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.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
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 >>
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