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India becomes first nation to be awarded Blue Flag certification for 8 beaches in a single attempt

Operated by Foundation for Environmental Education, Denmark, Blue Flag is an iconic voluntary award for beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators which is awarded to those that meet and maintain the criterias of a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility. In a first, eight of India’s beaches including Shivrajpur (Dwarka-Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (AP), Golden Beach (Odisha) and Radhanagar (A&N Islands) got the eco-label of Blue Flag in a row. Taking to his Twitter handle, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar broke the news of not just India getting international recognition for cleanliness and coastal development but also becoming the first Blue Flag nation to be awarded for eight beaches. He tweeted, “An outstanding feat, as no #BLUEFLAG nation has ever been awarded for 8 beaches in a single attempt (sic).” He added, “Proud moment for India; all 8 beaches recommended by government gets coveted International #Blueflag Certification (sic).” While interacting with the media, Javadekar shared, “The #Blueflag certification accorded to India’s 8 beaches by an international jury comprising of @IUCN, @UNWTO, @UNEP etc. is also a global recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable development efforts (sic).” A statement released by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change revealed that India has also been awarded a third prize by the International Jury under the “International Best Practices” for pollution control in coastal regions. While Japan, South Korea and UAE have been conferred with a couple of Blue Flag beaches in a time frame of about 5 to 6 years, Javadekar stated that India is the first country in “Asia-Pacific” region which has achieved this feat in just about 2 years’ time and is now in the league of 50 “BLUE FLAG” countries.

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Hong Kong Tourism Board introduce standard hygiene protocol for the safety of tourists

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched a cleaning certification program for all the tourist attractions and hotels to ensure visitors’ safety from COVID-19. HKTB along with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) have prepared a list of hygiene standards for hotels, restaurants, and tourist hotspots to keep people informed about the Coronavirus protocol. The protocol aims at providing a standardised guidelines on hygiene measures for tourism-related industries. Dr YK Pang, Chairman of the HKTB, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new normal to the tourism landscape, and public health and safety have become a priority for visitors. Many international travel and tourism organisations have already put in place hygiene and anti-epidemic guidelines, and standardising hygiene measures for each sector can spread to visitors the message that different sectors across Hong Kong value their commitment to hygiene and safety.” The protocol will be applicable on hotels, restaurants, malls, stores, tourism attractions, and more. The businesses need to follow these hygiene and anti-epidemic measures and after they pass the assessment, details of the businesses will be uploaded on a dedicated website of the HKQAA. This will help visitors and locals too in understanding which outlet is safe to visit. Meanwhile the HKQAA will conduct random inspections if the protocol is being followed. The best part is around 1800 businesses and outlets have shown interest in registering for the program, including the Hong Kong Disneyland. Disneyland in Hong Kong was reopened last month and visitors are required to make advance reservations to visit. They are also required to sign a health declaration form, and follow all the mandatory rules including social distancing and face masks. Till now, Hong Kong has recorded 5176 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 105 deaths.

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Odisha: Puri beach gets coveted Blue Flag certification

BHUBANESWAR: The Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) on Sunday granted the prestigious Blue Flag certification to Golden Beach in Puri, besides seven other sea beaches in the country. The Golden Beach is the first beach in the state to get this tag. The state government hopes the Blue Flag certification would give a significant boost to tourism in the state. The Centre, under its ambitious Beach Environment and Aesthetic Management System (BEAMS) programme, had last month proposed the names of the eight beaches to the FEE’s international jury for awarding of the Blue Flag tag. The FEE had prescribed 33 guidelines on cleanliness, eco-friendly environment and tourist-friendly amenities for the Blue Flag status. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his happiness over the Blue Flag certification for the Puri beach. “Glad to share that Golden Beach of #Puri has received coveted #BlueFlag certification by FEE Denmark by conforming to the stringent environmental norm and ensuring world-class sustainable tourist amenities. The renowned eco-label will add to the charm of the #WorldHeritageCity,” Naveen tweeted. Of the eight-km-long Puri beach, an 870-metre stretch from Digabareni Square to Mayfair Hotel was re-developed under the World Bank-funded integrated coastal zone management project (ICZMP) for the Blue Flag certification. Sources said nearly Rs 11 crore was spent by the Centre and state government together on the development of eco-friendly and tourist-friendly amenities, including beach huts, pedestrian track, toilets, chairs, safe bathing zone, watchtowers, landscapes garden, changing and shower rooms for tourists and solar street lights. The Blue Flag certification is a highly prestigious global recognition and will attract tourists, mostly foreigners, to Odisha, ICZMP’s project director Susanta Nanda said. Notably, the Golden Beach was thrown open to tourists last month. The Puri administration charges Rs 20 as user fee from each visitor for a period of three hours and Rs 50 for the whole day. “We welcome the Blue Flag tag for the 870-metre Golden Beach. But Puri has an 8-km-long beach. Other stretches have been lying in neglect and lack basic infrastructure for tourists,” said Jagannath Bastia, environmentalist and president of Beach Protection Council of Odisha, a voluntary organisation. “Elated and proud that all 8 beaches, including the Golden Beach in Puri, have bagged the coveted Blue Flag Certification. The distinguished eco-tag will further add to the glory of these pristine beaches and give impetus to sustainable beach tourism in Odisha and the country,” tweeted Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In June last year, the district administration had launched Mo Beach (my beach) campaign to keep the shoreline clean and beautiful. District collector Balwant Singh had engaged local communities, civil society organisations and volunteers in the beach cleaning exercise. Puri district has at least 7 enchanting beaches, including the sprawling shore in Puri town. Other beaches in the district that attract tourists are Chandrabhaga (Konark), Balighai, Ramchandi, Astaranga, Baliharchandi and Rajhans.

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Kerala: Tourist destinations to start welcoming tourists under strict COVID-19 norms from today

In Kerala, the tourist destinations will start welcoming tourists under strict COVID-19 norms from today. The hill, adventure, backwater and Ayurveda tourist destinations will be reopened for the domestic tourists, while the beach destinations will remain closed and will be opened on November 1 as it is difficult to place restrictions for the entry of tourists on beaches. The domestic tourists need not undergo quarantine for trips up to seven days. For those who wish to spend more than seven days need to carry a COVID-negative certificate or undergo a test in Kerala at their expense. Otherwise, they will have to undergo a seven-day quarantine in the state. Further, all the domestic tourists will have to register on Covid jagratha portal and will have to follow the protocols. Domestic tourists will have to wear masks, apart from ensuring physical distancing of two metres and using sanitisers during their visit. Those showing any symptoms of Covid infection should not travel to the state. The state government has also made public the guidelines to be followed in the state while touring the state. In all the destinations, the body temperature of tourists will be recorded. The government also suggested taking online booking for the reservation of rooms and entry in adventure tourism centres.

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India, Nepal discuss increased flight connectivity and tourism circuits

Nepal's Culture and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai met Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Thursday and discussed ways to promote tourism in both countries, including increased flights to remote locations and revival of historically important tourism circuits. Kwatra, who was appointed India's envoy to Nepal earlier this year, met Minister Bhattarai at the Tourism Office here on Friday. Bhattarai told Kwatra that enhanced air connectivity would boost tourism in both countries. Nepal had earlier sent a letter to the Indian authorities regarding new air-gateways to Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar. In the meeting on Friday, resumption of flights between Kathmandu and Indian cities -- currently under suspension due to COVID-19 outbreak -- was also discussed. The two sides said 'Ramayana Circuit' concept must be implemented at the earliest, as part of which travel itineraries would cover historically important religious sites in India and Nepal. Pashupatinath, Lumbini and Janakpur are religious tourism destinations of note which do not fall under the 'Ramayana Circuit', said Bhattarai, who also heads Nepal's tourism ministry. Ambassador Kwatra told the minister that the Indian government looks forward to developing religious sites in Nepal and pledged assistance to revive the tourism sector in the country which is hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Sources said the meeting ended on a positive note but no final decision was taken.

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Maharashtra issues Covid SOPs for tourism

Mumbai: The state tourism department has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for tour operators and tourism service providers. With the government opening several sectors, tourism has been given a push by opening restaurants, bars and stay-in facilities at hotels and resorts. The SOP issued for tour operators mentions that city tours and heritage walks should be during weekends when there is less crowd. There should be not more than 10 tourists per guide to locations with less pedestrians should be for tours. No coach tours or tours in enclosed spaces will be allowed. “Tours will not have restrictions on number of participants but they must be divided into sub-groups of not more than 10,” said the circular. Maximum three passengers, excluding driver, will be allowed in any vehicle used to ferry tourists. “The rules will be applicable only to places where district authorities have not issued prohibitory orders. In those situations, tourists will not be allowed,” said an official. Besides, there will be protocols around screening of tourists, maintaining social distancing and consent by tourists to share details with authorities for contact-tracing. Use of microphones for giving details or conducting the tour should be encouraged to help maintain social distancing. Training should be imparted to guides to ensure health-related protocols are followed.

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