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Amazon introduces virtual tourism service

Adding to its ever-growing range of services, Amazon has now introduced a virtual tourism service called Amazon Explore. It is an interactive live-streaming service that lets people learn, shop and discover new places from the comfort of their home, Amazon said on Tuesday. The service connects people one-on-one with hosts around the world to explore anything -- from lessons to cultural landmarks. One can ask questions, investigate new locales and make purchases during the sessions. "Our one-way video, two-way audio stream lets you see and hear your host without having to be on camera," Amazon said. "Each experience is one-on-one conversation with a host live-streaming on location, in real time. Your host will give you the insider view on things," it added. For example, with Amazon Explore, you can virtually tour the old town of the Czech Republic's capital, take a virtual walking tour of Mexico City's urban art scene, or experience Taiwan's religious customs at Taipei's Longshan Temple. To take an Amazon Explore experience, you will need a laptop or desktop computer as the service would not work on a phone or tablet. You will also need headphones or speakers and high-speed Internet of 5 mbps or better. Local experts or tour guides trained and supported by Amazon will guide the virtual experiences. The one-to-one sessions on Amazon Explore themselves range 30 to 60 minutes in length, TechCrunch reported.

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Amid Covid-19 slump, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir gears up to host tourists in Valley again

Jammu and Kashmir, which is also known as a heaven on earth, is all ready to host tourists again after a dry spell witnessed by the tourism industry due to coronavirus. Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) and other prominent stakeholders of the tourism industry met at Nigeen club in Srinagar on Sunday, after almost two years for their annual general meeting (AGM), under the supervision of Sarmad Hafeez, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, and Farooq A Kuthoo, the newly elected President of TAAK. The purpose of the meeting was to elect a new governing body of the association and chalk out a strategy to revive the tourism sector in the newly created Union Territory which has lost its glory. “TAAK is one of the oldest and biggest travel agents’ bodies. Today we gathered here with a hope that we will start getting tourists again very soon. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have not been traveling for some time, but now the time has come when people will start traveling again,” he said. He stated that hotels and travel agents have started getting inquiries for hotel bookings and other things. “The travel agents gathered today told me that we are getting inquiries for hotel booking and other things, we are geared up and quite enthusiast to welcome tourists. We are ready to host people following all the COVID protocols,” he said. Farooq Kuthoo, President, TAAK said that he is hopeful that the industry will see a boom by coming March. Speaking to ANI, Hafeez said that he’s hopeful that the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, which is the source of livelihood of many locals, will get back to its former glory soon. “The message of our Prime Minister is clear, be Vocal for Local. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have suffered economic distress and their purchasing power has reduced. Now, they will refocus their attention to good domestic tourism destinations rather than planning international holidays, as they are less expensive. I think after March, we’ll see a boom in the tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. The sudden departure of tourists from the valley due to COVID-19 resulted in huge losses for tourism players including hoteliers, houseboat owners, tour and travel operators, Shikara owners, and taxi operators. Hinan Khan, and Entrepreneur, said that she is hopeful after the meeting that the tourism industry will get back on track with the help from the administration. “After today’s meeting, I am hopeful we will get out of the turmoil triggered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, we’ll recover very soon, but we need the support of the Government to facilitate the tourists who will visit Jammu and Kashmir so that they don’t face any problem,” she said. A prominent tourism player in the valley, Rauf Tramboo also echoed Khan’s thoughts and added that the industry is ready to host tourists again. “The COVID-19 pandemic has given a setback to the industry. During today’s meeting, we talked about the steps necessary for the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. We are completely prepared and ready to host tourists again,” he said.

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Ganga river rafting begins in Rishikesh

After a long break due to the lockdown implemented to control the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, river rafting in Rishikesh has resumed for the public. The news has been confirmed by the Uttarakhand Tourism on social media. River rafting or white water rafting in Rishikesh is the most popular adventure activity, and lures several tourists from far and wide. The thrill of rafting on the turbulent rapids of Ganga river is enjoyed throughout the year except during the peak monsoon and winter season. Rishikesh is the rafting hub where several rafting operators are based to serve the tourists. There are three popular rafting points in Rishikesh for a day’s tour, Brahmapuri to Ram Jhula (8 km), Shivpuri to Lakshman Jhula (16 km) and Marine Drive to Lakshman Jhula (26 km). The difficulty levels of the rafting adventure increases depending on the distance. Generally, rafting is done during the day and tourists relax at sundown by the riverside at small camps and bonfires set up by the operators. They are also served meals and drinks along with the camp stay. It is not mandatory for people opting for rafting activity to know swimming, though it is welcomed as a plus point.

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Char Dham travel guidelines—Covid-negative certificate not essential

In a latest development in Uttarakhand travel rules, the state government has announced that tourists are not required to carry a COVID-19 negative certificate anymore to visit the Char Dham sites. The Char Dham shrines were opened up sometime ago for Uttarakhand residents, and also for visitors outside the state. The new guidelines for visiting the holy sites are now to be followed henceforth. According to the Chief Executive Office of Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board, Ravinath Raman, visitors are instead required to register on the board’s official website . This is so that they can get their e-pass that will allow them to visit the Char Dham shrines. It is being reported that the pilgrims would go through thermal scanning before entering the shrines, and a COVID-19 test will be conducted if they record high body temperature. The cost of the test will have to be borne by the pilgrims; moreover, they will only enter the shrine if the test result comes back as negative. The guidelines also suggest that certain groups of people are advised against the yatra, including infants, people above the age of 65, pregnant ladies, and those below 10 years of age. The guidelines also warn interested visitors, who are asymptomatic not to visit the shrine and not to apply for an e-pass as well. Also, those who are going to the shrine with the help of heli services do not have to apply for an e-pass. All their formalities will be completed by the helicopter company. Most importantly, you are not permitted to touch the idols during your visit.

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Kolkata: Hop on the stunning 90-min cruise ride on Hooghly river

Very soon, tourists visiting Kolkata will be able enjoy a 90-min cruise journey on the Hooghly river. Reportedly, the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) will be launching this programme on the Hooghly river alongside Kolkata’s heritage landmarks. As per the reports, the said trip will start from October 1, and the trip will start and end at the Millenium Park jetty. Another interesting thing about this journey is that one will have to shell out only INR 39 to be a part of this journey. It will be one of the must-try experiences in Kolkata if you want to enjoy the surreal views of Howrah Bridge. Referring to this, WBTC Managing Director Rajanvir Singh Kapur stated that the idea is to make heritage river cruise experience affordable and popular among the youth. Reports state that colourful art will be adorning the vessel, whereas traditional Bengali music will be played in the background. The Hooghly cruise will be sailing from 4 PM to 6 PM (Monday to Friday), and from 12 PM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 6 PM on (Saturday and Sunday), which will be cruising along the popular heritage lanes of Kolkata. An official in the know-how added that tourists will be able to see Mayer Ghat where the wife of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to visit daily. Also, from the cruise, visitors will be able to pay homage at Nimtala Ghat where several legendary icons, including Acharaya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Rabindra Nath Tagore, and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose have been cremated. Special arrangements will be arranged for educational tours. Visitors can check out the cruise café on board, and also create memories by clicking at the selfie booth. Further, a free tour guide will also be available to facilitate guests identify the key attractions along the way and learn about the history associated with them. However, since this cruise is being launched amid the Coronavirus pandemic, safety protocols will be in place, and people will be required to maintain social distancing. Also, a maximum of 150 people will be allowed at a time on board.

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Ministry of Tourism organises Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series on Rural Tourism

New Delhi: The Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh Webinar series titled “Rural Tourism: From Previous Niche to Future Norm”on 26th September 2020 focused on the villages, people, farming, culture and the idea of sustainability, responsibility and community living. While millions of ‘White Collar’ workers lost their jobs or took a steep cut in salaries due to near-total collapse of urban industries, another few million of ‘Blue Collar’ workers who built our cities & urban industries are back to their villages after their arduous journeys, with the real possibility of most of them creating an alternative eco-system in rural India. The city-slicker who is tired of consumerism is now looking for a traditional grandpa’s village to fix their nature deficit & emotional deficit, while some are looking for a hip & cool glocal village. This new & upcoming genre of tourism is permeating into the segment of elderly for nostalgic reasons, and into the segment of millennials for exotic reasons. While we all understand that long-haul travel is going to hault for a while, so this webinar took us through the beautiful villages of India virtually to witness the paradigm shift in the space of tourism, through Rural Tourism. Presented by Shri Roopesh Rai, Founder, Green People, The Goat Village & Bakri Chhap. He shared his experience that happenedthree months post Kedarnath catastrophe – changing his life forever. Some of Roopesh’s initiatives include The Goat Village (rural & sustainable tourism), Bakri Swayamwar (gene pool improvisation of livestock by social engineering), and Bakri Chhap (a brand representing marginalised Himalayan farmers). The Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is presented in technical partnership with National e Governance Department, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The Sessions of Webinar are now available on the https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzIbBmMvtvH7d6Zo_ZEHDA/featured and also on all social media Handles of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

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