Category Archives: States

As Uttar Pradesh is set to promote Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 domestically and globally, a senior official informed that the budget for Kumbh has jumped 78 per cent from 4,200 crore in 2019 to ₹7,500 crore in 2025. More than 380 development projects have been launched along with infra boost and other tourism projects.

To provide a glimpse into the spiritual essence of Prayagraj, the host city for the upcoming Mahakumbh 2025, Uttar Pradesh Tourism has organised a ‘Mahakumbh 2025 Prelude’ in New Delhi. Scheduled to be held from 14 January to 26 February 2025 in Prayagraj, the event is expected to draw over 40 crore devotees from across the globe. The event was graced by Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Jaiveer Singh and dignitaries from various ministries, ambassadors, and high commissioners from several countries, along with senior officials from the central and state governments. Addressing the event, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, Govt of India, said, “We see the Mahakumbh as an opportunity for cultural exchange.” He invited global tourists to experience the world’s largest spiritual gathering by saying “If you wish to explore India, come to Mahakumbh.” Highlighting the festival’s inclusivity and diverse offerings, Jaiveer Singh, Tourism Minister, Uttar Pradesh, said, “We aim to offer something for everyone at Mahakumbh 2025, whether it’s heritage walks, water sports, or helicopter rides.” The event’s primary objective was to highlight the cultural, spiritual, and infrastructural preparations underway for this iconic gathering.

Addressing the 12th ITM in Kaziranga, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, GoI, said, “Northeast region has welcomed over 125 lakh domestic tourists in 2023, a significant increase from 70 lakh tourists in 2014. He attributed this surge to rapid infrastructural development in the region, including improved transportation networks, enhanced tourism facilities, and the development of new tourist sites.”

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has woven sustainability into every aspect of its operations, driven by a deep understanding of the environmental impact of modern air travel. Through initiatives in waste reduction, energy conservation, and resource management, CSMIA is setting a new benchmark in the Indian aviation industry—leading the way towards a cleaner and greener future in air travel. Minimising waste across operations At the core of CSMIA’s sustainability efforts is a powerful waste management system that has diverted 99.6 per cent of its waste from landfills. CSMIA has streamlined various initiatives to minimise waste across the operations: Waste Segregation and Recycling: A comprehensive waste management system includes waste segregation at source and safe disposal through authorised vendors across both commercial and cargo operations. Plastic Waste Reduction: CSMIA is a proud flag bearer of green initiatives in the Indian Aviation industry, under which Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) were installed to encourage passengers and the airport community to recycle plastic bottles by safely disposing them in RVM’s Organic Waste Management: Organic waste from food and beverage outlets is processed in an on-site composting facility, producing compost for landscaping. E-Waste Management: The airport has set up e-waste collection points for the proper collection of electronic waste generated within the airport. Mumbai Airport disposes all the e-waste via authorised vendors. Tissue-less toilets: To minimise paper waste, hand dryers have been installed in washrooms, significantly cutting tissue paper consumption. Through these innovative steps, CSMIA is creating cleaner, greener, and more sustainable airport experience. Engaging passengers in sustainability efforts A key part of CSMIA’s sustainability drive is engaging passengers to create a culture of shared responsibility. To make recycling simple and intuitive, CSMIA has …

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), in Kaziranga in Assam, underscored the Northeast’s legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasizing its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity. This ITM is a remarkable opportunity for Northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world and also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region, he said. He further highlighted the significance of hosting the ITM in Kaziranga, stating that it reflects the increasing importance of the Northeast on the national stage. Mentioning the event in Kaziranga as special, the minister said that over the past decade, development in the region has accelerated.

The ongoing International Tourism Mart 2024 (ITM 2024) in Kaziranga, Assam until 29 November is aligned with the MOT’s Travel for Life initiative. The 3-day event aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders to expand the Northeast’s global tourism footprint and highlight the region as a must-visit destination.

Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C) for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GoI, inaugurated the prestigious VISA-THSC Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Project in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, on 19 November. The Minister, who endorsed the MoU signing between THSC and VISA, has been instrumental in championing this transformative initiative, which is set to recognize, certify, and upskill over 20,000 individuals across India’s tourism and hospitality sectors over the next three years. In his inaugural address, Chaudhary underscored the profound impact of this project, stating, “Through the RPL initiative, we are not merely certifying skills; we are acknowledging and validating the hard work, expertise, and experience of our people. This project is a powerful step toward recognizing and empowering the skilled workforce in Bharatpur and Rajasthan, especially in tourism and hospitality—sectors integral to India’s growth and cultural heritage. By certifying these skills, we are laying a strong foundation for economic upliftment and sustained job creation.” Targeting the certification of nearly 7,000 individuals in its first year alone across India, the project focuses on roles such as Tour Guide, Customer Service Executive, Food Server, Walk Tour Facilitator, and Paragliding Ground Crew Chief. Bharatpur’s Keoladeo National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site and major tourist attraction—offers an ideal setting for the project, enabling local residents to gain formal recognition and contribute as ambassadors of India’s heritage and hospitality. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC, shared his vision for the VISA-THSC RPL Project, stating, “The Project aligns closely with THSC’s mission to bridge skill gaps in the tourism and hospitality sectors by providing individuals with industry-recognized certifications. This initiative will uplift livelihoods in Bharatpur and beyond, enhancing service quality across the industry. By raising service standards, …

Sharing the state’s investment plans, Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya, said, “We are planning to invest approx. ₹4,000 crore in the tourism sector in the coming years. The government invested ₹2,000 crore since the last three years, creating about 50,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.”

BL Sharma, CM, Rajasthan, called for promoting state’s tourist sites, fairs, and festivals with effective branding and marketing at the global level. He added that the government is committed to tourism skill development programme and steps should be taken to make monuments and panoramas of the state more attractive.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation bagged ‘Excellence in Responsible Tourism Practices’ award at ITA 2024. Manasi Kothare, Officer for Responsible Tourism, MTDC, said, “We have pioneered several projects, including development of carbon footprint calculator, a crucial tool for environmental conservation.”