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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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Uttarakhand Tourism plans to reward you for working from its mountains

Uttarakhand Tourism’s new initiative will surely bring cheer to all those working from home. All those tired of working from home can now get an attractive option of changing their boring setup. Uttarakhand Tourism is promoting a unique concept of ‘workcation’ that will allow you to work from its picturesque locations, with lush green mountains as the backdrop. What is more interesting about this package is that you will be rewarded to work from there. Uttarakhand Tourism will be launching a Tourist Incentive Coupon scheme for those choosing to go on a workcation in Uttarakhand. As per the scheme, all those booking their stay for a minimum of three days, will be provided with discount of up to INR 3000. Since all you need to work from a remote location is a good internet connection, Uttarakhand Tourism is also offering a range of well-sanitised resorts, hotels, and homestays, enhanced with all required facilities, such as comfortable stay, power back-up, medical facilities, room service, healthy food, and much more for all those bored and wanting to visit Uttarakhand for a change of scenery. Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar said that as workcation has become a trending concept, with people working from home during this time of crisis, the said concept has become a much-needed escape and a great opportunity to take your work on a holiday break. Acting on similar lines, the Uttarakhand Tourism is offering this to to visitors in various resorts, hotels, and homestays in locations, such as Lansdowne, Jim Corbett, Kausani, Mussoorie, Nainital, Dehradun, and Almora, among others. Further, a number of resorts, hotels, and homestays in Uttarakhand are also offering attractive and budget-friendly workcation packages to visitors, which can be tailor-made. What about safety protocols? Visitors will be required to ensure that they follow all the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. Further, those who want to visit the state can register themselves on the smart city portal and enter without any COVID-19-negative report.

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Nepal to waive off quarantine, Covid-19 insurance rules for tourists

The Nepal government has decided to waive off quarantine and Covid-19 insurance rules for tourists starting from October 17 onwards, sources said on Friday. On Thursday evening, a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Prime Minister's residence approved a proposal presented by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation which will allow foreign tourists, who test negative for Covid-19 72 hours before their departure, to enter the country without having to quarantine at a hotel for seven days, The Himalayan Times quoted the sources as saying. However, the tourists will have to take an antigen test or an instant PCR test immediately upon arriving at the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the Ministry proposal. The government has also planed to waive off the Covid-19 insurance of $5,000 for the tourists but the travellers must assure that their medical costs would be covered by themselves or the handling agencies, if they contract the virus during their visit, the sources added. Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai told The Himalayan Times that said that his Ministry would announce the protocols after consulting with the Covid-19 crisis management center in a day or two. "We are ready to facilitate tourism activities addressing stakeholders' concerns," he added. The development came a day after Nepal reported the highest surge in the number of single-day coronavirus cases. Among the new cases, 2,540 have been reported from within Kathmandu Valley alone, The Health Ministry said. Twelve new fatalities were reported on Thursday, taking the overall death toll to 590.

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