News

Andhra govt to improve tourism infrastructure, construct ropeway at Gandikota village

In a bid to improve the tourism infrastructure, the Andhra Pradesh government is going to construct a ropeway at Gandikota village with an estimated cost of INR 4.50 crore, informed the state Tourism Minister, Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao on Friday. Speaking to media persons, the Minister said, "The social infrastructure will also be developed at Borra Caves with an expenditure of INR 2.70 crore and cottages to be constructed at Maredumilli with INR 1.15 crore. Apart from these, water and adventure sports are to be developed at various places in the state." The government also proposed to construct temporary toilets and restaurants at Lambasingi in the Visakha forest region, where at least 20,000 tourists are visiting per day, Rao said. Though the government was trying to construct permanent structures there, they were stopped due to various reasons, but now, these constructions would be completed with an estimated amount of INR 3 crore, he added.

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Rajasthan to host Ranakpur Jawai Bandh Utsav from December 22

Rajasthan is all geared up to host the Ranakpur Jawai Bandh Utsav from December 22 in Pali district. Referring to this, Rajasthan Tourism Department stated that along with this festival, Utsav of Mount Abu will also be held on December 30-31, which will mark the last official tourism event of the year 2021. The tourism department added that more such events are lined up to lure visitors in the months to follow. The department released a statement stating these festivities reflect upon the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The tourists too continue to express immense enthusiasm for the events and the same was witnessed in the recently concluded festivals, the Bundi Utsav of Bundi and Matsay Utsav in Alwar district, it added. Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary Tourism, Rajasthan, referring to the event, added, “Rajasthan is a land of all seasons and pulsates with festivities all year long. In winters the vast expanses of desert sand throb with life, sound and colour as large numbers for the domestic festivals, some of which such as Desert Festival, Pushkar Fair have emerged to global recognition." As per the official statement, the festival calendar includes "Chittorgarh Durg Utsav in the month of January 2022 which will be followed by The Camel Festival at Bikaner (January 08-09, 2022) and Kite Festival of Jaipur (January 14, 2022). Baneshwar Mela in Banswara (February 10-14, 2022), Desert Festival of Jaisalmer (February 14-16, 2022), the Braj Holi in Bharatpur (March13-14, 2022), Dhulandi Mahotsav of Jaipur (March 18, 2022) and Shekhawati Utsav (March 20-22, 2022) will continue to reverberate the festive scenario till the mega celebrations of Rajasthan Diwas Samaroh conclude the winter festival calendar on March 30, 2022."

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IATA asks governments to follow WHO advice on Omicron and not to impose travel bans

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in a release, reminded the governments of the world about the World Health Organisation (WHO) advice on measures to contain the new Covid-19 variant Omicron which rescinds any kind of curbs on international travel. WHO had advised countries against imposing restrictions on international air travel and said that “blanket travel bans” will not prevent the international spread. Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, in a statement, said, “After nearly two years with Covid-19, we know a lot about the virus and the inability of travel restrictions to control its spread. But the discovery of the Omicron variant induced instant amnesia on governments that implemented knee-jerk restrictions in complete contravention of advice from the WHO - the global expert.” “The goal is to move away from the uncoordinated, evidence-absent, riskunassessed mess that travellers face. As governments agreed at ICAO and in line with the WHO advice, all measures should be time-bound and regularly reviewed. It is unacceptable that rushed decisions have created fear and uncertainty among travellers just as many are about to embark on year-end visits to family or hard-earned vacations,” he added. IATA cited WHO’s stand on the Omicron issue vis-a-vis international travel. “Blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread, and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods. In addition, they can adversely impact global health efforts during a pandemic by disincentivising countries to report and share epidemiological and sequencing data. All countries should ensure that the measures are regularly reviewed and updated when new evidence becomes available on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Omicron or any other variants of concern,” it stated.

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Postcard Hotel's new artsy venture in Mattanchery is stunning

New Delhi: Steadfast, strong, and evidently attaining their vision of opening a multitude of luxury experiential hotels, The Postcard Hotel is set to open two new hotels this December, The Postcard Hideaway, Netravali and The Postcard Mandalay Hall, Kochi. Refurbished and renewed, The Postcard Galle, Sri Lanka also opens again, as Sri Lanka has reopened its borders for tourists. Postcard Mandalay Hall, Kochi The Postcard Mandalay Hall is an art hotel nestled in the cobbled by lanes of Mattancherry, Kochi, in a 200year old landmark building that was once a residential Jewish quarter. What makes this hotel completely charming is the way it has been crafted to offer an unforgettable experience that bridges Kochi's past and present. Each of the five luxury rooms is an immersive living gallery, exhibiting artwork and installations by different artists. "Our hotel in Kochi is all soul. Each section is carefully designed to tell its own unique story, be it the rooms, the heritage jewellery store or even the untouched exterior walls," says Kapil Chopra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Postcard Hotel. The Postcard Hideaway, Netravali The Postcard Hideaway, Netravali opens on December 10 in a pristine, hidden ecosystem of South Goa. This first hideaway resort comes with 20 rooms spread across 20 acres, enveloped by the western ghats and overlooking the verdant hills. Propelling a wellness journey, the hotel is designed and curated to let one absorb the nature around and detox from the outside world, while offering restorative seclusion and an all new way to holiday in Goa. "This expansive resort is perfect for ones looking to truly unwind and get away from the noise and pace of busy city lives. All our hotels in Goa have a uniquely distinct identity that offer an immersion of the surrounding spaces and culture. Our hotel in Netravali goes a step further towards exploring a completely unseen dimension of Goa. We truly believe that the experience at this property has the potential to change the way many people see Goa," says Kapil. Postcard Galle, Sri Lanka The Postcard Galle, Sri Lanka is another Postcard experience that shouldn't be missed as the year ends. With a spectacular view of the enchanting Indian ocean, this 10 suite resort is also a stone's throw from Galle Fort and just an hour away from the biggest mammal in the world, the blue whale. "We opened the hotel a few months before the pandemic. With Sri Lanka now open again for tourists, it gives us the chance to bring this enchanting experience back to our guests. Located above the waters of a beautiful blue lagoon in a neighbourhood filled with well-preserved architecture, local cafes and boutiques, The Postcard Galle offers the perfect balance of some cultural exploration as well as some solitude by the sea," says Kapil.

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Indian Railways to introduce attendants on board premium trains

Indian Railways will soon introduce attendants in its premium trains including Vande Bharat, Gatimaan and Tejas Express in a bid to provide better passenger services. The decision to introduce attendants was taken with an idea to provide better passenger facilities to the people travelling in those trains, a senior official told Livemint. The attendants will however not be introduced in the longdistance premium trains like Rajdhani Express and Duronto Express. The attendants will be a mixed gendered crew that will work only during the daytime in premium trains. There will also be catering that aims to match the standard of airlines, the official told the site. Indian Railways at present operates around 25 premium trains which include 12 Shatabdi, one Gatimaan, two Vande Bharat, one Tejas Express.

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Aaditya Thackeray launches river rejuvenation project in Mumbai

Maharashtra Environment, Tourism, and Protocol Minister, Aaditya Thackeray launched a major river rejuvenation and beautification project in Mumbai as part of reviving major water bodies in Mumbai from ruin. Marking the beginning of a state-wide project, Thackeray launched rejuvenation and protection of Dahisar River in Mumbai. The Dahisar river rejuvenation project is being undertaken at INR 281.15 crore, excluding taxes. It will include construction of two sewage treatment plants of 0.5 MLD and 1 MLD capacity, laying of sewer and storm-water drain lines, construction of interceptors to prevent sewage discharge, and construction of access roads along the banks of the river. The Dahisar River, which originates from the Tulsi Lake in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, flows from north to west and has a total length of 12 km and a catchment area of 3488 hectare. Prime causes of river contamination are the encroachments on river banks, lack of a solid waste disposal mechanism and sewage flow into the river. BMC will also undertake landscaping on nearby open spaces, besides developing a mangrove park, introducing boating, creating sit-outs, provision of gardens, a green belt, amusement, and children’s park along the Dahisar river. Thackeray also directed the BMC to implement a solid waste management plan so that all the rivers in Mumbai will be protected. Under the guidance of the Minister, the BMC came up with a plan for river rejuvenation and beautification plan for Dahisar and will be soon taken up at Oshiwara and Poisar. Under phase one of the Dahisar river rejuvenation plan, sludge removal has been proposed. This will be followed by the setting up of 3-meter-high vertical fencing which has been proposed on the existing retaining wall. Floating wetlands will also be created within the river to purify water through natural processes where aquatic plants act as biofilters.

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