Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's lakshya: Going deep on 'dweep'
Budget News: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces projects to boost port connectivity, infrastructure, and amenities on India's islands, including Lakshadweep. The government aims to promote Lakshadweep and other unexplored islands as tourist destinations, encouraging travel and exploration. The promotion of domestic tourism will provide employment opportunities and support local entrepreneurship. Learn more about the finance minister's plans for boosting port connectivity and tourism infrastructure. Key Points
Times Of IndiaDeath toll in China earthquake rises to 151
Beijing: The death toll in the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China on December 18 has risen to 151, official sources said on Sunday. As per the Key Points
The Tribune IndiaThese European countries are imposing fines and restrictions amid tourist overcrowding
Several Schengen countries are taking various measures to address the social issues arising from over-tourism. Italy has introduced entrance fees, Venice now requires tourists to pay an entrance fee ranging from €3 to €10. Greece is implementing a time-slot system to limit daily visits and charge entry fees. Amsterdam has banned cruise ships from entering its main ports. Key Points
Economic TimesCovid 19: Cases rise but experts say no cause for worry
Deaths are trending up too, but numbers are very low so far. As in the past, Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are worst hit. Himachal Pradesh, the most vaccinated state, is witnessing a surprise increase, likely because it is a tourist hotspot. Key Points
Economic TimesGoa tourist attack: No background check conducted of resort staff, says CM
A Dutch woman tourist was attacked by a hotel staffer at Morjim in Pernem in the intervening night of March 29 and 30. The accused also attacked a local person who tried to rescue the tourist. Key Points
Financialexpress
1.28 lakh regular tourist visas, 2.27 lakh e-tourist visa issued from Oct 2021 to March, 2022
More than 1.28 lakh regular tourist visas, 2.27 lakh e-visa were issued between October 2021 and March, 2022. The Union Minister for Tourism also informed that the government also launched several green initiatives during G20 meetings Key Points
minttourist tax & visa relaxations: Countries that made travel easy in 2023, and those that didn't
As the new year approaches, travelers heading to Schengen countries may face increased costs, with various European destinations implementing tourist taxes. In a contrasting move, many countries announced plans to cancel visa requirements for visitors. Key Points
Economic TimesOnly 85.9 lakh tourists visited India in 2022, way below pre-Covid levels, Union Minister informs Lok Sabha
Foreign tourist arrivals in India are yet to reach the pre-pandemic levels as only 85.9 lakh of them visited the country in 2022 as against 2.88 crore in 2018 and 3.14 crore in 2019, according to government data Key Points
FirstpostGovernment launches Ambedkar circuit tourist train
The government launched the first Ambedkar circuit tourist train which will cover prominent places associated with the life of B.R. Ambedkar as well as important Buddhist heritage sites on 132nd Ambedkar Jayanti. The ‘Bharat Gaurav tourist train’ is being operated under the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative which is aimed at promoting domestic tourism, and is a joint collaboration between the Ministries of Tourism and Railways. Key Points
The HinduVideo: Rhino chases safari vehicle for 1.5 km in Assam's Manas National Park
A video of a rhino charging towards a tourist safari vehicle in Assam's Manas National Park has surfaced on social media. The rhino chased the vehicle for 1.5 km before it stopped its pursuit as the vehicle sped away. Key Points
India Today
Budget 2024 to boost Udman Hotels; gift biz to see 45% sales surge over Valentine's Day: Ferns N Petals' Vikaas Gutgutia
Valentine's Day Sale: Ferns N Petals expects an up to 50% increase in Valentine's Day sales, with gift hampers and personalised products showing 100% growth. This reflects a shift in consumer preferences towards unique and exclusive gifts. Key Points
mintForeign tourist arrivals soar over 300% to 6.19 m in 2022
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, minister for culture and tourism G Kishan Reddy said the tourism industry had shown good signs of revival after the Covid-19 pandemic. Industry insiders, however, said the latest numbers were significantly behind pre-Covid levels. Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, foreign tourist arrivals in India were 10.93 million. Key Points
Economic Times106 pc rise in foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2023 for Jan-Jun period
The number of foreign tourists visiting India in the first half of this year has increased by 106% compared to the same period in 2022, according to official sources. India has been making efforts to boost tourism, both domestic and international, after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Points
Economic TimesBritish tourist downs 22 shots in 90 minutes at Polish strip club, dies
A British tourist died after he consumed 22 shots of alcohol at a strip club in Poland. Autopsy revealed that the man had a blood alcohol content of at least 0.4 per cent, which is considered lethal. Key Points
India TodayHow temple tourism competes head on with beach tourism
A boom in spiritual tourism is gathering strength in India. Tourism ministry data shows over 60% of tourism in India is in the religious and spiritual tourism category. Ministry data also suggests that economies surrounding places of worship in India raked in close to Rs 1.3 lakh crore in 2022, up from Rs 65,070 crore in 2021. Key Points
Economic Times
Develop Lakshadweep but only for eco-friendly tourism
Its potential as a holiday spot has got much of India talking after PM Modi’s recent visit, but it’s vital that its exploitation is an eco-friendly project right from the start. An island of the Maldives that became a garbage dump offers us an example of what not to do. Key Points
mintGujarat man befriends woman on flight, rapes her after landing in Goa, arrested
A Gujarat man was arrested by Goa Police for allegedly raping a woman tourist at a resort. The man had befriended the woman in a flight that they had shared to Goa. Key Points
India TodayHimachal Pradesh tourism a washout as rain wreaks havoc
The national highway has been closed. Essential supplies are hit. It has not stopped raining and there was a major landslide on Monday. It seems worse than the time when the pandemic hit us, he added. An employee from the Clarkes hotel in Shimla said the situation was 'quite disturbing.' We are not getting future reservations as the road conditions and weather conditions are pretty bad, he added. Key Points
Economic Times7.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Indonesia's main island
A strong earthquake shook parts of Indonesia’s main island of Java and tourist island of Bali on April 14, causing panic but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.0 quake was centred 96.5 kilometres (59.8 miles) north of Tuban, a coastal city in East Java province, at a depth of 594 kilometres (369 miles). Key Points
The HinduJ-K: Army promotes LoC's Kaman Post as a tourist destination
One of the main draws for tourists is Kaman Post, particularly for excursions that inspire students and college-bound youth. The view from the other side of the Line of Control makes the post particularly well-liked. | Travel Key Points
Hindustan Times