Category: News

With an aim to boost tourism in the state, the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) has entered into an agreement with Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). Shivdular Singh Dhillon, CEO of the PHTPB, and Vice-Chancellor of the GNDU Prof Jaspal Singh Sandhu signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU). “No stone is being left unturned to make Punjab a frontline state in tourism sector. The signing of the MoU for both the institutions would forge a long-term partnership. Besides this, a series of activities would also be chalked out to give fillip to tourism in the state,” said Dhillon. “We are happy to ... Read more

The construction of the proposed Jewar International Airport in Greater Noida is expected to begin in 2019. The Uttar Pradesh government had set up a joint venture company tp acquire 1441 hectre of land for the project at a cost of Rs 4000 crore. The project has got a no objection certificate from the home and defence ministries. The project has also received an in-principle clearance for immigration services. The airport will not only bring Kanpur and Allahabad closer to National Capital Region under the regional connectivity scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) but also benefit locations in neighbouring ... Read more

The Berlin airport is all set to open in 2020 and an expansion is already planned in time to be completed for the opening. The airport, BER, has announced its plan to build another terminal before it’s opening date. With the new terminal, the airport will be able to handle an additional six million passengers every year. The new terminal is proposed with the hope that it would increase the total capacity at the airport’s opening to 28 million passengers. Together with Schönefeld Airport, which will remain in operation up to the end of 2025, Berlin’s airports will then be able to accommodate ... Read more

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plans to operate daily direct flights between New Delhi and Ukraine’s capital Kiev from next year.  The carrier has started operating non-stop flight between the two cities from May 1, with thrice a week service. From June 7, the frequency of flights will grow to four flights a week. The airline has announced an inaugural return fare of Rs 27,500 in the economy and Rs 1,14,000 for return Business class. “We are opening 80,000 seats between two capital cities in a year,” said Sergey Fomenko, Vice President – Commerce, UIA. Flights to and from the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport ... Read more

The Union Government has launched an online “event clearance system” for grant of security clearance to foreigners wanting to visit India to attend conferences, seminars or workshops. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba has launched the online Event Clearance System (https://conference.mha.gov.in) for grant of security clearance to the conference/seminar/workshop organized in India. This will enable the Indian Missions abroad for issuance of Conference Visa to foreign nationals/delegates intending to attend such events organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations, Public Sector Undertakings, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded Universities or private institutions or ... Read more

High-speed dust storm in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, Alwar and Dholpur districts have killed 22 and injured over 100 people. Eleven people died in Bharatpur, six in Dholpur, four in Alwar and one in Jhunjhunu. The dust storm left a trail of destruction leaving hundreds of trees and electric poles uprooted. On Wednesday, heat wave was reported in parts of Rajasthan with Kota recording the highest temperature at 45.4 degrees. The weather department had warned of dust storm, heat wave and light rains in different pockets of the state. “A detailed report of the disaster is awaited. Relief and rescue teams have been ... Read more

The Union Government said it is planning to develop the country’s biggest airport, which will be next only to Mumbai, in the Mopa district of Goa. A joint team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Commerce Logistics Department will visit Goa on 7th-8th May 2018 to facilitate the development of cargo hubs at the new airport to be constructed at Mopa in Goa. The team will meet Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries to work together in order to leverage the advantages the State offers in terms of connectivity to the coastal belt of Western India. The four ... Read more

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to for expansion and upgradation of integrated terminals at Chennai, Guwahati & Lucknow Airports, at a cost of Rs 2467 crore, Rs 1383 crore and Rs 1232 crore, respectively. Construction of New Integrated Terminal at Lucknow airport will have an area of 88,000 sqm along with the existing terminal building with 16292 sqm. The airport will have annual capacity to handle 2.6 million international and 11 million domestic passenger traffic. The new terminal building would cater to the requirement of passenger growth up to ... Read more

Maharashtra will get a new airport at ParuleChipi in Sindhudurg district in 2018. Work on the project is expected to be completed in June this year, before the onset of monsoon and the Ganesh Festival, which will begin in September this year. The airport is being constructed by IRB Sindhudurg Airport Pvt. Ltd. on a design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) basis for the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Sindhudurg airport will have a 2500-meter runway which has provision for future development. The airport will be built at an approximate cost of Rs 520 crores. Sindhudurg airport will have the capacity to handle 200 ... Read more

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has announced that the monthly Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during the month of March 2018 were Rs.17, 294 crore as compared to Rs. 14, 667 crore in March 2017. The FEEs was Rs 12, 985 crore in March 2016. The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms in March 2018 over March 2017 was 17.9 per cent, compared to the growth of 13.0 per cent in March 2017 over March 2016. FEEs during the period January- March 2018 were Rs 52, 916 crore with a growth of 15.5 per cent, as compared ... Read more

It was just days back that one of the major cement companies in India, Dalmia Cements, adopting the Red Fort under the Adopt a Heritage project. Though it has created some sparks across the country, the ministry is going ahead with its plans to continue the project to the selected 95 heritage site. Minister for Tourism K J Alphons said the centre has plans to add more sites under the project. However, the minister ensured that it will be done only in consultation with the  public. Sites like beaches and parks beyond the 95 envisaged by the ministry will find ... Read more

The Supreme Court was told that 22 models of electric cars of various vehicle manufacturers would be available in India soon. Major vehicle manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra have been pushing very hard for it. The Supreme court, which was hearing a pollution-related matter, was apprised about it after a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked vehicle manufacturers, “what are you doing about electric cars?” “They say that in auto shows, all kinds of electric cars are there,” the bench asked, following which one of the lawyers said that “cost is an issue”. However, another lawyer ... Read more

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is celebrating its 25th anniversary to Dammam. Originally operating two flights a week, Emirates now flies four times daily between Dammam and Emirates’ hub in Dubai. Since the start of the Dammam service in 1993, the airline has carried more than 3.8 million passengers. “We are embarking on a real milestone as we celebrate 25 years of service to Dammam. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a major market for Emirates and we take great pride in the role we play in providing global connectivity both for business and leisure passengers in Dammam and ... Read more

Bahamas, commonly known as an archipelagic state, that consists of over 700 island chains is all set to conduct its 3rd annual Caribbean Aviation meet-up from 24th June at the capital city of Nassau in Bahamas. Delegates from the field of includes aviation include Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, and tourism director-general; Joy Jibrilu, followed by professionals from US, Canada and Europe. The forum is said to conduct over 31 sessions that include presentations and conference. Discussion topics would be cornered within regional airlines, route development, airport development, airlift impact on tourism and the economy, investment considerations, trends ... Read more

Bollywood heartthrob Ranveer Singh, Switzerland’s ambassador in India, has inaugurated a train named ‘Ranveer on Tour’ in Switzerland. Ranveer has managed to turn around 25 per cent growth rate in the overnights in the Alpine nation, that drove Indian tourists to Switzerland. The train was launched on 30th April by Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Travel System. The country said it wants to continue with Ranveer Singh on board in 2018 and is looking forward to that. India ranks seventh in importance among all the countries for Switzerland in terms of tourism. “I still remember being completely mesmerised on my first ... Read more