Category: News

Ardh Kumbh sees 35% jump in foreign tourist arrivals

The arrivals during Ardh Kumbh  held at Prayagraj saw some 35 per cent increase compared to the same period 2013.  The 49-day fair is also attracting travellers from unconventional countries. More than 12 crore people are expected to take part in the events over the next 50 days. Authorities have set up temporary bridges, 600 mass kitchens and more than 100,000 portable toilets in a pop-up city at the confluence of the rivers, which is known as the sangam. During the eight-week festival, authorities are expecting around one million foreign visitors arrive at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, to bathe at ... Read more

First Yoga Retreat group post YAT 2018 arrives in Kochi

The first yoga retreat group post Yoga Ambassador’s Tour 2018 arrives in Kochi. Around 18 yoga enthusiasts from Czech Republic will spend 10 days in  Kerala under the leadership of Hana Fialova. Hana Fialova was one among the 52 delegates who participated in the Yoga Ambassador’s Tour 2018, conducted by Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI), in association with Ministry of AYUSH and Kerala Tourism in June 2018. The Yoga Retreat tour, operated by Chalukya Grace Tours, will explore the destinations like Marari, Alappuzha and Cherthala. The group will spend five days in Marari, 2 in Alappuzha and three in Cherthala. ... Read more

Etihad Cargo to transport 68 horses to prestigious Longines Masters of Hong Kong

Etihad Cargo and EEM World, a global leading organizer of equestrian events, have announced that Etihad Cargo was once more chosen to transport a special consignment of show jumping horses from Belgium to Hong Kong for the annual Longines Masters of Hong Kong taking place on 15-17 February. This is the third consecutive year that Etihad Cargo has been entrusted with the transport of these elite horses for the world’s most prestigious show jumping event. The dedicated charter flight from Liège Airport to Hong Kong International Airport will deliver 68 horses accompanied by professional grooms and a veterinarian for the ... Read more

Taj Mahal & Agra fort among the top ten revenue generating monuments

The top ten revenue generating monuments during 2015-18 are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Sun Temple Konark, Group of monuments Mamallapuram, Ellora Caves, Group of monuments Khajuraho, and Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad. The year wise details of expenditure incurred for conservation of protected monuments under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) during 2015-2018 are: In 2015-16, the Expenditure incurred was Rs 23746.25 lakh, Rs 30176.22 lakh in 2016-17 and Rs 41076.79 lakh in 2017-18. The  information was given by Minister of State (independent charge) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate change Dr. Mahesh Sharma, in reply to a Starred ... Read more

SpiceJet to start Hyderabad-Jeddah daily flight from March 25, 2019

SpiceJet will start a daily direct flight between Hyderabad and Jeddah from March 25, 2019. This is the ninth foreign destination of the airline. SpiceJet will operate its new 189-seater Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on the route, the airline said in its press statement. The airline also announced a special fare of Rs 13,499 (all-inclusive) for the Hyderabad-Jeddah flight and Rs 10,799 (all inclusive) for Jeddah-Hyderabad flight. “It is a moment of great pride for us as we introduce Jeddah as our ninth international destination, thus becoming the first Indian budget airline to fly to Saudi Arabia. Our new flight ... Read more

Indonesia welcomed 15.8m foreign tourists, despite natural disasters

Indonesia witnesses a total of 15.81 million foreign tourist footfalls during the year 2018, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS). Though it could not achieve the government’s target of attracting 17 million tourists, the figure depicts a 12.58 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from 2017. Thara and Goutham in Yogyakarta, Indonesia “We saw a significant increase in December, particularly during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday, when the number of visitors jumped to 1.41 million, or up by 21.43 per cent month-to-month,” said BPS head Suharyanto  at the BPS headquarter in Jakarta. Suharyanto pointed out Indonesian tourism took a ... Read more

TAT updates travel advisory on the air quality concerns in Bangkok

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is providing a further update today based on daily reports by the Thai Meteorological Department and the Pollution Control Department that south-easterly winds as well as measures by all concerned public and private sectors have had an effect in combating the dust pollution that has covered Bangkok and its surrounding provinces in recent weeks. According to the Pollution Control Department, the overall air quality of Bangkok and its surrounding has improved. Tourists can monitor the overall air quality of Thailand provided daily by the Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Public Health, by log on ... Read more

More regions in Mogok open to tourists

Three more villages in Mogok Township in Mandalay Region of Myanmar will be opened to tourism due to the rising number of visitors to the area, officials of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism said. Starting this month, tourists will now be allowed to visit Kyauk Pya That, Pan-lin and Bernard villages along the old Mandalay-Matta-Singu and Mogok road, which has been repaired, said U San Yu, regional assistant director of the ministry. Gem Market in Magok “We have to consider tourists’ convenience and safety. After reviewing all the factors, we decided to expand tourism in Mogok,” said U San ... Read more

You and your partner can now travel the USA for free! Find out how!

If you are a couple based out of US, and is fond of travelling, then there’s a dream job for you is almost there. All you have to do is travel to almost six US cities for free and find the best places to propose your girl in each city you are visiting. Robbins Brothers, The Engagement Ring Store, wants two love birds to share a series of all-expenses paid weekend jaunts cross country in pursuit of the perfect proposal places in the country. The company has retail shops across the western part of the country that will not only ... Read more

No-deal Brexit will adversely affect tourism sector

While the heated discussion are going on in favour of and against Brexit, the Independent predicts loss of around 700,000 tourism jobs across Europe, once Brexit become reality. As per estimations by The World Travel & Tourism Council, the UK would lose 308,000, while 399,000 positions in other parts of Europe would be in danger. Gloria Guevara, the president and chief executive of the WTTC, whose members include chief executives from around the world, said: “The UK is the fifth largest travel and tourism economy in the world. Given its importance to the UK economy it is now clear that a ... Read more

flydubai begins flights to Kozhikode from Dubai

Dubai-based flydubai has launched its inaugural flight to Kozhikode in Kerala on February 1, 2019. The airline is operating thrice weekly flights connecting Dubai International (DXB) to Calicut International Airport (CCJ). “As the first Dubai-based carrier to operate direct flights from Dubai to Kozhikode, we expect this route to be very popular for travellers from the UAE to the region. Similarly, passengers from Kozhikode now have easier access to popular destinations on the flydubai network as well as the Emirates network providing easy access to more destinations when visiting family and friends,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai. “With ... Read more

BRDC, KIAL to hold Tourism Fraternity Meet in Kannur on Feb 7

The Kannur International Airport Authority (KIAL) and Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC), in association with North Malabar Chamber of Commerce is organising Tourism Fraternity Meet on February 7, 2019 at the Chamber Hall in Kannur. KIAL Managing Director, V Thulasidas; Rani George IAS, Secretary, Tourism and Bala Kiran IAS, Director, Tourism will be present at the inaugural function. The event will have five sessions like Branding & Marketing Tourism; Entrepreneurship Development in Tourism and SMILE project; North Malabar Tourism Specialties, New Products and Cultural Tourism; New Packages and Circuits connecting Kannur, Kasaragod, Wayanad, Coorg, Mysore, Ootty etc and Infrastructure in ... Read more

Petra aims to attract one million visitors

The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Developmental Region of Petra, Dr Sulaiman Al-Farajat has said that the authority is seeking concerted efforts and partnership with all parties concerned with tourism to reach one million visitors during the current year. Al-Farajat confirmed that the ancient city began its new year, with an increase in the number of visitors, as a result of efforts exerted and partnership between all partners in the governmental, private sector and local communities. Al-Fergat expected that this year will be a tourist destination with excellence and classifies the best in the history of Petra ... Read more

Nepal plans to double tourist footfalls by 2020

The tourism board of the Nepal Government said it is planning to attract two million tourists to the country by 2020. Nepal registered nearly 25 per cent growth in the number of visitors from India in 2017. The Nepal Tourism registered over two lakh visitors from India that year. The Indian market will continue to be one of the main contributors of international visitors to Nepal. At present, about one million visitors travel to Nepal a year from different countries. It is expected to double as the Nepal Tourism Board promotes “Visit Nepal” campaign, said a press release issued by the ... Read more

Indians can now visit Thailand for free

Thailand has been one of the sought after destinations for Indians travelling abroad.  Thailand is famous for its heritage sites, pristine beaches and resorts. Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, Maya Beach etc. are some of the renowned tourist destinations in Thailand. Those who have not visited Thailand yet have a golden chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Thailand now. It was announced by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), New Delhi. The aspirants have to participate in a contest announced by TAT to become a lucky winner to visit Thailand for free. In ... Read more