Category: News

Volcanoes Gorilla National Park, Rwanda Gorilla tourism is one of the major sources of revenue for Rwanda. As per the WWF conservation group the number of the mountain gorillas are around 600 in the Virunga Massif, a mountainous area encompassing parts of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Tourists can watch gorillas from short distance, in their natural habitat at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Thousands of tourists, local and from foreign countries visit the National Park every year. However, the flow of tourists have declined this year as the authorities have increased the price of a permit to visit the ... Read more

  Digitization has been changing the whole perspective of tourism in the world.  From searching for the next trip destination, checking in at the airport, or when looking up foreign dishes on the menu, digital technology has a significant role. While the world has been celebrating the World Tourism Day, the tagline was ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’, citing the influence of digital media in the tourism sector. Just like the global tourism industry, the Ugandan market is steadily adapting to the digital trends. There is an ease in accessibility and personalized experiences. Tourism businesses and organisations have effectively created digital ... Read more

The Department of Tourism Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) celebrated “World Tourism Day” on 27th September 2018 at Gulmarg. The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day was ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’. While addressing the gathering,  Syed Haneef Balkhi, Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, congratulated the Department of Tourism Studies for celebrating the day at Gulmarg. He said the GDA is making tireless efforts to make Gulmarg polythene and garbage free. “We have established two waste treatment plants and the trash collected from the hotels and dustbins are treated there only. We are taking due care for environmental ... Read more

A survey will be conducted seeking the possibility of offering job opportunities through tourism for people in the state’s flood-hit areas even as the August calamity has not damaged the infrastructure facilities in the sector, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said on Friday. “Students of Kerala Institute Tourism and Travel Studies(KITTS) will conduct the survey among the natives in this regard. It will help bring more people to the tourism sector,” he said at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) in Kochi. “The government conducted a “Readiness Survey” from September 1 to know if we are ready for receiving tourists. The study’s ... Read more

Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the state government is planning to introduce a law to prevent encroachments and illegal constructions in ecologically sensitive tourist destinations. “The government is focused on promoting tourism without exploiting nature,” he said addressing the media after visiting the Kerala Travel Mart in Kochi. “When Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was the Tourism Minister, the state government introduced a Bill preventing unscientific construction and encroachment in ecologically sensitive tourist places. However, the Bill could not become law. But Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the government have accorded due importance to the environment while promoting tourism,” he said. The ... Read more

The tourism industry in Kerala has showed its strong character post the devastating floods in August and the way it made the revival is astounding, Union Tourism Minister of State (Independent Charge) K J Alphons said. He was speaking after the inauguration of the exhibition stalls and pavilions at the tenth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) at Samudrika and Sagara Convention Centre, Willingdon Island in Kochi. “I give emphasis on Kerala Tourism’s ability to recoup after a severe natural calamity as an epitome wherever I go. We bounced back defeating all the never-seen-before challenges. It gives the positive sign that ... Read more

കേരളത്തില്‍ പ്രളയാനന്തര വിനോദസഞ്ചാരമേഖലയിലെ ഉണര്‍വ്വ് അത്ഭുതകരമാണെന്ന് കേന്ദ്ര ടൂറിസം സഹമന്ത്രി അല്‍ഫോണ്‍സ് കണ്ണന്താനം പറഞ്ഞു. രാജ്യത്തെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ടൂറിസം മേളയായ കേരള ട്രാവല്‍ മാര്‍ട്ടിലെ പവിലിയനുകളും സ്റ്റാളുകളും ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുകയായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹം. വെല്ലിംഗ്ടണ്‍ ഐലന്‍ഡിലെ സാമുദ്രിക, സാഗരാ കണ്‍വെന്‍ഷന്‍ സെന്‍റററുകളാണ് വാണിജ്യ കൂടിക്കാഴ്ചകളും പ്രദര്‍ശനങ്ങളുമടങ്ങുന്ന കെടിഎമ്മിന്‍റെ പത്താംപതിപ്പിന് വേദിയായിരിക്കുന്നത്. വിവിധ പ്രകൃതി ദുരന്തങ്ങളെ അതിജീവിച്ച സംസ്ഥാന വിനോദസഞ്ചാരമേഖലയുടെ കരുത്ത് എവിടെയും ദൃഷ്ടാന്തമായി മാറിയിരിക്കുകയാണ്. മുന്‍പൊരിക്കലും കണ്ടിട്ടില്ലാത്ത പ്രതിസന്ധിയെയാണ് ഇപ്പോള്‍ അതിജീവിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. പ്രളയാനന്തരവും വിനോദസഞ്ചാരം പ്രൗഡി വീണ്ടെടുത്തു എന്നതിന്‍റെ അനുകൂല സൂചനയാണ് കെടിഎം എന്നും കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി പറഞ്ഞു. സംസ്ഥാന വിനോദസഞ്ചാര വകുപ്പ് ഉത്തരവാദിത്ത വിനോദസഞ്ചാരം പ്രമേയമാക്കി സജ്ജമാക്കിയ പവിലിയനും കേന്ദ്ര മന്ത്രി ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്തു. തുടര്‍ന്ന് വിവിധ സ്റ്റാളുകളും പവിലിയനുകളും അദ്ദേഹം സന്ദര്‍ശിച്ചു. സംസ്ഥാന ടൂറിസം സെക്രട്ടറി റാണി ജോര്‍ജ്, കെടിഎം സൊസൈറ്റി പ്രസിഡന്‍റ് ബേബി മാത്യു സോമതീരം, കെടിഡിസി ചെയര്‍മാന്‍ എം. വിജയകുമാര്‍, ഇന്ത്യന്‍ അസോസിയേഷന്‍ ഓഫ് ടൂര്‍ ഓപ്പറേറ്റേഴ്സ് ... Read more

Cultural programmes, part of the Tourism Walk Odisha Tourism has organized a tourism walk and food festival to mark World Tourism Day on 27th September 2018. The Tourism walk that started from Kalinga Stadium has terminated at Utkal Mandap. Tourism minister Ashok Chandra Panda flagged off the walk in which about a thousand persons including students, young people, senior citizens, members of skating associations, representatives of Hotel & Restaurant Association, travel association, tour operators and Odisha State Tourist Guide Association participated in the walk. Cultural programmes have accompanied the walk to the amusement of the spectators. Gotipua, Sambalpuri, Odissi, Tribal ... Read more

Site of Amaala Project (Photo Courtesy: Saudi Gazette) Saudi Arabia is planning to build a luxurious tourism center with international standards. It is in addition to the two mega projects in the banks of the red sea. The project cost will be mainly spent from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (Public Investment Fund) of Saudi. Public Investment Fund has announced that they will bear the initial costs of the project, which is named as Amaala. The project will spread on 3,800 square meters will be developed on the concepts of Wellness, Healthy Living and Meditation. Other than the PIF Funding, lots ... Read more

The short video released by famous brand Samsonite saying ‘Kerala is Open’ has become viral in the social media. It was a boost for the Kerala tourism industry, which has been bouncing back from recent floods, which caused widespread damages to the industry. The 40 second video has been shared by thousands of people, including prominent personalities like Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampalli Surendran, Renowned film actor Prithwiraj Sukumaran etc. Recently Indian Cricket Team Captain Virat Kohli has also shared the video on his Facebook page. “What a comeback from Kerala! As they say, when the ... Read more

As part of the World Tourism Day, the Kerala Tourism in association with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) has organized a walkathon from Kowdiar Square to Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism, has flagged off the walkathon. A flash mob and mime, highlighting UNWTO’ s theme ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’ were part of the walkathon performed by the students of (KITTS). Vijayakumar, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC); Muraleedharan, MLA; Rajasree Ajith, Director KITTS; B Rajendran, Principal, KITTS; VS Anil, Deputy Director, Tourism; Muraleedharan K, Councillor; Palayam Rajan, Standing Committee Chairman and Shaji ... Read more

Tourists including children and adolescents who visit Veli can now have a trip on a Mini train. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism said that a Miniature Railway project was approved at the Veli Tourist Village. The Miniature Railway project, which has modern facilities, will be implemented by the State Tourism Department at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The project will become a reality within 18 months. Tourists can travel on the Mini Train by up to 2 kilo meters. The tourism minister said that the outline of the project is ready. The train will be operated by solar energy. ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: thefabulousscript.com Tourism Australia and Singapore Airlines have signed a three-year strategic marketing deal worth USD 7.93 million, reiterating their commercial ties. As per the agreement the two parties will jointly fund a range of tourism campaigns and promotional activities in eight of Australia’s key inbound markets – Singapore, as well as China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and the UK. “The renewal of the strategic cooperation with Tourism Australia underscores its commitment to Australia’s tourism and travel industry,” said Mak Swee Wah, Singapore Airlines’ Executive Vice President Commercial. “Singapore Airlines has been bringing visitors to Australia for over ... Read more

Qutub Minar has bagged the top award in the differently-abled friendly monument category at the National Tourism Awards. The awards were presented by Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons at a ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhavan. Qutbu’d-Din Aibak laid the foundation of the Minar in AD 1199, to which subsequent additions were made by his successor Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlak. The 73-metre tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Qutub Minar has made best possible efforts to provide amenities to the differently-abled at a World Heritage Site. ... Read more

Kerala’s efforts to rejuvenate its tourism sector in the wake of the recent floods in August got a robust validation on World Tourism Day with it topping the States with nine National Tourism Awards for 2016-17. Overall, Kerala Tourism walked away with four awards, including the Best Tourism Film (Live Inspired) and second prize in the category of ‘Best State/Union Territory- Comprehensive Development of Tourism in Rest of India.’ In the Hall of Fame awards section, the two other official entries of the department which got prizes were Excellence in Publishing in Foreign Language and Responsible Tourism Project, Wayanad, for being ... Read more