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Bihar Deputy CM promotes state’s Buddhist circuit in Japan

Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who also holds the tourism portfolio, on Thursday promoted the state’s Buddhist circuit at Japan Tourism Expo. Tejashwi talked about important tourist sites in Bihar, especially focusing on Buddhist circuit which could attract Japanese visitors. Tejashwi said Bihar has immense potential for tourism as the birthplace of several religion heads and a land of spiritual awakening. Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who also holds the tourism portfolio, on Thursday promoted the state’s Buddhist circuit at Japan Tourism Expo. Tejashwi talked about important tourist sites in Bihar, especially focusing on Buddhist circuit which could attract Japanese visitors. He also inaugurated the Bihar pavilion at the travel show which will be used to carry out international branding of the state’s tourist destinations over the next four days. The pavilion was visited by former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who was presented with a Madhubani stole and Mahabodhi leaf.At the event, Tejashwi said Bihar has immense potential for tourism as the birthplace of several religion heads and a land of spiritual awakening. He mentioned the unique offering of the Buddhist circuit in the state, which can be divided into two major geographic regions. He said Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is of great importance to all Buddhists. The deputy CM said the ruins of Nalanda University, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, can also be explored. Rajgir, situated on the Griddhakuta Hill, is another significant place where Lord Buddha spent several years and delivered some of his most important teachings.

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El Salvador to charge USD 1,000 fee from Indian travellers before entry

The fee targets individuals travelling on passports issued by India or more than 50 African nations. For travellers from the impacted nations, an additional cost of USD 1,130, inclusive of value-added tax (VAT), will be incurred. This new fee came into effect on October 23 due to the heightened utilisation of the nation's primary international airport. The fee will be charged before boarding flights destined for El Salvador. In a significant move, El Salvador has implemented a USD 1,000 fee for travellers originating from Africa or India, signaling its intent to discourage migration through the country to the United States. This development was made public by El Salvador's port authority in a statement posted on its website. The fee targets individuals travelling on passports issued by India or more than 50 African nations. El Salvador's government views this measure as an essential step to address migration challenges and regulate the flow of travellers passing through the country en route to the United States. This new policy is aimed to establishing border and immigration control measures. Crucially, the funds generated from this fee will be directed towards enhancing infrastructure and facilities at El Salvador's primary international airport, as confirmed by the authority. This week, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador held a crucial meeting with Brian Nichols, the US Assistant Secretary of State forWestern Hemisphere Affairs. Their discussions encompassed a wide array of topics, with a primary focus on their joint efforts to combat irregular migration. During the fiscal year 2023, which concluded in September, the US Customs and Border Patrol recorded a staggering 3.2 million encounters with migrants across the country. This stark figure underscores the magnitude of their discussions concerning the pressing issue of migration. For travellers from the impacted nations, an additional cost of USD 1,130, inclusive of value-added tax (VAT), will be incurred. This new fee came into effect on October 23 due to the heightened utilisation of the nation's primary international airport, according to the official announcement. In addition to the fee, airlines will now be obligated to provide daily notifications to Salvadoran authorities about passengers arriving from a specified roster of 57 countries in Africa and India. A prominent airline utilising El Salvador's hub, Avianca from Colombia, has taken the initiative to alert travellers from the aforementioned list of nations about the mandatory fee. Passengers from these countries will be required to pay the fee before boarding flights destined for El Salvador. This initiative is a reflection of the ongoing efforts by governments and airlines worldwide to address migration challenges and enhance control over international travel. This decision by El Salvador has significant implications for travellers from India and Africa and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to international migration issues.

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Varanasi street dog set to travel abroad with a passport

A heartwarming tale of international adoption happened in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi when a kind-hearted traveler from the Netherlands got attached to a street dog named Jaya. Meral Bontenbel, hailing from Amsterdam, found herself drawn to the stray dog during a visit to Varanasi. Recounting the fateful encounter, Bontenbel explained how Jaya approached her and her fellow travelers during a leisurely stroll through the city. Captivated by the dog's sweetness and charm, Bontenbel decided to offer the homeless canine companionship. Over time, Jaya became an inseparable part of their journey, following them around and forging a deep connection. Moved by her love for Jaya and the desire to give her a better life, Bontenbel decided to adopt the street dog. This act of compassion paved the way for Jaya to receive a proper passport and visa, enabling her to embark on a life-changing journey from the streets of Varanasi to her new home in the Netherlands.

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Travel technology enabling niche tourism in India: Key to economic growth

Travellers today want to know other cultures, sports, and with economies becoming a global subject, business leaders want to meet other leaders across the globe. With this, tourist destinations as well as the entire industry must come together to offer quality experiences. This fusion, fortified by technology's prowess, has the potential to provide the much-needed boost to many states’ economy. Niche tourism in India India's Niche Tourism market witnesses people travelling from various ends of the country and globally to soak in the grandeur attached with it. Cultural events such as Pushkar Mela, political meets such as G20, the majestic wildlife sanctuaries spread across the country, rich lanes of rural India along with India’s top notch medical services all fall within the purview of niche tourism allowing for states to strengthen their visibility to tourists and boost valuable funds to the states. Central government and different state governments are already exploring the possibility of further expanding various niche tourism segments by introducing some policies and changes. Punjab, for example, has newer policies and programs aiming towards making it the most sought-after travel destination. Beyond its postcard perfect landscapes, and rich heritage, to attract more tourists, the state has recently announced a series of 19 festivals to showcase the traditions, art forms, and customs under an initiative called "Rangla Punjab”. According to a report by the government, ‘Nation Strategy for MICE Industry 2022’, the exhibition industry in India was growing at a rate of over 8% in the past few years. Another aspect to India beyond its culture and business is its wildlife. The country is home to 567 wildlife sanctuaries and 106 national parks which attracts many tourists every year to these destinations. The government’s conservation efforts are also playing a huge role in this, for example, under Project Tiger, India is now home to 70% of the world's tigers - this achievement will certainly attract more explorers to the country. Sports Tourism is another significant aspect especially in a country like India which witnesses sporting events igniting heighted public enthusiasm. While cricket and football remain to be the top attractions in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, with India’s focus on development of sports with programmes such as Khelo India, it won’t be long before the country swiftly diversifies into a plethora of sporting events that captivate stadium audiences with their grandeur. To support this, a study found that India’s sports tourism market is expected to reach USD 52,967 million by 2033.Technologies such as cloud can be leveraged to further streamline the growing demand for travel by OTAs and prepare for scalability during peak demand, avoiding any lags in offering travellers what they seek. For airlines, airports, ground handlers to effectively manage the rise in demand, an efficient Revenue Management System and forecasting tools are essential. Tools such as an Active Forecast Adjustment one can allow for live sales data from non-departed flights to be collated and accordingly airlines can manage and make changes. Dedicated tools can allow airlines to streamline their business, innovate and deliver the desired experience. Travellers today want to know other cultures, sports, and with economies becoming a global subject, business leaders want to meet other leaders across globe. With this, tourist destinations as well as the entire industry must come together to offer quality experiences. This fusion, fortified by technology's prowess, has the potential to provide the much-needed boost to many states’ economy. Niche Tourism in India can very well become the anchor that holds the industry and takes it towards more economical benefits.

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TajSATS partners with Noida International Airport for in-flight kitchen facility

Under the terms of the agreement, TajSATS will develop the In-Flight Kitchen facility on a design, finance, build, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model for a period of 37 years at the airport. The mandate will include passenger and crew meal services, in-flight catering equipment handling, loading and unloading of meals. Leading inflight catering provider, TajSATS, has signed a concession agreement with Noida International Airport (NIA) for the development of an in-flight kitchen facility. Noida International Airport, located at tremendous growth opportunity for airline catering. We are delighted that TajSATS has partnered with NIA for this prestigious project. TajSATS, with its extensive network and market leadership, will deliver premium in-flight and lounge catering, leveraging its four decades of experience. This signing strengthens our presence in Delhi NCR as it marks the establishment of our second facility in the region." Under the terms of the agreement, TajSATS will develop the In-Flight Kitchen facility on a design, finance, build, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model for a period of 37 years. The mandate will include passenger and crew meal services, in-flight catering equipment handling, loading, and unloading of meals. Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport, remarked, "We are pleased to welcome TajSATS to build and operate an In-Flight Kitchen at the Noida International Airport. This partnership is a significant milestone for us in our pursuit of creating a modern, customer-centric culinary experience for our travelers. We believe that meals are an integral part of a distinguished in-flight and airport experience. TajSATS comes with vast experience in serving numerous airports, and we believe that their offering will synergize with ours to provide a thorough world-class experience to our customers." Strategically situated within the airport, the state-of-the-art kitchen will occupy a 40,000 sq ft space and be equipped to serve over 15,000 meals a day in the initial phase. The kitchen will also cater to the lounge facilities and the food and beverage outlets inside the airport, as well as in its proximity. With the addition of this facility, TajSATS will operate nine production facilities in India

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Himachal: Less-explored destinations to be connected via roadways

Himachal Pradesh government is actively focusing on enhancing infrastructure to promote tourism within the state. For this, the authorities are making all efforts to strategically connect lesser-explored tourist destinations with roadways to facilitate increased tourist influx. Recently, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu initiated two crucial road projects, the Hiru Dasalan-Tamru Chaola road near Dharamshala and Mcleodganj-Bhagsunag-Tau Chaola road, with budgets of INR 612 lakh and INR 713 lakh respectively. These projects are expected to establish vital links between unexplored tourist spots and the main road network, making these destinations more accessible to tourists. CM Sukhu, while stressing about the immense natural beauty of Himachal Pradesh and as a global tourist attraction, also highlighted the government's commitment to transforming the Kangra district into a tourism hub. Several ambitious projects are in progress, such as a Zoological Park in Bankhandi, an international convention center in Dharamshala, an Old Age Wellness Resort, ice skating and roller skating rinks in Narghota, a proposed tourism village, a golf course in Paragpur, a wedding resort in Mainjha of Palampur, the Dhauladhar Biodiversity Park in Dharamshala, and the construction of a heliport among others. If reports are to go by, the government is striving to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant within the next four years and to elevate it to one of the country's prosperous states within the next decade. Additionally, the state government recently unveiled plans to promote 11 designated eco-tourism sites within forested areas of Himachal Pradesh, including Swar, Neugal Park, Saurabh Van Vihar, and Bir-Billing in the Palampur forest division of Kangra district. Each eco-tourism park, spanning approximately one hectare, will be developed and managed through outsourcing. Sukhu emphasized that eco-tourism will not only boost tourism activities, but also generate employment opportunities for local residents, which will in turn boost the regional economy.

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