Category: News

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), New Delhi, is planning to roll out express check-in counter service for air passengers taking domestic flights from the airport. The service can only be availed by travellers with handbags as luggage. The airport will introduce this facility by April 2019 at Terminal 2, where low-cost airlines such as Indigo, SpiceJet and GoAir operate. The facility is expected to be extended to Terminals 1 and 3 in future. The setting up of express check-in counters at the IGI airport will reduce crowding at the check-in zones of the congested terminals. About 40 per cent ... Read more

Arrivals in India through e-tourist visa increased at a CAGR of 180 per cent during 2014-18, according a report by India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). In 2018, 23,69,941 tourists have arrived in India through e-tourist visa.  Tourist arrivals increased at a CAGR of 251.59 per cent during 2014-17 to reach 1,697,000 tourists in 2017. The government has recently made a series of amendments in the e-visa regime to make it more tourist-friendly. The duration of stay in India of e-tourist and e-business visas is maximum up to one year with multiple entry subject to the stay stipulations. Also, the existing restriction of ... Read more

Marriott International and Dur Hospitality has announced the opening of Riyadh Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter and Marriott Executive Apartments Riyadh, Diplomatic Quarter. The complex is strategically located in the heart of one of the most sought-after areas in the city with easy access to key embassies and major corporate headquarters, just a 30-minute drive from King Khalid International Airport. “We are delighted to enhance our footprint in Saudi Arabia with the opening of two strategically important hotels that not only complement each other but also deliver very distinct brand experiences. Saudi Arabia continues to be one of our key markets ... Read more

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has invited the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) to understand the policy measures Rajasthan has taken and how a strategy can be prepared to promote its rich heritage to boost its tourism. “Maharashtra has a rich treasure-trove of heritage assets which has huge potential for tourism. We are keen to contribute to the state’s efforts to preserve and promote heritage tourism in the state,” said Gaj Sigh, President of IHHA. Maharashtra boasts some 450 plus forts and palaces across the state. During the colonial rule in India, when Mumbai was Bombay, Britons made many architectural masterpieces ... Read more

Asia’s largest Tulip garden is open on the banks of the iconic Dal lake in the Kashmir valley. The floriculture department has planted 12.25 lakh Tulip bulbs of 40 varieties and colours in the 10-hectares garden. Around 20 per cent bloom was recorded on its opening day. This year, visitors can access Wi-Fi at no cost among other facilities. “We have added more green spaces inside the garden so that visitors can rest and enjoy the beauty of flowers,” Director at the Floriculture department Mathoora Masoom said. This season, 40,000 Hyacinth bulbs have been planted in a separate terrace and the department ... Read more

VFS Global has opened Slovakia visa application centre (VAC) in the capital city of New Delhi. The centre was formally inaugurated on 27 March 2019 by Ivan Lančarič, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi. The Centre in New Delhi is one of three VFS Global centres launched across India, providing Slovakia visa services. The other two are located in the metro cities of Mumbai and Bengaluru. All three centres commenced accepting Slovakia visa applications in December 2018, prior to which applicants had to travel to New Delhi to submit their applications at the Embassy of ... Read more

Qatar Visa Center was inaugurated by Mohammed Khater Al Khater, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of India, in New Delhi. The opening ceremony was attended by Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Department of Visa Support Services, Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar. Six other visa centers in Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Kolkata will be operational shortly. At the new Qatar Visa Center, work visa applicants for Qatar will be able to sign on work contracts digitally, enroll their biometrics and undergo mandatory medical test all under one-roof, thus saving time ... Read more

Kerala Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium represented by E Factor Entertainment and The Social Street (AMP Communications) for the development, branding, promotions, marketing and revenue generation activities of the Champions’ Boat League (CBL). The consortium will be responsible for the developmental exercise of the league for the next five years starting 2019 until 2023. The Champions’ Boat League is slated to start on August 10, 2019 with the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha and end with the President’s Trophy Boat Race in Kollam on the State Formation Day (November 1). There will ... Read more

Nepal has agreed to align with Kerala on tourism and ayurveda. The decision was taken during the visit of the former prime minister of Nepal and senior leader of Communist Party of Nepal (UML) Jhala Nath Khanal. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has proposed Khanal for cooperation with Kerala in tourism and ayurveda sectors when he visited the CM at his office in Thiruvananthapuram. The proposal was made by the chief minister when a delegation led by Khanal called on him at the official residence, Cliff House on March 27, 2019. Khanal briefed the chief minister about the political situation ... Read more

Hospitality investment firm Twenty14 Holdings said it will soon launch Port Muziris – South Asia’s first Tribute Portfolio hotel, part of Marriott International, near the Cochin International Airport. The 55-room property is all set to be opened to the public in April. “We are thrilled to debut the first Tribute Portfolio in South Asia. At Twenty14 Holdings, we share the vision of offering a unique experience for guests,” said Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Twenty14 Holdings. “Kerala has long been one of the most sought-after destinations worldwide, and we are excited to be part of the state’s flourishing tourism sector. We ... Read more

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced its plans to open more than 14 new properties in India over the next 24 months. The new properties will include hotels and resorts in Bengaluru, Dehradun, Udaipur, Gurgaon, Jaipur, and Trivandrum. The Chicago-headquartered Hyatt Hotels said 2019 would mark record growth for Hyatt in India. “Expansion plans foresee the addition of over 2,100 guest rooms through the opening of more than 14 new properties over the next 24 months,” a press release from the hotel major said. Aside from growth in the larger capital cities, the emphasis will be on leisure and cultural destinations, with a focus ... Read more

The first ever Skydiving jump for Battle Casualty Veteran (leg amputee) in India was conducted by instructors and training staff of Indian Army (Army Adventure Wing) on 28 Mar 2019 at Nasik, Maharashtra by service aircraft from 9000 ft AGL. Maj DP Singh, a Kargil War veteran widely known as “Indian Blade Runner” was trained by Indian Army to perform a first ever successful Skydive endorsing the “Spirit of Adventure” for all disabled soldiers who suffered physical/war injuries in peace and war time. Gen Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC, COAS approved the activity for the officer ... Read more

The President, Ram Nath Kovind with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Croatia in the field of tourism. The MoU in the field of Tourism will help the two parties in creating an institutional mechanism for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector. The MoU has been signed on 26 March, 2019 during the visit of President of India to Croatia. “Croatia’s popularity in India has increased manifold following Croatian team’s outstanding performance ... Read more

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism has launched a new Web Portal of the Tourism Department http://www.tourismjk.in, which will provide direct access to the services being provided by the Department as well as technical information such as checklist and other formalities required for on-line registration and renewal of these services. Commissioner secretary, Tourism, Rigzian Sampheal launched the new portal on March 27, 2019 to ensure hassle free on-line services to those engaged in travel trade for promotion of tourism across the state. “The portal will go a long way in providing all information related to registration/renewal of Hotel Units/Travel Agencies/Dealers/Adventure Agencies etc ... Read more

Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) said it has witnessed a 43 per cent jump in tourist arrivals from India in 2018. The revenue generated was 80 per cent higher than 2017. Bahrain Tourism has had its presence in India since January 2017 and has been aggressively promoting the destination in the market. Over the last few years, Bahrain has also emerged as a prime wedding destination due to various offerings like the short flying time from India which is below four hours, the number of five-star international chain of hotel options and a variety of venues. The Kingdom has ... Read more