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Odisha plans to launch caravan tourism to revive Covid-hit sector

If everything goes as planned, tourists will get a slice of caravan tourism in the state with camper vans adding delight to their travel and giving them the hotel-on-wheels comfort. The Karnataka government launched caravan tourism last month. In a webinar organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), officials of the state tourism department said caravan tourism has the potential to woo visitors. “We are going to launch ‘Road Trips’ to attract tourists within and from neighbouring states once the Covid-19 situation improves. Caravan tourism can be an aspect of the ‘Road Trips’ product. Private players, mostly hoteliers and tour operators can purchase caravans to offer the service to tourists,” state tourism director Sachin Jadhav said in the Ficci event. A camper van is equipped with all the necessary facilities, including seats, converter beds, television, AC, an incinerator toilet and a shower. It also has a small kitchen with a microwave and a refrigerator. “The pandemic has forced us to redesign the concept of tourism. People may not like to travel by air and train for some months even after the pandemic comes under control. Road is the only alternative for tourists to travel with their families in their own cars or hired vehicles. This is the right time to introduce caravan tourism,” Jadhav said. Tourism department said a draft policy note would be prepared on the modalities of the proposed caravan tourism and locations where such facilities can be offered to tourists. The department said security would be provided to tourists where they halt the caravans for overnight stay. “We are ready to promote caravan tourism. The government should provide financial assistance and subsidy to hoteliers and tour operators to purchase camper vans. Since the hotel and hospitality industry has come to its knees due to the pandemic, the government should provide immediate support to us,” hotel and restaurant association of Odisha’s chairman J K Mohanty said at the Ficci webinar. Tourism secretary Vishal Dev said marine drive eco retreat, which was organised at Ramchandi beach last year, would be replicated and organised at four other beaches this year. “The maiden eco retreat was a big hit at Ramchandi beach. We will organise the event at four other locations that will be finalized soon. We plan to organise in November-December,” Dev said. The secretary said MoUs would be signed with neighbouring states—West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand—to promote interstate road trips. “Odia cuisine will be promoted and leveraged to draw tourists. We plan to conduct Odia food festivals in major cities of India,” Dev said.

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Mount Everest reopened by Nepal to boost tourism

Trekkers and climbers are once again welcome to scale Mount Everest for the autumn season as Nepal has reopened its mountains to encourage tourism activities after months of lockdown. Nepal has now relaxed its lockdown rules last week, and is looking forward to seeing more tourists for mountaineering and trekking activities, as told by Mira Acharya, Tourism Department of Nepal to a leading news agency. Reportedly, the Nepal government will allow international flights to arrive in the country from August 17. The call has been taken by the government irrespective of the rising COVID-19 cases in the country. News has it that the authorities are framing the safety rules for tourists, including the quarantine period required for them after landing in the country. The news agency has also reported that one of the biggest Nepal-based expedition organisers is getting calls from clients regarding quarantine rules. Reportedly, mountaineering experts have warned that the period between September to November can be more risky owing to lower temperature and windy climate. In the year 2019, Autumn expeditions to Everest were unsuccessful due to a block of glacial ice hanging above the dangerous Khumbu icefall which has to be crossed by the climbers before reaching their destination. Only a group of Chinese mountaineers could reach the summit from the north-Tibetan region in the year 2020 after other expeditions were cancelled.

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Uttarakhand: Valley of Flowers is now open for tourists

Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers is now open for tourists. The state government while announcing this stated that tourists from outside the state will also be allowed to visit the site. The Valley of flowers, a UNESCO World, usually remains open for visitors from June to October. However, this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crises, the tourist hotspot was not accessible till this time. Referring to this, Joshimath SDM Anil Chanyal said that although tourists from outside the state will be allowed to visit the tourist hotspot, they will be required to upload their COVID-19 negative certificate 72 hours prior to their visit. It has happened for the first time in its history that the valley did not open for tourists on its scheduled time due to COVID-19 threat. Forest minister Harak Singh Rawat at that time said that before taking a final call on protected forests, sanctuaries and reserves, they would first consult with wildlife experts and scientists. Situated in the lap of western Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers usually remains open for tourists from June 1 to October 31, and remains covered in snow during other months. Reportedly, around 15000 visitors visited the sot last year, and now with its reopening, it is expected that it will give a boost to the state tourism. Meanwhile, the forest officials have cleared all the internal routes of the valley for patrolling, as risk of poaching looms hers. Camera traps have also been installed by the forest department in the valley, which have captured images of musk deer this year indicating the rich biodiversity of the valley.

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40% Of Destinations Have Now Eased Travel Restrictions: UNWTO

The responsible restart of tourism is underway around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19 related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 40 per cent of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19. The latest outlook of UNWTO, recorded on 19 July, is up from 22 per cent of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by 15 June and the 3 per cent previously observed by 15 May. It confirms the trend of a slow but continuous adaptation and responsible restart of international tourism. At the same time, however, of the 87 destinations that have now eased travel restrictions, just four have completely lifted all restrictions, while 83 have eased them while keeping some measures such as the partial closure of borders in place. This latest edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report in addition shows that 115 destinations (53 per cent of all destinations worldwide) continue to keep their borders completely closed for tourism. This way, global tourism can gain people’s trust and confidence, essential foundations as we work together to adapt to the new reality we now face. Responsible restart is possible UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The restart of tourism can be undertaken responsibly and in a way that safeguards public health while also supporting businesses and livelihoods. As destinations continue to ease restrictions on travel, international cooperation is of paramount importance. This way, global tourism can gain people’s trust and confidence, essential foundations as we work together to adapt to the new reality we now face.” According to the UNWTO report, destinations with a higher dependency on tourism are more likely to be easing restrictions on travel: Of the 87 destinations that have eased restrictions recently, 20 are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which depend on tourism as a central pillar of employment, economic growth and development. The report also shows that around half (41) of all those destinations that have eased restrictions are in Europe, confirming the leading role of the region for the responsible restart of tourism. Many destinations still in long-term lockdown Looking at the 115 destinations that continue to have their borders completely closed to international tourism, the report finds that a majority (88) have been completely closed their borders for international tourism for more than 12 weeks. The cost related to the travel restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 has historic dimensions. This week, UNWTO released the data on the impact of the pandemic on tourism, both in terms of lost tourist arrivals and lost revenues. The data shows that by already by the end of May, the pandemic had led to US$320 billion in lost revenues, already three times the cost of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis.

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God’s own place ‘Mantalai’ in Udhampur set to emerge as prominent tourism destination

Mantalai (J&K), Jul 31: Located nearly 100 kilometres from Jammu city, picturesque ‘Mantalai’—God’s own place, in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, is in the process of emerging as one of the most promising tourist places with world class infrastructure, including an International Yoga Centre. Surrounded by lush green forests, ‘Mantalai’ is not less than a heaven on earth and a place to attract tourists, which earlier remained neglected for over three decades. Union Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, who has been re-elected as Member Parliament from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituency, during his first term had Rs 80 crore sanctioned for establishing the Yoga centre. Elaborating on the project, Dr Singh said, “The development programme of Mantalai was revived by Narendra Modi-led regime.” “This place is going to emerge as state-of-the-art Health, Wellness and Yoga Centre of international standards,” he said, adding that the spot is also a destination of health tourism from far and wide. “It was stuck up for over 35 years inspite of Yoga guru Dhirendra Brahmachari’s close proximity to Congress party. It was revived by the Modi Govt,” averred the Union Minister. Notably, Mantalai development programme, besides various components, has a state-of-the-art international Yoga centre — a part of the previous NDA Government’s ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme launched to develop potential tourist spots in the country. The centre is proposed over a sprawling 125 acre Ashram of late Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari. Sachiv Dev Jamwal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) told UNI, “the mega developmental project has an integrated development of tourist facilities at Mantalai, Sudhmahadev and Patnitop under Swadesh Darshan Scheme”. “Facilities like swimming pool, airstrips, spa, helipads, gymnasium, auditorium, hostels and business convention centre are coming up at the International Yoga Centre,” he said, adding that the project also included cafeteria at Sudhmaha Dev and Patnitop destinations. “The world class facilities will surely boost both the leisure and the health tourism in the area,” he said. The CEO added that the contract was awarded to National Projects Construction Corporation Limited (NPCCL) for development of the Yoga centre and allied infrastructure at Mantalai, Patnitop and Sudhmaha Dev. MoU was signed between the Ministry of Tourism, NPCC and the J&K Govt, he said. He also revealed about mega international level facilities coming up at Mantalai like Yoga centre with associated infrastructure, equipment and counseling rooms, Associated Infrastructure (Landscaping and Beautification, Lightening and Illumination, Solid waste management, Signage), Wellness Spa and Ayurveda Complex with separate area for traditional Indian Spa Therapies with library and archiving centre, Tourist Facilitation Centre with sitting area , toilets, lobby, gathering space and exhibition space to name a few. Situated in Chenani Block of Udhampur district, this charismatic natural place is around 28-kilometres from the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. “Work on the project had commenced in 2017 as part of the government’s initiative to develop Jammu as a tourist destination and was conceived to attract domestic and foreign tourists,” said an official. Once the project is completed and Mantalai has the infrastructure and facility of international level, it will spontaneously come on the global tourist map, he added. Pertinent to mention that the erstwhile Ashram of the late international fame Yoga Guru Dhirendra Brahamchari could boast of many facilities like an airstrip, helipad, swimming pool, zoo, stud farms, cow shelters, orchards and forests but after his death in air crash in 1994, it was shut. Though the project has missed it December-2018 deadline but it is a dream for which people of Udhampur and even from Jammu believe that though late but will certainly be beautiful asset for tourism promotion as brick by brick development has been initiated and Mantalai becoming a hub of tourists, finding a ‘niche on international tourism map.

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Kerala to partner with other states to revitalise tourism

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will work in tandem with tourism boards of other states to revitalise its domestic tourism which took a beating due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will also promote ayurveda, eco-tourism and adventure tourism in a major way to get the tourism sector back on its feet. “We expect to welcome guests in the next one or two months,” Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said on Thursday. “Kerala Tourism will work with other state tourism departments to ensure a hassle-free experience to tourists travelling from one state to another. It is also looking forward to collaborating with other states and the Union Tourism Ministry to boost domestic tourists,” Kadakampally said during the valedictory session of a two-day tourism e-conclave on ‘Travel & Hospitality: What’s Next?’ organised by FICCI. “We are starting off by reviving domestic tourism, first in Kerala and then in other states. An action plan for the sector’s revival is being drawn up. Several support schemes, including providing assistance to tourism stakeholders and employees, are under the government’s consideration,” he said.He said ayurveda would be promoted in a major way, considering the importance of healing and wellness in the current Covid scenario. “Plans are also afoot to promote eco-tourism and adventure tourism among domestic tourists,” said Kadakampally, who said the government will fully support the unified guidelines and protocols chalked out by the Tourism Ministry, which, he said, would serve as a roadmap for states to revitalise domestic tourism and reinstate India’s position as a high-value destination. Asserting that Kerala will also make its presence felt on the Incredible India digital platform by providing relevant content, Kadakampally said there were plans to prepare itineraries that include destinations in neighbouring states.He said Covid-19 had shattered economies, with travel and tourism hit badly. “However, Kerala Tourism is slowly finding its feet. We have a long way to go, but are on the right path,” he said.He said the crisis management experience gained from the 2018 floods and the Nipah outbreak also helped Kerala combat coronavirus effectively. “Kerala Tourism stands in solidarity with travel trade and is doing everything to minimise the virus’ impact on travel and trade. We are sure we’ll defeat all odds and make a remarkable comeback. The strong synergy between private and public sectors will be a key driving force on our road to recovery,” he said. Tourism Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, besides Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Union Ministry of Tourism, also spoke. Plenary sessions on topics like ‘Spotlight on hidden tourism jewels of India - Exploring the unexplored tourism potentials’ and ‘Role of Technology & Innovation to revive Travel & Tourism and Emergence of New Workforce models’ were held at the conclave. Going digital Kerala will also make its presence felt on the Incredible India digital platform by providing relevant content.

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