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Tripura to start development of islands for tourism under ADB project from next year

Tripura will start the work on development of identified islands for tourism under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project from next year. Tripura had received INR 500 crore funding for tourism infrastructure development in the state for which the state government has identified 25 destinations and sites to be covered under the project. These include 5 scenic islands in the Dumboor Lake. According to Tarit Kanti Chakma, Director - Tourism, Government of Tripura, out of the 25 projects identified seven are major projects and the remaining are minor tourism projects. Talking to ET TravelWorld on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Tourism Mart for the North East in Kohima, Chakma said that the tourism department has already received the financial and other approvals for the projects under the ADB and works will be started on these projects starting next year. “We have already received INR 17 crore for projects under ADB,” he said. He said that out of the five islands identified for tourism development, two are twin islands and will be developed as adventure tourism hubs. One of the islands will be developed as a destination for weddings and other events, and a fisherman island which will be developed for village life experiences. State Tourism has already developed Narikel Kunja, an island destination, with funding from the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Central Tourism Ministry. 22 log huts and other facilities have been set up on the island for tourists. Chakma said that the idea is to develop infrastructure in the identified islands and hand over the facilities for the private sector to manage on a long term lease basis. “Private sector is better equipped to manage such facilities better,” he said. While the state has the USP of having majestic palaces, Chakma said that the idea is to develop the state as a preferred destination for eco and adventure tourism. He mentioned that in order to create a pool of trained manpower to handle adventure activities, the state tourism has sent people to Manesar in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh (Bir Billing) for training in paramotoring and paragliding, respectively. The Tourism Director said that the department is promoting homestays in places like Jampui Hills in a big way.

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Average fares of AI, United, Lufthansa on air bubble flights comparable to pre-pandemic level: Govt

Average economy class fares on flights of Air India, United Airlines and Lufthansa, operating under the 'air bubble' arrangement currently, are comparable to the average fares of pre-pandemic era, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, V K Singh, said on Monday. Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 last year, when the Coronavirus pandemic had started spreading across the world. However, since July last year, India has formed bilateral air bubble arrangements with around 31 countries so that special international passenger flights, with certain restrictions, could be operated. "As per details of fare submitted by Air India (the only Indian carrier operating to Europe and North America), United Airlines (operating between India and USA) and Lufthansa (operating between India and Germany), average fares for travel by economy class, under the air travel bubble arrangements, are comparable to the average fares during winter 2019 schedule (pre-Covid)," Singh said in his written response to a question in Rajya Sabha. The Centre had on December 1 decided not to resume scheduled international flights from December 15, less than a week after announcing the decision in the wake of rising concerns over the Covid variant Omicron. On the matter of resumption of scheduled international flights, Singh said, "In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other ministries, with regard to taking any further decision on this issue."

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India will soon have Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museum to honour unsung tribal heroes

There are several history books and museums narrating the tale of India’s freedom struggle and sacrifices made by its citizens. But there aren’t many places talking about the sacrifices made by the Indian tribal people during the fight of freedom. So the Indian government has decided to honour such courageous souls by opening tribal freedom fighter museums in the country. The central government has decided to build Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museum in 10 states, namely Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Goa. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum in Manipur on a virtual platform. The museum will be built in Luangkao village (the birthplace of Rani Gaidinliu), Tamenglong district at a cost of INR 15 crore under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The museum would preserve and exhibit artefacts of tribal freedom fighters at various stages like British colonial rule, Anglo-Manipuri War and Kuki-Rebellion, among others. The idea behind the museum is to honour the contribution made by the unsung tribal freedom fighters of Manipur and honouring freedom fighters would also imbibe a sense of nationalism among the youngsters. About Rani Gaidinliu For those who don’t know, Rani Gaidinliu was born on January 26, 1915 at Nungkao village in Tamenglong district and was a spiritual and political leader. She was from the Rongmei tribe of Manipur. She became a freedom fighter just at the tender age of 13. In 1932, she was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment by the British. She was in jail for 14 years and was released only after India got independence in 1947. To honour her, she was awarded Tamara Patra in 1972 and Padma Bhushan in 1982. In 1996, a postage stamp was also introduced in her honour.

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Delhi and Mumbai airports revise Covid-19 testing charges to ease burden on passengers

Easing some burden on air passengers in terms of high cost of RT-PCR testing at the airports amidst rising cases of Omicron Covid-19 cases and frequent movement of international passengers in India, the Delhi International Airport and the Mumbai International Airport have announced to reduce the cost of Rapid PCR and RT-PCR test done in their premises. In a statement, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi announced that they have reduced the price of Rapid PCR test from INR 3,900 to INR 3,500 to provide relief to passengers. The move will specially benefit international passengers who are required to undergo mandatory testing on arrival in India and the ones who are required to get tested for Covid-19 before departure from the airport. The regular RT-PCR test, whose report takes around 4-6 hours, will continue to be available at INR 500. The Rapid test gives result within 90 minutes resulting in less waiting time for travellers before they get the report. The airport has 20 dedicated counters on arrival piers for passengers who have pre-booked their RT-PCR/Rapid PCR test. Whereas, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai said they set up 100 registration counters and 60 sampling booths including 100 Rapid PCR machines while revising the rates of Rapid PCR test at a reduced cost of INR 3,900 as against INR 4,500 earlier. “Along with this normal RT-PCR test costing INR 600 is also available at CSMIA. “The reduced RT-PCR test charges will help passengers to avail the test at a minimal cost and enable them a safe and secured travel,” said the airport in a statement. Passengers arriving from South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Europe including United Kingdom, Brazil, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong & Israel, shall have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test on arrival, and are required to wait for their test results before leaving or taking a connecting flight. Apart from this, a certain number of arriving passengers (around 5 per cent from each flight) will be tested on a random basis selected by the airlines. Such test will be free of cost. Travellers from countries excluding those at risk, are allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.

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Omicron: Covid travel rules for UAE residents flying to 8 destinations, including India, UK, US, Pakistan, Philippines

The latest Covid-19 variant, Omicron, has spread to more than 30 countries across the globe. As a result, many countries have introduced new restrictions for foreign travellers to rein the latest variant. With UAE being home to nearly 200 nationalities, residents travel to different countries worldwide either for leisure, business or family visits. With the holiday season also around the corner, UAE residents must be aware of new travel restrictions for a smooth travel experience. Below are the details of new travel guidelines to some popular destinations due to Omicron. India India has announced a delay in the resumption of international flights from December 15 after India’s Ministry of Health announced two cases of Omicron in Karnataka. The Indian states announced different measures to rein in Omicron: •New Delhi: All international travellers are required to submit a self-declaration form online at “Air Suvidha’ as well as details of the last 14 days. Moreover, passengers are required to upload a negative PCR test report taken 72 hours prior to the flight. •Kerala: All foreign travellers will be tested upon arrival. Those tested positive will be moved to hospitals. But people coming from high-risk countries and testing negative will have to undergo a 7-day quarantine and then take another test. According to the Indian media, passengers tested negative will be allowed to proceed home. Only the driver will be allowed to transport the passengers, who will take the rear seat. Face masks and face shields are mandatory for drivers transporting passengers from the airport. •Maharashtra: All passengers will have to take additional PCR tests and quarantine upon arrival. The government has asked all international travellers to send their 15-day travel history before departure. Passengers transiting through Mumbai airport will be required to take a Covid-19 PCR test. •Karnataka: The state government has mandated a PCR test and seven-day home quarantine. Those who are asymptomatic will be tested on the 7th day. •Madhya Pradesh: All passengers will have to take a PCR test upon arrival if they failed to produce a recent report. •Uttarakhand: All travellers will be required to undergo tests. Passengers who test Covid-19 positive or found symptomatic will undergo a 14-day quarantine. •Karnataka: All passengers arriving in the state will have to take a PCR test and seven-day home quarantine. Those who test negative or are symptomatic will have to undergo home testing on the fifth day, while those who test negative, will be in home quarantine for seven days. Further, the asymptomatic ones will be tested on the seventh day; if they test positive, they will be treated separately or will be immediately hospitalised. •Jammu & Kashmir: All international passengers will be required to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test at the airport, followed by a seven-day home quarantine. Passengers will then again be retested on the eighth day of the home quarantine, or if they develop any symptoms during the quarantine. And even if the report of RT-PCR comes negative, they will be required to self-monitor for one more week at strict home quarantine.

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Ramada by Wyndham Jaipur North arrives with 108 keys in Jaipur

Paradise Properties, a hotel and development company based out of Jaipur, recently announced the opening of Ramada by Wyndham Jaipur North in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Located in the northern part of Jaipur on the main Sikar Road, guests of Ramada by Wyndham Jaipur North will enjoy great connectivity to the Jaipur International Airport (17 km), Jaipur junction railway station (5 km) and other popular tourist destinations within Jaipur City. It will also have easy access to other nearby pilgrimage destinations of Khatu, Jhunjhunu and Salasar. The hotel features 108 contemporary rooms with a host of amenities. Other facilities include a welcoming lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant and bar, and an outdoor rooftop pool along with meetings rooms and banquet halls of more than 7000 sq ft as well as a business centre and ample on-site parking. “We are delighted to be a part of the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts family under the fast expanding Ramada by Wyndham brand, which has significant presence and brand recognition in Rajasthan and North India. We look forward to welcoming domestic and international guests to our hotel,” said Vinayak Saboo, Partner – M/S Paradise Properties. “We are delighted to announce the opening of Ramada by Wyndham Jaipur North, our fourth hotel in the city of Jaipur and eighth hotel in the state of Rajasthan. This latest opening reaffirms our commitment to continued growth in this important region. We look forward to our partnership with the Paradise Group and to providing another strong international hotel to the city of Jaipur,” added Nikhil Sharma, Regional Director Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA.

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