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Himachal govt to promote winter sports, tourism in Manali

Himachal Pradesh government is giving an impetus to the tourism sector and will also promote winter sports, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Thursday. He was listening to public grievances in Manali where he also held an interaction with the representatives of the International Luge Federation. He assured the representatives of the federation that winter sports would be encouraged in the state, especially in Manali. He said there is an immense possibility of activities like skiing and mountaineering, among other winter sports, in various areas of the state. The CM said with winter sports would provide an opportunity to the youth to showcase their talent and compete on the international level. Such events would also attract more tourists to the hill state, Thakur said. Education minister Govind Singh Thakur, MLA Surender Shourie, State BJP vice-president Dhaneshwari Thakur and BJP district president Bhimsen were present on the occasion.

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Hawaii becomes the Happiest State in America for 2020

In a world where people are petrified by the ongoing pandemic, the naturally socially distanced beach state of Hawaii has become the Happiest State in America in 2020. The same has been revealed in a study conducted by WalletHub (a finance website). The website looked at each of the 50 states with 32 metrics, and Hawaii topped the chart. Utah, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland, California, North Dakota, Iowa, Idaho, and Connecticut also made to the top 10 list, respectively. The website, in order to measure happiness, used three dimensions on a 100-point scale, which are emotional and physical well-being (50 points), work environment (25 points) and community and environment (25 points). The firm tried searching for the state where people were positive despite the circumstances. Though Hawaii secured first position overall, it came in second for Emotional and Physical Well-being after New Jersey, and third for Community and Environment after Utah and Idaho. Dr. Chieh-Chen Bowen of Cleveland State University said, “Happiness is a feeling of joy, contentment, and overall positive emotions. Happiness is a universal goal. We all want to be happy and want such feelings to last.” The finance firm has been conducting the Happiest State study since 2014, but this year makes all the difference. In its statement, the firm said, “In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it, causing sickness, limiting social interactions, and leading to widespread job losses.” Oregon, Alaska, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and West Virginia came last in the study. Heading out for a vacation? Take your travel expert with you - download World Travel Guide. Explore other Travel Guide Apps.

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Uganda launches virtual safari to kick-start tourism sector

Uganda is ready to reopen its pandemic-bruised tourism sector with a live-streamed, virtual safari starting Tuesday. The virtual tour, featuring six videographers and photographers traversing across the country, has been promoted by the Ugandan government to incentivize tourists, when many parts of the world have barely emerged from travel restrictions, Xinhua news agency reported. "This project is going to be showcasing Uganda's beauty. We are very excited about this because we need to get Ugandans to appreciate what we have as a country," said Paul Ninsiima, sales manager at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a state owned conservation agency co-organizing the project. The virtual tours prelude the planned reopening of Uganda's sole international airport to commercial flights on October 1, compared with its many neighbors who have already opened up their airspace. Figures show the East African country could lose up to 1.6 billion US dollars in tourism revenues because of the lockdown measures that started in late March and are now easing as the economy reopens. The UWA in June started offering complimentary prices to domestic tourists. At reduced prices, Ugandans and foreign residents are free to enter any park in the country provided they follow the set Standard Operating Procedures aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19.

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Abu Dhabi wants you to wear an electronic wristband during quarantine

The coronavirus pandemic is bringing to us new ideas and innovations each new day. In a new move, Abu Dhabi quarantine rules are tweaked with the addition of a wristband that you have to put on. Travellers arriving at the Abu Dhabi airport are reportedly being handed these wristbands before they head out for their 14-day quarantine. Why the wristband? Etihad has already announced asking passengers to start wearing the electronic wristbands on their arrival in Abu Dhabi. The band is supposed to keep track of you as you go into your 14-day mandatory quarantine. The new rules, set by Abu Dhabi Crisis, Emergency, and Disasters Committee are to ensure that there are no further outbreaks. You can get the band removed after two weeks, but not before you get a negative result on the 12th day of your quarantine. As it is, Abu Dhabi wants you to get tested within 96 hours of your flight, irrespective of your final destination. Abu Dhabi's wristband rule comes in as the UAE is witnessing rising cases of Coronavirus. September 12 saw the highest rise in daily numbers of Coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. Arriving in another emirate If you happen to arrive in another city of the UAE, and are then going to enter Abu Dhabi, you will have to show proof of your arrival. Those, who spend less than 14 days in another part of the UAE will have to take the test, get into quarantine and, of course, wear the electronic band. The number of days in quarantine will depend on the number of days already spent in other parts of the UAE. So, if you have already spent six days in another place, you will have to get into quarantine for only eight days.

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Covid-negative certificate not mandatory for tourists entering Uttarakhand

Buckling under pressure from the tourism industry, Uttarakhand government was forced to modify the notification of September 19. According to the previous notification, inter-state travellers need carry a Covid-19 negative certificate, done not earlier than 96 hours of arrival in the state. They also need to register in advance on the Smart City portal. The notification drew flak from the tourism and hospitality industry in the state for violating the MHA orders contained in the Unlock 4 guidelines. In response to the criticism, the government modified the notification, and in the revised notification, while it is still mandatory to register in the Smart City portal for all tourists, carrying a RT-PCR report to show that they are Covid negative is no more required. Similarly the government also removed the clause, which stated that tourists should carry a confirmed booking for a hotel or a homestay for a minimum of two nights. The revised order will come into force from today.

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Maharashtra Tourism to offer guided tours at Wankhede Stadium

Maharashtra Tourism will be working with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to give all cricket fans a unique guided tour experience at Wankhede Stadium. The stadium has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in cricket history and holds a significant position in the sports segment globally. This joint decision has been made by the Tourism and Environment Minister of Maharashtra, Aaditya Thackeray and members of the MCA. In his latest tweets, Thackeray said, “We at the tourism department had requested MCA to work with us on opening up of Wankhede Stadium for a stadium experience tour to fans and tourists from around the world. They have agreed in principle to work together on the same.” Along with the stadium experience tour, Thackeray further reveals plans to open a museum of “Indian Cricket emanating from Mumbai.” He said, “The MCA has agreed for this as well, to be either in Wankhede or any suitable place.” “I am thankful to the MCA apex committee for this key partnership. For most of us, cricket is a religion. Wankhede is where India won the World Cup. This truly shall be a place for not just tourists, but for devotees of cricket and their favourite players,” added Thackeray. Commenting on the initiative, MCA apex council member Vihang Sarnaik said, “This is a great collaboration as it will now allow every cricket fan in the world to experience the historic Wankhede stadium. We at MCA are super excited to work with the tourism department of Maharashtra to give every cricket lover an unforgettable experience.”

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