expertise in solving problems of sanitation including the development of waterless, odourless toilets in trains and stations. Japanese officials have also agreed to assist Indian Railways in the zero-accident mission and development of a legal and regulatory framework on high speed railway.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu is in Japan to discuss the modernisation and technology upgrade project with the Japanese Prime Miniter Shinzo Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso. Prabhu also held meetings with heads of leading financial institutions  to highlight the investment prospects in railways in the coming years.Prabhu is on a two-nation visit to Japan and Korea since September 7.

A Japanese delegation will soon visit India to study the opportunities for industries in the railway station development.  The Railways research wing - Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), will sign an MoU with Railway Technical Research Institute of Japan to carry out research work on acquiring modern technology for the public transporter.

Google to provide free Wifi access to Indian railways

The tech giant Google recently decided to partner with the Indian Railways for 'Project Nilgiri' and is set to bring in free Wifi access across 400 stations in India.

For this service Google Fiber will be making its way to India. The Google Fiber is popularly known to provide fast broadband in the USA. The services aims at providing seamless network connectivity in select railway Stations across India.

In the first phase of the project WiFi hotspots will be set up  across India over a span of 4 months.

Passengers will be able to access the WiFi after a mobile verification and a one-time password sent over SMS. There will be 34 minutes of uninterrupted service after which the speed will reduce but the connectivity will remain.

The future of the Indian railways infrastructure looks rosy with the current plans of technological advancement. For any of this to be a reality we need to be more conscious about indiscriminately littering railway tracks and stations.                                                   (Sources: PTI, telecomtalk.info )

Czech Republic opens VACs (Visa Application Centrer) in Mumbai and Delhi

The Czech Republic has outsourced its visa application process to VFS Global and has opened two Visa Application Centres (VAC) – one each in Mumbai and New Delhi. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador Designate of the Czech Republic to India and Bhutan, was in Mumbai to inaugurate the VFS Global visa centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex. 

He said, “We have been recording a growing number of applications for short-term visas from India. In 2014, we received 9,000 applications, which was a 20 per cent increase from 2013. In the first six months of 2015 alone, we processed 7,500 visas.” 

He revealed that Czech Republic will be part of the annual roadshow that takes place in December. The roadshow is conducted by the European Quartet, comprising countries of the Visegrád Group, namely Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.

Simplified procedures for minors to get passport

A simplified procedure has been introduced based on large number of representations from parents who are facing difficulties while submitting applications for their children. “The matter has been examined considering all relevant aspects,” says a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. 

Government of India has given various options with regard to ‘presence of parents while applying for passports for minor children’. The statement says only copies of passport of the parents of the minor has to be submitted.

The genuineness of the passports can be checked at the system. The Ministry has also given out information on the annexures required during the submisison of documents.

A Brief Sojourn to Bandhavgarh

5 hours sleepeth a traveler, 7, a scholar, 8, a merchant and 11 every knave - says an old English proverb. In my city life you can categorize me with the knave as even 11 hours of sleep sometimes seems inadequate. My body clock changes when I am in the jungle though. There I am the traveler and sometimes can even manage with less hours of sleep than him. It is not the excitement of seeing the big mammals but the entire rhapsody, which captivates me. The air, the smell, the rumbling of dry leaves ET all. They say you need to visit the jungle thrice in a year to witness the change of colours and rhythm. Here I was visiting Bandhavgarh for the second time in six months.

Located in the Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is the most sought after wildlife destinations in India. The Tiger density in this National Park is one of the highest in India.

The unrelenting heat could not hold me back and after generous application of suntan (why are we city dwellers so delicate?), set off for my afternoon drive. Within a few minutes, the Paradise flycatcher welcomed me. What a welcome by this gorgeous bird. The Indian Roller, in its breeding plumage made the woods even more vibrant. After an hour's drive, punctuated with the occasional Golden orioles and a gorgeous pair of Brown fish Owl, we had to stop our vehicle as the other jeeps in the front had spotted 'Him' a few meters away. Let me be honest, it was that kind of a sighting where your eyes do see the stripes but the heart is adamant. It is not convinced. It wants to see more, see again. I kept changing my position to get a better glimpse. Suddenly, on my right, a little uproar and there was a tigress, walking on a stagnant log, heralding towards us. What a walk! She jumped off the log a few feet before its edge and quietly crossed the road right in front of us, completely ignoring all other vehicles and all its astounded occupants.

'There is nothing in the caterpillar that tells us that it will turn into a butterfly'. We hope all secrets in our lives reveal so beautifully. There was nothing special in the air that could forewarn me about the spectacle I was about to witness. Doing justice to the typical Homo sapiens trait was hoping to see something unusual with the tigers. Pushing my luck too far I guess. Just a mere glimpse was not enough. Around 7 a.m. near the ghodadaman tiraha, we first got the smell of the kill. Our experienced guide Ajit told us it seems to be 3-4 days old. At the next bend we saw her, the reigning queen, resting, after a heavy meal. She was trying to sleep along with her three cubs who were five months old! For the first time I saw the cubs suckling. What a sight! I had earlier seen cubs, which were approx. 10-11 months old. It was hard to differentiate for my ignorant eyes between cubs, sub-adult and an actual adult. I had never seen them so small, so adorable yet, fierce. The tigress was trying to get some rest but the cubs kept jumping all over her. It was interesting to note that an adult tigress whose one roar can freeze the blood in your veins was being so docile with her cubs. Is indulgence synonymous with motherhood? I would like to believe it is. An iota of my luck was still floating. After about half an hour near Andhyari jhiria, saw a cub (14months) chase away a chital twenty feet away from my jeep!! He came and stopped near our jeep, giving up the chase, breathing heavily. I understand it was a mere playful exercise and not the dramatic 'hunt'. The entire momentum of the event sent my heart to a complete frenzy. There was nothing else I could ask for.

Bandhavgarh can be approached by rail, road and air transport. It is approx. 37 kms from the Umaria railway station. It takes about 4 hours to reach Bandhavgarh from the Jabalpur Airport. Driving through the Maikal range is a difference experience altogether.

Call/WhatsApp: +91 8287455143

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9147955

Tony Tyler to retire as IATA DG & CEO in June 2016

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has decided that its Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tony Tyler, will retire in June 2016 after serving five years in the position. “Tony Tyler is a very effective leader of IATA, who is achieving much in his role as Director General and CEO. I regret that he will be leaving the Association, but respect his decision to retire next year after a long and successful career in aviation. The search will now start for a successor to be appointed at the next IATA Annual General Meeting in Dublin in June 2016. In the meantime the Board will continue to guide and support Tony and his team in their mission to deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable airline industry,” said Andrés Conesa, Chief Executive Officer of Aeroméxico and Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors since June this year.

“After five years as Director General and CEO of IATA, I believe it will be time for me to retire and leave the organisation. It is a great privilege and responsibility to lead IATA, and I am proud of what the IATA team is achieving during my term of office. I greatly appreciate the support I receive from the Board of Governors and the membership at large, and from my colleagues. I remain fully committed to leading IATA until my successor is appointed in June next year,” said Tyler.

Before joining IATA in 2011, Tyler was Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong, in which capacity he also served on the IATA Board of Governors including as its Chairman from June 2009 to June 2010.

Experience the Beautiful, Blossoming, Burma (Myanmar)

For many years, Burma now known as Myanmar remained an outcast state. Post the British rule, its neighboring countries thrived, but Myanmar remained isolated from the rest of the world. Myanmar's wealth of Buddhist Pagodas and ancient temples has now boosted the tourism industry.

Myanmar's culture is a result of heavy Indian influences sublimely woven with local traditions. It feels like visiting a page in history, which got warped in time. It gives you a taste of the fascinating and distinct ways of life of the locals who live on the edge of the modern world. It is now opening up to the modern world as sanctions are disappearing and more gateways are opening up. Tourism has wised up to the potential of the minority peoples and is creating a niche market for itself.

Along with ancient pagodas and monasteries, Myanmar also boasts of almost 2000 meters of coastline. It has some of the finest stretches of beach in Asia, undiscovered by tourists, unspoiled by development. Most of these beaches face west hence is idyllic for viewing sunrises and sunsets.

Compass Tours, a well know luxury Travel Company in the Indian Subcontinent, has now expanded its operations and network and are providing Myanmar tour packages from India.

"On the insistence of our clients, we decided to include tours to Myanmar to our repertoire. Having travelled half across the globe, our clients wanted to experience a little more of The Orient. Since Burma is linked, both geographically and culturally to India, it blended naturally and beautifully into our efforts in giving our esteemed clients an added flavor to explore." – says Durjay Sengupta, the CEO of Compass Holidays Pvt. Ltd.

Since Myanmar is taking its baby steps into the world of tourism, its infrastructure is still nascent. Compass with its vast experience in handling discerning travellers for 15 years serves as the perfect foil. Our escorts and guides are well trained and will take your likes and dislikes into account. From domestic flights to boats rides, attending local rituals to giving a deep insight into the daily lives of the tribal people, Compass handles the smallest details of the journey with utmost efficiency.

Myanmar has 3 specific seasons. The hot and dry season starts from March till May. The rains come and bring the temperatures down during June to October. The rains also bring in humidity. On a hot afternoon with temperatures touching 40 degrees, and a relative humidity of almost 90 pct., it tends to get a little uncomfortable. The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February.

People of this warm and hospitable country are quite friendly and polite. The influence of Buddhism is one of the reasons. As modernism is creeping in, the internet is slow and may not have an easy access. You will need to carry plenty of cash. There are few ATMs around and credit cards are accepted only in 5Star establishments and upmarket stores. Make sure the dollar bills you carry are new, fresh and unfolded bills. Creased, folded and weary bills have no value in Myanmar. Do not worry about carrying large amounts of cash with you as the crime against foreigners is rare and not unheard of. A vast majority of the population is Buddhist; hence people are by and large honest.

Most of our Tour packages to Myanmar start at Yangon.

Upon arriving at Yangon International Airport, You will be greeted by our local guide and transfer to the Hotel.

Yangon is a large yet not modernized city. There is a distinct old world charm to it. It has Victorian buildings, long boulevards, lush green parks and soothing lakes. It also boasts of a throbbing and bustling city center.

All tours and itineraries are personalized and destinations and duration can be according to the client's preferences, time and budget.

The internet is still crawling and making travel arrangements including boat rides may seem like an uphill task. Myanmar Tour packages with Compass will ensure a smooth sail into imparting an everlasting impact.

This 80 Year Old Retired Postmaster Builds Taj Mahal for His Late Wife - Must Read

World’s famous monument, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal as he loved her so much over three century ago. Since then, Taj Mahal has become a symbol of love. Just like the saying that history repeats itself, a retired postmaster is building another Taj Mahal in the memory of his late wife.

Faizul Hasan Qadri, an 80-year old man from Bulandshahr, is building a ‘mini Taj Mahal’ for his late wife Tajamulli Begum, Hindustan Times reported. Qadri had married Tajamulli in 1953. After Tajamulli died due to throat cancer in 2011, Qadri decided to devote all his money for constructing a mini Taj Mahal to express his love for his late wife. Qadri buried her on his agricultural land, and then later began the construction.

Building a new Taj Mahal wasn’t an easy task for Qadri. Many times the construction work came to halt due to lack of money. “Initially, I sold a piece of land for Rs 6 lakh and my wife’s gold and silver jewellery for Rs 1.5 lakh and got the ‘makbara’ (mausoleum) constructed with the help of a local mason named Asgar. A total of Rs 11 lakh was spent,” Qadri told to HT.

However, Qadri needs financial help to get marble studded on the monument and also to build a lush green park around the construction but he refused to take any help from others. “This is my personal endeavour for my late wife and embodies my love for her. So I should do this on my own,” said Qadri.

Qadri’s half finished Taj Mahal has become acentre of attraction among locals and people are visiting the place to witness the beauty of mini Taj Mahal. Impressed by his work, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has called Qadri for a meet and is likely to help him to complete the remaining work. But Qadri has some other plans ahead of the meet. “I will request the CM to get my village school recognized by the education board rather,” said Qadri.

Photo and NEWS credit: Hindustan Times

‘Campaign Clean India’ launched by Tourism Ministry

Ministry of Tourism has launched the ‘Campaign Clean India’ to sensitise all sections of society on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in public places particularly monuments and tourist destinations. This Campaign is to be sustained through adoption and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

It is a voluntary scheme and no funds have been allocated by the Government for this campaign. India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has adopted Qutab Minar in Delhi and an MOU has been signed between Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and the Ministry of Tourism for undertaking various works at Taj Mahal, Agra under this campaign.

Further, Ministry of Tourism has operationalised two new Plan Schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD from 2014–15. Under these schemes the Ministry provides financial support for Infrastructure development including wayside amenities, garbage bins, sewerage/effluent disposal, etc.

Mittu Chandilya appointed MD of AirAsia India

AirAsia has announced the appointment of Mittu Chandilya as Managing Director of AirAsia India in addition to his role as CEO. The AirAsia India Board appointed Chandilya as the Managing Director and as first full-time independent Executive Director of the company. 

Chandilya made history when he became a CEO at 32, the youngest CEO of a scheduled airline in India and one where he was the first employee in a clean-sheet start up. On the appointment, Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia, said that Chandilya has done an exemplary job leading AirAsia India in a market where we have been challenged with headwinds at every turn. There is tremendous opportunity for growth and we are in an excellent position to capitalise on the opportunity with our strong brand and value proposition, he added.

Ashwani Lohani is new CMD Air India

Ashwani Lohani, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, will take over as the new chief of Air India. He will be succeeding Rohit Nandan. The new chief is likely to take over from next month. Meanwhile, Nandan will be posted as Secretary during that time with a month-long extension. 

A qualified mechanical engineer, Lohani is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He is the founder member of the Indian Steam Railway Society and member of CII National Council on Tourism.

7 flights per week between India and Seychelles

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for the signing of revised Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Seychelles to modernise and update the existing ASA signed on October 30, 1978. The ASA signifies an important landmark in the civil aviation relations between India and Seychelles and has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries. As a result of this agreement, the number of flights between India and Seychelles has been increased from three per week to seven per week.

900% Growth in e-Tourist Visa During Jan-July | Awesome News for Travel Industry

During January-July, 2015, a total of 1,47,690 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 14,415 during January-July, 2014, registering a growth of 924.6 per cent. 

A total of 21,476 tourist arrived on eTV during July 2015 alone as compared to 2,462 during July 2014 registering a growth of 772.3 per cent. This high growth may be attributed to introduction of eTV for 113 countries as against coverage of earlier TVoA scheme for 12 countries. 

The percentage shares of top 10 source countries availing eTV facility during July 2015 were as follows: USA (33.67%), Australia (7.74%), France (7.13%), Germany (6.80%), UAE (6.71%), Canada (6.30%), Republic of Korea (5.57%), Mexico (2.80%), Japan (2.38%) and Russian Federation (2.29%). Government of India launched eTV on November 27, 2014.

Wow!!! ITDC earns Rs 27 million profit in First Quarter 2015

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the public sector undertaking under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, posted a stable performance for first quarter of the current financial year 2015-16. The total turnover in quarter ending June 2015 stood at Rs.105.96 Cr as compared to Rs 103.63 Cr in the corresponding quarter last year. The company registered Net Profit Before Tax (PBT) at Rs.2.77 Cr and Net Sales at Rs 96.95 Cr as compared to Rs 0.30 Cr and Rs 96.19 Cr respectively in the corresponding quarter last year. In Q 1, 2015-16 the momentum generated in the last financial year seem to have continued posting profit yet again. Also, The Ashok group of hotels has been in the forefront of innovative marketing initiatives ensuring consistency in sales and occupancy. The company has registered an occupancy rate of 47 percent compared to 45 percent in the corresponding quarter last year.

Good News :) e-Tourist Visa Scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from Today, the 30th July 2015

Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to the nationals of China, Hong Kong and Macau from today, the 30^th July 2015

As you are aware, we have been pleading with the Government to include China for the e-Tourist Visa Scheme along with other major tourists generating countries.  

You will be pleased to know that China along with Hong Kong and Macau have been included in the list and this facility has been extended to these three countries w.e.f. today the 30^th July 2015.  Now the total number of countries/territories covered under the e-Tourist Visa scheme has gone up from 74 to 77, with the inclusion of these 3 countries. We hope,  soon Government will announce extension of this scheme to more countries. The list of 77 countries and all other details are available on the link

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

A copy of the Press Release issued by Press Information Bureau (PIB) dated 29^th July 2015 is enclosed for your reference.

Our sincere thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Tourism Minister and the team in the Ministry of Tourism for making our dreams come true. We are sure all the 150 countries as announced by the government will be covered under this scheme very soon.

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Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
29-July-2015 20:30 IST

Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from tomorrow

The Government has finalised arrangements to extend and implement the e-Tourist Visa facility to the passport holders of People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region with effect from the July 30, 2015, as announced by the Prime Minister during his recent visit to China. The total number of countries/territories covered under the e-Tourist Visa scheme will go up from 74 to 77, with the inclusion of these countries/territories.

The 74 countries already included are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See and Vietnam.

The e-Tourist Visa scheme launched by the Government of India on the November 27, 2015 has been extended to 77 countries/territories so far. The scheme will be extended to more countries/ territories in a phased manner. Under this scheme, tourists with e-Tourist Visas can arrive at nine designated airports (Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai & Trivandrum). Since the launch of the scheme, about 2,00,000 (Two lakh) e-TVs have been issued to nationals of different countries.

During the last three years, a total of 1,79,873 (one lakh seventy nine thousand eight hundred seventy three) tourist visas have been issued to nationals of Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. It is expected that extending the e-Tourist Visa facility to the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR will boost the tourist arrival from these regions and strengthen bilateral ties among people of these territories. 

A Thrilling Adventure in the Wild

A haven for wild life enthusiasts, India attracts globetrotters from across the world to spend their holidays in exotic wild locales and dense forests which were immortalized by Rudyard Kipling.

With around 99 National parks in India and more than 450 sanctuaries, choosing the best place to soak in the natural heritage, can be quite a daunting task.

Given the vastness, the diverse topography, spectacular landscapes and varied climate, it's quite an assignment to choose from the many wildlife travel options, but having said that, most globe-trotters would agree that the holy grail of any safari is spotting the big cat-the elusive tiger. India is estimated to be home to around 70 percent of the world's tiger's. The dwindling population of tigers is now steadily rising thanks to the number of government initiatives to streamline tiger conservation through the National Tiger Conservation Authority Act and Project Tiger. Tiger population in India is now estimated to be 2,226 in 2014, according to the latest report.


To have a personal encounter with this majestic animal, travel to Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh or Kanha. The Southern region in India has the top elephant safaris, while the north eastern states offer a more off-beaten path experience. Most parks are closed during the monsoon season (June-Oct) and spring (Feb-May) is the best time for a Wild Life Tour in India.

We offers an array of choices and bespoke experiences for the discerning traveller looking for a thrilling adventure in the wild. "Whether it is tracking a tiger in the jungle at Ranthambore or the deep dense forests of Bandhavgarh or Kanha.


Delhi, the starting point of this journey is a remarkable blend of the past and the present. The city features architectural brilliance of the British and Mughal buildings such as the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Red Fort to the contemporary brilliance of several amusement parks, shopping malls, and party hubs.


Head to Ranthambore National Park, the former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Stay at Aman-i-Khas, perhaps the most luxurious and stylish safari lodge in Asia. Known for its tiger population, Ranthambore is among the biggest national parks of northern India that sprawls over an area of 392 sq. km. Go on a tiger safari; explore the fort and the abundant flora and fauna of this sprawling park. Ranthambore was among one of the very first sanctuaries to come under the aegis of Project Tiger and from a few dozens the number of tigers have increased to a little over a hundred. Most of the big cats are so secure and protected that they can be seen hunting during the day particularly around the two lakes.


From here travel to Agra visiting the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri en-route to the pristine white embodiment of eternal love the magnificent Taj Mahal. No words can aptly describe the visual experience of witnessing the Taj Mahal at sunset with the marble monument changing shades from orange to rose red –a scenario so pure, intense and spiritual that it leaves you in a hypnotic trance.

Back on the tiger track; arrive at Bandhavgarh, a major hit with visitors. Snuggled between the hilly Vidhyan areas and the Satpura ranges and blessed with some of the best of nature's bounty. Great rocky hills, lush deciduous forests, marshes and meadows make Bandhavgarh one of India's most scenic areas. This park has still an enviable number of Royal Bengal Tigers, so be sure to go on every possible safari trip, especially the elephant safari.

The last leg of this trip brings the animal lovers to Kanha National Park, the nucleus of tiger preservation in the country.

Take an open-jeep safari in the wild and experience the electrifying adventure of locating animals in their element to truly discover nature and wildlife at its glorious best. Kanha is the setting of Kipling's 'Jungle Book', a beautiful area of lush sal and bamboo forests with grassy meadows, streams and ravines. It is the home of a variety of animals including Barasingha (Swamp Deer), tiger, panther, and many species of deer, wild pig, bison, a variety of monkeys besides some 200 species of birds.

Home to the most exotic and fascinating flora and flora, the Indian wilderness leaves all travellers bedazzled. Capture these moments and cherish these beguiling memories forever.

Temple Tour to the South of India

India's Dravidian heartland –the South of India offers an experience which is quite different from the rest of India. A major hub for culture, education, soaked in deep rooted traditions and rituals this is also the country's richest pilgrimage center.

The Southern Peninsula is a fascinating melting pot of magnificent architecture, exquisitely carved temples and a rich, vibrant cultural heritage. Its diverse and gorgeous landscape with dramatic coastlines, stunning beaches, verdant forests, spice plantations and game reserves attracts visitors from all over the globe. 

We are leading luxury travel management company, dedicated to showcasing the myriad treasures of this incredible land to its clients in a bespoke fashion with tailor made and personalized itineraries. The discerning travelers can choose from a bouquet of popular tours like the 21 day South India cultural and backwater tour, the 7 day Kerala backwater tour, the sights and sounds of Carnatic for the classical music lovers, the Spice tour amongst the others.

For the temple and architecture lovers the recently launched 12 day Temple tour of South India is a perfect introduction to the ancient towering temples and religious edifices built by the skilled craftsmen during the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar dynasties- the flourishing Hindu empires of the period. These Dravidian masterpieces, with brightly painted sculptures on their gopuram (towers) display India's greatest temple architecture.

"This tour is not just a sacred journey but also an insight into the engineering and architectural excellence that has withstood the test of time. Great temples at Thanjavur, Madurai and Rameswaram are superb examples of the distinctive design, structure and superlative artistry of this region. It is also a discovery of the riches of the culture of this exotic country.

This captivating Temple tour begins in Chennai, South India's commercial and cultural capital and the fourth largest metropolis in India. With an enthralling past, it is a window to the culture and art forms of south India. The alluring temple of Kapileshwar and the grand St. Thomas Basilica provide an insight into age-old traditions and beliefs. After exploring the city's many interesting sights your tour moves ahead to the mythical city of Thirupati. Being one of the most ancient and holy cities of India, the city bustles with pilgrims all throughout the year. Thirupati boasts of being the location of one of the most affluent temples of India, the Venkateswara Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The Tirumala Venkateswara temple showcases Dravidian styles of architecture, with exquisitely-carved doorways, mandapams and shrines.



Proceed to Kanchipuram to continue on this enriching tour to discover South India's rich heritage and history. Visit three of the best temples—Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and Vaikuntaperum al (dedicated to Lord Vishnu).Do take some out for shopping for the famous Kanchipuram silk, renowned for their luster and vibrant colors. Take a tour to Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) and visit the seventh century rock hewn monuments. The shore temple, the only surviving one of seven, is a unique example of a temple built of rock quarried elsewhere and carried to shore.

Drive to Pondicherry stopping en-route at the holy city of Tiruvannamalai. One of the most sacred cities of Tamil Nadu this pilgrim town is home to the grand Arunachaleshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Arrive at the French provincial town of Pondicherry, a beautiful little seaside Union Territory which is a merry blend of Eastern and Western influences. The charm of Pondicherry lies in its incredibly leisurely approach to life, food and commerce. Continue your sojourn to Thanjavur and immerse yourself in the culture, history and fine arts of India. Visit the Brahadeeswara Temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore the many ancient temples, forts and opulent palaces of this immensely cultural town.

The next three stops on this temple tour Trichy, Madurai and Rameswaram are important pilgrimage sites with beautiful and exquisitely carved temples exemplifying the brilliance of Dravidian architecture. The spectacular Meenakshi Temple complex in Madurai is a must visit due to its sheer size and architectural skillsmanship. Gaze at the 14 rainbow colored gopurams or towers, the tallest one standing 52 m high and covered in sculptures depicting stories, myths and legends from the scriptures.
 

Located at the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari is the meeting point of the three seas surrounding India: the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Watch the spectacular sunrises and sunsets and soak in the breath-taking beauty of this serene place.

The last leg of this transformative journey brings the guests to Trivandrum, a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The place is also home to the sinfully opulent Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, which is said to be the richest temple in the world. Go for an unforgettable backwater cruise, watch marvelous sunsets and indulge in fun and frolic at the Kovalam beach.

Enjoy the immense beauty of the South India temples on this 12 day specially designed tour and explore the amazing diversity of peninsular India. This visually stunning journey encapsulates the essence of the spiritual and religious ethos of the South of India, with a sneak peek into its Dravidian roots, imperial past and bucolic charms.

Rajasthan aims to become an all-important tourism hub this year

Mega desert circuit to develop @ Rs 50 cr

Rajasthan aims to become an all-important tourism hub this year. Principal Secretary, Tourism, Rajasthan Government, S K Agarwal said, the state is looking into various ways to develop tourism, these include – developing new circuits, infrastructure development, increase in night tourism, creation of more rooms and the launch of the revised Tourism Unit Policy. The state is also looking for improved air connectivity in cities like Kota, Udaipur and Jodhpur. Agarwal said “The state is developing a mega desert circuit (Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Bikaner-Sambhar-Pali-Mount Abu) at the cost of Rs 50 crore. The state is also planning new circuits on ‘handicrafts’, ‘birding’ and ‘spirituality’. The Government is aware of the need to promote lesser popular regions of the state so that the benefits of tourism also percolate to the people of these areas. There has been an increase of 9% on the arrival of tourists in the financial year 2014-15. With concerted efforts both in marketing as well as development of infrastructure and new circuits – it is hoped that increasingly more tourists will visit Rajasthan.”

India’s first private airport to be operational by April 14

India’s first private greenfield airport at Durgapur, promoted by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd (BAPL), is likely to be operational by April 14. “The final calibration of navigational aids at the airport by Airport Authority is done. Now, we expect to get final DGCA licence in a month,” the state Transport Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay in Durgapur was quoted as saying. The airport, christened Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, will be operational from April 14, in all probability, BAPL officials said.

Bandyopadhyay said Pinnacle Air, a non-scheduled airline, will begin its operations from here four days a week connecting Bagdogra, Coochbehar, Durgapur and Kolkata soon after getting license from DGCA.

BAPL Managing Director Partha Ghosh said the company is in negotiations with IndiGo and GoAir for scheduled flights for connecting Delhi-Durgapur including Air India and non-schedule airline Air Coasta for connecting southern cities such as Hyderabad and Bangalore. Air Costa may connect these two south Indian cities for four days a week. However, the final agreement will depend on concessions the Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport offers. The major concessions demanded by the scheduled airlines are waiver of landing and takeoff fees, underwriting minimum of seats and 30 per cent surcharge waiver for ATF for a greater time frame.