Category Archives: States

Nashik will be developed as a mega tourist destination under the Visit Maharashtra plan 2017. Jaykumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Maharashtra, Government of India, said that Nashik Circuit, comprising tourist spots in the region, would be promoted under the 2017 plan and the idea of ‘Visit Nashik’ would be publicised on the lines of Visit Maharashtra. He also assured of making air service available through small airlines and the gap payment will be borne by the Union and state governments. Various tourism options were also discussed like ropeway at Saptashrungi Gadh, promotion of medical tourism in the state, dam tourism, wine tourism and agro tourism promotion including the controversial boat club. “The chief minister announced 2017 as Visit Maharashtra year. He wants to give number one priority to tourism. We are trying to attract tourists not just from India but from abroad. We can promote Nashik in Visit Maharashtra project. Our tagline Maharashtra Unlimited can also be applied as Nashik Unlimited. We will develop a circuit here,” said Rawal. He further revealed that Nashik Circuit will include travel from Mumbai to Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar, Bhandardhara, Bhavali, Hathgad, Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur, Nandur Madhyameshwar, Saptashrungi, Chandwad, Nashik, Trimbakeshwar in a planned manner. “We can have Godavari Aarti every evening like Ganga Aarti. Nandur Madhyameshwar Bird Sanctuary is of international importance. We will also resolve the problems with respect to Gangapur Boat Club and will start it soon,” said Rawal. (Source: Times of India)

West Bengal has scaled up one point to become the 8th preferred destination among the domestic tourists and 6th preferred among the international tourists for 2015, informed Surajit Bose, Additional Director and Ex-officio Joint Secretary – Tourism, Government of West Bengal. “In 2015 West Bengal recorded a tourist footfall of 7,16,82,950 as against 5.04,15,685 in 2014,” he said. “The budgetary allocation for Tourism Department has increased manifold over the years, from a meagre Rs 44 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 257 crore in 2015-16. This has certainly encouraged us and given more room for growth.” With a revamped brand identity, the state government is working on a slew of initiatives such as a home stay policy, several mega projects, launch of mobile app, among others, and aims to position itself among the top three most visited states.

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu met Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism to discuss the issues for promotion of tourism and development of tourist infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh. Khandu said that there are many important tourist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh including many religious and pilgrimage tourist places which are to be developed and promoted. He emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh has great tourist potential which needs to be harnessed properly. Dr. Sharma assured the visiting Chief Minister that the Ministry of Tourism wants to help Arunachal Pradesh in promoting tourism, especially high-end tourism preserving natural beauty and eco-system of the State. Many tourism schemes in the State can be promoted with the help of North-East circuit and PRASAD scheme. He said that economic air fare packages will also boost the tourism sector in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and Sky Chopper Logistics signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to introduce helicopter tourism in the city from Dasara festival this year. Ganta Srinivasa Rao, HRD Minister of State, Government of Andhra Pradesh, informed that the company would be allotted 1.95 acres at VUDA park for construction of helipad and three rooms to operate the services on payment of Rs. 50,000 a month to the VUDA. There are two packages on offer which will cover Kailasagiri to Bheemunipatnam and another will cover the areas of Araku and Lammasingi. The fares will also be announced soon. The passengers will get an insurance cover of Rs. 10 lakh. (Source: The Hindu)

Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India to have an understanding for smooth execution of various projects for development and creation of tourist facilities and amenities in and around centrally protected monuments/sites in Maharashtra. This is the first MOU the Archaeological Survey of India has signed with any tourism board in India. The MOU was signed by Dr. K.H. Govinda Raj IAS, Managing Director – Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Sharad Sharma, Additional Director General (ASI Delhi) in presence of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister Tourism; Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Valsa Nair Singh IAS, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture, Government of Maharashtra and other officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)Mumbai and Aurangabad Circle. MOU was signed in a meeting at Trident BKC on 23rd August, 2016. Government of Maharashtra shall arrange requisite funds for all the projects from Central Financial Assistance (CFA), State Govt. agencies, Corporate Social Responsibility Fund (CSR) of Private Companies or through Public Private Participation (PPP). ASI shall not have objection for any kind of fund raising by Govt. of Maharashtra. Initially, the tenure of this agreement shall be 10 years. The agreement shall be extended for further period of on mutual consent of the parties mentioned herein. Rawal said, “This is great step to develop infrastructure for the use of tourists in and around centrally protected monuments and sites under jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Maharashtra. As per the policy of PPP declared and promoted by   Govt. of India, Director, Govt. of Maharashtra or MD, MTDC shall explore the possibility of PPP …

Kerala Tourism is inviting participants for a regional competition for local chefs, the qualification rounds for which will be held from September 1-8. Entries are open to both professional chefs and amateur enthusiasts. Standout contestants – selected by a judging panel of culinary professionals – will compete in the finals at Bolgatty Palace and Resorts in Kochi on the last day of the Spice Route Culinary Festival, which runs from September 23-26. The festival’s highlight is an international competition that will feature chefs from 31 Spice Route nations whipping up dishes representing the cuisine of their home countries, but with a dash of spices from Kerala added in. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala, A.C. Moideen said, “The culinary festival is a great opportunity to refortify our ancient links with the 31 countries along the historical Spice Route. It will provide a space for exchanging and understanding different cultures and traditions and also help facilitate trade opportunities with these countries.” “The regional competition intends to identify and promote Kerala’s culinary talent. It will showcase both the strength of public participation in Kerala and its fabled cuisine. This worthy initiative will highlight the spirit of people to people links and Kerala’s role as the hub of tourism and trade,” the minister added. The winning entrant and two runners-up will be felicitated during the culinary festival’s valedictory session. All contestants will be issued certificates of participation by Kerala Tourism. Held under the aegis of the Spice Route project, an ambitious initiative by Kerala Tourism in partnership with UNESCO, the Spice Route Culinary Festival is a first-of-its-kind celebration of flavours and friendship that will see …

Kerala will honour the two Indian medallists at the Rio Olympics with bespoke rejuvenating sojourns in ‘God’s Own Country’ following the Games. As a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for bringing glory to the nation, Kerala Travel Mart Society and Kerala Tourism will invite badminton star P.V. Sindhu – the country’s first woman silver medal winner and the youngest Indian medallist, and Sakshi Malik, the first-ever Indian female wrestling medallist, to relax in and enjoy the state’s scenic beauty. The duo will also be honoured at the upcoming ninth edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), which will be inaugurated on September 27. The largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in the state, KTM 2016 – organised by the KTM Society in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala – runs from September 28-30. “This invitation to see the very best of what Kerala has to offer with carefully tailored tour itineraries across the state is our way of thanking the country’s newest sporting heroes for doing us proud. We’ll pull out all the stops to ensure their stay here will be as memorable as their performances,” said KTM Society President Abraham George. From the healing touch of authentic Ayurvedic therapies to the peace and quiet of a hill station, a tranquil cruise along the backwaters or enjoying splendid unspoiled beaches, the champion athletes are assured of some well-deserved rest and relaxation. “Besides the stresses faced by high-performance athletes, the rigorous training they would have put in over the past few years in the run-up to the Olympics, Kerala will be the ideal destination for them to recoup their strength. Our much- sought after Ayurvedic massages, in particular, will aid …

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has opened bookings at the famous tiger reserves – the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve – for tourists this monsoon. Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation said, “In India, Monsoons may bring disappointment for wildlife lovers because many parks get closed in this season. But considering that monsoon only further enhances the picturesque beauty of these forest areas and more people are demanding to experience this wildlife experience in the monsoon season MTDC has given them an opportunity to take a nature trail in this season too.” MTDC has its resorts at Moharli Gate located on the edge of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and MTDC Jungle Resort in Pench, Sillari, respectively. The gates for Pench Tiger Reserve will be open from Sunna and Mathani entrance points until Tipeshwar Resort.

A delegation from Wakayama Prefectural Government, Japan, met Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, on August 8, 2016, in Mumbai to renew the MoU between Wakayama Prefectural Government (WPG) and the Government of Maharashtra that was signed in October 2013. As part of the MoU, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding the Ajanta – Ellora Development Phase 3 and showcasing their full support towards development of tourism in Maharashtra. The MoU also highlights the joint efforts of both parties to enhance mutual economic growth, promote agro and food processing between local enterprises through existing framework that the both the Governments have established. Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, “The renewal of the MoU term and this association will help increase tourism inflow in Maharashtra and Wakayama through the agreement. It has been a great platform for us to increase our global footprint and put Maharashtra on a World map. It has strengthened bilateral trade between India and Japan and has mutually benefitted these two countries to strengthen their respective tourism prospects. I propose the establishment of a Japanese village near Ajanta-Ellora to further attract tourist footfalls from Japan and welcome our Japanese brothers with better warmth and hospitality. Would like to offer land for the establishment of this village. We must also organise special Japanese tours in Maharashtra.” The Minister also invited the Japanese delegation to attend the planned Buddhist Conference in Aurangabad in October. Wakayama Prefecture delegation proposed their plans to promote Ajanta Visitor Centre and a clean-up camp at the World heritage site with locals at Ajanta.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in association with Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has launched its special Mumbai Darshan Tours starting on August 11, 2016. The tours will start from Rs. 499 (silver package) and go to Rs 725 (gold package). For foreign nationals, it will be at Rs 1,430. It will be inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. The Mumbai Darshan Tour will be divided in two tours, with different pick up and drop points, covering all the iconic places of Mumbai. Jaykumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra, on this initiative said, “The launch of the Mumbai Darshan Tours is one step closer to advance the current tourism scenario in Maharashtra. Through this initiative we are not only aiming at highlighting the heritage that Maharashtra has to offer but also give a new outlook and revive the tourism sector in the state. The project development team has done a great job of creating and hand picking the destinations that will be covered in this tour to ensure each tourist gets a wholesome experience of what Maharashtra has to offer.”