Category: News

Bardia National Park selected as World Top 100 Sustainable Destination

The largest national park of Nepal, Bardia National Park has announced it is selected as World Top 100 Sustainable Destinations finalists for this year by the jury experts of Green Destinations Top 100 team and members of the special Top 100 selection panel that included over 60 tourism sustainability exerts. It is also shortlisted in various categories such as best destination in Asia-Pacific region and best destinations by nature conservation. The destination has been nominated by the Barefoot Adventures in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board. Green Destinations is a non-profit organization which focuses on efforts to create sustainable tourism, leading ... Read more

Aero India 2019 celebrate woman professionals in Defence Aviation

The Aero India show that is on in Bengaluru is celebrating successful women professionals in the field of Defence Aviation. As a precursor to the focus theme, a seminar was organised yesterday on Women in Aviation. The successful professionals from the field of Aviation and defence spoke on how they succeeded in establishing themselves in the professions dominated by men. Dr. Tessy Thomas who is Director General (Aero) in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) narrates of her experience as the Project Director of Agni missile programme. Dr. Tessy, popularly known as the Missile Woman of India, is a recipient ... Read more

Manchester United and Marriott International announce Global Marketing Partnership

Marriott International and Manchester United has announced a multi-year marketing partnership, giving the 120 million members of the Marriott Bonvoy travel programme exclusive opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime Manchester United football experiences – including the chance to become the club’s Stadium Announcer or Kit Manager for the day. The new partnership launches today with a film that features familiar faces from the Manchester United first team and team management, bringing these magical moments to life. “Marriott International is the leader in its field and we’re excited to be partnering with them as Marriott launches its new travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy. Together we look ... Read more

Etihad Airways to increase flights to London during April

Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, from three to up to four daily services, to meet peak demand during the month of April. Commencing 5 April 2019, the flights will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9, featuring Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. “We are thrilled to announce more flights to London during April, in response to increased demand in the lead up to and post the Easter holidays. This is a busy travel time for families looking to ... Read more

KTDC’s Mascot Hotel celebrates centenary with Five-star status

The iconic Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram is celebrating its centenary this year, with five star status. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is planning a comprehensive renovation/restoration project for the hotel with an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore. It was announced by M Vijayakumar, KTDC Chairman, on a press meeting held on 22nd February 2019. R Rahul, Managing Director of KTDC was also present on the occasion. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala will inaugurate the renovation works on February 27, at 10 am, at Mascot Hotel. Minister for Tourism, Kadakampally Surendran will be present at the inaugural function. “Mascot ... Read more

Emirates to launch new service to Porto

Emirates will launch a four times weekly service between Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, and Dubai, from 2 July 2019. Porto will become Emirates’ second destination in Portugal after its capital, Lisbon, which the airline currently serves with two flights a day. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three class cabin configuration, offering eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class. Emirates’ new service will provide travellers in northern Portugal, a major urban area, as well as those in the north-west of Spain ... Read more

Uday Samudra to conduct first international waitress race this Women’s week

The Uday Samudra Hotel in Kovalam is all set to conduct the first International Waitress Race on the occasion of International Women’s Week. The International Waitress Race will be held on March 13, 2019. “Women empowerment and women rights are burning issues in today’s world and many women are deprived of their talents and self worth. The event will be held every year,” said Raja Gopaal Iyer, CEO, UDS Group. The race is expected to encourage women and help them in understanding their worth and that they also stand a place among men in this society. The waitresses will race from Vellar junction to UDS Hotel, ... Read more

Kerala’s ancient spice route to be revived with the help of other countries

Kerala Tourism’s ambitious project ‘Spice Route’ is getting close to implementation. As per recent reports the 2000 year old trade route will be revived with the help of other nations, who were part of the ancient trade route. The countries would be sharing information, knowledge and discussing ways to conserve this shared heritage. Artistic presentation of ancient port in Muzris Historical records reveal that 31 countries in Europe, Asia and Far East had spice trade with ancient Kerala, including Afghanistan, Burma, China, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal and Spain. A journey along the Spice Route is ... Read more

Beach carnival at Shanghumukham beach begins today

The Shanghumukham beach is all set to celebrate beach carnival from today. The carnival organized by the Shanghumukham Art Museum under the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, will also be supported by Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan and the District Tourism Promotion Council. The main attraction of the beach carnival is the synchronized lighting that strikes the shores of Shankhumukham across the shore. Every evening, there will be various sports competitions followed by entertainment programmes at night. This is the first time such an event is organized in the capital city. Culture Minister AK Balan will inaugurate the beach carnival today at 6 pm. Mayor ... Read more

Tourism sector has created around 14 million jobs in the country – KJ Alphons

The Tourism sector of India has created nearly 14 million jobs in the country, employing all sections of the society, in the last four years, said KJ Alphons, Union Tourism Minister. He was addressing the 2nd Meeting of National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC) at Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat.   “India has climbed from 7th rank in 2017 to 3rd rank in 2018 in World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Power and Performance index which has an impact on our Civil Aviation sector,” said Alphons, while narrating the excellent performance of the country globally in recent years. The Minister ... Read more

Fort Kochi to be developed as an experiential tourism destination

Kochi has immense potential to be developed as a destination for experiential tourism, considering the heritage value of the scenic seaside town known for its vintage looks and multi-ethnic population. It was opined by Kochi MLA K J Maxy during a workshop organized by the Responsible Tourism Mission. Kochi MLA K J Maxy inaugurates the workshop Fort Kochi has already come under the state’s Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission, which is the nodal agency for introducing and implementing sustainable tourism models for the state. “With its distinct demography and socio-historical status, Kochi merits more prominence on the tourism map,” said the ... Read more

Canada travel advisory warns citizens not to travel to India

The Government of Canada has issued travel advisory warning its citizens not to travel to India. “Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to a continuing threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country at all times,” it said. The advisory also tells to avoid non-essential travel to parts of north eastern India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, due to conflict. It also advises to avoid all travel to Western border with Bangladesh and Jammu and Kashmi, due to sporadic terrorist activity and violent demonstrations. This advisory excludes travelling to Ladakh via Manali, and air travel to Leh, it said. ... Read more

Karnataka Tourism to organize multi-city roadshows

Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka will organise Multi City Road-shows in the months of March & April, 2019 to promote Karnataka Tourism and Travel Industry. Various tourist places, hotels, resorts, home-stays, Tour operators and other service providers from Karnataka will take part in the promotion campaigns. Mumbai, Goa, New Delhi & Lucknow are few selected cities for hosting road-shows on the following dates. This exclusive B2B Road-show will have over 20 travel agents from Karnataka interacting with more than 100 travel agents and tour operators of the respective cities. The main ... Read more

Barbie to come up with a new line of travel-themed dolls

Barbie is now partnering with National Geographic on a travel-themed line of dolls, accessories and media. The new line of dolls will focus not only on exploring the world, but also on science, conservation and research. “The new line will feature career dolls and playsets that highlight occupations that are typically underrepresented by women,” said National Geographic. This new career dolls are expected to create an interest in children with the new role models. “Through our partnership with National Geographic, girls can now imagine themselves as an Astrophysicist, Polar Marine Biologist and more,” said Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and General ... Read more

Multi-crore highway and development projects coming up in Uttarakhand

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for NH and Development works Namami Gange project at Haridwar in Uttarakhand today 21st February 2019. The Minister will lay the foundation stone for seven NH projects worth Rs 5,555 Crore. These include  the balance work under package one on 14.948 km long road from Haridwar to Laltappar on Haridwar-Dehradun section of NH-58 and 72, to be built at a cost of Rs 350 crore, the balance work under package two on 22.2 km long road from Laltappar to Mahkampur on Haridwar-Dehradun section of ... Read more