Express News Service
First Published : 09 Sep 2009 11:52:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 09 Sep 2009 02:44:45 PM IST
KOCHI: Giving a boost to the Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism
Village (KITV) project, its workmanship will be on display at the Calling India event that will take place in Los Angeles from September 18 to 21.
“We will showcase a lot of handicrafts made by our artisans at the event. We will carry an audio-visual presentation and brochures to take bookings from tourists for homestays if there are any enquiries,’’ said Shaji Kuruppasseri, secretary of the tourism project who will be going to LA.
He said that they would carry handicraft items made from coconut shell, coconut fibre and wood. “We have made miniature versions of Chinese nets and country boats in wood. Some of the other items include flower vases, wine bottles, spoons and spatulas and jewellery boxes made out of coconut shell. Foreigners are fascinated by jewellery from coconut products.
So we will carry a few of those items too,’’ he said. Two villages in Kerala, which are under the United Nations Development Programme, will be represented at the event. One is Kumbalangi and the other is Aranmula.
“This is the first time that Kumbalangi is getting exposure in the international arena. We are planning to make the most of it,’’ Shaji said.
Kumbalangi panchayat, which has put forth the proposal to integrate tourism with the livelihood of villagers, has been a successful experiment as far as villagers are concerned as there is no shortage of tourists. “But we need to market it to sustain the flow of tourists,’’ he said.
Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village project focuses on transforming the tiny island on the outskirts of Kochi to a model fishing village and tourism spot.
The village is ringed by Chinese nets, mangroves and homestays run by villagers themselves. There is no external monitoring body and it is the panchayat that takes all the decisions.
Under the Kumbalangi project, Kalagramam, an artists’ village has been set up to showcase traditional fishing equipment and handicrafts of the region.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Kerala is third best for Asian holiday
Ashraf Padanna
Thiruvananthapuram: A global vote by readers of smarttravelasia.com has placed Kerala as the third best Asian holiday destination for the third consecutive year.
Bali in Indonesia stands first followed by Maldives, which shares the second slot with last year’s runner-up Phuket in Thailand.
Kerala is followed by Hong Kong (4th), Bangkok and Hoi An (5th), Boracay, Goa and Langkawi (6th), Chiang Mai and Palawan (7th), Angkor, Shanghai and Tokyo (8th), Dubai and Koh Samui (9th) and Penang and Rajasthan (10th).
This was revealed in the 2009 Best in Travel Poll by Smart Travel Asia – the region’s only dedicated online travel magazine which puts the spotlight on ‘aspirational” brands and travel trends.
Voters polled in 12 categories including Asia’s best business hotels, luxury resorts, spas, destinations, business cities, shopping spots, and the world’s best airlines and airports.
Describing Kerala as a favourite of the get-away-from-it-all crowd, the magazine says Kerala is known for its verdant rice paddy fields, cool mountains clad in mist-wreathed tea estates, beaches, and welcoming, literate, head-nodding population.
“After the chaos of Indian airports and the bedlam on the roads, Kerala is as a nourishing oasis of green,” said one voter.
“This democratic online poll offers unique insights into brand perceptions and revealed that Kerala is a dominant holiday brand for travelers,” said Kerala Tourism secretary Dr Venu V.
“Kerala has demonstrated that as a destination it has the integrity and authenticity to attract note only votes but also visitors”.
Last year, there was 16.11% increase in foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala while 14% more domestic holidaymakers chose Kerala compared to the previous year.
“This season is also looking like is another promising year with the domestic season showing a hike in numbers. The winter season, which is the main tourist season, is also looking good”.
The poll was conducted through May-July this year followed by tracking and elimination of inarticulate and orchestrated “block” votes, and attempts to “stuff the ballot box”, before the release of the poll results last week.
Thiruvananthapuram: A global vote by readers of smarttravelasia.com has placed Kerala as the third best Asian holiday destination for the third consecutive year.
Bali in Indonesia stands first followed by Maldives, which shares the second slot with last year’s runner-up Phuket in Thailand.
Kerala is followed by Hong Kong (4th), Bangkok and Hoi An (5th), Boracay, Goa and Langkawi (6th), Chiang Mai and Palawan (7th), Angkor, Shanghai and Tokyo (8th), Dubai and Koh Samui (9th) and Penang and Rajasthan (10th).
This was revealed in the 2009 Best in Travel Poll by Smart Travel Asia – the region’s only dedicated online travel magazine which puts the spotlight on ‘aspirational” brands and travel trends.
Voters polled in 12 categories including Asia’s best business hotels, luxury resorts, spas, destinations, business cities, shopping spots, and the world’s best airlines and airports.
Describing Kerala as a favourite of the get-away-from-it-all crowd, the magazine says Kerala is known for its verdant rice paddy fields, cool mountains clad in mist-wreathed tea estates, beaches, and welcoming, literate, head-nodding population.
“After the chaos of Indian airports and the bedlam on the roads, Kerala is as a nourishing oasis of green,” said one voter.
“This democratic online poll offers unique insights into brand perceptions and revealed that Kerala is a dominant holiday brand for travelers,” said Kerala Tourism secretary Dr Venu V.
“Kerala has demonstrated that as a destination it has the integrity and authenticity to attract note only votes but also visitors”.
Last year, there was 16.11% increase in foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala while 14% more domestic holidaymakers chose Kerala compared to the previous year.
“This season is also looking like is another promising year with the domestic season showing a hike in numbers. The winter season, which is the main tourist season, is also looking good”.
The poll was conducted through May-July this year followed by tracking and elimination of inarticulate and orchestrated “block” votes, and attempts to “stuff the ballot box”, before the release of the poll results last week.
Monday, September 7, 2009
State Pulse Kerala: Kerala's backwaters carry modern-day brunt
"God's own country is only an advertisement," declares Cherian saar, a retired teacher in Champakulam, Alappuzha district, Kerala, as he gazes at the Pamba river flowing placidly by. All is not well with the trope of the famed Kerala wetlands, adopted by Kerala tourism as its flagship product. Kuttanad, covering four districts, the former rice bowl of Kerala, is sinking under the weight of its contradictions. Even as it pursues its dreams of becoming a tourist haven, there is no proper working definition of this intricate ecosystem's boundaries.
Occasionally a voice or two is heard about them but no one really seems to care. The world outside Kuttanad has made desultory interventions. Three of its large lagoons, Vembanad-Kol, Ashtamudi and Shasthanamkota, have been declared Ramsar sites, wetlands of environmental significance. But in practical terms this has not meant much. Forces hell bent on destroying this fragile eco-system have the upper hand. Engineers and contractors have done the most damage, cheered on by local residents looking for a shortcut to modernity. In the 1970s the prosperous Kuttanad farmer, partaking of the myth of unrestrained progress, jumped into the brave new world of increased productivity. Two crops a year, chemical fertilisers and toxic pesticides were the corrosive foundations of the affluence that never came.
Back then engineers devised answers to problems with more certitude than they do today. Till then the rice bowl, which lies below sea-level, could have only one crop because in the summer months that followed the harvest, saline water from the sea would invade the estuarine network. This was seen as a problem that obstructed optimum productivity of the land. Hence, in 1976 a barrage was built at Thanneermukkom near Vaikom that divided an integral water body into the lower and upper estuarine segments, the former still having its salted months while the latter was deprived of it.
The upper riparian farmer enthusiastically embraced a two-crop regime and pumped in the prescribed quantum of chemical inputs into their fields, and flushed these toxic contaminants into the river system. According to the department of agriculture, Kuttanad uses twice the amount of pesticides per tonne of rice than the rest of the state. With more gusto than good sense, the engineers then built a spillway at Thoatappalli near Allapuzha to regulate water levels and prevent floods. According to Jacob Thomas of St Berchman's College, Changanacherry, who is involved with the institution's community extension programme in Kuttanad, these two engineering interventions had damaging consequences.
Two important ecological, and, economic functions now depended on the whim of government officials. The natural flushing system provided by the floods and the seasonal saline cycle important for the region's agriculture, combined with the toxic effluvium being discharged from the fields, undermined the rice, coconut and fishing economy of the region. The three most lucrative activities of the region have more or less declined. By contrast the economy of the brackish lower riparian still has a reasonably prosperous fish and coconut-based economy.
But engineers are not the only people to blame. The decline in farm incomes and increase in education led to changes in Kuttanad's employment profile. More people took to the service sector, either locally or in nearby towns, or migrated abroad and remitted incomes, bringing down the river-dependence of the economically stronger segments. Consequently, investments on the upkeep of the river system, crucial to the former agrarian economy, went down. Poorer sections who still depend on the ecosystem suffered the most.
Today the surface is still glossy, but there are things the tourists cannot see and do not want to see.
Canals away from the main waterways are blocked with hyacinth and those who cling to the old occupations have a tough time of it. Jojo the "egg man" still plies a profitable trade, buying eggs from riverside residents in a barter arrangement that goes far back. In return they take petty household goods from him. The market he can access could have been much larger but he cannot navigate far up the clogged canals.
Clogging and pollution have also made the canals useless for many other purposes. Rosamma Antony, 76, who lives by a choking canal says that piped drinking water has become available only since the past year. Before that, the degraded canal water was used for bathing, washing and drinking after boiling. In happier times, before piped water came, people maintained kitchen ponds and wells for drinking water: these have deteriorated from neglect.
Changing lifestyles have played their part. Consumption patterns have altered and people throw plastics and non-biodegradable waste into the water. The solid waste dumped into the water 15 years ago was organic and therefore did not have the same impact. Another serious problem is the change in the fluvial rhythm. Earlier the river bed was regularly dredged and used as fertiliser or as earthwork for bunds in paddy fields. But with paddy and coconut in decline, the beds are not dredged systematically. The raised river bed has affected flow. With two monsoons a year adding about 3,000mm annually, 38 rivers generously flowing through it, and over 1,500 km of waterways afforded by the lagoon, lakes, estuary, rivers and canals, water that does not flow properly is a serious problem.
A reticulate of ill-conceived roads crisscross and strangulate the waterways. These causeways, including allegedly sophisticated ones like the tarred Allapuzha-Changanacherry road, under constant World Bank-Asian Development Bank funded repair, have no culverts. In drylands this is bad enough. In a wetland below sea-level this is lethal. The financial cost of maintaining the busy A-C road, let alone its ecological cost, seems not to worry its beneficiaries, least of all the contractors, bureaucrats and politicians.
What remains - the famed houseboats, the boat races, the idyllic waters, the emerald green paddy fields, the carelessly strewn banana plants - attract tourists who laze on boat decks and survey the tranquil rural scenes. But the fundamental problem still remains to be grasped - that life here is not meant to be lived as it is done in other places. "Gods own country" is going to the dogs.
Occasionally a voice or two is heard about them but no one really seems to care. The world outside Kuttanad has made desultory interventions. Three of its large lagoons, Vembanad-Kol, Ashtamudi and Shasthanamkota, have been declared Ramsar sites, wetlands of environmental significance. But in practical terms this has not meant much. Forces hell bent on destroying this fragile eco-system have the upper hand. Engineers and contractors have done the most damage, cheered on by local residents looking for a shortcut to modernity. In the 1970s the prosperous Kuttanad farmer, partaking of the myth of unrestrained progress, jumped into the brave new world of increased productivity. Two crops a year, chemical fertilisers and toxic pesticides were the corrosive foundations of the affluence that never came.
Back then engineers devised answers to problems with more certitude than they do today. Till then the rice bowl, which lies below sea-level, could have only one crop because in the summer months that followed the harvest, saline water from the sea would invade the estuarine network. This was seen as a problem that obstructed optimum productivity of the land. Hence, in 1976 a barrage was built at Thanneermukkom near Vaikom that divided an integral water body into the lower and upper estuarine segments, the former still having its salted months while the latter was deprived of it.
The upper riparian farmer enthusiastically embraced a two-crop regime and pumped in the prescribed quantum of chemical inputs into their fields, and flushed these toxic contaminants into the river system. According to the department of agriculture, Kuttanad uses twice the amount of pesticides per tonne of rice than the rest of the state. With more gusto than good sense, the engineers then built a spillway at Thoatappalli near Allapuzha to regulate water levels and prevent floods. According to Jacob Thomas of St Berchman's College, Changanacherry, who is involved with the institution's community extension programme in Kuttanad, these two engineering interventions had damaging consequences.
Two important ecological, and, economic functions now depended on the whim of government officials. The natural flushing system provided by the floods and the seasonal saline cycle important for the region's agriculture, combined with the toxic effluvium being discharged from the fields, undermined the rice, coconut and fishing economy of the region. The three most lucrative activities of the region have more or less declined. By contrast the economy of the brackish lower riparian still has a reasonably prosperous fish and coconut-based economy.
But engineers are not the only people to blame. The decline in farm incomes and increase in education led to changes in Kuttanad's employment profile. More people took to the service sector, either locally or in nearby towns, or migrated abroad and remitted incomes, bringing down the river-dependence of the economically stronger segments. Consequently, investments on the upkeep of the river system, crucial to the former agrarian economy, went down. Poorer sections who still depend on the ecosystem suffered the most.
Today the surface is still glossy, but there are things the tourists cannot see and do not want to see.
Canals away from the main waterways are blocked with hyacinth and those who cling to the old occupations have a tough time of it. Jojo the "egg man" still plies a profitable trade, buying eggs from riverside residents in a barter arrangement that goes far back. In return they take petty household goods from him. The market he can access could have been much larger but he cannot navigate far up the clogged canals.
Clogging and pollution have also made the canals useless for many other purposes. Rosamma Antony, 76, who lives by a choking canal says that piped drinking water has become available only since the past year. Before that, the degraded canal water was used for bathing, washing and drinking after boiling. In happier times, before piped water came, people maintained kitchen ponds and wells for drinking water: these have deteriorated from neglect.
Changing lifestyles have played their part. Consumption patterns have altered and people throw plastics and non-biodegradable waste into the water. The solid waste dumped into the water 15 years ago was organic and therefore did not have the same impact. Another serious problem is the change in the fluvial rhythm. Earlier the river bed was regularly dredged and used as fertiliser or as earthwork for bunds in paddy fields. But with paddy and coconut in decline, the beds are not dredged systematically. The raised river bed has affected flow. With two monsoons a year adding about 3,000mm annually, 38 rivers generously flowing through it, and over 1,500 km of waterways afforded by the lagoon, lakes, estuary, rivers and canals, water that does not flow properly is a serious problem.
A reticulate of ill-conceived roads crisscross and strangulate the waterways. These causeways, including allegedly sophisticated ones like the tarred Allapuzha-Changanacherry road, under constant World Bank-Asian Development Bank funded repair, have no culverts. In drylands this is bad enough. In a wetland below sea-level this is lethal. The financial cost of maintaining the busy A-C road, let alone its ecological cost, seems not to worry its beneficiaries, least of all the contractors, bureaucrats and politicians.
What remains - the famed houseboats, the boat races, the idyllic waters, the emerald green paddy fields, the carelessly strewn banana plants - attract tourists who laze on boat decks and survey the tranquil rural scenes. But the fundamental problem still remains to be grasped - that life here is not meant to be lived as it is done in other places. "Gods own country" is going to the dogs.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Brand Onam to help in Kerala’s tourism sector growth
Wednesday, September 02, 2009, 10:00 Hrs [IST]
By HBI Staff | Mumbai
Onam, the traditional festival of Malayalis, is working wonders for Kerala’s tourism industry. With more domestic and foreign tourists arriving to have a taste of the state’s reputed hospitality sector, the industry is expecting a fast recovery in the coming months.
According to a report in Express Buzz, the industry, which has successfully tapped the potential of rain tourism, is now exploring the possibilities of festival tourism. Many hotels in Kochi have come up with various packages to showcase Kerala’s own Onam.
Many hotels in the city have come up with special attractive packages to tap the lush season. Ajith Kumar, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Taj Hotels, said, “The industry is showing some signs of recovery. Even though it is too early to predict, we are expecting a good season ahead.”
Erin Louis, General Manager, Casino Hotel, said, “We are preparing a special Onam feast, which includes the best of Kerala’s traditional delicacies. The feast includes 19 items.”
By HBI Staff | Mumbai
Onam, the traditional festival of Malayalis, is working wonders for Kerala’s tourism industry. With more domestic and foreign tourists arriving to have a taste of the state’s reputed hospitality sector, the industry is expecting a fast recovery in the coming months.
According to a report in Express Buzz, the industry, which has successfully tapped the potential of rain tourism, is now exploring the possibilities of festival tourism. Many hotels in Kochi have come up with various packages to showcase Kerala’s own Onam.
Many hotels in the city have come up with special attractive packages to tap the lush season. Ajith Kumar, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Taj Hotels, said, “The industry is showing some signs of recovery. Even though it is too early to predict, we are expecting a good season ahead.”
Erin Louis, General Manager, Casino Hotel, said, “We are preparing a special Onam feast, which includes the best of Kerala’s traditional delicacies. The feast includes 19 items.”
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Jackson gets sandy tribute in Orissa on birthday
BHUBANESWAR: A sand image of Michael Jackson's face and a 15-foot long guitar has been sculpted on Orissa's Puri beach by sand artist Sudarsan
Patnaik as a tribute to the 'King of Pop' on his 51st birthday on Saturday.
"I am a fan of Jackson. We created this image to pay a tribute to him on his birthday," Patnaik said.
Patnaik made the sand image of the late pop legend late Friday along with students of his Golden Sand Art Institute on Puri beach, over 50 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.
Jackson, who weaved musical magic with his songs and performances, died June 25 in his Los Angeles home, leaving millions of his fans shocked.
Patnaik, who has participated in around 40 international sand sculpture championships and has won many awards, said 10 tonnes of sand was used to create the work of art.
He said it took him about five hours to create the image of the "ultimate entertainer".
SS Music to pay tribute to Michael Jackson on his birthday
By: RnM Team 27 Aug 09 17:42 IST
MUMBAI: SS Music in an attempt to put forward the love and affection of its viewers towards Michael Jackson, will air an exclusive Music video shot by the channel involving music director Dharan and various playback singers on 29th August 2009.
The Music video which is titled ‘Sing one more time’ will be aired on Michael Jackson’s birthday which falls on 29th August. Music director Dharan of ‘Unnai Kanden’ fame is the man behind the audio track. The video comprises of nine famous playback singers Sunita Sarathy, Benny, Naresh Iyer, Ranjith, Haricharan, Subiksha, Chinmayee, Suchithra and Pop Shalini coming together to pay their tribute to the king of pop.
In order to express the viewer’s love and affection to the legend, SS Music has shot an entire video of the artists singing together there by getting an exclusive right to telecast the album. The video will be telecasted on 29th August 2009 along with other specials such as bytes of celebrities and fans of Michael Jackson. The lyrics of the song has been penned down by Dharan and Benny and the lyrics consists of how Michael Jackson wanted the world to be talking about brotherhood, heal the world etc
Speaking about the channel’s initiative Mr. Charles, Managing Director, Southern Spice Music said “Michael Jackson’s untimely demise is a big loss to the music world and SS Music as a ‘music’ channel will pay tribute to the legendary star by dedicating an exclusive video album to the king of pop as a mark of respect to the star. I am sure our viewers will love the video”
Speaking about the album music director Dharan said “I am thankful to SS Music which has come forward to make an entire video to spread love and affection for the King of pop. I am also thankful to all the playback singers who lent their voice to make the album. I am sure that the album will be a huge hit among the people”
MUMBAI: SS Music in an attempt to put forward the love and affection of its viewers towards Michael Jackson, will air an exclusive Music video shot by the channel involving music director Dharan and various playback singers on 29th August 2009.
The Music video which is titled ‘Sing one more time’ will be aired on Michael Jackson’s birthday which falls on 29th August. Music director Dharan of ‘Unnai Kanden’ fame is the man behind the audio track. The video comprises of nine famous playback singers Sunita Sarathy, Benny, Naresh Iyer, Ranjith, Haricharan, Subiksha, Chinmayee, Suchithra and Pop Shalini coming together to pay their tribute to the king of pop.
In order to express the viewer’s love and affection to the legend, SS Music has shot an entire video of the artists singing together there by getting an exclusive right to telecast the album. The video will be telecasted on 29th August 2009 along with other specials such as bytes of celebrities and fans of Michael Jackson. The lyrics of the song has been penned down by Dharan and Benny and the lyrics consists of how Michael Jackson wanted the world to be talking about brotherhood, heal the world etc
Speaking about the channel’s initiative Mr. Charles, Managing Director, Southern Spice Music said “Michael Jackson’s untimely demise is a big loss to the music world and SS Music as a ‘music’ channel will pay tribute to the legendary star by dedicating an exclusive video album to the king of pop as a mark of respect to the star. I am sure our viewers will love the video”
Speaking about the album music director Dharan said “I am thankful to SS Music which has come forward to make an entire video to spread love and affection for the King of pop. I am also thankful to all the playback singers who lent their voice to make the album. I am sure that the album will be a huge hit among the people”
Kerala Tourism, MoT to organise FAM trip and 'Incredible India Onam Roadshow' in Kovalam
By Krupa Vora | Mumbai
Kerala Tourism (KT) along with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) will be organising a FAM trip and an 'Incredible India Onam Roadshow' in Kovalam from August 30 to September 2, 2009. Kerala Tourism has received confirmation from 125 domestic tour operators across India for the same. Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor, Dr Venu V, Secretary, KT said, “We witnessed that the charter traffic into Kovalam had reduced and we also wanted to promote the Southern part of Kerala again among travellers. MoT is also supporting the event and the idea was to club it during an occasion and Onam was the best opportunity to do the same.” The domestic tour operators will experience Onam festivities as a part of their FAM trip itinerary. KT and MoT will host a B2B roadshow on September 1, 2009 which will enable the tour operators to interact with local suppliers.
The FAM trip to Kovalam will allow agents to conduct site inspections in Kovalam and Kollam (backwater region), as well as attend Onam celebrations as a part of their itinerary. Furthermore, KT and MoT will also organise similar FAM trips and roadshows in the North and Central Kerala before this year-end. “We are yet to finalise details like the dates and destinations to be promoted in the North and Central Kerala for FAM trips. We are looking at organising one FAM trip and roadshow after Durga Puja and another in November this year. However, it will follow a similar pattern and will have close to 150 agents attending the same,” added M Sivashankar, Director, KT.
Kerala Tourism (KT) along with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) will be organising a FAM trip and an 'Incredible India Onam Roadshow' in Kovalam from August 30 to September 2, 2009. Kerala Tourism has received confirmation from 125 domestic tour operators across India for the same. Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor, Dr Venu V, Secretary, KT said, “We witnessed that the charter traffic into Kovalam had reduced and we also wanted to promote the Southern part of Kerala again among travellers. MoT is also supporting the event and the idea was to club it during an occasion and Onam was the best opportunity to do the same.” The domestic tour operators will experience Onam festivities as a part of their FAM trip itinerary. KT and MoT will host a B2B roadshow on September 1, 2009 which will enable the tour operators to interact with local suppliers.
The FAM trip to Kovalam will allow agents to conduct site inspections in Kovalam and Kollam (backwater region), as well as attend Onam celebrations as a part of their itinerary. Furthermore, KT and MoT will also organise similar FAM trips and roadshows in the North and Central Kerala before this year-end. “We are yet to finalise details like the dates and destinations to be promoted in the North and Central Kerala for FAM trips. We are looking at organising one FAM trip and roadshow after Durga Puja and another in November this year. However, it will follow a similar pattern and will have close to 150 agents attending the same,” added M Sivashankar, Director, KT.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Catching the local traveller
Express News Service
First Published : 26 Aug 2009 01:36:00 AM IST
Last Updated :
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the best and cost-effective way to plan a Onam vacation within God’s Own Country, visit the Tourism Facilitation Centre opposite the Napier Museum.
At the Centre, eight of the State’s leading tour operators have set up a tourism help desk, where a variety of packages to some of the finest destinations in the State have been showcased as part of Kerala Tourism’s ‘Visit Kerala’ initiative. The help desk, which is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will function till August 31.
This is the first time that leading tour operators, who normally deal with foreign and other-state clients, have come under a single umbrella to cater to the vacation needs of city folks. ``We have over 60 lakh tourists pouring into the State. But it is also important that resident Keralites are not alienated from their own land,’’ Tourism Director M. Shivshankar said, throwing light on the thinking behind the latest initiative.
A light budget is the biggest advantage of planning a vacation with the help of a tour operator. ``This is something people are unaware of. But the fact is, hotels, resorts and other establishments offer services to a tour operator at lower tariffs, much lower than what a client would get if he approaches the hotel or resort directly through the Net or otherwise,’’ said V.G. Jayachandran of Tour Designers.
Besides readymade packages, the tour operators will also create tailor-made packages to suit the budget and convenience of clients. ``All the tour operators here have an experience of over 20 years. We have the expertise to design the right kind of package for any kind of consumers. We also know the destination inside out and so are equipped to offer the right advice and support,’’ said Stanes Joseph, the CEO of Willsindia.
The respective tour company will take care of everything related to the tour, right from transportation to lodging. ``A client need not, for instance, worry about getting the right boat for a backwater cruise or a seat for a Onam ‘sadya’ at a high-end resort. This will save them a lot of time and headache,’’ Stanes said.
According to the tour operators, the clients will be spoiled for choice at the facilitation centre. ``Though all of us sell the same destinations, we offer it in a variety of ways. It is up to the clients to choose,’’ Jayachandran said. The package rates range from Rs 800 to Rs 16,000.
The Visit Kerala initiative is also an attempt to rev up the tourism sector during the off-season, to convert Kerala into an all-season 365-day destination. Also, the potential of domestic travellers has never been seriously tapped. The Tourism Department plans to extend the initiative to other cities like Kochi and Kozhikode.
First Published : 26 Aug 2009 01:36:00 AM IST
Last Updated :
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the best and cost-effective way to plan a Onam vacation within God’s Own Country, visit the Tourism Facilitation Centre opposite the Napier Museum.
At the Centre, eight of the State’s leading tour operators have set up a tourism help desk, where a variety of packages to some of the finest destinations in the State have been showcased as part of Kerala Tourism’s ‘Visit Kerala’ initiative. The help desk, which is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will function till August 31.
This is the first time that leading tour operators, who normally deal with foreign and other-state clients, have come under a single umbrella to cater to the vacation needs of city folks. ``We have over 60 lakh tourists pouring into the State. But it is also important that resident Keralites are not alienated from their own land,’’ Tourism Director M. Shivshankar said, throwing light on the thinking behind the latest initiative.
A light budget is the biggest advantage of planning a vacation with the help of a tour operator. ``This is something people are unaware of. But the fact is, hotels, resorts and other establishments offer services to a tour operator at lower tariffs, much lower than what a client would get if he approaches the hotel or resort directly through the Net or otherwise,’’ said V.G. Jayachandran of Tour Designers.
Besides readymade packages, the tour operators will also create tailor-made packages to suit the budget and convenience of clients. ``All the tour operators here have an experience of over 20 years. We have the expertise to design the right kind of package for any kind of consumers. We also know the destination inside out and so are equipped to offer the right advice and support,’’ said Stanes Joseph, the CEO of Willsindia.
The respective tour company will take care of everything related to the tour, right from transportation to lodging. ``A client need not, for instance, worry about getting the right boat for a backwater cruise or a seat for a Onam ‘sadya’ at a high-end resort. This will save them a lot of time and headache,’’ Stanes said.
According to the tour operators, the clients will be spoiled for choice at the facilitation centre. ``Though all of us sell the same destinations, we offer it in a variety of ways. It is up to the clients to choose,’’ Jayachandran said. The package rates range from Rs 800 to Rs 16,000.
The Visit Kerala initiative is also an attempt to rev up the tourism sector during the off-season, to convert Kerala into an all-season 365-day destination. Also, the potential of domestic travellers has never been seriously tapped. The Tourism Department plans to extend the initiative to other cities like Kochi and Kozhikode.
Movie tourism comes to Kerala
KOCHI: Taking a leaf out of the immensely successful movies like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter in promoting destinations in New Zealand and
UK, Kerala tourism industry is all set to produce a multi-lingual feature film promoting the locales of the state.
An Indo-Italian collaboration, `In love with Kerala' is a romantic movie set in the backdrop of tourist resorts and locations in Kerala and Italy. The entire movie financed by the private tourism industry and NRIs will feature around 15 resorts spread across the length of Kerala. The venture is also supported by Kerala Tourism Department.
The major tourist destinations like Kovalam, Poovar, Varkala, Kollam beach, Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Bakel etc will appear in the movie. Kerala icons like houseboats, tree houses, various art forms, culture, cuisine etc will be highlighted in the film. This is the first time a movie promoting the tourism destinations is made in India. Countries like New Zealand, Tunisia etc have guided tours of movie locations of films Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.
The film is about an Italian painter coming to Kerala to recreate the magic of the works of famous painter Raja Ravi Varma and falling in love with a Kerala model. Anish J Karrinad, director and co-scriptwriter of the movie told ET that the film would be released in English and Malayalam by March 2010. It would also be dubbed in German, Italian and other languages later.
The movie to be jointly produced by Global Movie Makers comprising NRIs and Italians and Kerala-based Tourism Movie Makers will be shot entirely in Kerala and Italy. The Italian destinations Rome, Venice and Capri Island will also be shown in the film. The expected budget is Rs 5 to 6 crore.
Italian actor Vincenzo Bocciarelli is the hero of the movie which will have popular southern movie actress Mamta Mohandas as heroine. The film will feature other actors and technicians from Mollywood. The film was launched at travel and trade show ITB Berlin early this year in the presence Hans Jorg Hussong, MD of Comtour, Germany and E.M.Najeeb, CMD of Great India Tour Company and patron of the movie
UK, Kerala tourism industry is all set to produce a multi-lingual feature film promoting the locales of the state.
An Indo-Italian collaboration, `In love with Kerala' is a romantic movie set in the backdrop of tourist resorts and locations in Kerala and Italy. The entire movie financed by the private tourism industry and NRIs will feature around 15 resorts spread across the length of Kerala. The venture is also supported by Kerala Tourism Department.
The major tourist destinations like Kovalam, Poovar, Varkala, Kollam beach, Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Bakel etc will appear in the movie. Kerala icons like houseboats, tree houses, various art forms, culture, cuisine etc will be highlighted in the film. This is the first time a movie promoting the tourism destinations is made in India. Countries like New Zealand, Tunisia etc have guided tours of movie locations of films Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.
The film is about an Italian painter coming to Kerala to recreate the magic of the works of famous painter Raja Ravi Varma and falling in love with a Kerala model. Anish J Karrinad, director and co-scriptwriter of the movie told ET that the film would be released in English and Malayalam by March 2010. It would also be dubbed in German, Italian and other languages later.
The movie to be jointly produced by Global Movie Makers comprising NRIs and Italians and Kerala-based Tourism Movie Makers will be shot entirely in Kerala and Italy. The Italian destinations Rome, Venice and Capri Island will also be shown in the film. The expected budget is Rs 5 to 6 crore.
Italian actor Vincenzo Bocciarelli is the hero of the movie which will have popular southern movie actress Mamta Mohandas as heroine. The film will feature other actors and technicians from Mollywood. The film was launched at travel and trade show ITB Berlin early this year in the presence Hans Jorg Hussong, MD of Comtour, Germany and E.M.Najeeb, CMD of Great India Tour Company and patron of the movie
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Champakkulam Chundan won the Nehru Trophy 2009
Champakkulam Chundan won the Nehru Trophy 2009. Champakkulam Chundan is led by Captain Jiji Jacob of JesusBoat Club, Kollam. JesusBoat Club, Kollam won the Nehru Trophy last year also in Karichal Chundan. Champakulam Chundan last won Nehru Trophy in 1998.
Nehru Trophy Results:
1st Place: Champakkulam Chundan
2nd Place: Payippad
3rd Place: Sree Ganesh
4th Place: Cheruthana
Earlier, Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi is the Chief Guest for Nehru Trophy 2009. She inaugurated the 57th Nehru Trophy Boat Race. There is about 2 lakh tourist in Alappuzha today to watch this event.
The 57th Nehru Trophy Boat race had 17 Chundans, 8 Veppu valloms in category A, 5 in Category B, Iruttukuthys -5 in A category & 15 in Category B, 5 Churulans and 4 Thekkanodis. A 30-member team of women including nine foreigners will compete in the 57th Nehru snake boat race at the Punnamada lake.
Other Winners:
Chundan Runners Up:
IIIikkalam rowed by TownBoat Club Kumarakam captained by Dr.P. R. Kumar won the Looser's Final in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Karichal
Third : Karuvatta Chundan
Fourth : Ayaparampu Valiya Divanji
Chundan 2nd Runners Up:
Karuvatta Srivinayakan rowed by PunnamadaBoat Club captained by JosephFransis won the Second Looser's Final in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Vellamkulangara
Third : Jawahar Thayankeri
Fourth : Anari
Chundan Second Looser's Final Winner:
Alappadan Chundan rowed by ChangamkariBoat Club (C.B.C.) captained by K.C. Kunjumon won the Third Looser's Final in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Kalloopparamban
Third : St. George
Fourth : Nadubhagaom Chundan
Veppu Grade 'A' Winner
Ambalakkadavan rowed by Punnamada Boat Club, Alappuzha captained by AjuJacob Mathew won the Veppu Grade A in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second: Venghazhi
Third : Jai Shot
Fourth : Patteri Purackal
Veppu Grade 'B' Winner
Punnathra Purackal rowed by LoordhmathaBoat Club, Chennamkari captained by BijuJohn won the Veppu Grade B in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Chiramel Thottukadavu
Third : Otta Thyckal
Iruttukuthi 'A' Grade Winner
Thuruthithara rowed by PiravamBoat Club (P.B.C.) captained by BabuVarghese won the Iruttukuthi A grade in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Mammoodan
Third : Padakkuthira
Fourth : Karuvelithara
Iruttukuthi 'B' Grade Winner
Daniel rowed by PananghaduBoat Club (P.B.C.) captained by Rajeev won the Iruttukuthi B grade in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second Place: Sree Guruvayurappan
Churulan Winner
Velangadan rowed by ShalomCollege, Kainakari captained by JobiAnchil won the Churulan Boat Race in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009. Second place is for Kodimatha Churulan Boat.
THEKKANODI Winner
Devas rowed by VembanaduVanitha Boat Club captained by SindhuSajeevan won the Thekkanodi Boat Race in Nehru Trophy. This is the Boat in which nine foreign women also took part.
Second : Chellikkadan
Third : Company Vallom
Fourth : Kattil Thekkethil
Nehru Trophy Results:
1st Place: Champakkulam Chundan
2nd Place: Payippad
3rd Place: Sree Ganesh
4th Place: Cheruthana
Earlier, Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi is the Chief Guest for Nehru Trophy 2009. She inaugurated the 57th Nehru Trophy Boat Race. There is about 2 lakh tourist in Alappuzha today to watch this event.
The 57th Nehru Trophy Boat race had 17 Chundans, 8 Veppu valloms in category A, 5 in Category B, Iruttukuthys -5 in A category & 15 in Category B, 5 Churulans and 4 Thekkanodis. A 30-member team of women including nine foreigners will compete in the 57th Nehru snake boat race at the Punnamada lake.
Other Winners:
Chundan Runners Up:
IIIikkalam rowed by TownBoat Club Kumarakam captained by Dr.P. R. Kumar won the Looser's Final in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Karichal
Third : Karuvatta Chundan
Fourth : Ayaparampu Valiya Divanji
Chundan 2nd Runners Up:
Karuvatta Srivinayakan rowed by PunnamadaBoat Club captained by JosephFransis won the Second Looser's Final in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Vellamkulangara
Third : Jawahar Thayankeri
Fourth : Anari
Chundan Second Looser's Final Winner:
Alappadan Chundan rowed by ChangamkariBoat Club (C.B.C.) captained by K.C. Kunjumon won the Third Looser's Final in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Kalloopparamban
Third : St. George
Fourth : Nadubhagaom Chundan
Veppu Grade 'A' Winner
Ambalakkadavan rowed by Punnamada Boat Club, Alappuzha captained by AjuJacob Mathew won the Veppu Grade A in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second: Venghazhi
Third : Jai Shot
Fourth : Patteri Purackal
Veppu Grade 'B' Winner
Punnathra Purackal rowed by LoordhmathaBoat Club, Chennamkari captained by BijuJohn won the Veppu Grade B in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Chiramel Thottukadavu
Third : Otta Thyckal
Iruttukuthi 'A' Grade Winner
Thuruthithara rowed by PiravamBoat Club (P.B.C.) captained by BabuVarghese won the Iruttukuthi A grade in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second : Mammoodan
Third : Padakkuthira
Fourth : Karuvelithara
Iruttukuthi 'B' Grade Winner
Daniel rowed by PananghaduBoat Club (P.B.C.) captained by Rajeev won the Iruttukuthi B grade in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009.
Second Place: Sree Guruvayurappan
Churulan Winner
Velangadan rowed by ShalomCollege, Kainakari captained by JobiAnchil won the Churulan Boat Race in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009. Second place is for Kodimatha Churulan Boat.
THEKKANODI Winner
Devas rowed by VembanaduVanitha Boat Club captained by SindhuSajeevan won the Thekkanodi Boat Race in Nehru Trophy. This is the Boat in which nine foreign women also took part.
Second : Chellikkadan
Third : Company Vallom
Fourth : Kattil Thekkethil
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Kerala Tourism to attend ‘Otdykh Leisure Moscow’ and PATA Travel Mart 2009 from September 22-25
To also organise ‘partnership meet’ in European cities and Scandinavian countries soon
By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi
Kerala Tourism has decided to organise ‘partnership meet’ in European cities (Rome, Paris, Brussels, Stockholm) and Scandinavian countries (Norway, Denmark and Sweden), in order to promote tourism to the state. This information was divulged by Suresh Kumar PG, Deputy Director (Publicity & Marketing), Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. He however, refused to disclose the dates of the meets.
Further to promote tourism in the state, Kerala Tourism will attend ‘Otdykh Leisure Moscow,’ the 15th International Trade Fair for Travel and Tourism, which will be held from September 22-25, 2009 at IEC Crocus Expo in Moscow. It will also attend the PATA Travel Mart 2009, which will be held at Hangzhou in China from September 22- 25, 2009. Sources said that Kerala Tourism has booked a stall at PATA Travel Mart.
Kerala received 1.9 lakh foreign tourist and 18 lakh domestic tourists in Quarter One of 2009, which marks 3.21 per cent increase in domestic arrivals and 18 per cent decline in foreign arrivals compared to previous year. Sources opined that when calculated together (international and domestic arrivals) it is obvious that Kerala has not been affected much by recession though the state has witnessed marked decline in foreign arrivals. The state received 5, 98,929 foreign tourists in 2008. Majority of international visitors to Kerala are from France, Germany and Sweden etc. About 75, 91,000 domestic tourists visited Kerala in 2008, which showed 14 per cent growth rate over the previous year.
By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi
Kerala Tourism has decided to organise ‘partnership meet’ in European cities (Rome, Paris, Brussels, Stockholm) and Scandinavian countries (Norway, Denmark and Sweden), in order to promote tourism to the state. This information was divulged by Suresh Kumar PG, Deputy Director (Publicity & Marketing), Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. He however, refused to disclose the dates of the meets.
Further to promote tourism in the state, Kerala Tourism will attend ‘Otdykh Leisure Moscow,’ the 15th International Trade Fair for Travel and Tourism, which will be held from September 22-25, 2009 at IEC Crocus Expo in Moscow. It will also attend the PATA Travel Mart 2009, which will be held at Hangzhou in China from September 22- 25, 2009. Sources said that Kerala Tourism has booked a stall at PATA Travel Mart.
Kerala received 1.9 lakh foreign tourist and 18 lakh domestic tourists in Quarter One of 2009, which marks 3.21 per cent increase in domestic arrivals and 18 per cent decline in foreign arrivals compared to previous year. Sources opined that when calculated together (international and domestic arrivals) it is obvious that Kerala has not been affected much by recession though the state has witnessed marked decline in foreign arrivals. The state received 5, 98,929 foreign tourists in 2008. Majority of international visitors to Kerala are from France, Germany and Sweden etc. About 75, 91,000 domestic tourists visited Kerala in 2008, which showed 14 per cent growth rate over the previous year.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Kerala hosts conference on recession and the Gulf
July 20th, 2009
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala capital is set to host a two-day international conference beginning Tuesday on the global economic crisis, its impact on Gulf nations and its implications for migrant labour, including Indians, working there.
The event, which would be held at the Centre for Development Studies here, would focus on the slowdown of the growth rate of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies and its significance for the South Asian and Southeast Asian developing economies that are the main sources of migrant labour for the Gulf countries.
The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.
Sabu Aliyar, one of the organisers of the conference, said it would bring together consul generals of South Asian and Southeast Asian nations based in Gulf countries.
“The speakers in the conference include the consul generals and first secretaries from the South and Southeast Asian countries posted in the GCC, financial experts, economists and migration experts from South and Southeast Asian Countries, participants from state governments in India most affected by the crisis,” Aliyar told IANS.
South Asian expatriates in the Gulf are concentrated in Saudi Arabia (50 percent) and UAE (26 percent). Kuwait accounts for 11 percent, Oman seven percent, Qatar three percent and Bahrain two percent. Preliminary studies done on international migration have found out that the deepening of the crisis in GCC countries would have diverse impacts on migrant workers, their families and their home countries.
The conference would delve into questions like how the crisis will affect the demand for migrant workers and the strategies the migrants need to adopt to cope with the situation at the home country and at their place of work.
The conference is being held by the Centre for Development Studies with technical and financial support from International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala capital is set to host a two-day international conference beginning Tuesday on the global economic crisis, its impact on Gulf nations and its implications for migrant labour, including Indians, working there.
The event, which would be held at the Centre for Development Studies here, would focus on the slowdown of the growth rate of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies and its significance for the South Asian and Southeast Asian developing economies that are the main sources of migrant labour for the Gulf countries.
The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.
Sabu Aliyar, one of the organisers of the conference, said it would bring together consul generals of South Asian and Southeast Asian nations based in Gulf countries.
“The speakers in the conference include the consul generals and first secretaries from the South and Southeast Asian countries posted in the GCC, financial experts, economists and migration experts from South and Southeast Asian Countries, participants from state governments in India most affected by the crisis,” Aliyar told IANS.
South Asian expatriates in the Gulf are concentrated in Saudi Arabia (50 percent) and UAE (26 percent). Kuwait accounts for 11 percent, Oman seven percent, Qatar three percent and Bahrain two percent. Preliminary studies done on international migration have found out that the deepening of the crisis in GCC countries would have diverse impacts on migrant workers, their families and their home countries.
The conference would delve into questions like how the crisis will affect the demand for migrant workers and the strategies the migrants need to adopt to cope with the situation at the home country and at their place of work.
The conference is being held by the Centre for Development Studies with technical and financial support from International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
DoT, Govt of Kerala domestic ‘partnership-meet’ in 11 cities in India sees variation in number of buyers and sellers
Monday, July 20, 2009, 10:00 Hrs [IST]
Concludes its final meet in New Delhi
By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi
The Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala recently concluded the ‘partnership-meet’ in New Delhi. The aim of the meet was to promote domestic tourism in a big way. The meet in the capital witnessed participation of 42 sellers and 160 buyers from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). The Kerala Tourism Department organised this meet in 11 cities in India-Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kolkata, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Delhi.
In Bengaluru, about 60 sellers and 190 buyers attended the meet, which had the largest participation compared to other cities. The meet at Chandigarh was attended by 26 sellers and 110 buyers. On an average, the meet in each city had a variation in the number of buyers and sellers. This information was divulged by Suresh Kumar P G, Deputy Director (Publicity & Marketing), Department of Tourism, Kerala. The meet in the capital and other cities showcased various tourism products from Kerala such as hotels, destinations, holiday packages, backwaters, various therapies including Ayurveda, Hills, cultural products, Villages Tourism and Responsible Tourism et al.
Further, during the meet Kerala’s new tourism initiative- ‘Jet2Kerala’ was showcased along with the Dream Season Campaign. At the meet, Kerala Tourism also showcased a new tourism film, ‘Rhapsody in the Tropics’ which covered all aspects of tourism in Kerala including rain, festivals, faith and religion etc. Besides this, the meet displayed various cultural programmes including Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathirakali and Kalaripayatu etc.
When contacted, K N Satheesh, Additional Director (General), Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala said that the response was tremendous from sellers, as well as buyers who attended the meet. Sellers welcomed Kerala Tourism’s initiative to promote domestic tourism during this recessionary period.
Concludes its final meet in New Delhi
By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi
The Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala recently concluded the ‘partnership-meet’ in New Delhi. The aim of the meet was to promote domestic tourism in a big way. The meet in the capital witnessed participation of 42 sellers and 160 buyers from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). The Kerala Tourism Department organised this meet in 11 cities in India-Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kolkata, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Delhi.
In Bengaluru, about 60 sellers and 190 buyers attended the meet, which had the largest participation compared to other cities. The meet at Chandigarh was attended by 26 sellers and 110 buyers. On an average, the meet in each city had a variation in the number of buyers and sellers. This information was divulged by Suresh Kumar P G, Deputy Director (Publicity & Marketing), Department of Tourism, Kerala. The meet in the capital and other cities showcased various tourism products from Kerala such as hotels, destinations, holiday packages, backwaters, various therapies including Ayurveda, Hills, cultural products, Villages Tourism and Responsible Tourism et al.
Further, during the meet Kerala’s new tourism initiative- ‘Jet2Kerala’ was showcased along with the Dream Season Campaign. At the meet, Kerala Tourism also showcased a new tourism film, ‘Rhapsody in the Tropics’ which covered all aspects of tourism in Kerala including rain, festivals, faith and religion etc. Besides this, the meet displayed various cultural programmes including Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathirakali and Kalaripayatu etc.
When contacted, K N Satheesh, Additional Director (General), Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala said that the response was tremendous from sellers, as well as buyers who attended the meet. Sellers welcomed Kerala Tourism’s initiative to promote domestic tourism during this recessionary period.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
49 per cent FDI in print media safe: Ambika Soni
NEW DELHI - With the media reeling under the financial crunch, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni has backed increasing FDI (foreign direct investment) in print media to 49 per cent, saying “it is safe”.
“I think it is a good suggestion,” Soni said in an interview when asked about her views on increasing FDI in print media from 26 per cent to 49 per cent.
“We already have 26 per cent FDI. A large number of newspapers and the entire journalist fraternity is for the infusion of more capital into print media so that they can have better working conditions, and the media is facing a financial crunch,” she said.
“I feel 49 per cent is safe. It would not give control to someone from outside,” she said.
Soni, however, stressed that the government will consult all stakeholders before taking this crucial decision. “But this is something about which I would like to talk to those who are not of the same view,” she said.
Soni’s remarks indicated the UPA government’s interest in raising the FDI ceiling in print media from 26 percent to 49 per cent as recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its recent report.
The 49 per cent FDI, as proposed by TRAI, also covers foreign institutional investors. TRAI has also recommended a raise in the ceiling for cable networks from the existing 49 percent to 74 percent and for FM radio, from the existing 20 percent to 49 percent.
The proposed hike in FDI is being opposed by some media houses, but the government is looking at the issue afresh in the light of the capital crunch that small and medium newspapers are facing.
“I think it is a good suggestion,” Soni said in an interview when asked about her views on increasing FDI in print media from 26 per cent to 49 per cent.
“We already have 26 per cent FDI. A large number of newspapers and the entire journalist fraternity is for the infusion of more capital into print media so that they can have better working conditions, and the media is facing a financial crunch,” she said.
“I feel 49 per cent is safe. It would not give control to someone from outside,” she said.
Soni, however, stressed that the government will consult all stakeholders before taking this crucial decision. “But this is something about which I would like to talk to those who are not of the same view,” she said.
Soni’s remarks indicated the UPA government’s interest in raising the FDI ceiling in print media from 26 percent to 49 per cent as recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its recent report.
The 49 per cent FDI, as proposed by TRAI, also covers foreign institutional investors. TRAI has also recommended a raise in the ceiling for cable networks from the existing 49 percent to 74 percent and for FM radio, from the existing 20 percent to 49 percent.
The proposed hike in FDI is being opposed by some media houses, but the government is looking at the issue afresh in the light of the capital crunch that small and medium newspapers are facing.
Tourism turns to the dead
New Delhi, July 18: When life gets tough, fall back on the dead.
The recession-roiled tourism industry is turning to colonial graveyards to lure foreign visitors keen to visit the tombs of their ancestors or the famous.
Leading the effort are states, led by Bengal. They are coming up with novel plans to promote what has come to be known in the industry as “graveyard tourism” — never mind the odd connotation.
“British and French tourists have got hooked to the concept. Some are interested in retracing routes (of their ancestors), others just to visit the tombs of the famous,” said an official of Bengal’s tourism department. The six cemeteries in and around Calcutta are alone said to be home to around 1 lakh such tombs. These include those of famous Britons like William Jones, the founder of Asiatic Society.
At least 50 foreigners visit the cemeteries in Calcutta every day, the official said. “Some do it out of curiosity but genealogy is the key driver.”
The state’s Left government has sought the assistance of the Christian Burial Board, which runs four major cemeteries in the city. The board will computerise its records so foreigners can find the graves of their forefathers easily.
Kerala, another Left-ruled state, isn’t far behind, focusing on regions with Jewish connections. “We are preparing details of Jewish cemeteries as a large number of tourists from Israel have shown interest,” said K. Radhakrishna of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Neighbouring Tamil Nadu is concentrating on its French past. “Mahe has a number of colonial-era cemeteries of the French. We plan to market it the way Pondicherry has been doing with its French links,” said a Tamil Nadu tourism department official.
Goa, already a hotspot, has taken a big leap in playing up its Portuguese symbols to draw visitors who can look beyond sun and sand. Here, like in Bengal, the government has sought the assistance of the Church, which is in the process of computerising burial records.
“We are now engaged in digitalising the records so visitors can locate them at the click of a mouse,” said Dominic Padre of the Goa Catholic Congregation. Once the drive is over, tourists will be able to locate the graves from abroad and plan their visits accordingly, he added.
In the north, Uttar Pradesh recently concluded a survey of cemeteries in Lucknow, Jhansi, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Bithoor, Kanpur and Meerut, all of them erstwhile Raj bastions.
Himachal Pradesh has sought assistance from the British Association of Cemeteries of South Asia to compile a list of its large number of British cemeteries.
Sensing the enthusiasm among states, the Centre has pitched in to help. “We didn’t take much interest initially as the graveyards were scattered across the country, with no clear pattern. But since the states themselves are coming up with plans, we’ve decided to help promote graveyard tourism abroad,” said a Union tourism ministry official.
The official said the ministry planned to get in touch with British Association of cemeteries of South Asia for revamp advice. “It is only a matter of time before the colonial graveyards in India become as fetching as the Highgate Cemetery in London or Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.”
The recession-roiled tourism industry is turning to colonial graveyards to lure foreign visitors keen to visit the tombs of their ancestors or the famous.
Leading the effort are states, led by Bengal. They are coming up with novel plans to promote what has come to be known in the industry as “graveyard tourism” — never mind the odd connotation.
“British and French tourists have got hooked to the concept. Some are interested in retracing routes (of their ancestors), others just to visit the tombs of the famous,” said an official of Bengal’s tourism department. The six cemeteries in and around Calcutta are alone said to be home to around 1 lakh such tombs. These include those of famous Britons like William Jones, the founder of Asiatic Society.
At least 50 foreigners visit the cemeteries in Calcutta every day, the official said. “Some do it out of curiosity but genealogy is the key driver.”
The state’s Left government has sought the assistance of the Christian Burial Board, which runs four major cemeteries in the city. The board will computerise its records so foreigners can find the graves of their forefathers easily.
Kerala, another Left-ruled state, isn’t far behind, focusing on regions with Jewish connections. “We are preparing details of Jewish cemeteries as a large number of tourists from Israel have shown interest,” said K. Radhakrishna of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Neighbouring Tamil Nadu is concentrating on its French past. “Mahe has a number of colonial-era cemeteries of the French. We plan to market it the way Pondicherry has been doing with its French links,” said a Tamil Nadu tourism department official.
Goa, already a hotspot, has taken a big leap in playing up its Portuguese symbols to draw visitors who can look beyond sun and sand. Here, like in Bengal, the government has sought the assistance of the Church, which is in the process of computerising burial records.
“We are now engaged in digitalising the records so visitors can locate them at the click of a mouse,” said Dominic Padre of the Goa Catholic Congregation. Once the drive is over, tourists will be able to locate the graves from abroad and plan their visits accordingly, he added.
In the north, Uttar Pradesh recently concluded a survey of cemeteries in Lucknow, Jhansi, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Bithoor, Kanpur and Meerut, all of them erstwhile Raj bastions.
Himachal Pradesh has sought assistance from the British Association of Cemeteries of South Asia to compile a list of its large number of British cemeteries.
Sensing the enthusiasm among states, the Centre has pitched in to help. “We didn’t take much interest initially as the graveyards were scattered across the country, with no clear pattern. But since the states themselves are coming up with plans, we’ve decided to help promote graveyard tourism abroad,” said a Union tourism ministry official.
The official said the ministry planned to get in touch with British Association of cemeteries of South Asia for revamp advice. “It is only a matter of time before the colonial graveyards in India become as fetching as the Highgate Cemetery in London or Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.”
Friday, July 17, 2009
World Investors Meet to begin on July 24
Express News Service
First Published : 17 Jul 2009 01:31:00 AM IST
KOCHI: The preparations for ‘Focus Kerala- World Investors Meet’, being organised by Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to propagate the concept of ‘Responsible Investment’ and scheduled to be held here on July 24 and 25, have been completed.
The meet aims at providing investors around the world with the existing small and medium business opportunities in the panchayats in the State. Around 300 entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the meet.
KCCI secretary S A Mansoor said Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would inaugurate the programme at Gateway Hotel on July 24.
Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan would deliver the keynote address. Fisheries Minister S Sarma would inaugurate the business conclaves and Opposition leader Oommen Chandy would address the gathering, and chamber chairman K M Abdulla would preside over the function. Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi will inaugurate the valedictory function on July 25. Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem and Revenue Minister K P Rajendran will attend.
‘Focus Kerala’ aims at providing a single platform to promote purpose- driven investment, opportunity to interact with ministers, panchayat presidents, government officials, bank officials and business leaders.
The discussions at the meet will focus on issues like identifying new markets, forging strategic alliances with various departments to promote industry, single- window clearance assistance from KCCI and opportunity to hear real-life experience of successful entrepreneurs.
There will be six conclaves on tourism, financial services, education, logistics, manufacturing, rubber and agro-processing, IT, rural retail and infrastructure
.
First Published : 17 Jul 2009 01:31:00 AM IST
KOCHI: The preparations for ‘Focus Kerala- World Investors Meet’, being organised by Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to propagate the concept of ‘Responsible Investment’ and scheduled to be held here on July 24 and 25, have been completed.
The meet aims at providing investors around the world with the existing small and medium business opportunities in the panchayats in the State. Around 300 entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the meet.
KCCI secretary S A Mansoor said Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would inaugurate the programme at Gateway Hotel on July 24.
Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan would deliver the keynote address. Fisheries Minister S Sarma would inaugurate the business conclaves and Opposition leader Oommen Chandy would address the gathering, and chamber chairman K M Abdulla would preside over the function. Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi will inaugurate the valedictory function on July 25. Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem and Revenue Minister K P Rajendran will attend.
‘Focus Kerala’ aims at providing a single platform to promote purpose- driven investment, opportunity to interact with ministers, panchayat presidents, government officials, bank officials and business leaders.
The discussions at the meet will focus on issues like identifying new markets, forging strategic alliances with various departments to promote industry, single- window clearance assistance from KCCI and opportunity to hear real-life experience of successful entrepreneurs.
There will be six conclaves on tourism, financial services, education, logistics, manufacturing, rubber and agro-processing, IT, rural retail and infrastructure
.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Kerala Tourism to hold partnership meets abroad
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala tourism department would organise `partnership meets' in foreign countries and various Indian cities to attract tourists to the state, Minister for Home and Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.
In a written reply in the assembly today, he said the meets would be held in Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, France and Italy to attract foreign tourists and 11 cities in India to bring domestic tourists to Kerala.
He said the 'Kottakkunnu tourism project' in Malappuram district would be completed in another two years. In the next phase, construction of rainwater reservoir and beautification of the helipad would be taken up, for which Rs 4.40 crore had been set apart.
In a written reply in the assembly today, he said the meets would be held in Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, France and Italy to attract foreign tourists and 11 cities in India to bring domestic tourists to Kerala.
He said the 'Kottakkunnu tourism project' in Malappuram district would be completed in another two years. In the next phase, construction of rainwater reservoir and beautification of the helipad would be taken up, for which Rs 4.40 crore had been set apart.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Kerala to restore 400-year-old Indian synagogue
By MICHAEL FREUND, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT
COCHIN, India - Local authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala have decided to renovate one of the oldest synagogues in the region as part of a larger heritage conservation and tourism development project, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
The Parur synagogue.
The Parur synagogue.
Photo: Courtesy
The Parur synagogue, located in the village of North Paravur, approximately 18 km. north of Cochin, dates to the early 17th century. It was believed to have been built on the ruins of a previous synagogue from the 12th century.
Along with other Jewish houses of worship, the Parur shul served greater Cochin's 3,000 Jews until most moved to Israel after the establishment of the state. Fewer than 35 Jews remain in the region.
"I am happy to inform you that the restoration work on Parur synagogue will commence soon," Dr. Venu V. Ias, the Kerala district government's secretary of tourism, told the Post. "The Parur synagogue is one of the first monuments to be taken up for restoration under the project."
Working together with the local archaeology department, as well as other government bodies and technical agencies, Ias plans to restore local monuments deemed of historical significance.
The present owners of the synagogue compound have agreed to transfer it to government control, and work is slated to begin in the coming weeks, after the transfer of title is complete, he said.
Funds for the restoration will come from the government of Kerala and India's Tourism Ministry.
Hebrew University anthropologist Dr. Shalva Weil, a world-renowned specialist on Indian Jewry, called the Parur synagogue "an architectural gem and well worth preservation."
In an interview with the Post, she praised the Kerala authorities, saying they "have embarked upon an ambitious conservation project of various historical and archaeological sites. The plan is excellent and they have not forgotten the Jews, who played such an important role in Kerala."
Marian Scheuer Sofaer, an American activist who oversaw the installation of an exhibition on Jewish life in one of Cochin's former synagogues, expressed delight at the news of the Parur restoration project.
"This is an opportunity to educate India's diverse communities about the Jews who lived among them in harmony for many centuries," she said, adding that "the enigmatic, intriguing synagogue in Parur could bring more Jewish tourists into the countryside from Cochin, and will bring thousands of Indian tourists into a synagogue for the first time."
COCHIN, India - Local authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala have decided to renovate one of the oldest synagogues in the region as part of a larger heritage conservation and tourism development project, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
The Parur synagogue.
The Parur synagogue.
Photo: Courtesy
The Parur synagogue, located in the village of North Paravur, approximately 18 km. north of Cochin, dates to the early 17th century. It was believed to have been built on the ruins of a previous synagogue from the 12th century.
Along with other Jewish houses of worship, the Parur shul served greater Cochin's 3,000 Jews until most moved to Israel after the establishment of the state. Fewer than 35 Jews remain in the region.
"I am happy to inform you that the restoration work on Parur synagogue will commence soon," Dr. Venu V. Ias, the Kerala district government's secretary of tourism, told the Post. "The Parur synagogue is one of the first monuments to be taken up for restoration under the project."
Working together with the local archaeology department, as well as other government bodies and technical agencies, Ias plans to restore local monuments deemed of historical significance.
The present owners of the synagogue compound have agreed to transfer it to government control, and work is slated to begin in the coming weeks, after the transfer of title is complete, he said.
Funds for the restoration will come from the government of Kerala and India's Tourism Ministry.
Hebrew University anthropologist Dr. Shalva Weil, a world-renowned specialist on Indian Jewry, called the Parur synagogue "an architectural gem and well worth preservation."
In an interview with the Post, she praised the Kerala authorities, saying they "have embarked upon an ambitious conservation project of various historical and archaeological sites. The plan is excellent and they have not forgotten the Jews, who played such an important role in Kerala."
Marian Scheuer Sofaer, an American activist who oversaw the installation of an exhibition on Jewish life in one of Cochin's former synagogues, expressed delight at the news of the Parur restoration project.
"This is an opportunity to educate India's diverse communities about the Jews who lived among them in harmony for many centuries," she said, adding that "the enigmatic, intriguing synagogue in Parur could bring more Jewish tourists into the countryside from Cochin, and will bring thousands of Indian tourists into a synagogue for the first time."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Goa takes cue from Kerala, to develop backwater tourism
Panaji, July 10 (IANS) Known more for its beaches, Goa now wants to cash in on the tourism potential of backwater tourism on the lines of Kerala.
The state tourism authorities will develop infrastructure along the coconut palm-lined Mandovi and Zuari rivers, which flow into the Arabian sea, to ensure that beaches are not the state’s only big draw.
The tourism department has prepared a blueprint for developing a backwater circuit each in North and South Goa, along the two principal rivers to add variety to its tourism bouquet, Goa Tourism Development Corp (GTDC) vice chairman Lyndon Monteiro told reporters here Friday.
“We already have an excellent network of water bodies linking a lot of places of tourist interest. Our plan is only to interlink commutation services to these places by river,” Monteiro said.
Lotus Environment, a Pune-based consultancy, has been roped in.
Jetties will be built along the river bank at places like Britona, Divar and Savoi Verem for tourists to alight and visit nearby places of historic, architectural, religious or scenic interest.
“A similar project has also been worked along the Zuari river in South Goa,” Monteiro said, adding that work on the construction of jetties will begin next month.
The cost of the entire project has been pegged at Rs.16 crore (Rs. 160 million).
Over the last few years, Goa has lost tourists, both domestic and foreign, to the relatively well-managed beaches of Kerala, which also offers backwater tourism as an added incentive.
Goa annually attracts nearly two million tourists between October and March.
The state tourism authorities will develop infrastructure along the coconut palm-lined Mandovi and Zuari rivers, which flow into the Arabian sea, to ensure that beaches are not the state’s only big draw.
The tourism department has prepared a blueprint for developing a backwater circuit each in North and South Goa, along the two principal rivers to add variety to its tourism bouquet, Goa Tourism Development Corp (GTDC) vice chairman Lyndon Monteiro told reporters here Friday.
“We already have an excellent network of water bodies linking a lot of places of tourist interest. Our plan is only to interlink commutation services to these places by river,” Monteiro said.
Lotus Environment, a Pune-based consultancy, has been roped in.
Jetties will be built along the river bank at places like Britona, Divar and Savoi Verem for tourists to alight and visit nearby places of historic, architectural, religious or scenic interest.
“A similar project has also been worked along the Zuari river in South Goa,” Monteiro said, adding that work on the construction of jetties will begin next month.
The cost of the entire project has been pegged at Rs.16 crore (Rs. 160 million).
Over the last few years, Goa has lost tourists, both domestic and foreign, to the relatively well-managed beaches of Kerala, which also offers backwater tourism as an added incentive.
Goa annually attracts nearly two million tourists between October and March.
Cruise Tourism
Lok Sabha
The Minister of Tourism Kumari Selja has said, there is tremendous potential of Cruise Tourism in the country, accordingly, the Cruise Shipping Policy of Ministry of Shipping has been approved. The following projects have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism for development of Cruise Tourism in 2008-09.
1. Development of tourism infrastructure at Cochin Port, Kerala for Rs.1450.00 lakh to Cochin Port Trust, Kochi.
2. Purchase of Ferries in Tamil Nadu for Rs.52.70 lakh to Poompuhar Shipping Corporation Ltd., Chennai.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, she said, the Cochin Port was also one of the eleven ports in world which hosted the Volvo Ocean Race from 3rd to 13th December, 2008.
The Minister of Tourism Kumari Selja has said, there is tremendous potential of Cruise Tourism in the country, accordingly, the Cruise Shipping Policy of Ministry of Shipping has been approved. The following projects have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism for development of Cruise Tourism in 2008-09.
1. Development of tourism infrastructure at Cochin Port, Kerala for Rs.1450.00 lakh to Cochin Port Trust, Kochi.
2. Purchase of Ferries in Tamil Nadu for Rs.52.70 lakh to Poompuhar Shipping Corporation Ltd., Chennai.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, she said, the Cochin Port was also one of the eleven ports in world which hosted the Volvo Ocean Race from 3rd to 13th December, 2008.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Kochi chosen venue of AITO meet
Express New Service
First Published : 05 Jul 2009 10:47:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 05 Jul 2009 11:27:36 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Association of Independent Tour Operators
(AITO), Britain, the first tourism industry association in the world to incorporate into its business charter a commitment to Responsible travel and green tourism, has selected Kochi as the venue for its annual conference which will be held from November 18 to 22.
``We decided to go somewhere exotic and different, somewhere exciting, and in a place AITO has not been before,’’ said AITO chairman Derek Moore.
Derek, accompanied by AITO vice-chairman John Gillies, had visited Kochi last month to hold discussions with Kerala Tourism officials.
``With the help of our friends at Kerala Tourism, I am sure this will be a conference to remember, and a perfect antidote to a difficult year for all of us,’’ Derek said.
Kerala Tourism officials have welcomed the news with big cheer. ``We are honoured to host AITO and we will do our best to see that all delegates have a meaningful and enjoyable time in Kerala,’’ Tourism Secretary Dr V Venu said.
``The conference is expected to bring significant gains for the host destination, as it will bring together business-owners, key decision makers and reputed operators from the UK, the biggest inbound market for Kerala,’’ Venu said.
According to Tourism Director M Shivshankar, the hosting of AITO conference will be a big boost for the promotion of Kerala in the UK. Shivshankar said the UK contributed over 1,40,000 tourists in 2008, with a nearly 25 percent market share of the total international arrivals to the State.
The AITO comprises independent companies, most of them owner-managed, specialising in particular destinations or types of holidays.
First Published : 05 Jul 2009 10:47:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 05 Jul 2009 11:27:36 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Association of Independent Tour Operators
(AITO), Britain, the first tourism industry association in the world to incorporate into its business charter a commitment to Responsible travel and green tourism, has selected Kochi as the venue for its annual conference which will be held from November 18 to 22.
``We decided to go somewhere exotic and different, somewhere exciting, and in a place AITO has not been before,’’ said AITO chairman Derek Moore.
Derek, accompanied by AITO vice-chairman John Gillies, had visited Kochi last month to hold discussions with Kerala Tourism officials.
``With the help of our friends at Kerala Tourism, I am sure this will be a conference to remember, and a perfect antidote to a difficult year for all of us,’’ Derek said.
Kerala Tourism officials have welcomed the news with big cheer. ``We are honoured to host AITO and we will do our best to see that all delegates have a meaningful and enjoyable time in Kerala,’’ Tourism Secretary Dr V Venu said.
``The conference is expected to bring significant gains for the host destination, as it will bring together business-owners, key decision makers and reputed operators from the UK, the biggest inbound market for Kerala,’’ Venu said.
According to Tourism Director M Shivshankar, the hosting of AITO conference will be a big boost for the promotion of Kerala in the UK. Shivshankar said the UK contributed over 1,40,000 tourists in 2008, with a nearly 25 percent market share of the total international arrivals to the State.
The AITO comprises independent companies, most of them owner-managed, specialising in particular destinations or types of holidays.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Tourism sector growing, Geeta Reddy claims
Express News Service
First Published : 04 Jul 2009 10:01:44 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Despite the economic slowdown, our country is doing very well in the tourism sector, especially the inland tourism has been showing very positive signs, Minister for Information and Tourism J Geeta Reddy claimed citing latest reports from the Tourism Ministry.
T he Minister inaugurated the 71st edition of the threeday Travel and Tourism Fair at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on Friday. Addressing a press conference after the inaugural, Geeta Reddy said: “The State of Andhra Pradesh is attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world and the country for its medical tourism. Even as the heritage and pilgrim sites have been contributing to the economy, the world class medical facilities present in the state have proved to be power engines of the AP Tourism in the recent past.” The Minister also said that the Tourism Department had plans to start ‘Village Tourism’ in order to give a further boost to the sector.
Chairman and CEO of Fairfest Media Sanjiv Agarwal, who was the chief coordinator and organiser of the event said that the fair has witnessed 15 per cent growth over last year.
He also pointed out that the number of States represented had increased to 18 from that of 11 States last year.
“In the current scenario, when travel and tourism organisations are slowly coming to terms with slowing down of demand, tourists and business travellers can look forward to real bargains in travel packages and hotel accommodation rates,” Sanjiv Agarwal said.
Including AP — the host State, the other States that were present in the fair include, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Goa, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. This year the United Kingdom has also made its presence felt in the fair.
The States that stole the show were Gujarat with their Dandiya theme and Punjab, which has come up with a unique concept of farm tourism, where tourists would be exposed to agrarian life of the State.
First Published : 04 Jul 2009 10:01:44 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Despite the economic slowdown, our country is doing very well in the tourism sector, especially the inland tourism has been showing very positive signs, Minister for Information and Tourism J Geeta Reddy claimed citing latest reports from the Tourism Ministry.
T he Minister inaugurated the 71st edition of the threeday Travel and Tourism Fair at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on Friday. Addressing a press conference after the inaugural, Geeta Reddy said: “The State of Andhra Pradesh is attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world and the country for its medical tourism. Even as the heritage and pilgrim sites have been contributing to the economy, the world class medical facilities present in the state have proved to be power engines of the AP Tourism in the recent past.” The Minister also said that the Tourism Department had plans to start ‘Village Tourism’ in order to give a further boost to the sector.
Chairman and CEO of Fairfest Media Sanjiv Agarwal, who was the chief coordinator and organiser of the event said that the fair has witnessed 15 per cent growth over last year.
He also pointed out that the number of States represented had increased to 18 from that of 11 States last year.
“In the current scenario, when travel and tourism organisations are slowly coming to terms with slowing down of demand, tourists and business travellers can look forward to real bargains in travel packages and hotel accommodation rates,” Sanjiv Agarwal said.
Including AP — the host State, the other States that were present in the fair include, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Goa, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. This year the United Kingdom has also made its presence felt in the fair.
The States that stole the show were Gujarat with their Dandiya theme and Punjab, which has come up with a unique concept of farm tourism, where tourists would be exposed to agrarian life of the State.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Kerala Tourism introduces online reservation system
Move to encourage small time entrepreneurs in the state
Friday, July 03, 2009, 18:00 Hrs [IST]
By Krupa Vora | Kochi
In a recent development, Kerala Tourism (KT) has introduced an online reservation system for hotels on the tourism website – keralatourism.org. KT has undertaken this initiative with an objective to fill up the gap and assist small time entrepreneurs to disseminate their inventory to the end consumers. The online reservation system for hotels has already undergone a soft launch and the end users can transact with the available inventory of 150 accommodation providers comprising of villas, hotels, houseboats and home stays. The state tourism board is targeting an inventory of 1000 accommodation providers by the end of this financial year.
Speaking with Hospitality Biz, Dr Venu V, Secretary, Kerala Tourism said, “This is a state focused initiative that we are undertaking and it will be formally launched by the Tourism Minister soon. It is done to encourage small time players who did not have any channel to distribute their inventory and this sector can use this platform created by KT to distribute their inventory and eventually promote Kerala as a destination.
Read complete story >>
Friday, July 03, 2009, 18:00 Hrs [IST]
By Krupa Vora | Kochi
In a recent development, Kerala Tourism (KT) has introduced an online reservation system for hotels on the tourism website – keralatourism.org. KT has undertaken this initiative with an objective to fill up the gap and assist small time entrepreneurs to disseminate their inventory to the end consumers. The online reservation system for hotels has already undergone a soft launch and the end users can transact with the available inventory of 150 accommodation providers comprising of villas, hotels, houseboats and home stays. The state tourism board is targeting an inventory of 1000 accommodation providers by the end of this financial year.
Speaking with Hospitality Biz, Dr Venu V, Secretary, Kerala Tourism said, “This is a state focused initiative that we are undertaking and it will be formally launched by the Tourism Minister soon. It is done to encourage small time players who did not have any channel to distribute their inventory and this sector can use this platform created by KT to distribute their inventory and eventually promote Kerala as a destination.
Read complete story >>
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Kerala sees healthy rise in tourist arrivals, revenue
Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 (IANS) Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Tuesday informed the state assembly that there was a 14.84 percent growth in tourism revenue and a 14.41 percent rise in tourist arrivals in 2008 as compared to 2007.
In reply to a question, Balakrishnan said that the number of domestic tourists visiting the state was 6.27 million in 2006, went up to 6.64 million in 2007 and touched 7.59 million in 2008.
The number of foreign tourists also grew from 429,000 in 2006 to 516,000 the next year and 599,000 in 2008.
Likewise, in revenue terms, a healthy growth was registered.
“The overall revenue from tourism, which stood at Rs.91.26 billion in 2006 grew to Rs.114.33 billion the next year and reached Rs.131.30 billion in 2008. Foreign exchange earnings also grew from Rs.19.88 billion in 2006 to Rs.26.41 billion and crossed Rs.30.67 billion in 2008,” said Balakrishnan.
However, leading tour operator E.M. Najeeb told IANS that things are not that rosy this calendar year on account of the global economic downturn.
“Six months into the year, the industry has already seen its business drop by close to 30 percent. The fall in the number of foreign tourists is considerable and the need of the hour is to promote Kerala among domestic tourists,” said Najeeb.
The state tourism department has decided to bring in a huge contingent of tour operators and travel journalists from abroad during the Onam season in September to boost the image of the state.
The peak season in tourism in the state begins in November and goes on till end of March.
In reply to a question, Balakrishnan said that the number of domestic tourists visiting the state was 6.27 million in 2006, went up to 6.64 million in 2007 and touched 7.59 million in 2008.
The number of foreign tourists also grew from 429,000 in 2006 to 516,000 the next year and 599,000 in 2008.
Likewise, in revenue terms, a healthy growth was registered.
“The overall revenue from tourism, which stood at Rs.91.26 billion in 2006 grew to Rs.114.33 billion the next year and reached Rs.131.30 billion in 2008. Foreign exchange earnings also grew from Rs.19.88 billion in 2006 to Rs.26.41 billion and crossed Rs.30.67 billion in 2008,” said Balakrishnan.
However, leading tour operator E.M. Najeeb told IANS that things are not that rosy this calendar year on account of the global economic downturn.
“Six months into the year, the industry has already seen its business drop by close to 30 percent. The fall in the number of foreign tourists is considerable and the need of the hour is to promote Kerala among domestic tourists,” said Najeeb.
The state tourism department has decided to bring in a huge contingent of tour operators and travel journalists from abroad during the Onam season in September to boost the image of the state.
The peak season in tourism in the state begins in November and goes on till end of March.
Kochi to host exhibition on various hotel and tourism projects
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 10:00 Hrs [IST]
By HBI Staff | Mumbai
Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Government of Kerala's Department of Industries and Commerce and the Central Bank will organise an exhibition 'Focus Kerala - World Investors Meet' on medium to mega-size projects in Kochi. Non-resident Indians and foreign investors will be invited at the exhibition, which is scheduled to take place from July 24-25, 2009.
Projects in tourism, food processing, infrastructure, information technology, rural retail, media, financial services, education, manufacturing industries and logistics will be showcased. Visitors will get a glimpse about the investment opportunities for home stays and hotels in Trivandrum, farm tourism in Alappuzha, eco tourism and ayurvedic resorts in Malappuram and adventure tourism in Wayanad.
Read complete story >>
By HBI Staff | Mumbai
Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Government of Kerala's Department of Industries and Commerce and the Central Bank will organise an exhibition 'Focus Kerala - World Investors Meet' on medium to mega-size projects in Kochi. Non-resident Indians and foreign investors will be invited at the exhibition, which is scheduled to take place from July 24-25, 2009.
Projects in tourism, food processing, infrastructure, information technology, rural retail, media, financial services, education, manufacturing industries and logistics will be showcased. Visitors will get a glimpse about the investment opportunities for home stays and hotels in Trivandrum, farm tourism in Alappuzha, eco tourism and ayurvedic resorts in Malappuram and adventure tourism in Wayanad.
Read complete story >>
Munnar masterplan to be broadened
India Express Buzz
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:10 PM IST
Byju Aryad
First Published : 30 Jun 2009 02:58:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Jun 2009 10:07:28 AM IST
KOCHI: Six panchayats surrounding Munnar will be included in the masterplan for the development of Munnar to ensure that the ecological balance will not be disturbed when tourism development spreads to satellite towns.
There are reports that the satellite towns are also being developed as tourist destinations and more tourists are flocking these areas.
Several homestays and resorts have come up at Adimali, Anachal, Chittirapuram and Kallar finding a solution to the lodging problems after the demolition of illegal structures in Munnar.
P Vijayachandran, senior consultant, Consultancy Engineering Services India Pvt Ltd, who was entrusted with the preparation of the masterplan, told Express that a detailed report will be submitted to the Government by the end of August.
Several experts are working on it and the report will be prepared in consultation with all those who are involved in the tourism sector.
The detailed report will be prepared for six panchayats covering 914 sq km.
It will be ensured that the construction work will not disturb the ecosystem and preserve the heritage of the hills, he said.
The possibility of establishing a rope-way rather than widening roads will also be considered in the report.
When more tourists arrive, the pollution rate might increase and there will be suggestions for reducing it in tourist destinations in Idukki.
There will also be suggestions for preserving the National Parks at Munnar. Utmost care have to be taken during construction activities in these areas and the report will elaborate on the specifications for taking up construction activities.
Vijayachandran said that threefourths of the field survey has been completed. Discussions are on with people's representatives and experts and it will be completed before August.
According to Kerala Tourism
(Conservation and Preservation of Areas) Act, 2005, all further development activities in the high influence zone (HIZ) have been banned until a proper masterplan was prepared and approved by the State Government.
Munnar was divided into three zones.
The most-sensitive or the high influence zone falls within a radius of 7 km from the urban core.
It includes the highly endangered areas like Peerumedu, Udumbanchola, Devikulam and others like Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Letchmi and Periavauri. Zone-II or Moderate Influence Zone (MIZ) joins those areas that fall within a radius of 25 km from the boundary of Zone-I. It includes Rajamala, Mattupetty and Chinnakkanal.
No industries will be allowed in the area except agro-based non-polluting ones. Zone-III or Low Influence Zone (LIZ) include areas that are least touched by unbridled development.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:10 PM IST
Byju Aryad
First Published : 30 Jun 2009 02:58:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Jun 2009 10:07:28 AM IST
KOCHI: Six panchayats surrounding Munnar will be included in the masterplan for the development of Munnar to ensure that the ecological balance will not be disturbed when tourism development spreads to satellite towns.
There are reports that the satellite towns are also being developed as tourist destinations and more tourists are flocking these areas.
Several homestays and resorts have come up at Adimali, Anachal, Chittirapuram and Kallar finding a solution to the lodging problems after the demolition of illegal structures in Munnar.
P Vijayachandran, senior consultant, Consultancy Engineering Services India Pvt Ltd, who was entrusted with the preparation of the masterplan, told Express that a detailed report will be submitted to the Government by the end of August.
Several experts are working on it and the report will be prepared in consultation with all those who are involved in the tourism sector.
The detailed report will be prepared for six panchayats covering 914 sq km.
It will be ensured that the construction work will not disturb the ecosystem and preserve the heritage of the hills, he said.
The possibility of establishing a rope-way rather than widening roads will also be considered in the report.
When more tourists arrive, the pollution rate might increase and there will be suggestions for reducing it in tourist destinations in Idukki.
There will also be suggestions for preserving the National Parks at Munnar. Utmost care have to be taken during construction activities in these areas and the report will elaborate on the specifications for taking up construction activities.
Vijayachandran said that threefourths of the field survey has been completed. Discussions are on with people's representatives and experts and it will be completed before August.
According to Kerala Tourism
(Conservation and Preservation of Areas) Act, 2005, all further development activities in the high influence zone (HIZ) have been banned until a proper masterplan was prepared and approved by the State Government.
Munnar was divided into three zones.
The most-sensitive or the high influence zone falls within a radius of 7 km from the urban core.
It includes the highly endangered areas like Peerumedu, Udumbanchola, Devikulam and others like Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Letchmi and Periavauri. Zone-II or Moderate Influence Zone (MIZ) joins those areas that fall within a radius of 25 km from the boundary of Zone-I. It includes Rajamala, Mattupetty and Chinnakkanal.
No industries will be allowed in the area except agro-based non-polluting ones. Zone-III or Low Influence Zone (LIZ) include areas that are least touched by unbridled development.
Monday, June 29, 2009
NRIs and others invited to invest in Kerala projects.
By VM Sathish on Monday, June 29, 2009
Non-Resident Indians and foreign investors will be invited to take part in medium- to mega-size projects in Kerala at an exhibition next month.
Focus Kerala - World Investors Meet is being organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Government of Kerala's Department of Industries and Commerce and the Central Bank.
It will take place in Kochi on July 24 and 25.
Many UAE investors are involved in major projects in Kerala and the state is trying to woo NRIs who are planning to relocate to India due to the global economic crisis.
Investment opportunities are being offered in downstream projects linked to a trans-shipment hub being developed by Dubai World and a liquefied natural gas terminal project being developed by Petronas to receive fuel for industrial use in south Indian states.
The International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vellarpadam, Kochi, a proposed major port at Vizhinjam, Trivandrum, and the LNG terminal will offer major opportunities in the import-export business and downstream sectors.
The exhibition will provide an opportunity for NRIs returning home to find investment and employment opportunities in the state. Projects in tourism, food processing, infrastructure, information technology, rural retail, media, financial services, education, manufacturing industries, logistics will be showcased.
"The chamber has identified various projects in the state," NA Mohammed Kutty, Director, told Emirates Business.
"The state is listed as a must-see tourism destination and there are investment opportunities for home stays and hotels in Trivandrum, farm tourism in Alappuzha, eco tourism and ayurvedic resorts in Malappuram and adventure tourism in Wayanad.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Kerala govt’s ‘floating supermarket’ a big hit
Web posted at: 6/28/2009 2:38:57
Source ::: The Peninsula. / By John Mary
Alappuzha: A newly launched floating supermarket is doing brisk business on the Kuttanad backwaters even as scores of houseboats, the mainstay of tourism industry, are idling for want business in Kerala’s southern Alappuzha district.
Floating Triveni (Supermarket), painted in red and white squares, looks like a giant duck, gliding along the lake but on board t are 2,000 items of stationery and provisions. Since its launch on June 7 by Cooperation Minister G Sudhakaran, the mall has been stopping by islands and spots inaccessible by road.
Triveni is open from 8 am to 6 pm, with eight crew on board.
Sudhakaran said the supermarket would cater to more than a million people in Kuttanad. Once this takes off, the mall will also deliver home appliances, for instance washing machine or fridge, for those who place the demand. The boat may also have a computer room, where children can play computer games.
“Homemakers queue up to pick items of choice and are simply thrilled. It’s a novel experience for all of us. The daily collection has been grossing at Rs 30,000. Now there’s no looking back”, says A K Anoop, the mall manager.
He said customers could ring up 9349404400 and book items in advance but it would take a few weeks to get everything streamlined.
Says homemaker Mini Babu, 32: “This is quite welcome. I’ll shop at the floating mall because of the ambience plus prices at a discount”, she said at the Triveni halt near Nedumudi Bridge.
The Kerala State Co-operative Consumers Federation Ltd (Consumerfed), the apex body of consumer cooperatives, which owns the Rs 50-lakh mall, sells provisions at less than market prices. Floating Triveni offers an additional discount of two percent to promote sales. It’s 3 per cent still less for Scheduled Castes and Tribe customers, who should produce ration cards for proof.
Consumerfed hit on the mall concept from the ubiquitous, slender canoes, ferrying men and materials along winding backwaters and canals of Kuttanad. Perhaps, Triveni’s only limitation is its size-16-metre-long and six-metre-wide.
Says Riji R Nair, managing director, Consumerfed: “Initially, when this idea was floated, there was some skepticism. But we were ready to experiment and told the builder that if he could build a platform that could float and remain intact, we would go for it. That’s how the mall on water was born”.
Thiruvananthapuram-based Floatels Hospitalities, promoted by electrical engineer, M R Narayanan, took three years to build the vessel. Unlike other boats made of either wood or steel, this fibre steel-laminated ferro-cement vessel is relatively maintenance-free. It runs on a 40-HP engine but its on-board operations like lighting up and computers are solar-powered. The toilet is eco-friendly.
Twenty people can transact business at a time. At the click of a button, the inventory and sales positions are accessible to Consumerfed officials.
The Cochin University of Science and Technology Architecture Department, which designed, has certified the safety, technology and strength of the vessel.
Considering the uniqueness of Triveni, Consumerfed has approached the Guinness Book of World Records for endorsement.
Triveni is already Consumerfed’s showpiece and the federation plans to replicate this model elsewhere in Kerala. The federation earned a net profit of Rs150m on a turnover of Rs7 bn last year. It has a network of 85 Triveni retail department stores catering to urban areas, 800 Neethi retail outlets in rural areas and 30 Neethi medical stores.
Triveni stores network will spread to all 140 Assembly segments soon.
THE PENINSULA
Source ::: The Peninsula. / By John Mary
Alappuzha: A newly launched floating supermarket is doing brisk business on the Kuttanad backwaters even as scores of houseboats, the mainstay of tourism industry, are idling for want business in Kerala’s southern Alappuzha district.
Floating Triveni (Supermarket), painted in red and white squares, looks like a giant duck, gliding along the lake but on board t are 2,000 items of stationery and provisions. Since its launch on June 7 by Cooperation Minister G Sudhakaran, the mall has been stopping by islands and spots inaccessible by road.
Triveni is open from 8 am to 6 pm, with eight crew on board.
Sudhakaran said the supermarket would cater to more than a million people in Kuttanad. Once this takes off, the mall will also deliver home appliances, for instance washing machine or fridge, for those who place the demand. The boat may also have a computer room, where children can play computer games.
“Homemakers queue up to pick items of choice and are simply thrilled. It’s a novel experience for all of us. The daily collection has been grossing at Rs 30,000. Now there’s no looking back”, says A K Anoop, the mall manager.
He said customers could ring up 9349404400 and book items in advance but it would take a few weeks to get everything streamlined.
Says homemaker Mini Babu, 32: “This is quite welcome. I’ll shop at the floating mall because of the ambience plus prices at a discount”, she said at the Triveni halt near Nedumudi Bridge.
The Kerala State Co-operative Consumers Federation Ltd (Consumerfed), the apex body of consumer cooperatives, which owns the Rs 50-lakh mall, sells provisions at less than market prices. Floating Triveni offers an additional discount of two percent to promote sales. It’s 3 per cent still less for Scheduled Castes and Tribe customers, who should produce ration cards for proof.
Consumerfed hit on the mall concept from the ubiquitous, slender canoes, ferrying men and materials along winding backwaters and canals of Kuttanad. Perhaps, Triveni’s only limitation is its size-16-metre-long and six-metre-wide.
Says Riji R Nair, managing director, Consumerfed: “Initially, when this idea was floated, there was some skepticism. But we were ready to experiment and told the builder that if he could build a platform that could float and remain intact, we would go for it. That’s how the mall on water was born”.
Thiruvananthapuram-based Floatels Hospitalities, promoted by electrical engineer, M R Narayanan, took three years to build the vessel. Unlike other boats made of either wood or steel, this fibre steel-laminated ferro-cement vessel is relatively maintenance-free. It runs on a 40-HP engine but its on-board operations like lighting up and computers are solar-powered. The toilet is eco-friendly.
Twenty people can transact business at a time. At the click of a button, the inventory and sales positions are accessible to Consumerfed officials.
The Cochin University of Science and Technology Architecture Department, which designed, has certified the safety, technology and strength of the vessel.
Considering the uniqueness of Triveni, Consumerfed has approached the Guinness Book of World Records for endorsement.
Triveni is already Consumerfed’s showpiece and the federation plans to replicate this model elsewhere in Kerala. The federation earned a net profit of Rs150m on a turnover of Rs7 bn last year. It has a network of 85 Triveni retail department stores catering to urban areas, 800 Neethi retail outlets in rural areas and 30 Neethi medical stores.
Triveni stores network will spread to all 140 Assembly segments soon.
THE PENINSULA
Saturday, June 27, 2009
CII conducts seminar to address about monsoon tourism.
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 14:00 Hrs [IST]
By HBI Staff | Mumbai
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recently organised a National Seminar on Monsoon Tourism in New Delhi. The main focus of the seminar was to address about the monsoon season, which is traditionally perceived as the lean period for tourism in India and how to beat this 'off' season. Recent times have seen a conscious effort by various state boards to boost this tourism.
In Kerala, the honeymoon segment is being tapped to promote romantic holidays during the monsoons. The state is banking upon the MICE traffic to reduce the gap between season and off-season occupancy rates.
Himachal Pradesh, which was primarily a summer and winter destination has now recognised its potential as a monsoon tourism destination as travellers have discovered the beauty of this scenic destination during the rains. Understanding this trend, the Tourism Board has introduced packages to promote monsoon tourism in the state.
Apart from the travel trade, even non-governmental non-profit organisations like Wayand Tourism Organisation (WTO) are tapping the monsoon tourism segment to promote the region.
Read complete story >>
By HBI Staff | Mumbai
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recently organised a National Seminar on Monsoon Tourism in New Delhi. The main focus of the seminar was to address about the monsoon season, which is traditionally perceived as the lean period for tourism in India and how to beat this 'off' season. Recent times have seen a conscious effort by various state boards to boost this tourism.
In Kerala, the honeymoon segment is being tapped to promote romantic holidays during the monsoons. The state is banking upon the MICE traffic to reduce the gap between season and off-season occupancy rates.
Himachal Pradesh, which was primarily a summer and winter destination has now recognised its potential as a monsoon tourism destination as travellers have discovered the beauty of this scenic destination during the rains. Understanding this trend, the Tourism Board has introduced packages to promote monsoon tourism in the state.
Apart from the travel trade, even non-governmental non-profit organisations like Wayand Tourism Organisation (WTO) are tapping the monsoon tourism segment to promote the region.
Read complete story >>
EXPRESS FEATURES SERVICE.
Posted: Jun 27, 2009 at 0213 hrs IST
It all began in the backwaters of Kerala where Amitabh Kant was secretary, Tourism, and became part of the ad campaign, God’s Own Country, a line that has become synonymous with Kerala ever since. The Incredible India campaign soon followed, changing the face of the tourism sector in the country considerably. “After completing both campaigns, I felt not much was known about how we created Brand India. Since I’ve worked at the state and Central government level, I had some insight into it,” says Kant, who took a year out to write Branding India: An Incredible Story (Collins Business, Rs 499), an account of how this magnificently diverse country was brought together, under the Incredible India umbrella.
Kant, currently posted as principal secretary and special commissioner (Industries), Kerala, writes of how tourism is not just about sightseeing and lounging in hotels. “Tourism involves industries and people, starting from taxi drivers, shopkeepers and chefs. New areas such as rural and medical tourism were created and developed,” says Kant. It took him six months to write the book and he spent another six months fine-tuning it. He is now working on another book where he takes 100 people from various walks of life and explores how tourism has affected their lives.
It all began in the backwaters of Kerala where Amitabh Kant was secretary, Tourism, and became part of the ad campaign, God’s Own Country, a line that has become synonymous with Kerala ever since. The Incredible India campaign soon followed, changing the face of the tourism sector in the country considerably. “After completing both campaigns, I felt not much was known about how we created Brand India. Since I’ve worked at the state and Central government level, I had some insight into it,” says Kant, who took a year out to write Branding India: An Incredible Story (Collins Business, Rs 499), an account of how this magnificently diverse country was brought together, under the Incredible India umbrella.
Kant, currently posted as principal secretary and special commissioner (Industries), Kerala, writes of how tourism is not just about sightseeing and lounging in hotels. “Tourism involves industries and people, starting from taxi drivers, shopkeepers and chefs. New areas such as rural and medical tourism were created and developed,” says Kant. It took him six months to write the book and he spent another six months fine-tuning it. He is now working on another book where he takes 100 people from various walks of life and explores how tourism has affected their lives.
MICHAEL JACKSON’S FUNERAL
LOS ANGELES, CA – Plans for Michael Jackson’s funeral have been revealed by his estate.
Michael Jackson died on 25th afternoon of a heart attack. People all over the world mourn the loss of the King of Pop. In cities across the globe people gathered in squares and parks with candles in hand to mournfully sing his classics like “Beat It” and “Don’t Stop till You Get Enough.” In Utah the Salt Lake City Boys Choir did an a cappella version of “Billie Jean” that was broadcast on loudspeakers into the city and on Mormon Television Networks.
Representatives of the Jackson estate have released a statement detailing some of the plans for Mr. Jackson’s funeral. In his will Jackson wishes for his body to be cremated and sprinkled over the surface of the moon. However since then his finances have taken a downturn and new plans have had to be created.
A somber and respectful service will be held at an upscale funeral home in Los Angeles. The funeral will be closed casket, with a large picture of Michael from 1982. Seated front row will be Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, the skeleton of the Elephant Man, Bubbles 4 (the most recent pet monkey to carry the name), and Macaulay Culkin. The remaining members of the Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes will all perform at the ceremony to pay their respects. Acting as pallbearers will be the Harlem Globetrotters, who made Michael an honorary member in 1978.
President Barack Obama has expressed his sadness at the news of Jackson’s death. In respect he held his press conference on the matter wearing one white glove. Secret Service reports indicate he spent last night drinking scotch and moon-walking through the White House.
Sources within the intelligence community believe that Kim Jong Il may be planning a tribute concert in Pyongyang, wearing a red leather version of his standard jumpsuit. Photographs show Kim Jong Il desperately trying to learn the dance to Thriller.
The closed casket, and other details, have raised some questions. Yesterday afternoon also saw a flurry of strange meteorological activity over the New Mexico desert. When asked, one source working out of Area 51 who wishes to remain anonymous said “Michael? He not dead. He’s just going home.”
Despite his many controversies and eccentricities the world mourns the loss of this unforgettable musical icon.
Michael Jackson died on 25th afternoon of a heart attack. People all over the world mourn the loss of the King of Pop. In cities across the globe people gathered in squares and parks with candles in hand to mournfully sing his classics like “Beat It” and “Don’t Stop till You Get Enough.” In Utah the Salt Lake City Boys Choir did an a cappella version of “Billie Jean” that was broadcast on loudspeakers into the city and on Mormon Television Networks.
Representatives of the Jackson estate have released a statement detailing some of the plans for Mr. Jackson’s funeral. In his will Jackson wishes for his body to be cremated and sprinkled over the surface of the moon. However since then his finances have taken a downturn and new plans have had to be created.
A somber and respectful service will be held at an upscale funeral home in Los Angeles. The funeral will be closed casket, with a large picture of Michael from 1982. Seated front row will be Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, the skeleton of the Elephant Man, Bubbles 4 (the most recent pet monkey to carry the name), and Macaulay Culkin. The remaining members of the Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes will all perform at the ceremony to pay their respects. Acting as pallbearers will be the Harlem Globetrotters, who made Michael an honorary member in 1978.
President Barack Obama has expressed his sadness at the news of Jackson’s death. In respect he held his press conference on the matter wearing one white glove. Secret Service reports indicate he spent last night drinking scotch and moon-walking through the White House.
Sources within the intelligence community believe that Kim Jong Il may be planning a tribute concert in Pyongyang, wearing a red leather version of his standard jumpsuit. Photographs show Kim Jong Il desperately trying to learn the dance to Thriller.
The closed casket, and other details, have raised some questions. Yesterday afternoon also saw a flurry of strange meteorological activity over the New Mexico desert. When asked, one source working out of Area 51 who wishes to remain anonymous said “Michael? He not dead. He’s just going home.”
Despite his many controversies and eccentricities the world mourns the loss of this unforgettable musical icon.
Obituary: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's unique blend of soul, funk and rock made him the biggest pop act in the world.
Beyond this, his business acumen and intuitive understanding of the music market allowed him to showcase his remarkable talents.
Michael Jackson sold records by the million - and broke records too.
With the soulful vocal presence of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the dance moves of James Brown, Jackson's appeal crossed both national and racial boundaries.
His first break came in 1968, when the Jackson Five signed to the Motown label, and he was just 11 when the group released its first single.
Hits like I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There, which all went to number one in the United States in 1970, made the Jackson Five the first group in pop history to have their first four singles top the charts.
Before long, the youngest member of the Jackson Five was beginning to outstrip his brothers.
A series of solo hits, including Got To Be There, Rockin' Robin and Ben - the maudlin, yet chart-topping, paean to a rat - had shown that the promise of early years had come to fruition.
By the mid-1970s, both Michael's, and his brothers', careers were beginning to stall. Motown has ended its interest in the group, which had re-signed - as the Jacksons - to the Epic label.
But it was while Michael was working on the film musical The Wiz, an all-black retelling of the Wizard of Oz - in which he played the Scarecrow to Diana Ross's Dorothy - that he met the man who would turn him into a superstar and transform the world of popular music.
Music producer, composer and arranger, Quincy Jones, who could already boast a formidable track record, having created hits for artists like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and George Benson, took Jackson's raw talent and moulded it into an awesome new sound.
Video extravaganza
Four years later came Thriller, the album which would define his career. A heady mix of disco, R&B and funk, its nine tracks spawned seven hit singles and became the best-selling album of all time, with at least 55 million copies bought to date.
Having already experimented with video on Off The Wall, Jackson now took the new medium to new heights.
The John Landis-directed film, accompanying the album's title track, was a 16-minute big-budget extravaganza, featuring cutting-edge special effects and the voice of veteran horror actor, Vincent Price.
The Thriller video, and its companion, Beat It, also ended MTV's neglect of black artists, while making the mini-musical blockbuster de rigueur for any self-respecting pop star.
Besides his successful solo career, Jackson also recorded a series of hit duets with Paul McCartney, who had written the Off The Wall track, Girlfriend.
The two stars appeared on one another's albums with songs like The Girl Is Mine and the chart-topping Say Say Say.
Stripped-down sound
The relationship soured, though, in 1985, when Jackson outbid both McCartney and Yoko Ono to secure the ATV music-publishing catalogue, which included the rights to more than 250 Lennon/McCartney songs.
Not for the first time, Jackson's ruthless business streak had asserted itself.
The same year also saw the USA For Africa charity single, We Are The World, co-written by Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, reach number one in the US.
The Jackson phenomenon showed no sign of slowing down when, in 1987, he released the third, and final, Quincy Jones-produced album, Bad.
With five number one hits, including Man in the Mirror and Dirty Diana, the album also featured a 17-minute video, courtesy of Martin Scorsese, to promote the title track and a year-long world tour, at the time the largest-grossing in history.
Dangerous, Jackson's 1991 outing, featured a more stripped-down sound than its three predecessors.
But the magic remained, and tracks like Heal the World and Black and White soon became worldwide hits, despite the tabloid headlines and court cases which now threatened to damage the singer's reputation.
But his 1995 album, a compilation of old hits and new material entitled HIStory, failed to ignite the popular imagination.
Controversy
Despite the biggest-ever publicity campaign for an album, estimated at $30m, HIStory enjoyed a brief appearance in the charts.
Whether this was due to the star's increasingly erratic behaviour, continuing speculation about his private life or just the public turning increasingly to rap and hip-hop, is a matter for debate.
But one track, in particular - They Don't Care About Us, with the lyrics, "Jew me, sue me" - outraged many people including Jackson's long-time friend and supporter Steven Spielberg, who saw it as anti-Semitic.
And his appearance at the 1996 Brit Awards ceremony in London, surrounded by children and a rabbi, proved too much for some, most notably Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, who showed his displeasure by storming the stage and interrupting the performance.
Michael Jackson's final album, Invincible (2001) was released at a time when he looked anything but.
A swirl of controversy, including Jackson's repeated assertions that his record company, Sony, had asked for their money back - all $200m of it - and that the label's chairman, Tommy Mottola, held black artists back, effectively drowned out the music.
It seemed an underwhelming end to what had been one of the most spectacular of all musical careers.
In recent years, Jackson was plagued by money problems and shielded himself from public view.
Arrested in 2003 on charges of molesting a 14-year-old boy, he was cleared in June 2005 after a five-month trial.
As rumours of bankruptcy circled after the trial, Jackson moved for a period to the Middle East.
There he befriended the king of Bahrain's son, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, who helped fund Jackson's lavish lifestyle.
But the sheikh later sued Jackson for $7m (£4.7m), saying the star had reneged on a music contract that would have been used to pay back loans. The pair settled out of court last year.
Jackson was due to begin a series of sold-out comeback concerts, starting with an appearance in London next month.
Hundreds of fans queued at the O2 arena as tickets went on sale to the public and more than a quarter of a million people queued online.
In the end, around 750,000 tickets were sold for the 50-date residency - which Jackson had billed his "final curtain call".
Rehearsals for the show were under way when the star suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Bel Air. He was later pronounced dead at the UCLA medical centre in Los Angeles.
Your memories of the King of Pop
Music legend Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles, aged 50. What are your memories of the man who came to be known as the King of Pop?
Michael Jackson was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles on Thursday after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. He was later pronounced dead.
After bursting onto the world stage with his brothers in the Jackson 5, Michael went on to become one of the biggest-selling recording artists of all time.
But the singer was dogged by controversy and money trouble in recent years, becoming a virtual recluse.
He was due to begin a series of comeback concerts at London's O2 arena on 13 July which sold out within minutes of going on sale.
Michael Jackson was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles on Thursday after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. He was later pronounced dead.
After bursting onto the world stage with his brothers in the Jackson 5, Michael went on to become one of the biggest-selling recording artists of all time.
But the singer was dogged by controversy and money trouble in recent years, becoming a virtual recluse.
He was due to begin a series of comeback concerts at London's O2 arena on 13 July which sold out within minutes of going on sale.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson 'died of a drug overdose', according to reports
By Jody Thompson, Mirror.co.uk 26/06/2009
Michael Jackson died after a heart attack triggered from a cocktail of seven different prescription drugs according to that latest reports coming out of Los Angeles.
The pop superstar, 50, was pronounced dead at 2.36pm local time after falling into a deep coma at his home in Holmby Hills, California.
US celebrity magazine Life & Style says Jacko was hooked on prescription drugs.
A source told them that the star had been popping pills, including anti-anxiety drugs Xanax and Zoloft and painkiller Demerol, for weeks before his death and that an overdose had caused respiratory and cardiac arrest.
The Jackson family lawyer Brian Oxman had already alluded to the involvement of drugs in the singer's death when he likened the pop star's death to that of tragic star Anna Nicole Smith in an interview with CNN.
He also blamed the people who surrounded the star for his death.
He said: "I believe (his manager) Frank DiLeo was with him at the time (of his heart attack), that is what I have been told.
"This family has been trying for months and months and months to take care of Michael Jackson. The people who have surrounded him have been enabling him.
"If you think the case of Anna Nicole Smith was an abuse, that is nothing compared to what has taken place in the life of Michael Jackson.
"I do not know what medications he was taking, but the reports that we have received within the family are that they were extensive.
"I don't know the cause of all this. But this is something that I feared. This is a case of abuse of medications, unless the cause is something else.
"This was something which I feared and something which I warned about. Where there is smoke there is fire."
Michael Jackson died after a heart attack triggered from a cocktail of seven different prescription drugs according to that latest reports coming out of Los Angeles.
The pop superstar, 50, was pronounced dead at 2.36pm local time after falling into a deep coma at his home in Holmby Hills, California.
US celebrity magazine Life & Style says Jacko was hooked on prescription drugs.
A source told them that the star had been popping pills, including anti-anxiety drugs Xanax and Zoloft and painkiller Demerol, for weeks before his death and that an overdose had caused respiratory and cardiac arrest.
The Jackson family lawyer Brian Oxman had already alluded to the involvement of drugs in the singer's death when he likened the pop star's death to that of tragic star Anna Nicole Smith in an interview with CNN.
He also blamed the people who surrounded the star for his death.
He said: "I believe (his manager) Frank DiLeo was with him at the time (of his heart attack), that is what I have been told.
"This family has been trying for months and months and months to take care of Michael Jackson. The people who have surrounded him have been enabling him.
"If you think the case of Anna Nicole Smith was an abuse, that is nothing compared to what has taken place in the life of Michael Jackson.
"I do not know what medications he was taking, but the reports that we have received within the family are that they were extensive.
"I don't know the cause of all this. But this is something that I feared. This is a case of abuse of medications, unless the cause is something else.
"This was something which I feared and something which I warned about. Where there is smoke there is fire."
Autopsy planned after Jackson’s sudden death
‘King of Pop’ had been spending many hours preparing for comeback tour
updated 8:51 a.m. ET June 26, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson, defined in equal parts as the world’s greatest entertainer and perhaps its most enigmatic figure, was about to attempt one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Then his life was cut shockingly — and so far, mysteriously — short.
The 50-year-old musical superstar died Thursday, just as he was preparing for what would be a series of 50 concerts starting July 13 at London’s famed 02 arena. Jackson had been spending hours and hours toiling with a team of dancers for a performance he and his fans hoped would restore his tarnished legacy to its proper place in pop.
An autopsy was planned for Friday, though results were not likely to be final until toxicology tests could be completed, a process that could take several days and sometimes weeks. However, if a cause can be determined by the autopsy, they will announce the results, said Los Angeles County Coroner Investigator Jerry McKibben.
Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.
Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in the posh Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.
“It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known,” his brother Jermaine said.
Cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from pumping blood to the body. It can occur after a heart attack or be caused by other heart problems.
Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.
His 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.
As word of his death spread, MTV switched its programming to play videos from Jackson’s heyday. Radio stations began playing marathons of his hits. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital. In New York’s Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.
“No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow,” Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend had sent him. “It’s like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died.”
The public first knew him as a boy in the late 1960s, when he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Ind. Among their No. 1 hits were “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks, as was his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.
“For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words,” said Quincy Jones, who produced “Thriller.” “He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”
Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. He united two of music’s biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. Jackson’s sudden death immediately evoked comparisons to that of Presley himself, who died at age 42 in 1977.
“I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible,” Lisa Marie Presley said in a statement. “I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”
As years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He often wore a germ mask while traveling, kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions and surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, a storybook playland filled with toys, rides and animals. The tabloids dubbed him “Wacko Jacko.”
“It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It’s as if he was trying to defy gravity,” said Michael Levine, a Hollywood publicist who represented Jackson in the early 1990s. He called Jackson a “disciple of P.T. Barnum” and said the star appeared fragile at the time but was “much more cunning and shrewd about the industry than anyone knew.”
Jackson caused a furor in 2002 when he playfully dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony in Berlin while a throng of fans watched from below.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges that he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
The case followed years of rumors about Jackson and young boys. In a TV documentary, he acknowledged sharing his bed with children, a practice he described as sweet and not at all sexual.
Despite the acquittal, the lurid allegations that came out in court took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary. He was 4 years old when he began singing with his brothers — Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito — in the Jackson 5. After his early success with bubblegum soul, he struck out on his own, generating innovative, explosive, unstoppable music.
The album “Thriller” alone mixed the dark, serpentine bass and drums and synthesizer approach of “Billie Jean,” the grinding Eddie Van Halen guitar solo on “Beat It,” and the hiccups and falsettos on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.”
The peak may have come in 1983, when Motown celebrated its 25th anniversary with an all-star televised concert and Jackson moonwalked off with the show, joining his brothers for a medley of old hits and then leaving them behind with a pointing, crouching, high-kicking, splay-footed, crotch-grabbing run through “Billie Jean.”
The audience stood and roared. Jackson raised his fist.
During production of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, Jackson’s scalp sustains burns when an explosion sets his hair on fire.
He had strong follow-up albums with 1987’s “Bad” and 1991’s “Dangerous,” but his career began to collapse in 1993 after he was accused of molesting a boy who often stayed at his home. The singer denied any wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the boy’s family, reported to be $20 million, and criminal charges were never filed.
Jackson’s expressed anger over the allegations on the 1995 album “HIStory,” which sold more than 2.4 million copies, but by then, the popularity of Jackson’s music was clearly waning even as public fascination with his increasingly erratic behavior was growing.
Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994, and they divorced in 1996. Later that year, Jackson married Deborah Rowe, a former nurse for his dermatologist. They had two children together: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, now 12; and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. Rowe filed for divorce in 1999.
Jackson also had a third child, Prince Michael II. Now 7, Jackson said the boy nicknamed Blanket as a baby was his biological child born from a surrogate mother.
Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde said Jackson’s star power was unmatched. “The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it,” Werde said. “He’s literally the king of pop.”
Jackson’s 13 No. 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey, Werde said.
“He was on the eve of potentially redeeming his career a little bit,” he said. “People might have started to think of him again in a different light.”
updated 8:51 a.m. ET June 26, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson, defined in equal parts as the world’s greatest entertainer and perhaps its most enigmatic figure, was about to attempt one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Then his life was cut shockingly — and so far, mysteriously — short.
The 50-year-old musical superstar died Thursday, just as he was preparing for what would be a series of 50 concerts starting July 13 at London’s famed 02 arena. Jackson had been spending hours and hours toiling with a team of dancers for a performance he and his fans hoped would restore his tarnished legacy to its proper place in pop.
An autopsy was planned for Friday, though results were not likely to be final until toxicology tests could be completed, a process that could take several days and sometimes weeks. However, if a cause can be determined by the autopsy, they will announce the results, said Los Angeles County Coroner Investigator Jerry McKibben.
Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.
Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in the posh Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.
“It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known,” his brother Jermaine said.
Cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from pumping blood to the body. It can occur after a heart attack or be caused by other heart problems.
Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.
His 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.
As word of his death spread, MTV switched its programming to play videos from Jackson’s heyday. Radio stations began playing marathons of his hits. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital. In New York’s Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.
“No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow,” Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend had sent him. “It’s like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died.”
The public first knew him as a boy in the late 1960s, when he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Ind. Among their No. 1 hits were “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks, as was his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.
“For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words,” said Quincy Jones, who produced “Thriller.” “He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”
Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. He united two of music’s biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. Jackson’s sudden death immediately evoked comparisons to that of Presley himself, who died at age 42 in 1977.
“I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible,” Lisa Marie Presley said in a statement. “I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”
As years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He often wore a germ mask while traveling, kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions and surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, a storybook playland filled with toys, rides and animals. The tabloids dubbed him “Wacko Jacko.”
“It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It’s as if he was trying to defy gravity,” said Michael Levine, a Hollywood publicist who represented Jackson in the early 1990s. He called Jackson a “disciple of P.T. Barnum” and said the star appeared fragile at the time but was “much more cunning and shrewd about the industry than anyone knew.”
Jackson caused a furor in 2002 when he playfully dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony in Berlin while a throng of fans watched from below.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges that he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
The case followed years of rumors about Jackson and young boys. In a TV documentary, he acknowledged sharing his bed with children, a practice he described as sweet and not at all sexual.
Despite the acquittal, the lurid allegations that came out in court took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary. He was 4 years old when he began singing with his brothers — Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito — in the Jackson 5. After his early success with bubblegum soul, he struck out on his own, generating innovative, explosive, unstoppable music.
The album “Thriller” alone mixed the dark, serpentine bass and drums and synthesizer approach of “Billie Jean,” the grinding Eddie Van Halen guitar solo on “Beat It,” and the hiccups and falsettos on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.”
The peak may have come in 1983, when Motown celebrated its 25th anniversary with an all-star televised concert and Jackson moonwalked off with the show, joining his brothers for a medley of old hits and then leaving them behind with a pointing, crouching, high-kicking, splay-footed, crotch-grabbing run through “Billie Jean.”
The audience stood and roared. Jackson raised his fist.
During production of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, Jackson’s scalp sustains burns when an explosion sets his hair on fire.
He had strong follow-up albums with 1987’s “Bad” and 1991’s “Dangerous,” but his career began to collapse in 1993 after he was accused of molesting a boy who often stayed at his home. The singer denied any wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the boy’s family, reported to be $20 million, and criminal charges were never filed.
Jackson’s expressed anger over the allegations on the 1995 album “HIStory,” which sold more than 2.4 million copies, but by then, the popularity of Jackson’s music was clearly waning even as public fascination with his increasingly erratic behavior was growing.
Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994, and they divorced in 1996. Later that year, Jackson married Deborah Rowe, a former nurse for his dermatologist. They had two children together: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, now 12; and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. Rowe filed for divorce in 1999.
Jackson also had a third child, Prince Michael II. Now 7, Jackson said the boy nicknamed Blanket as a baby was his biological child born from a surrogate mother.
Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde said Jackson’s star power was unmatched. “The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it,” Werde said. “He’s literally the king of pop.”
Jackson’s 13 No. 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey, Werde said.
“He was on the eve of potentially redeeming his career a little bit,” he said. “People might have started to think of him again in a different light.”
Web slows after Jackson's death
The internet suffered a number of slowdowns as people the world over rushed to verify accounts of Michael Jackson's death.
Search giant Google confirmed to the BBC that when the news first broke it feared it was under attack.
Millions of people who Googled the star's name were greeted with an error page rather than a list of results.
It warned users "your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application".
"It's true that between approximately 2.40PM Pacific and 3.15PM Pacific, some Google News users experienced difficulty accessing search results for queries related to Michael Jackson and saw the error page," said Google spokesman Gabriel Stricker.
It was around this time that the singer was officially pronounced dead.
Google's trends page showed that searches for Michael Jackson had reached such a volume that in its so called "hotness" gauge the topic was rated "volcanic".
Read More BBC News
Search giant Google confirmed to the BBC that when the news first broke it feared it was under attack.
Millions of people who Googled the star's name were greeted with an error page rather than a list of results.
It warned users "your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application".
"It's true that between approximately 2.40PM Pacific and 3.15PM Pacific, some Google News users experienced difficulty accessing search results for queries related to Michael Jackson and saw the error page," said Google spokesman Gabriel Stricker.
It was around this time that the singer was officially pronounced dead.
Google's trends page showed that searches for Michael Jackson had reached such a volume that in its so called "hotness" gauge the topic was rated "volcanic".
Read More BBC News
King Of Pop Michael Jackson Is Dead Photo Gallery,pictures,stills,pics
Michael Jackson Is Dead body photos,Michael Jackson Is Dead news pictures,Michael Jackson Is Dead body stills,Michael Jackson Is Dead body pics,Michael Jackson Is Dead body images,Michael Jackson Is Dead news pics,Michael Jackson Is Dead news images,Michael Jackson Is Dead news pictures,Michael Jackson Is Dead news photo gallery
King of Pop Michael Jackson has died after a suspected heart attack at home in Los Angeles
The 50-year-old singer was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital in in a deep coma.
Jackson's brother Jermaine said it was believed he suffered a cardiac arrest in his home in Holmby Hills.
"My brother, the legendary King of Pop, passed away on Thursday, June 25, at 2.26pm.
"We believe he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home, however the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known.
"His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did the paramedics who transported him to UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
"On arrival at 1.14pm a team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists attempted to resuscitate him for one hour but they were unsuccessful."
Jackson was pronounced dead at about 1426 local time (2226 British time).
Source : Skynews.com
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Kerala government expecting Rs 1000 crore private investment in state’s tourism sector.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 18:30 Hrs [IST]
By TBM Staff | Thiruvananthapuram
In a written reply to K M Mani of the Kerala Congress (Mani) and others, Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today informed the State Assembly that the government was expecting Rs 1,000 crore private investments this year in the tourism sector in the state. Balakrishnan said the main areas of the private investments would be hotel industry, amusement parks, tours and convention centres. He, however, admitted that the global economic recession had affected the tourism sector, particularly the flow of foreign tourists and revenue from them.
According to statistics of foreign tourists visiting the state during the months between January and March this year, a decrease of 18.86 per cent was noted, compared to the same period last year, he said and added that it was also reflected in the revenue. However, during the same period an estimated 3.21 per cent of increase was noticed in the flow of domestic tourists, as against the previous year. Stating that there was an increase in the number of tourists, both foreign and domestic, the minister said a total of 20,60,737 tourists visited the state between January and March.
By TBM Staff | Thiruvananthapuram
In a written reply to K M Mani of the Kerala Congress (Mani) and others, Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today informed the State Assembly that the government was expecting Rs 1,000 crore private investments this year in the tourism sector in the state. Balakrishnan said the main areas of the private investments would be hotel industry, amusement parks, tours and convention centres. He, however, admitted that the global economic recession had affected the tourism sector, particularly the flow of foreign tourists and revenue from them.
According to statistics of foreign tourists visiting the state during the months between January and March this year, a decrease of 18.86 per cent was noted, compared to the same period last year, he said and added that it was also reflected in the revenue. However, during the same period an estimated 3.21 per cent of increase was noticed in the flow of domestic tourists, as against the previous year. Stating that there was an increase in the number of tourists, both foreign and domestic, the minister said a total of 20,60,737 tourists visited the state between January and March.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kerala Tourism Minister asks Kumari Selja for central assistance for two mega tourism projects of the state.
BY TBM Staff | New Delhi
In the first meeting with Kumari Selja, Union Minister for Tourism and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in New Delhi last week, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Tourism Minister, Kerala asked the Ministry of Tourism to include two important tourism projects of Kerala- Wayanad Tourism Project, and Mussiris Heritage Tourism project – in the Mega Tourism Projects map for central assistance. Balakrishnan also took up several issues concerning the state’s tourism at the meeting.
The Kerala Tourism had submitted a detailed plan for Rs 67.75 crore of Mussiris Heritage Tourism project to the Central government last year and has been awaiting approval. Additionally, the Minister asked Selja to include Wayanad Tourism Plan, an ambitious project to transform the tourism infrastructure of Northern Kerala. In view of the global financial down turn, Balakrishnan also asked for more incentives to home stay owners and tour operators in the country through the upcoming budget.
In the first meeting with Kumari Selja, Union Minister for Tourism and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in New Delhi last week, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Tourism Minister, Kerala asked the Ministry of Tourism to include two important tourism projects of Kerala- Wayanad Tourism Project, and Mussiris Heritage Tourism project – in the Mega Tourism Projects map for central assistance. Balakrishnan also took up several issues concerning the state’s tourism at the meeting.
The Kerala Tourism had submitted a detailed plan for Rs 67.75 crore of Mussiris Heritage Tourism project to the Central government last year and has been awaiting approval. Additionally, the Minister asked Selja to include Wayanad Tourism Plan, an ambitious project to transform the tourism infrastructure of Northern Kerala. In view of the global financial down turn, Balakrishnan also asked for more incentives to home stay owners and tour operators in the country through the upcoming budget.
KTDC launches mobile phone campaign
KOCHI: Aiming to attract domestic tourists to the state, the Kerala Tourism Department has launched a campaign through mobile phones which will be implemented in a phased manner.
The first phase of the campaign, which is also a contest, has been launched with the onset of the monsoon.
The phase I will witness a threemonth ‘Discover Unseen Kerala’ contest on GPRS-enabled mobile phones.
The contest requires users to identify unseen locations featured on the mobsite and also answer questions about Kerala.
The winners will get a fully paid trip to some of the outstanding destinations in the state.
The database of mobile users collected in phase I will be used for phase II.
In the second phase, members of the Kerala Tourism mobile group will get alerts on Kerala Tourism, especially about its new packages.
And when the group grows to a significant size, the members will be encouraged to upload their photos and comments on the Kerala Tourism mobile site.
“The Kerala Tourism Dept is also planning more exposure to existing popular tourist destinations in the state. Mobile phones which have become a potential medium for exchanging multimedia content, has opened new doors for innovative marketing strategy. We will be making use of the best available technology to enhance the popularity of Kerala as a tourist destination,” said V Venu, secretary, Kerala Tourism.
There is also a potential participatory aspect in the new mobile strategy.
The first hand experience of a traveller visiting the state is more authentic than the words in an advertisement brochure.
Despite worries over financial crisis, the domestic tourism sector witnessed 75,91,250 domestic tourists coming to the state, showing a growth of 14.28 percent from the previous year.
December recorded the maximum number (7,50,415) of tourist arrivals in 2008, while the lowest (5,74,544) was in July.
The first phase of the campaign, which is also a contest, has been launched with the onset of the monsoon.
The phase I will witness a threemonth ‘Discover Unseen Kerala’ contest on GPRS-enabled mobile phones.
The contest requires users to identify unseen locations featured on the mobsite and also answer questions about Kerala.
The winners will get a fully paid trip to some of the outstanding destinations in the state.
The database of mobile users collected in phase I will be used for phase II.
In the second phase, members of the Kerala Tourism mobile group will get alerts on Kerala Tourism, especially about its new packages.
And when the group grows to a significant size, the members will be encouraged to upload their photos and comments on the Kerala Tourism mobile site.
“The Kerala Tourism Dept is also planning more exposure to existing popular tourist destinations in the state. Mobile phones which have become a potential medium for exchanging multimedia content, has opened new doors for innovative marketing strategy. We will be making use of the best available technology to enhance the popularity of Kerala as a tourist destination,” said V Venu, secretary, Kerala Tourism.
There is also a potential participatory aspect in the new mobile strategy.
The first hand experience of a traveller visiting the state is more authentic than the words in an advertisement brochure.
Despite worries over financial crisis, the domestic tourism sector witnessed 75,91,250 domestic tourists coming to the state, showing a growth of 14.28 percent from the previous year.
December recorded the maximum number (7,50,415) of tourist arrivals in 2008, while the lowest (5,74,544) was in July.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Ayurvedic spas in Kerala hit by drop in tourists
KOCHI: The global economic meltdown is taking its toll on tourist arrivals at Ayurvedic spas across Kerala and the sector is foreseeing at least 30-40 per cent dip in income this monsoon season.
According to Ayurveda experts, monsoon (June-September) is the best season for rejuvenation therapy as the atmosphere remains dust-free, cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and massage.
Dr R Rajesh, senior Ayurvedic physician of Kochi-based Softouch Health Care, which provides Ayurvedic physicians and trained therapists to well-known hotels in Kerala including those of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, said the number of tourists who come for wellness treatment at the Ayurvedic centres in the hotels has declined. He said Softouch used to get regular guests from Germany, Switzerland, US and Russia but the number has reduced following the economic recession.
“Now guests go for hard bargaining on treatments,'' he said. However, there was no dip in numbers of chronic patients coming for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment offered by Coimbatore-based Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (AVP) and Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala (AV S) at the respective treatment centres and hospitals, AVP Managing Director Dr P R Krishna Kumar said.
Due to dwindling number of visitors, many spas and treatment centres which had sprung up overnight and had been charging heavily for treatment, have started closing down, Kumar said. - PTI
According to Ayurveda experts, monsoon (June-September) is the best season for rejuvenation therapy as the atmosphere remains dust-free, cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and massage.
Dr R Rajesh, senior Ayurvedic physician of Kochi-based Softouch Health Care, which provides Ayurvedic physicians and trained therapists to well-known hotels in Kerala including those of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, said the number of tourists who come for wellness treatment at the Ayurvedic centres in the hotels has declined. He said Softouch used to get regular guests from Germany, Switzerland, US and Russia but the number has reduced following the economic recession.
“Now guests go for hard bargaining on treatments,'' he said. However, there was no dip in numbers of chronic patients coming for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment offered by Coimbatore-based Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (AVP) and Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala (AV S) at the respective treatment centres and hospitals, AVP Managing Director Dr P R Krishna Kumar said.
Due to dwindling number of visitors, many spas and treatment centres which had sprung up overnight and had been charging heavily for treatment, have started closing down, Kumar said. - PTI
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