News

Paragliding at Bir Billing to start from September 15

Paragliding, one of the most important tourist activities in Himachal Pradesh, will restart at Bir Billing from September 15. The adventure sport was suspended by the state government after the lockdown implemented in India in March 2020 in the wake of Coronavirus. The state had given permission to resume paragliding in the first week of July. However, the ban on flights, considering the rising cases of COVID-19, did not support the resumption. According to the latest reports, the state government will permit every kind of paragliding from September 15, which would give the much-needed push to tourism in Kangra valley. On the other hand, there is still uncertainty about organising the International Paragliding World Cup Championship 2020 at Billing in October 2020, because the COVID- 19 pandemic has not yet subsided. It is merely 1.5 months to go for the event, yet no preparations are in progress. Several officers of the state tourism department and the administration have not confirmed the event. The championship is hosted at Billing annually in October. Bir Billing is one of the 10 paragliding locations in the world and right at the top in Asia, due to its altitude, required thermal currents, and the verdant green surroundings in the Himalayan foothills. The nearest destination to Bir Billing is Dharamsala. Bir is a hub for eco-tourism, spiritual studies, meditation, and a Tibetan refugee settlement with Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa. While Billing is the take-off site for paragliding, Bir village is meant for landing.

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MP tourism offers work from home setup in a jungle

Currently, Madhya Pradesh is offering this unique concept in peaceful and scenic jungle resorts including the White Tiger Forest Lodge (Bandhavgarh); Bison Retreat, Satpura National Park; Kipling’s Court (Pench National Park); Champak Bungalow in Pachmarhi; Sailani Island (Omkareshwar). Madhya Pradesh tourism board has launched the innovative Workcation, with a unique concept. It is a work from home setup with a jungle, riverbank, or a mountain, and is no less than a dream. Coming to your rescue, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board brings to you a perfect office lay-out, where you can carry on with your regular work, along with a chance to travel around, be with nature, and rejuvenate their regular lives at the same time. Referring to this, MP Tourism Development Corporation MD S Vishwanathan said that work from home has become a reality during this ongoing pandemic. As such, they have identified five properties that will attract such employees, whereas some more properties will be developed on the same theme later. Reportedly, Madhya Pradesh’s tourism industry was severely hit due to the lockdown, the reason why the state government will now be setting up five work stations during the first phase, where people will be provided internet connectivity and electricity. Currently, Madhya Pradesh is offering this unique concept in peaceful and scenic jungle resorts including the White Tiger Forest Lodge (Bandhavgarh); Bison Retreat, Satpura National Park; Kipling’s Court (Pench National Park); Champak Bungalow in Pachmarhi; Sailani Island (Omkareshwar). All these resorts and hotels situated at beautiful locations, offering panoramic views of meadows all around, will definitely serve as a great therapy for your body and mind. If you are anxious about safety and precautionary measures, all these facilities come equipped with medical and first-aid facilities, high-speed internet connectivity, comfortable stay, power backup, fresh and healthy food, along with room service, following all the essential norms and protocols with regards to hygiene, safety, sanitization etc.

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Taj Mahal to reopen after six months on September 21

After remaining closed for tourists for due to Covid-19, the Taj Mahal will finally reopen on September 21 after a six-month gap. Agra District Magistrate Prabhu N Singh said that the Agra Fort will also reopen, along with the Taj Mahal, on September 21 in full conformance with the Covid-19 protocols issued by the Centre as well as the UP government. Singh said that entry to the Taj Mahal has been limited to 5,000 tourists in a day while only 2,500 tourists will be allowed into the Agra Fort on a daily basis. Former chairman of Agra Tourism Guild Arun Dang said that this is the first time in history when the Taj Mahal has remained closed for so long. "The extent of damage it has caused to the tourism industry of Agra is incalculable," Arun Dang said. Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber president Prahalad Agarwal said that before reopening the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, it is necessary that international flights and trains to the city resume. Agra MP SP Singh Baghel said that when the main markets of the city are open then there is no point in keeping the Taj Mahal closed. "The closure of this monument has nearly destroyed the tourism industry of Agra and until it is reopened, there is no possibility of any improvement in the city's economy," Baghel said. Notably, the Taj Mahal was among the country's first public places to be closed in March due to the growing Covid-19 threat, even before the nationwide lockdown was announced. The reopening of the monument is expected to bring a large number of domestic tourists to Agra which could give some boost to the dead tourism sector of the city.

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Water tourism to resume with 50% capacity in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government on Sunday allowed resumption of water tourism in the state with 50 per cent capacity and asked boat and cruise operators to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Water tourism activities in the state were shut since March when the lockdown was enforced to curb the spread of the deadly viral infection. "Boats and cruises used for tourism and water sports at various locations in Madhya Pradesh can now be run with 50 per cent of the total capacity of tourists," state tourism department's principal secretary Shivshekhar Shukla said in a statement. Boat operators and their staff will need to undergo regular medical check-ups and submit self-declaration forms that if found infected with coronavirus, they will immediately inform the local administration and management, he said. Guidelines issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will have to be followed during the operation of water sports facilities, he said. Boat operators will also need to maintain a record of visitors and tourists, including their names, contact numbers, address, body temperature and Aadhaar card number, he said. They are also directed to sanitise their boats and other equipment after every use, and entry on a boat club campus without a mask will not be allowed, the official said. All those present on the boat club campus will need to follow the social distancing norms, he said. Visitors will be allowed entry in the boat club through paperless tickets, he added. There are nearly a dozen water tourism spots in the state, including in Bhopal, Hanuwantia (Khandwa), Tawa dam (Hoshangabad), Bargi dam (Jabalpur), Sailani island (Khandwa), Orchha (Niwari) among others, tourism department officials said.

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Uttarakhand unveils hotel discount plan to boost pandemic-hit tourism sector

The Uttarakhand tourism department has launched a pilot project to boost tourism under which tourists will be given discount coupons for their stay in hotels and homestays of ₹1,000, tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said. The decision to launch the Tourist Incentive Coupon (TIC) scheme was taken at a Cabinet meeting on Friday. The government hopes that the TIC will boost the tourism industry which has been severely hit due to travel restrictions during the lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic.Tourism is a major revenue earning and employment generation industry for the Himalayan state. The discount scheme comes into effect in the next few days. Maharaj said the offer will be applicable to tourists who will do e-booking for their stay in hotels or homestays in the state. “The tourists will be given the discount coupon while registering themselves on the government portal under tourist category. They will then be able to use the coupon during their stay in a hotel or homestay in the tourist spots of the state,” said Maharaj. He said, “The tourist will have to provide his Aadhaar card details while registering to avail the coupon and have to stay for minimum three days in the hotel or homestay. The scheme will also apply for the Char-Dham pilgrims.” Maharaj said that under the scheme the tourists will be provided a discount of ₹1000 or 25% of the hotel charge per day, whichever is less. “The discounted amount will be reimbursed by the government to hotel and homestay owners within 15 days on producing necessary documents regarding the bill charged from the tourist,” he said. For now, it will be a pilot project. “The scheme will be launched as a pilot project for one month which will probably cost the government ₹2.70 cr. If it’s successful, then it will be extended for two more months.

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Sikkim considering opening doors to tourists from October

Gangtok: Sikkim is planning to open its doors to tourists from October. The state wants to project itself as a 'safe destination' to lure visitors back again. Tourism employs about 15 % of the state's population, and is severely hit because of the lockdown. The state tourism department on Friday held a meeting with all the stakeholders to discuss a strategy for reopening the sector on Friday. They came up with a draft proposal termed 'Reopening of State Tourism'. “The State cannot afford to abrogate its tourism industry for long. The resumption of tourism is likely to increase the probability of transmission of the disease. Still, it becomes imperative for us to ensure that the highest standards of health safety measures are put in place before we open the doors for tourism”, reads the draft. There be an effort to establish an efficient Tourism Health Safety and Treatment system in the state. “It will automatically translate into a major pull factor for the revival of future tourism in Sikkim. It may be prudent to take a restrictive approach, with most supply determined rather than market-driven, for the phase-wise reopening of tourism in the State”, mentions the draft. The draft proposal states: What the tourists coming to Sikkim need to abide? 1. The first phase of reopening will be considered only for domestic tourists. 2. All tourists travel in Sikkim to be permitted only for pre-booked/package tours (arrival to departure -Sikkim). 3. Only those tourists with valid COVID-19 negative certificates, (ICMR recognised hospital/labs) conducted within three days before their arrival (to be produced at the Check post) shall be allowed to continue their tour to Sikkim. 4. Only two entry points Rangpo and Melli will be permitted for tourist entries in the 1st phase. (to be decided by the government). 5. All tourists, to have registered their requisite details in the Web portal of the Department before arriving at the entry checkposts. (Their concerned travel agent/operator may help them with the registration). 6. The State government, based on the prevailing circumstances, will decide on the number of accommodation units to be authorised or permitted for operations in different phases. What the Hotels and Home Stays need to comply with? 1. Capacity: The first phase reopening to be provisioned for a maximum capacity of 2500 rooms or 5000 guests per day in the whole of the State, which is left to be decided by the government. 2. Containment Zones: No hotels/ homestays in the notified containment zones will be permitted to operate. 3. Occupancy: The permitted accommodation units shall not take more than 50% occupancy per day. 4. Room allocation: The room allocation to the guest shall be made in line with the social distancing norms, preferably one-room apart (alternative rooms). 5. Emergency isolation facility: The permitted accommodation units to designate and prepare at least one room for emergency isolation for emergency management of any suspected cases. 6. Room Reservation: The guest will have the option of booking accommodation in the state either by themselves or through OTAs or local travel agents. However, all transport and ground handling services are to be booked through permitted authorized local travel agents only. 7. Compliance: The accommodation units - noncompliant to the Operational Recommendation issued by the MOT and Post COVID Protocols for the Hospitality industry issued by the Government of Sikkim, as well as the standard protocols issued by the Health Department shall not be permitted for operations in the 1st phase. What the Travel Agents and Tour Operators need to follow? 1. All tourist transport and ground handling services including pick up and drop will be allowed only through authorized local travel agents or tour operators. No travel agency or tour operator without the authorization of the State Tourism Department will be permitted to operate in the first phase. 2. Any arrival transfer of tourists (entry to Sikkim) without the authorized travel agent’s or tour operator’s booking slip or service voucher will not be permitted. 3. The authorized travel agents or tour operators to provide the certified copy of their guest’s details, tour itinerary (arrival to departure), accommodation details, the vehicle and driver details to the nearest Tourism Information Centre or Department or at the entry points at least 24 hours before the arrival of the guests. (Provision of online uploading will also be enabled as soon as possible). 4. OTAs outside Sikkim will not be allowed to operate independent tours in Sikkim during the first phase. All tours by OTAs outside Sikkim to be routed through authorized local travel agents or tour operators of Sikkim. 5. The travel agents or tour operators shall be permitted to engage only tourist vehicles (luxury vehicles) for all tourist transports and sightseeing during the first phase for better tracking and monitoring of the visiting tourist. 6. Travel Agents or Tour Operators to use the same vehicle(s) for the whole tour (arrival to departure). They should avoid the change of vehicles in between the tours unless in case of breakdown or exigencies. 7. The travel agents or tour operators processing authorization shall, in no case, engage proxy operators to conduct their tours. 8. All authorized operators to strictly adhere to Operational Recommendations for Tourism Service Providers (MOT)and SOP to be issued by the Tourism Department. What does the Tourism Department need to enable? 1. Applications expressing interest for the resumption of business will be invited by the department from Hotels, Homestays, Travel Agents, and other tourism service providers. 2. The applicants will require to submit an undertaking (in prescribed format) along with their application, declaring their fulfillment and preparedness on all provisions under the operational guidelines and that they shall be solely held liable in the event of any violation of the guidelines or protocols. 3. The applications of only those hotels or travel agents registered with DOT and CAv and compliant to the Operational Recommendations issued by MOT will be admissible for the first phase operations. 4. The department will ensure adequate staff and infrastructure at the entry points of Rangpo and Melli for carrying out the entry formalities. 5. Valid COVID negative certificate - not more than three-days old, registration details of the Web Portal - Traveller ID, proof of pre-booking slips - service vouchers or tour itinerary issued by the authorized operators and vehicle details, will be checked at entry points. 6. There will be a dedicated Central Monitoring or Records Team at the Head Office which will monitor and maintain the records daily of tourist arrivals or departures along with movement details. All the entry and exit points and Tourist Information Centre will report to the Central Monitoring Team daily. How the Health Department can aid? 1. In case of detection or suspicion of any COVID-19 positive case or symptom of tourists at the entry point, a provision of isolation facility at Rangpo itself. Further course of action - treatment and management of the infected case - Health Department Officials. All costs that may be involved in the process (Isolation facility and treatment) will be borne by the tourist. 2. If a tourist is without a COVID-19 negative certificate and whether they must be permitted, then the minimum duration of their stay or quarantine needs to be decided in consultation with the Health Department. 3. In case of detection of any COVID-19 positive case of tourist during his or her stay - isolation, treatment, containment, and quarantine - to have the system of 'Tourist Health Safety and Treatment protocols’ in place. 4. Possibility of Rapid Antigen Testing facility for all incoming tourists at the entry points of Rangpo and Melli. 5. No odd or even restrictions for tourists' vehicles (luxury taxis), provided they carry proof of valid or live tour details and itinerary in the vehicle. 6. Tourist taxi driver engaged for tourist transport be tested for COVID-19.

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