News

The foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia drifts up in first 10 months.

The number of foreign holiday makers visiting Indonesia from January to October edged up 2.85 percent to 13.62 million people on yearly basis. The foreign visitors from the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries coming to Indonesia in the period rose, the most, 17.78 percent during the period on yearly basis, said the bureau’s head Kecuk Suhariyanto. Malaysia was the most contributing country to the number of Indonesia’s foreign tourist arrivals in the first 10 months with figures 2.58 million (18.94 percent) followed by China, Singapore, Australia and Timor Leste, which contributed 1.77 million (13.01 percent), 1.55 million (11.38 percent), 1.15 million (8.42 percent) and 1.02 million (7.48 percent) respectively. Still, the number of foreign holiday makers from Asian countries, excluding those of the ASEAN member nations, edged down the most 10.28 percent during the period on a 12-month basis due to the sluggish global economic growth. The government has revised downward the target of foreign tourist arrivals into the country this year by 2 millions to 18 millions partly due to catastrophes, according to tourism ministry. In 2018, a total of 15.8 million foreign travelers came to Indonesia, the bureau said.

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India ranks 34th in Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index.

Government is committed to make policies and programmes for the development and promotion of tourism and the year 2019 witnessed several steps in this direction. As the sector has the capacity to boost the economy, foreign exchange earnings and provide a large number of jobs at every level, tourism Ministry is continuously consulting and collaborating with other different stakeholders to boost the sector. Reducing E-visa fees, decreasing GST rates on hotel room booking and opening 120 new peaks for mountaineering are among the major highlights of Tourism Ministry in 2019. Along with these several steps taken under Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD Scheme and various other events of Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat were also undertaken during the year. AIR Correspondent reports that in the year 2019, India’s rank in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index of World Economic Forum has moved to 34th position from 65th rank in 2013. Foreign Tourist Arrivals also registered a growth of 3.2 percent last year. The government is working to develop thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and 77 projects amounting over Rs 6035 crore have been sanctioned till date under this scheme. An initiative called - 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan' has been launched for developing tourist amenities at heritage and tourist sites and making them tourist-friendly. E-visa has been further liberalized and visa fee on e - visa has been substantially reduced to increase tourism competitiveness of the country. The Government has also opened more than 120 mountain peaks for mountaineering and trekking for promoting adventure tourism in the country.

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Uttarakhand soon to get 13 new tourist destinations.

The government of Uttarakhand has agreed to develop 13 new tourist destinations to boost tourism in the state. The funding for the project will be provided by a Shanghai-based New Development Bank which has agreed to offer financial assistance of INR 1200 crore to the government of Uttarakhand. Also, the central government has given the permissions for loans. Now, the Uttarakhand government under its ’13 district-13 destination ‘scheme has shortlisted 13 new places for the development of new tourist hotspots. Under this project, one district will get one new tourist attraction. As per reports, the state government will soon finalise a formal agreement with the Shanghai-based bank if everything goes fine. The work will begin only after the formal agreement is done at these 13 spots. Helicopter service between Chinyalisaur and Gauchar will begin this month from Dehradun. Considering the geographical location of Uttarakhand, a lot of importance is being given to the development of new airstrips which will help improve air connectivity and boost tourism in the state of Uttarakhand. As of now, new airstrip constructions at Chaukhutia, Srinagar and Pabo are under consideration along with expansion of Pantnagar Airport.

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South African Tourism to mark the beginning of this year with Annual Roadshow.

South African Tourism is all set to mark the beginning of this year with their Annual Roadshow. The 17th edition of the roadshow will be taking place in 3 Indian cities of Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai on January 13, 14 and 15, respectively. The roadshow will aim to capitalize on the massive growth potential offered by the Indian outbound traveler segment. Besides experiences, representatives from accommodation establishments, destination management companies, airlines, tourism associations will be showcasing their products in a bid to attract Indian travel and trade associates. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism said, “Our 17th Annual Roadshow is yet another testament of our firm commitment to the India market, which offers tremendous potential when it comes to outbound long-haul travel. The Roadshow offers us and our in-destination partners a chance to showcase the best of South Africa, and bring it alive for the Indian travel trade – our biggest endorsers in the market. This year’s edition is slated to be even more special and exciting with the attendance of numerous South African SMMEs. We are confident that the 17th edition will be outstanding and more impactful than ever before in terms of business conversions.”

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Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando To Host Season Opening LPGA Tour Competition.

Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando is the host venue for LPGA Tour’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Presented by Insurance Office of America. The four-day tournament, taking place January 16-19, 2020 on the pristine Tranquilo Golf Course, will be nationally televised, with January 16 and 17 airing on Golf Channel and January 18 and 19 on NBC. The event officially kicks off the LPGA Tour’s 2020 season by bringing together the world’s top women golfers to play alongside world-class sports and entertainment celebrities. Stakes will run high as only LPGA Tour winners from the past two seasons will qualify to compete for USD 1.2 million in official prize money. Membership at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers locals a unique opportunity to experience exclusive access to Central Florida’s only AAA Five Diamond resort with a membership at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando. Club members enjoy unlimited golf, use of the 24-hour fitness centre, complimentary daily fitness classes, lap lane swimming, use of the three Har-Tru tennis courts, use of the sand volleyball court and basketball court, invitations to member-only events, substantial savings in the Spa, Salon and restaurants, and much more. Tranquilo Golf Course Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando is a Tom Fazio-designed par 71 course that plays to 6,901 yards. The newly enhanced USD 2.5 million renovation to its practice facility makes it one of the most comprehensive practice facilities in Central Florida. Home to abundant wildlife, the course is certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program for golf by the National Audubon Society. Sports Tourism in Orlando While Orlando may be recognised worldwide as the theme park capital of the world, the destination has been increasingly gaining ground as a sports and recreation hotspot. The NBA’s Orlando Magic welcomed more than 115,000 fans from 110 different countries to the Amway Center during the 2018-2019 season alone. In addition to exciting Magic games, visitors can attend professional sporting events for Orlando City Soccer, the Solar Bears, the University of Central Florida’s football team and more. Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive 230-acre (93 hectare) athletic compound located within Walt Disney World Resort, also hosts a variety of sporting events throughout the year. Families have a fun opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an NBA player in a new interactive venue, called NBA Experience, which opened in August 2019 at Disney Springs. Runners of all ages and skill levels also love the runDisney race weekends at Walt Disney World Resort featuring running courses that wind through Disney’s theme parks. With a wide variety of unique experiences and incredible professional teams, Orlando truly offers something for every fan to enjoy. Sport & Spa Package Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers the perfect blend of both active recreation, and restorative relaxation. For those who wish to enjoy all the Resort has to offer, the Sport & Spa package includes the opportunity for guests to experience a private fitness class, personal training session, tennis or golf lesson, and also luxuriate with a 50-minute Spa treatment.

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Malaysia, Nepal promoting 2020 as year of tourism ahead of neighbours.

The current year kicks off as the year of free tourist visa and ‘Visit Us’ campaign as Malaysia and Thailand are already promoting 2020 as the ‘tourism year’. The Malaysian government just a couple of days back announced the Visit Malaysia 2020’ campaign, permitting a 15-day visa exemption for tourists, particularly from China and India. Following the suit, Nepal, too has launched their ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign. Lighting the flame of unity, President Bidya Devi Bhandari officially launched Visit Nepal 2020 on January 1, 2020 with the slogan ‘Lifetime Experience’. Tourism ministers from India, China, Myanmar and Jamaica were present during the inauguration and extended their good wishes to Nepal for the grand success of the VN2020 campaign. Sri Lanka has decided to extend the free visa-on-arrival scheme till April 30th 2020 for the citizens of 48 countries, including India! The announcement was made by Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga who urged that Sri Lanka is trying to revive the tourism sector which was hit by the Easter Sunday bombings. Post that Sri Lanka suspended their visa-on-arrival scheme to citizens of 39 countries. As a means to recover the country’s tourism industry, Sri Lanka granted free visas to travellers from 49 countries, including India, for a period of six months from August 1. As the period comes to an end this month, the Immigration and Emigration Department lobbied the government to suspend the visa scheme, noting that there will be a loss of revenue. However, in the wake of getting a complete recovery, the Sri Lanka tourism industry voted for the continuation of free visa-on-arrival scheme.

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