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Andhra Pradesh government comes up with new tourism policy

The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday came out with a new policy to revamp the outlook and give a paradigm shift to tourism in the state, with a theme- based approach, so as to make it a premier world-class destination. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2020-25 aims at building a robust tourism infrastructure in tune with the ever-changing nature of tourism and promoting responsible tourism practices among all stakeholders. The state cabinet, at its meeting here on Friday, approved the new policy, which seeks to attract huge private investments through a slew of incentives. Prime among the government's plans under the new policy is to develop high-end five and seven-star luxury resorts and hotels at prominent tourist destinations in the state.

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Indulge in fine dining at IRCTC’s new tourist train

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation limited (IRCTC) is going to start Tourist Train operations in the new normal post lockdown. The AC Deluxe Tourist Train will start its journey of ‘Divine Maharashtra’ tour from Delhi Safdarjung Station on January 8, 2021 and will return to Delhi on January 12, 2021. This new Deluxe Tourist Train has a host of features including two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor based washroom functions and even a foot massager. The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation -- First AC and 2nd AC. The train has enhanced security features in the form of CCTV cameras. For enhanced security, IRCTC has also deployed private Security Guards on the train, too. The Divine Maharashtra tour will cover the prominent religious and heritage tourist’s destinations of the state. The tour will showcase two important Jyotirlingas -- Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple (Nasik) & Ghrishneshwar (Aurangabad), Shirdi Sai & Shani temples and UNESCO World heritage site Ellora caves in 04 nights and 05 days. In line with the GOI's initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic tourism, IRCTC has planned the tour package at a cost starting from INR 24,120/-per person for domestic tourists. For all tourists, all necessary health precautions will be taken. To ensure the safety measures post Covid in the deluxe tourist train, provision has been made and booking is restricted to around 120 tourists against the total capacity of 156 tourists. IRCTC will also provide a safety kit to all tourists with face masks, hand gloves, sanitizer and a face shield. Regular temperature checks of all tourists and staff, frequent train sanitization at halt stations and other precautions will be taken. Staff shall be screened thoroughly and the kitchen and restaurants shall be sanitized after every meal service. The package cost is inclusive of train journey in respective classes, all onboard & off board meals, hotel stay/Fresh up arrangements at Shirdi, guided excursions with English-speaking tour guides in air-conditioned buses, monument entry fees and travel insurance for the passengers.

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Himachal’s tourism and hospitality institute to provide skilled manpower

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, said that the Centre of Excellence for Tourism and Hospitality and Information Technology at Chausha near Waknaghat in Solan district would help to develop the area from a tourism point of view. Laying the foundation stone of the centre, estimated to be built at a cost of INR 85 crore, Thakur said it would be equipped with a training hotel, residence for the teaching staff and the director, students’ hostel, as well as staff quarters. In an effort to further the cause of providing trained manpower to the tourism and hospitality industry, Thakur was confident that the centre would produce some of the best trained youth as per the demands of the industry. The construction is expected to be completed by June 2022. Thakur said that the process of selecting the operating partner has already started as per the guidelines of ADB and seven international companies and 23 other organisations have expressed interest. Talking about the strict measures taken by the state administration to counter the spread of Covid-19, Thakur said that the government is also trying to ensure that the pace of development remains uninterrupted, therefore, many events, like laying of foundation stones and inaugurations of projects, were being done virtually. He said that the government has now decided that for live functions gathering of not more than 50 persons would be allowed.

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Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal reopens

Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal: The world-famous Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples located on the banks of the Bagmati River, approximately 5 km north-east of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the seven UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Every year this temple attracts hundreds of elderly followers of Hinduism. However, this year due to the coronavirus lockdown the temple remained closed for nine months, reopened on Wednesday morning. As per the near sources, the temple shall now remain open for darshan from 6 am to 12 pm. However, devotees will be expected to follow all the hygiene and safety protocols to contain the spread of Covid-19. Everyone visiting the temple premises will have to wear a mask compulsorily. How to reach Pashupatinath Temple Here are some of the best ways to travel from Delhi to Kathmandu via different transport systems. By Air: The best way to reach Pashupatinath temple from India is by catching a flight to Kathmandu. Tribhuvan International Airport is just 5 km away from the main city. All the Delhi to Kathmandu flights are direct, without any stop or layover. Delhi to Kathmandu flight distance is around 800 kilometres, which is easily travelled in less than 2 hours. One can either opt for this route or can board a flight from Varanasi. Keep in mind that the flights to Kathmandu are usually delayed because of the erratic weather system of the place. By Train: There is no direct rail connectivity between the two regions. The most viable option for you is to travel from Delhi to Kathmandu by train is via Gorakhpur. You can board a train from Delhi to Gorakhpur and then get on a bus journey from there to Sunauli followed by another bus journey to Kathmandu. By Road: There are four border crossings for the tourists who travel from India via roadways. You can travel to Kathmandu from Delhi via bus or car. The total distance to be covered till Kathmandu is around 1310 km, and it takes 20 hours at least to go via road. (source: traveltriangle.com) Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia. This ancient shrine is believed to have been built in the fifth century. Pashupatinath stretches from the main temple of Pashupatinath to Guheshwori. There are many famous temples inside this area including the Bhuwaneshwori, the Dakshinamurti, Tamreshwor, Panchdewal, Bishwarupa and others.

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One of India’s cleanest beaches is ready for tourists

Karnataka’s Padubidri Beach, one of India’s cleanest beaches, known for its calm blue waters and clean surroundings, will reopen for visitors from December 17. Reportedly, the Udupi district administration has allowed both Indian and foreign tourists to the Blue Flag certified Padubidri beach. District Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha told the TOI that works related to the blue flag certification are now over with the cooperation of the Union Ministry of Environment and Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM). Padubidri beach had received the blue flag international recognition on October 11 this year by an international jury of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark. It is not only the cleanest beach in India but one of the cleanest on earth. It is also the second beach in Karnataka to receive a Blue Flag certification. Jagadeesha told the TOI that the beach was closed for visitors to finish pending bamboo cladding tasks. Padubidri is a small town in Karnataka with a beach. It is located only 30 km from tourist destinations like Mangalore and Udupi. It has ample parking space, vendors selling a variety of snacks and beverages, a canteen, clean drinking water etc.

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Planning a Thailand trip: All that you need to know about getting there

As Thailand opens its doors to tourists from all over the world, albeit subject to certain conditions, travellers need to ensure that they have adequate insurance and should be willing to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine at government-approved quarantine facilities. All travellers who wish to enter Thailand must apply for a visa first, upon receiving the visas, they must apply for the Certificate of Entry (COE). Without the COE, travellers will be refused entry to Thailand even if they hold valid visas. Tourists can opt for the visas as per the nature of their stay. At present, there are two type of visas applicable for leisure travellers – Tourist Visa (TRV) and Special Tourist Visa (STV). The tourist visa is issued to tourists wishing to enter Thailand for a shorter period and is valid for a single entry into Thailand. The visa category cannot be changed afterwards. The tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of issuance. Travellers must enter Thailand within the said three-month period. They will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 60 days, counting from the date of entry and there is no minimum stay requirement for this visa. Extension is possible for another 30 days, with a maximum period of stay of 90 days, counting from the date of entry. The visa processing fee would INR 2,500 + taxes. The special tourist visa is valid for a single entry into Thailand for long-term tourism purposes only and is valid for three months from the date of issuance. Travellers must enter Thailand within the said three-month period. They will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 90 days, counting from the date of entry and should stay for at least 30 days. STV may be extended twice while the visitor is in Thailand for a period of up to 90 days per each extension. STV cannot be changed to any other type of visa during the duration of stay in Thailand. The visa processing fee would be INR 5,000 + taxes. Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Talking about Thailand’s strategy to rebuild tourism, Cholada Siddhivarn, Director Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai office, calls the new visa rule and procedures a catalyst to ensure that utmost safety is maintained when they open the country to international tourists. She states, “We will work cohesively with our travel trade partners and continuously aid them with revised product offerings. Together, we will adapt to the new normal and slowly but steadily, we will see more and more tourists visiting our country”. Talking about opening to Indian tourists, she hopes that regular flights between the two countries will start soon.

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