Category: News

Web Desk The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 24th meeting on January 18, is likely to make changes in the GST Law to facilitate the release of locked input tax credit in tourism and hotel industry. The council is meeting to hold discussions over Narendra Modi’s mission for having a digital-based economy, with a focus on incentivisation of digital payment of taxes under the GST regime. The industry bodies have been mentioning that the lack of input tax credit (ITC) under the GST has impacted the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment with cancellations and postponement ... Read more

Union minister for tourism Alphons Kannanthanam stated that the Tourism Industry has generated USD 27 billion in revenue. Around 10 million foreign tourists (FTA) visited the country in 2017. “The tourism sector was doing well with 15.2 per cent more increase in foreign tourist arrival,” says the minister. The foreign exchange earnings went up to 20.2 per cent. “Income from tourism from foreign tourist arrival alone has been 27 billion dollars and if we convert in terms of rupee it would come approximately to 1,75000 crores rupees,” Kannanthanam adds. The tourism sector is contributing 6.88 per cent to the country’s ... Read more

 Web Desk Photo Courtesy: Ramada Muscat (Representative image) Oman is soon to have two brand new hotels from Wyndham Hotel Group and Oman-based contracting firm Al Khaleel Group, under the brand Ramada. Ramada Encore, a three-star hotel offering 140 deluxe rooms and 24 suites, will be located along Sultan Qaboos main road in Al Ghubrah, close to Muscat International Airport. The property will feature state-of-the-art business facilities, leisure amenities, a rooftop cafe and pool as well as male and female fitness centres and all-day dining restaurants and coffee lounge. Photo Courtesy: Ramada Muscat (Representative image) The second hotel, which is ... Read more

Web Desk Marriott International launches its third property in the UK and the second in Stratford under its experiential hotel brand Moxy Hotels. The 294-bedroom Moxy London Stratford is located very close to the Stratford International Station. Moxy is an affordable hotel for every budget with the soul of a boutique hotel. Marrying smart service and technology with contemporary style, Moxy is do-it-yourself made easy. Photo Courtesy: Marriott “Our Fun Hunter guests continue to seek inspiration from their travel. The new Moxy London Stratford will offer guests a cocktail at check-in, spontaneous games in the lively communal spaces, and an ... Read more

Web Desk Tattapani in Himachal Pradesh, which is very famous for its hot water springs, is going to have a face-lift soon. “The State Government is committed to promote religious tourism at Tattapani and to restore its lost glory,” says Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The spring water that is spread over an area of one square kilo metre is said to have curative powers that provide relief from ailments like joint pain, fatigue, stress relief, and poor blood circulation, and reduces fat and skin diseases. Photo Courtesy: holidify “The restoration of springs and ‘Bathing Ghats’ will soon be taken ... Read more

Web Desk Deepika Padukone in Padmavati. Picture Courtesy: India.com The ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama ‘Padmavati’ (now ‘Padmavat’) in Rajasthan turns out to be a boon for the tourism in the state. The film that showcases the valour of Rani Padmavati, Maharawal Ratan Singh and the famed Rajput ethos of honour, bravery and sacrifice, has faced the ire of organisations like Karni Sena the Kshatriya Mahasabha. The Mewar region of the state, home to the fabled queen Padmini, has been witness to a phenomenal rise in tourist numbers in December 2017. Chittorgarh Fort. Photo Courtesy: Tourism Rajasthan A ... Read more

Web Desk Photo Courtesy: Cubatravel Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, is all set to achieve new record in tourism by receiving five million foreign visitors this year. “2018 will be the year of the five million tourists. It will also be a year of major investments,” says Manuel Marrero, Minister for Tourism. The government’s 2030 tourism development plan foresees building 224 new hotels and expanding another 32 establishments with high occupancy rates, to boost visitor numbers. Cuba’s tourism industry currently offers 68,000 hotel rooms, and the plan calls for raising that figure to 103,000. In 2017, around 4.7 ... Read more

Web Desk Photo Courtesy: VisitDubai Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) releases its much-awaited #BeMyGuest campaign video, featuring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Conceptualised with the aim to strengthen the connection and cultural links between Dubai and India, the video directed by Kabir Khan underlines the importance of audiences from the subcontinent and the vast diaspora as the top source markets for inbound and repeat visitation to the emirate. Photo Courtesy: VisitDubai “Last year I invited my fans around the world to Be My Guest while giving them a glimpse into my Dubai, as part of this ... Read more

The tourist authorities in Kerala have announced that the Chembra peak in Wayanad will remain temporarily closed from January 15, 2018, (Monday) onwards due to the forest fire in the area. Chembra was closed down in February 2017 following a devastating forest fire, which burnt down around 100 hectares of grassland. Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100 m above sea level.

Web Desk With an aim to boost coastal tourism, the Ministry of Shipping has floated expression of interest for operating passenger ferry services connecting coastal cities such as Thoothukudi, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Rameswaram “An interactive meeting would be convened with those expressing interest and tender would be floated subsequently,” says S. Natarajan, Deputy Chairman of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust. Across the country, the governments and other departments are slowly realising the water wealth of the country. If the coastal belts of states are connected, it will by and large boost the tourist inflow ... Read more

Web Desk Welsh track cyclist, Olympian Owain Doull Taiwan Tourism Bureau is partnering with Fox Sports to launch a digital campaign to help tourists research and plan cycling trips to Taiwan. The ‘Taiwan on Two Wheels’ website, built by Fox Sports, (www.taiwanon2wheels.com) is now live  as the online hub to drive more cycle tourism to Taiwan. It provides all information and tips including bike routes, rental information and packing advice for avid cyclists to plan a cycling vacation in Taiwan. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonso Wurtzbach. To spice up the presentation the website highlights an influencer programme curated by Fox ... Read more

Web Desk Ashtamudi Lake. Picture Courtesy: Kerala Tourism The southern coastal district in Kerala, Kollam, is all set to get some exciting projects to boost the tourism in the district. The government of Kerala has approved tourism projects worth Rs. 27 crore in Kollam. Ashtamudi Lake, Kannetti Lake and Vattakkayal are some o the areas which would be getting a new touch. “A tourism project focussing on Ashtamudi Lake is under consideration. The possibilities of Kannetti Lake and Vattakayal will be explored,” says Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said after inaugurating the Kannetti pavilion and lakeside tourism project. Ashtamudi Lake is ... Read more

Web Desk Valmiki Tiger Reserve Bihar is all set to get a facelift with the environment and forest department announcing its plans to set up a separate wing exclusively for promoting and dealing with issues related to eco-tourism. The department has identified potential sites to be developed considering the needs of the tourists. “Valmiki Tiger Reserve, places like the Gangetic dolphin sanctuary in Bhagalpur, the wildlife safari at Rajgir, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary in Jamui, Kushiar Gaon and Raniganj in Araria district, the natural Sal forest spread over Purnea and Kishanganj, Madhopur in Jamui and Piparghatti in Gaya are some sites ... Read more

Web Desk The Colosseum in Rome, built C. 70 – 80 AD Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank by assets, invests €5 billion in tourism by striking a deal with the country’s cultural ministry. A lion share of the money will be used for restoration and redevelopment projects, making more buildings available for cultural use. The investment will take place over three years in a deal called ‘Pact for Tourism 4.0’. The money will also spend for the training of workers in the tourism sector, technological innovation, and modernization of accommodation. According to a study carried out by the Intesa Sanpaolo ... Read more

Web Desk In line with the Government’s Digital India initiative, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, K J Alphons launched mobile app – Incredible India Digital Calendar-2018 and also released the Incredible India Wall & Desk Calendar for 2018. The Incredible India Digital calendar application enables users to know about the events and festivals happening in India on the go. The Digital Calendar can be downloaded on Android and iOS platforms. The Incredible India Digital Calendar contains all exclusive features of any Digital Calendar making it a perfect travel planner ... Read more