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13th edition of the International Sand Art Festival begins in Odisha's Puri

The 13th edition of the International Sand Art Festival, a renowned cultural event that annually takes place on the beautiful Chandrabhaga Beach, commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday. This festival attracts skilled sand artists from various corners of the globe who come together to showcase their talent for creating intricate and breathtaking sculptures entirely out of sand. Each year, the festival revolves around diverse themes, ranging from cultural heritage to social issues to environmental conservation. This diversity reflects the global perspective and awareness embedded in the artistry. Artists utilise the golden sands of the beach as their canvas, crafting intricate designs and sculptures that often convey messages. This festival not only attracts international sand sculptors but also celebrates the talents of local artisans. The fusion of global perspectives and local flair creates a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression. The festival aims to promote tourism, celebrate the rich artistry of sand sculpting, and provide a platform for artists to exchange ideas and techniques. Visitors to the festival have the opportunity to witness the evolution of these ephemeral masterpieces throughout the event. The sculptures, despite their temporary nature, leave a lasting impression due to their intricate details and the skilled hands that brought them to life. The International Sand Art Festival at beautiful Chandrabhaga Beach in Puri's, Odisha, not only serves as a cultural and artistic extravaganza but also plays a role in promoting the coastal beauty of the region, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and tourists alike. More than 100 artists, including international artists from the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, Russia, Belarus and the Czech Republic, will participate in the International Sand Art Festival in 2023. The International Sand Art Festival was started in 2011 on the Chandrabhaga beach in Puri, Odisha. The festival is held annually from December 1-5. The 2023 festival will be the 13th edition. The festival showcases the artists' creative imagination. The sand art is part painting and part sculpture, with no adhesive holding the grains of sand in place.

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Ready to set sail on cruises in New Year 2024? Here's what travellers across all income and budget levels need to know

Next year is looking like a banner year for cruise vacations, as travellers across all income and budget levels have been booking voyages at greater volumes than even before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to US cruise operators and travel agents. Travellers are looking to cruises in 2024 because they are still cheaper than land-based alternatives. With occupancy levels approaching pre-pandemic levels, operators plan to hike prices in coming months. "Overall the market is extremely strong, especially the top end of the market in terms of the most high-end luxury cruises," said Bob Levinstein, CEO of cruise marketplace Cruise Compete. Even as travellers have canceled or postponed planned vacations to the Middle East, cruise bookings will still hit record levels in 2024, said Truist Securities analyst Patrick Scholes. Prior to the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, industry-wide bookings for 2024 were about 25% higher than in 2019 for bookings in 2020. Bookings in November for 2024 were about 20% higher than the same period in 2019, Scholes said. "Demand for 2024 has continued to accelerate with bookings consistently outpacing 2019 levels by a wide margin," said Royal Caribbean Group's CEO Jason Liberty in October on an earnings call. About 35.7 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2024, up from 31.5 million in 2023 - which is 6% more than the amount of passengers that set sail in 2019, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The one thing holding back bookings? Enough capacity to deal with all of the demand. Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein in September said volumes for 2024 will recede as the company could run out of inventory to sell despite a 5% increase in capacity from 2023. Smaller operators say volumes are overflowing. Oslo-based private luxury cruise line SeaDream Yacht Club said bookings are so strong for 2024 and 2025, that they have already opened bookings for autumn of 2026, according to CEO Atle Brynestad. Travel agency Marvelous Mouse Travels, which got its start planning Disney vacations, said 2024 demand has significantly surpassed bookings in 2018 and 2019, according to Kari Dillon, owner of the Huntersville, North Carolina-based agency. "Travellers are taking advantage of the four or five-night short itineraries out of Florida ports," said Dillon. "With more and more people having the ability to work remotely, it makes hopping (on) these short Caribbean itineraries a breeze." Travel agency InteleTravel said bookings for sailings in 2024 are about 70% greater than bookings than at this time in 2019 headed into 2020, said Dave Spinelli, senior vice president of industry relations at InteleTravel, a host travel agency in Delray Beach, Florida. Royal Caribbean told investors that in the third quarter, two-thirds of its guests were either on a cruise for the first time or using Royal Caribbean for the first time. The company's repeat bookers have doubled, according to Liberty.Online travel companies are taking notice of the cruise boom. Booking Holdings' largest brand Booking.com launched a cruise vertical in November to capture growing cruise demand. "Cruisers are loyal, with the data showing the majority of people who have cruised will cruise again, making it prime for continued growth," said Ben Harrell, US managing director at Booking.com.

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From hurdles to heights, how India’s tourism sector is a journey of opportunity

By 2028, Indian tourism and hospitality is expected to earn USD 50.9 bn as visitor exports compared with USD 28.9 bn in 2018. International tourist arrivals are expected to reach 30 million by 2028. Rathore shares his insights on addressing the challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability of India’s tourism industry. Tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors, It employs one in every ten people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more as per WTO. In India as well, up until the onset of the Covid pandemic, the Indian tourism and travel industry had been one of the major drivers of generating 87.5 million jobs (directly and indirectly). Worldwide hotel networks were expanding their presence in the nation accounting for 47 per cent of the total travel and tourism business in 2020 which was believed to reach 50 percent by 2022. Despite pandemic-induced global restrictions and weak tourism revenues, India’s service exports which includes tourism crossed the USD250-billion mark in 2021-22, registering a 20 percent growth and exceeding the target level of USD240 billion. Tourism was one of the sectors hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, however with the development and distribution & administration of vaccines in India & world over, a light of recovery is visible at the end of the tunnel. By 2028, Indian tourism and hospitality is expected to earn USD 50.9 billion as visitor exports compared with USD 28.9 billion in 2018. International tourist arrivals are expected to reach 30.5 million by 2028. In 2020, the travel and tourism industry’s contribution to the GDP was USD 121.9 billion; this is expected to reach USD 512 billion by 2028. Medical value tourism also contributes to the tourism sector. Healthcare is also one of the fastest-growing industries in India. The government is ambitiously aiming to tap into the global USD80-billion medical tourism Market & and take the Indian medical tourism market, worth USD6 billion in 2020, to USD15 billion over the next four years. India is 4th largest destination for healthcare services with medical value tourism, services and has been ranked 10th in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21 out of 46 destinations by the Medical Tourism Association based on factors like tourist popularity, medical facility quality, and hospital accreditation, healthcare costs, economic stability, and the overall the environment of the destination. India's tourism sector is growing steadily but there are a few challenges that it is currently navigating. A few of these challenges are - Inadequate Infrastructure: India suffers from insufficient tourism infrastructure, encompassing airports, highways, and public transportation. While the mainstream tourist destinations boast good infrastructure, many other cities lack fundamental amenities. besides this connectivity between different cities including roadways also suffers from poor infrastructure issues. The absence of visitor-friendly infrastructure, information centers, etc further complicates this problem. Sustainability Imperatives: A global shift towards sustainable and responsible tourism practices necessitates a critical reassessment of existing models. The delicate task at hand is to balance economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation. This challenge demands concerted efforts from both the public and private sectors. : The tourism sector also suffers from a digital divide where larger enterprises seamlessly adopt digital platforms, leaving smaller businesses struggling to keep pace. While efforts are in place to address this disparity for holistic growth, the digital divide currently hinders seamless functioning across the country. Lack of Skilled Manpower: The dearth of skilled manpower in India's tourism sector presents a multifaceted challenge. In domains like tour guiding, hospitality, and travel management, there is a noticeable shortage of trained professionals. This scarcity not only hampers the sector's growth potential but also adversely affects the quality of services extended to tourists. Furthermore, the prevalent language barrier increases this issue, limiting effective communication and diminishing the overall experience for both visitors and service providers. Domestic and Diverse Tourism: The emphasis on domestic tourism unfolds a unique opportunity for the sector’s growth. With international travel restrictions, a renewed focus on exploring local destinations can help keep the industry healthy. Besides this, capitalizing on the diverse landscapes, historical sites, and cultural richness within the country can serve as a stimulus for economic activity. Spiritual and wellness tourism including yoga and Ayurveda are proving to be a great attraction for overseas tourists. Wildlife and eco-tourism offer a unique draw for nature enthusiasts. Besides this, leveraging India's vibrant festivals for cultural tourism can account for a visitor influx during these events. Besides this, rural tourism and culinary tourism also have a lot of potential and offer a unique narrative and community empowerment. Government Support and Policy Reforms: A supportive policy framework and strategic government interventions have become pivotal for the sector’s rejuvenation. Incentivizing sustainable practices, providing financial support, and streamlining regulatory processes can collectively enhance the industry's resilience, making it more attractive to investors. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): PPPs can be instrumental in addressing the sector's challenges. By providing funding and expertise, PPPs can contribute to the development and maintenance of tourism infrastructure. Moreover, these partnerships can enhance coordination between stakeholders, fostering innovation in tourism products and services. India’s tourism industry, while bursting with potential, faces some challenges that necessitate a holistic approach. A collaborative effort involving the government, industry stakeholders, and the public is crucial to overcome these challenges and cultivate a resilient sector.

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Odisha welcomes the tourist season with its flagship events

In addition to the 13th International Sand Art Festival and the 34th edition of the Konark Festival inaugurated this week, the annual flagship camping event of Odisha Tourism, Ec Retreat is ongoing. Spanning three months, the event has already commenced at Putsil, Daringbadi, Hirakud, and Satkosia, with Bhitarkanika and Sonpur Beach (Ganjam), follow by the Konark Eco Retreat scheduled for inauguration on December 15. The tourist season in Odisha kicked off with a vibrant array of events orchestrated by the Department of Tourism. On December 1, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the 13th International Sand Art Festival and the 34th edition of the Konark Festival, both flagship events of the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. In a video message, the Chief Minister welcomed everyone to the picturesque open-air auditorium nestled within the grounds of the 13thcentury UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sun Temple. Against the stunning backdrop of this architectural marvel, attendees are treated to a cultural extravaganza, featuring Odissi and other Indian classical dance performances by acclaimed artists from India and around the world. The inaugural show showcased an Odissi performance by Soor Mandir - Jyotsnarani Sahoo & Group from Cuttack. Their act titled NAAD NINAAD commenced with an invocation to Lord Jagannath and Lord Surya through the Surya Mantra, followed by SARANAM, a dance portraying the act of surrendering to the divine. Meanwhile, the Chandrabhaga Beach is set to become a canvas for thematic sand art creations by 114 esteemed sand artists, including 6 international artists from countries like Australia, Czech Republic, Russia, Belarus, USA, and Sri Lanka, alongside talents from various Indian states. The 13th International Sand Art Festival 2023 witnessed the presence of Hon’ble Minister Tusharkanti Behera, gracing the occasion. To ensure wider outreach, the dance festival is being live-streamed on Odisha Tourism's social media platforms from December 1 to 5. In addition to these cultural extravaganzas, the annual flagship camping event of Odisha Tourism, Eco Retreat, was inaugurated on November 1. This year, the retreats expect a majority of domestic tourists as per the state tourism officials, around 60 per cent of the total footfall. The Eco Retreat spans three months across seven scenic locations. The event has already commenced at Putsil, Daringbadi, Hirakud, and Satkosia, with Bhitarkanika and Sonpur Beach (Ganjam) opening on December 1, followed by the Konark Eco Retreat scheduled for inauguration on December 15.

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Shravanabelagola and Lakkundi in Karnataka proposed for UNESCO World Heritage list

Two prime monuments in Karnataka have been proposed for the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list. The one is Shravanabelagola in Hassan and the other is Lakkundi in Gadag districts. These have been chosen by the State Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage (DAMH). About Shravanabelagola Shravanabelagola is one of the prime Jain pilgrimage sites in Karnataka noted for the statue of Gomateshwaraa. It is counted among the tallest free-standing monolithic statues in the world! Not many must be aware of the fact that the statue was carved from a single stone and consecrated in 981 CE. The humongous statue is visible from a distance of about 30 km but to get a clear and close view, people need to climb some 700 steps. The place is set some 150 km away from Bengaluru. Reaching Shravanabelagola is easy and the nearest airport is about 87 km in Mysuru. There is also a railway station in Shravanabelagola that offers daily train services connecting to Bengaluru. Lakkundi, or Lokkigundi was one of the capitals of the Hoysala Empire some thousands of years ago! Today, one can see over 50 ruins of ancient temples throughout the village. These belong from the periods of the Chalukyas, Kalachuris, and Suena. Another interesting feature here are the 100 stepwells, which are also known as kalyani. Lakkundi is a lesser-known destination situated some 375 km from Bengaluru. The nearest airport is in Hubballi which is around 70 km. Another is the Sambre Airport at Belgaum which is nearly 128 km away.

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International tourism to end 2023 close to 90% of pre-pandemic levels UNWTO

Asia and the Pacific lagged behind, reaching only 62 per cent of pre-pandemic levels due this period due to a slower reopening to international travel. Notably, South Asia displayed remarkable recovery of 95 per cent, while North-East Asia trailed at approximately 50 per cent, illustrating mixed performances among subregions. In the realm of international tourism, the latest insights from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) signaled a significant rebound toward pre-pandemic levels. The data revealed that international tourism is steadily regaining its momentum, projecting to reach nearly 90 per cent of the pre-pandemic benchmarks by the conclusion of 2023. Between January and September 2023, approximately 975 million tourists embarked on international travel, marking a substantial 38 per cent increase compared to the corresponding months in 2022. This surge in tourism figures suggests a robust resurgence in global travel, reflecting a heightened eagerness among travelers to explore the world once more. The UNWTO's World Tourism Barometer divulged further encouraging statistics, indicating a 22 per cent increase in international tourist arrivals during the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in the preceding year. This upswing was particularly pronounced during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, evidencing a strong resurgence in travel demand. Notably, the third quarter of 2023 witnessed international tourist arrivals scaling up to 91 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with July emerging as the standout month, hitting a commendable 92 per cent recovery rate— the most robust performance since the onset of the pandemic. Overall, the tourism sector surged to 87 per cent of pre-pandemic levels during the period spanning January to September 2023, paving the way for an anticipated 90 per cent recovery by year-end. Financially, international tourism receipts are expected to soar to approximately USD 1.4 trillion in 2023, representing a remarkable 93 per cent of the USD 1.5 trillion amassed by destinations in 2019, before the pandemic's disruptive onset. "The latest UNWTO data shows that international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19 with many destinations reaching or even exceeding pre-pandemic arrivals and receipts. This is critical for destinations, businesses, and communities where the sector is a major lifeline," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. The recovery isn't uniform across regions, with varying rates of progress. The Middle East stands out as a frontrunner in relative recovery, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 20 per cent through September 2023, holding the distinction as the sole world region to exceed 2019 figures in this period. Factors such as visa facilitation measures, novel destination development, investments in tourism-related projects, and the hosting of large events contributed significantly to this exceptional performance. , accounting for 56 per cent of the global total with 550 million international tourists, surged to 94 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, bolstered by robust intra-regional demand and substantial interest from the United States. Africa and the Americas made substantial strides as well, with Africa recovering 92 per cent and the Americas reaching 88 per cent of 2019 visitor numbers during the nine-month period. Strong demand from the United States significantly contributed to the Americas' positive trajectory, particularly benefiting Caribbean destinations. In contrast, Asia and the Pacific lagged behind, reaching only 62 per cent of pre-pandemic levels during this period due to a slower reopening to international travel. Notably, South Asia displayed a remarkable recovery of 95 per cent, while North-East Asia trailed at approximately 50 per cent, illustrating mixed performances among subregions. Moreover, the UNWTO's Tourism Recovery Tracker, drawing data from IATA and STR, reported robust indicators in air passenger numbers and tourist accommodation occupancy levels, further underscoring the sector's steadfast resurgence. Looking ahead, despite economic challenges like high inflation, weaker global output, and geopolitical tensions, international tourism remains on a trajectory towards a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, propelled by the sustained momentum and fervor evident in the industry's recent performance

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