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Sri Lanka to get a grand Sita Temple, while Sanchi to get a Buddha museum in the future

According to reports, the state government of Madhya Pradesh is planning to construct a massive Sita Temple in Sri Lanka. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath has asked his officials to get ready with a plan and allot funds for the same. Furthermore, it has been reported that Sri Lankan government officials, and also the Mahabodhi Society members would be included in the committee that will oversee the temple work. Also, there were talks of the construction of a museum dedicated to the Gautama Buddha in Sanchi. Officials have also been asked to allot land in Sanchi for the purpose. According to Chief Minister Kamal Nath, the construction of the Buddha museum will be done along with a research center, and also a training center. It has been reported that the project has attracted Japan, and some companies, who have offered to provide financial help for the same.

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Cruise lines cancel departures from China amid coronavirus outbreak

Five cruise companies have canceled scheduled departures from China amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, as the death toll rose to 80 and over 50 million people remain on lockdown in 17 Chinese cities. Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines and Astro Ocean Cruises have all suspended various trips through the region, as officials expand efforts to contain the viral disease in the Wuhan area. On Monday, Royal Caribbean spokesperson Jonathon Fishman confirmed to Fox News, “We are working with our guests to provide full refunds for the cancellation. The health and safety of our guests and crew is our primary concern, and we continue to work with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and government health authorities to monitor the situation,”

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Rishikesh’s Chidya Ghar restaurant was trending at number 1 on Twitter last week! Here’s why

Rishikesh-based restaurant Chidya Ghar was trending at number 1 on Twitter in India on Thursday evening, last week. The in-house restaurant of Roseate Ganges, Chidya Ghar, has certain unique features that set it apart from the others and make it trend-worthy. Roseate Hotels and Resorts group is a wellness hospitality service and it's Chidya Ghar Restaurant offers a view of the Himalayan ranges and unique meals for an extraordinary experience. “Chidya Ghar amalgamates elegant decor with a menu that offers treasured delicacies accompanied by a fresh and seasonal concoction of mocktails and non-alcoholic brews. One of their best selling appetizers is the karele ki chaat, which is made of bitter gourd chips and wheat crisps, topped with spiced yogurt, potatoes, chickpeas and chutney. Another favored appetizer is the beetroot falafel, which contains patties made of beetroot and chickpeas, served with millet salads. Garhwali Bona Mutton is a much demanded non-vegetarian main dish.

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Report Shows Japan has Great Tourism Potential

On the heels of Japan’s record-breaking tourism year, GlobalData’s Tourism Potential Index report reveals the country is the destination with the most potential. The index provides insight into which developed and emerging countries have the highest trajectories for tourism growth and, in addition to Japan, Spain, Australia, and the United Kingdom, leading the way in potential development. “According to GlobalData’s analysis of a large number of socio-economic and tourism factors, Japan leads the ranking with a score of 72.6 out of 100,” said Johnatan Vandesquille, analyst, travel, and Tourism at GlobalData. “The country will benefit from organizing high profile events, like the Olympics this year, improving its already excellent travel and tourism infrastructure.” “Spain, Australia, and the United Kingdom obtain four stars out of five due to their attractiveness, convenience, and business environment, but they have the potential to reach the top mark with an increase of public investments in tourism,” he said.

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One aspiring Romeo will win a sleepover at Juliet's historic home this Valentine's Day

Now one couple will get to channel the star-crossed lovers – preferably minus the poison – with a Valentine’s Day stay in Juliet’s historic home, courtesy of Airbnb. In Verona, Italy, where the Bard laid his scene, Casa di Giuletta is the 13th-century townhouse thought to be the inspiration for the fictional heroine’s home, and it bears an uncanny resemblance, right down to the balcony of “wherefore art thou Romeo” fame. Today a museum and a magnet for an international assortment of tourists, the home will receive it's property’s normally bare-bones interior has been gussied up for the occasion, draped in crystals, candles, and trailing vines and flowers, and the winning couple will be treated like royalty for the evening, with a personal butler, a private dinner from a Michelin-starred chef, and a night in the very bed that featured in director Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘60s take on the classic story. A Romeo and Juliet–inspired tour of the town and a private tour of the townhouse are also included.

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Govt to fund travel of citizens who visit 15 Indian tourist spots in a year

Bringing cheer to travel enthusiasts, the government has decided to reward people visiting 15 tourist spots in a year by funding their expenses. Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said the move should not be construed as a monetary benefit but as an incentive. To boost tourism in India, the Ministry of Tourism has also launched a program called ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and has put up a link on its official website where citizens can pledge to travel to at least 15 locations across India by the year 2022. The tourism ministry will fund the travel expenses of tourists who visit 15 destinations in the country in a year and submit the photos on our website," he said on Friday at the concluding ceremony of the two-day National Tourism Conference in Odisha's Konark.

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