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Govt to bring out initiatives to promote Kerala as venue for global meets

The beautiful locales including hill stations, beaches and backwater destinations in various parts make it the ideal location for international meets, says Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas. In its efforts to make Kerala a Soft Power hub, the government has proposed to introduce some upfront initiatives for promoting Kerala as a preferred venue for global conferences, said PA Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister. Kerala has immense opportunities in this segment given its picturesque landscape, eclectic history and rich cultural heritage, he said. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the two-day annual conference of the Soft Power Club, a leading global organisation headed by Francesco Rutelli, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, at Technopark here. The beautiful locales including hill stations, beaches and backwater destinations in various parts make it the most ideal location for international meets. The soft power at our disposal -- tourism -- is the most potent component and it has to be harnessed in a sustainable manner, he said. Over the centuries, the State has leveraged soft power in its evolution as an inclusive society and social and communal harmony reinforces its position as a soft power hub, the Minister said. G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, who made a presentation on India, said the country blends both its soft and hard powers to project itself and to ensure that the nation retains its very unique civilizational approach. Introducing the Soft Power Club, Francesco Rutelli stressed the need for promoting the value of international cooperation on strategic issues in the difficult times. He said building resilient stories of soft power involves inculcating resilient values, driving it through policy, recognising the role of social media as a soft power tool and bringing the subject into public discourse. Highlighting that soft power is tool for reputation, international competitiveness and economic growth formations, Rutelli said that the Soft Power Club meet will discuss the persisting and potential role of trade in the changing international landscape.

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India tops the list of passengers at Dubai Airport; know what’s drawing them in

If reports are to go by, the Dubai International Airport (DXB), renowned as the busiest hub for international travel globally, revealed that India is in the leading position for the highest number of passengers passing through its gates. The total traffic amounted to 11.9 million guests! As of 2023, DXB boasts connectivity to 262 destinations across 104 countries through 102 international carriers. India secured the top spot among destination countries, with traffic totaling 11.9 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 6.7 million guests and the UK with 5.9 million guests. Interestingly, as per reports, more than 95 percent of guests experienced waiting times of less than seven minutes at departure passport control, while 97.5 percent encountered average waiting times of less than four minutes at security check-in departures. No wonder, in recognition of its service quality, DXB achieved a score of 4.5 in the ACI World's globally recognised Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program, marking the highest result attained by the airport to date. Let’s look at the reasons why Indian tourists are drawn to Dubai. What does the city have to offer? Shopping: Dubai is known for its extravagant shopping malls, bustling souks, and duty-free shopping options. Indian tourists often visit Dubai to indulge in luxury shopping experiences and take advantage of the wide range of products available.

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Paris: Eiffel Tower shuts down for visitors amid protest

Tourists who are visiting Paris and are planning to visit the iconic Eiffel Tower may need to make changes in their itinerary as the world famous and iconic monument is currently off limits for all tourism purposes. At present, the Eiffel Tower is closed for tourists as a result of a scheduled labour strike. Before visiting, visitors to the iconic monument are advised to check the official website of Eiffel Tower for any new information regarding the ongoing strike and whether or not the monument is open to tourists. Also, for those who have already purchased an electronic ticket, check for messages regarding the same. The Eiffel Tower, renowned for its grandeur and historical significance, typically welcomes visitors every day of the year. However, there have been occasional closures due to several reasons. The one that happened in December, during the festive Christmas and New Year's holidays, was due to a labour strike revolving around contract negotiations. The ongoing strike is fueled by demands for fair compensation and enhanced upkeep of the Eiffel Tower. So since the Eiffel Tower is shut for now, let’s look at some of the most interesting facts about Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most recognised and visited monuments.

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Five tourists slapped with INR 25000 fine for consuming liquor on safari at Tadoba Tiger Reserve

Some people can never change and this saying was proved right when five tourists were found consuming alcohol during a wildlife safari in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra. In response to this behaviour, the wildlife management has issued fines of INR 5000 each to the tourists. The incident happened recently close to Moharli Gate in the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, highlighting growing concerns over misconduct and illegal activities by visitors in protected areas. Reportedly, the tourists departed from Moharli Gate in the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, with one individual in their group, while riding in a gypsy, showing a strong interest in spotting a tiger. Unfortunately, it was reported that all tourists in the gypsy consumed alcohol while exploring the forest area. The attentive tour guide, upon observing this inappropriate conduct, swiftly intervened and cautioned the tourists about consuming alcohol during the safari. Despite the guide's warnings, the tourists persisted, prompting the guide to take decisive action. The gypsy was returned to Moharli Gate, and the forest officials were notified of the incident, as per the report.

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Maharashtra Tourism Launches AI Chatbot for Easy Travel Planning

Maharashtra’s Tourism Minister, Girish Mahajan, has introduced a ”New AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot (+91 94038 78864) to assist travellers in exploring the state’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions through their mobile phones.” The goal is to attract visitors from both domestic and international locations and encourage business and trade partnerships within the state. The chatbot focuses on popular destinations like ”Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar hill stations, Ajanta and Ellora caves, and serene beaches in Alibaug and Tarkarli.” Travelers can ask questions about these places, get information in English, and learn about accommodations nearby, making trip planning easier. During the launch, Minister Mahajan mentioned ”the state’s seamless connectivity, diverse landscapes, and a range of accommodations from luxury resorts to cosy homestays.” He emphasized how embracing digital tools enriches visitor experiences and streamlines services. Jayshree Bhoj, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, ”expressed pride in Maharashtra’s tourism treasures, including historical marvels and pristine beaches.” She mentioned the state’s aspirations for UNESCO recognition for 11 forts by 2024-2025 and reaffirmed the commitment to fostering tourism beyond travel

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1,764 pax fined for ticketless Metro travel in past five months

Following expansion of the Metro from Vanaz to Ruby Hall and Pimpri-Chinchwad to Civil Court in August 2023, there has been a significant increase in passengers. Currently, an estimated 50,000 to 55,000 passengers ride the Metro daily. Passengers have multiple options to purchase tickets, including the Metro app, WhatsApp, ‘Ek Pune Card’ and ATVM machines present at every metro station. In response to the increased ridership, the Maha-Metro has enforced strict travel regulations, penalising passengers travelling without valid tickets. Between August 1, 2023 and January 2024, a total 1,764 passengers were found travelling without proper tickets and faced punitive measures. Discover the thrill of cricket like never before, exclusively on HT. Explore now! It was in September 2023 that the Pune Metro announced that passengers travelling without tickets or without valid tickets will be penalised; a fine of ₹85 will be imposed on them. According to the rules, passengers have to begin their journey within 20 minutes of purchasing a ticket from the initial station, failing which a fine of ₹10 per hour is imposed with ₹50 as the maximum penalty. Hemant Sonawane, executive director of the Pune Metro, said, “To inform people about the penalty for invalid tickets and ticketless travelling on the Metro, we made an official announcement in September 2023. Earlier, less people were travelling and most of the people did not know. Now, the Pune Metro ridership has increased. So, we have started collecting fines to maintain order and ensure that everyone follows the rules for a smooth travel experience. The fines are meant to discourage ticketless travel and emphasise the importance of sticking to the Metro’s guidelines.” The Pune Metro line 2 operates from Vanaz to Ruby Hall Clinic whereas line 1 operates from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Civil Court. Initially, the Pune Metro had plans to start passenger services on the Vanaz to Ruby Hall Clinic stretch up to Ramwadi in February. However, the Metro did not receive the safety certificate from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) to begin passenger services. Once the Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi stretch starts, the Pune Metro will complete the line 2 route covering Vanaz to Ramwadi.

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