Category: Column

As tourism, the worst-hit sector during the pandemic, attempts revival; Biden’s policies can be catalytic. It was detrimental; ‘Trump Effect’, also termed ‘Trump Slump’ marred the US tourism’s growth prospects for a few years. Global tourism too faced a pinch of it. Far-reaching policies of the former President of the US could create havocs and uncertainty in the travel industry environment. As of now, there seems a sigh of relief as the new president is expected to have favorable policies and actions to bring US tourism back to the growth trajectory, along with lending a helping hand to the global ... Read more

This is the fourth consecutive year that Kerala and the state tourism department have been faced with a massive disaster. Covid-19 or Novel Corona Virus as it is called, came to the state soon after the industry had entered a path of recovery path from a devastating cyclone like Ockhi, the Nipah outbreak and then the three consecutive floods. Even during such hard times, Kerala tourism could register 70% growth and occupied top position in any online-search for destinations anywhere in the world. According to Google Analytics of 2018 there has been 10,252,887 sessions/visits to the Kerala Tourism website.  Kerala ... Read more

Kerala Tourism, like any other tourism entity, stands still at the moment with lot of uncertainty ahead. Whether one is looking at it positively or negatively, the uncertainty remains etched in the minds of each investor and employee. No one really knows how long the current situation will prolong. At the moment, India is being praised for the way this pandemic has been handled. Kerala is a state which is much talked about in this scenario and appreciated by everyone. This gives us an advantage of safety in the minds of travelers. How long will this hang in the minds ... Read more

I am sure the impact of the killer virus Covid-19 has created sleepless nights for millions of people around the globe. The most devastated sectors – tourism and travel – are at a standstill. But it is not the time to find fault or beg for financial packages from governments, which are looking only to save millions of lives. Kerala’s tourism industry leaders had sought financial but I felt it was too early and had no backing of data. Many of them were excited when the word “moratorium” without understanding the financial burden which will add up later. I would ... Read more

by Benny Thomas, Director, Holiday Shop The Union government’s new proposal to collect Tax Collected at Source (TCS) from customers, will affect the travel and tourism industry very adversely. There is already a 5% GST on the holiday packages and an additional 5% of TCS will be a heavy burden for the prospective clients. So how deeply will this affect us all? As far as Indian culture is concerned, going on a holiday is not a necessary item like in the European community. If the cost of the tour increases heavily, naturally the prospective clients will postpone or cancel their ... Read more

Thiruvananthapuram has a host of architecturally, historically, religiously and aesthetically beautiful places in and around. It may not be possible for you to cover all of it in a day. But, the Napier Museum, zoo and the nearby Kanakakkunnu palace are ideal for a one-day tour. This edition of Trivandrum Diaries is taking you to the very famous and one of the major happening places in Trivandrum, the Napier Museum… History The museum, named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras from 1866-1872, was established in 1855 and was demolished and rebuilt in 1874. The architectural masterpiece was designed by ... Read more

India is indubitably bee’s knees for nature lovers, foodies and metrosexuals- no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Well, if I am being brutally honest, India has got everything to cater to the needs of every kind of traveller. Be that as it may, the thing that inspires most of the tourists about this incredible country is the diverse culture it possesses and the hospitality her people offer. Backpacking any country can be really, really exciting but security and safety are two most important things that should be kept in view before arranging the rucksack. Same goes for India (as ... Read more

A veteran in the travel and tourism industry in India, E M Najeeb, Senior VP of IATO and President of the Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry, has seen many changes including the rise and fall of tourism and the golden rise of the God’s own Country. The tourism industry veteran brings with him a wealth of experience. Tourism News Live spoke to EM Najeeb about his experiences and his thoughts on tourism and the outlook over the next few years. Tourism brings people together from all over the world. How do you see the role of tourism in society? The world ... Read more

….Once upon, as all the stories gears up, here is a story of a grassland! When the greedy minds multiplied, they wandered searching of plots to wreck the good and create what benefits them the most! They cut the grasses, they implanted wattles, synonym to weed! The wattle trees, literally ruled, swallowing the last drop of water underneath! And gradually, affected the ecology. The bison, birds and the frogs vanished! Nearby villagers, helplessly gazed at their vague cultivations! And there stuck, fortunately or unfortunately, a forest fire which destroyed all the wattles, leaving the meadows dark and brown! But, a ... Read more

Tinge is an in-house restaurant of Hotel Delmon in Panaji, Goa. Earlier the restaurant was called Malaka Spice which served some really fancy food. Now the restaurant has changed to Tinge which serves several cuisines. Tinge’s menu is a flavourful journey across India’s coastal belt. The blend of spices and flavours, ‘Tinge’ comes from the land of the coasts. The perfect combination of delicacies from Goa, Malwan, Kerela, Tamilnadu, Andhra, Bengal and other coastal regions spread across their menu inviting the tourists for a delicious culinary journey. In this video, Shailesh shares his experience of having a Goan Thali in ... Read more

It would give boundless happiness if I start this column, writing about something which belongs to our creation, and something which makes us proud being a traveler and a woman! Being responsible while travelling! Its quiet plain sailing to be read but arduous to execute! We are trying to make this possible with our travel group, Let’s go for a camp– travel with a purpose! As travelers and explorers, we have passed almost forty plus nature camps at different locations in and around India! It gave a new phase in life where we make realize people that this earth also ... Read more

Watching out what’s hidden in the small country of an area 796,096 sq.km? Your excitement would know no bounds after you landed in this land of beauty. Each part of Pakistan has an enriched speciality of beauty to which you will be spellbound. Your words would not quite enough to praise the scenes that this beautiful land casts in front of you. Attractive. Huh? You must be. The beauty that Pakistan is blessed with is quite unique. Nevertheless, if it’s not unique how an increased rate of tourism can be noticed? Actually, media casts a darkened and absolutely wrong picture ... Read more

The 66th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) took place at the Punnamada lake in Alappuzha on 10th November 2018. Around 81 boats, including 25 snakeboats, made a splash on Punnamada Lake. The event gave the much-needed impetus to the flood-ravaged backwater tourism sector. Kerala Governor P Sathasivam has inaugurated the event in the presence of Kerala ministers and other dignitaries. South Indian young star Allu Arjun flagged of the race. Kerala Blasters foot ball team was also present at the venue to cheer up the oarsmen. Payippadan has become the fastest snake boat (Chundan vallam) and winner ... Read more

Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, Vaikom embraces travellers with its beautiful water bodies and serene village life. Exploring the backwaters, narrow canals and life of the small villages of Vaikom is best possible through canoe cruises which are close to the hearts of nature lovers since it is eco-friendly. A laid-back cruise in a canoe soaks one in the rich natural beauty of the surrounding greenery. The pottery village of Vaikom grants travellers a chance to watch the enthralling process of rendering life to clay and mud. Visitors can experience the village life on the way. traditional coir making, pottery, ... Read more

After a gap, Chef Tim Robinson is back with an exciting dish. Elish Maccher Paturi, a Bengali favourite, is a fish lover’s delight. Ingredients 8 pieces hilsa fillets, cleaned 1 half tbsp mustard paste, very finely ground ½ tbsp fresh turmeric paste ½ tsp red chili paste Salt to taste 100 ml mustard oil 4-5 green chillies slit 4 nos banana leaves, washed, dried and halved 8 pieces string Method Combine the mustard paste, fresh turmeric paste, red chili paste, salt mustard oil and green chillies.apply the mixture properly on both sides of each fillet. Place each fillet in a half ... Read more