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Kerala announces to reopen traditional route to Sabarimala Temple

The Kerala state government has decided to open the traditional route to the Sabarimala temple from Pampa via Neelimala, Apache medu, and Marakoottam. As per the data from the Health Ministry, the southern state currently has a little less than 40 thousand active cases. The decision was taken during a meeting held between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan. According to the new updated guidelines, primary healthcare facilities have been set up at Apache medu and Neelimala. Reports have it that around 500 rooms have also been set up in line with COVID-19 protocols to facilitate overnight stay at Sannidhanam. As per the statement released from the Chief Minister's office, bathing and bali tharpanam rituals will be allowed in the Pampa River after the local administration assesses the water level. Reportedly, the Sabarimala temple opened in mid-November for two months amid a slew of precautionary measures. RT-PCR test report that has been taken within 72 hours will be mandatory, while two doses of COVID-19 vaccination certificate will be required for visiting the Lord Ayyappa shrine. Health department officials have also been deployed at treatment centres from Pamba to Sannidhanam, while the state government has set up oxygen facilities and emergency medical centres at five places along this route. Special dispensaries had also been set up at various points including Sannidhanam, Nilakkal, Pampa, Nilakkal, Erumeli, and Charalmedu (Ayyappan Road).

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Israel Organises 3-City Roadshow In India

Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) recently conducted its first roadshow in 2021 across three Indian cities : Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata - to strengthen ties with the Indian travel trade fraternity. The focus was on outbound MICE travel. The events commenced with a destination presentation which focused on key developments, tourism infrastructure in Israel as well as opening of new hotels and tourist attractions. The Israeli delegation was led by Sammy Yahia, Director of Israel Ministry of Tourism, India & Philippines along with Judah Samuel, Director of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India. Speaking about the roadshows, Yahia said: “The last two years have been extremely challenging for everyone, especially the tourism industry. With restricted number of flights and constant changes in travel policies, many Indian travellers chose domestic travels, similar to Israel. With borders opening for international travel, we are delighted to host our first roadshow since 2019. The aim was to have a concerted group of about 30 attendees in each city, with a focus on reviving interest in Israel as a destination, especially with the MICE segment. The presentation highlighted the upgrades that have been made to the tourism infrastructure in Israel, as well as new and exciting initiatives that have been implemented. It was heart-warming to meet our partners in each city and I am glad to see the enthusiastic response from the travel trade in marketing Israel to their corporate clients.”

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The Postcard Hotel is set to open two new hotels this December

The Postcard Hideaway, Netravali launched on December 10, in South Goa. This first hideaway resort comes with 20 rooms spread across 20 acres, enveloped by the Western Ghats and overlooking the verdant hills. The hotel is designed and curated to let one absorb the nature around and detox from the outside world, while offering restorative seclusion. “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.” said Kapil Chopra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Postcard Hotel. The Postcard Mandalay Hall is an art hotel nestled in the cobbled by lanes of Mattancherry, Kochi, in a 200 year old landmark building that was once a residential Jewish quarter. “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,” added Chopra. 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,” shared Chopra.

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108 countries recognise Indian Covid-19 vaccination certificate for travel purpose: Govt

A total of 108 countries recognise the Indian Covid-19 vaccination certificate for travel purpose, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed Lok Sabha on Friday, sharing data available as on December 6. The World Health Organisation's Emergency Use Listing (EUL) assists interested UN procurement agencies, member states and countries in determining acceptability of using specific vaccines, based on an essential set of available data on quality, safety, efficacy and performance, Pawar said in a written reply. The aim is to expedite availability of these products to people affected by a public health emergency, and it allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer Covid-19 vaccines, she said. Persons inoculated with such vaccines, which are listed under the WHO- EUL, are deemed to be protected by authorities of many countries and allowed to travel internationally, Pawar said. "However, not all countries require Covid-19 vaccination for travel. India also does not, at present, require Covid-19 vaccination for travel. Among the countries, which do have such requirements, as on December 6, 2021, a total of 108 countries recognise the Indian vaccination certificate for travel purpose," she said in the written reply.

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Srinagar sets up free and paid quarantine facilities amid Omicron scare

With the rise of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, states are ramping up measures to ensure that they are able to contain the spread of the virus, and reduce the impact of possible third wave. Working on the similar lines, Srinagar, one of India's most popular winter tourist destinations, has recently announced taking certain measures to facilitate smooth travel of visitors. As per the reports, the city has planned to set up paid as well as free quarantine services for travellers amid rising cases of Omicron in the country. Reports have it that as of now, around five states in India have so far reported Omicron cases, namely Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Referring to this, Nodal Officer of Quarantine Centre Srinagar Dr. Mudasir Nabi informed that the Disaster Management Authority of Srinagar or Chief Medical Officer ( CMO) have set up paid and free quarantine centres. Reportedly, the Haj House and a marriage hall have been converted into free quarantine centres. Also, four hotels have been converted into paid quarantine facilities. Those arriving at the airport will be able to opt between the free and paid quarantine centres, as per their requirement. The CMO of Srinagar further informed that teams comprising doctors have been assigned to analyse test reports and verify them before leaving the travellers. Incharge of the isolation centre Muzaffar added that the isolation centre has all the facilities to ensure visitors don’t face any problem. He urged travellers not to hide any problems from the authorities, and added that at this time of crisis, the government needs the cooperation of the public.

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International Buddhist Travel Mart begins in Bodh Gaya from 10 December

GAYA: A three-day conference on ‘2,566 Years of Buddhism: Its Relevance Today’ and the International Buddhist Travel Mart will begin in Bodh Gaya on Friday. The Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) will organize the event in association with the Union Ministry Of Tourism and Delhi’s social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam will open the conference. ABTO’s founder secretary general Kaulesh Kumar told this reporter on Thursday, “During the conference the theme of which is the three Bs (Buddha, Bodh Gaya and Borobudur), discussions will be held on reviving the Buddhist heritage sites and promoting the tourism and hospitality sectors that were badly hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic." Kaulesh added, “Due to the restrictions imposed on the operation of international flights many delegates from foreign countries will not attend the conference. They are likely to join its sessions via videoconferencing.” The deputy director of the United Nations Peace Keepers Federal Council, Lye Ket Yong, will receive the ‘Lord Buddha Asia Pacific Peace and Tourism Mitra Award’ while S D Darmano from Indonesia will get the ‘Lord Buddha International Peace and Tourism Mitra Award’ during the conference. After the formal inauguration of the event at a Bodh Gaya-based hotel, different sessions of the conference will begin at Maya Sarovar. A peace walk will be organized on the pemises of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex on Saturday.

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