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‘Storii by ITC Hotels’ expands its presence to West Bengal

ITC’s Hotel Group today announced the signing of its first Storii property in Kolkata, West Bengal. With the addition of this hotel, the Group will have nine properties in West Bengal, including four under development. A total of three Storii properties are already in operation across India; Storii Shanti Morada and Storii Moira Riviera in Goa and Storii Amoha Retreat in Dharamshala. Storii Kolkata is expected to open in early 2024 and will offer spacious well-appointed rooms and suites with an all-day dining restaurant and bar and banquet spaces. The major attraction of this leisure destination will be the signature K by Kaya Kalp spa. Surrounded by water bodies, the spa will reflect the grandeur of ancient Bengal where water pools were an integral element of the design and architecture. The spa is being developed as an oasis of tranquillity that leverages the best from India’s ancient traditions of health and wellness as well as modern rejuvenation programs. The sprawling spa sanctuary brings together all of nature’s elements to lighten the mood. From the sun sights to a vast aqua ambience surrounded by fresh open air. The spa will encourage the pursuit of holistic well-being by offering a conducive relaxation environment with large treatment rooms offering various therapies including Ayurveda, a dedicated ‘yogshala’, a meditation room, a swimming pool, fitness center and other recreational facilities. The 30-key resort in South City Retreat District is a 20-minute drive from Eastern Metropolitan (EM) bypass.

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House Panel Asks ASI To Adopt Best Global Practices To Attract Visitors

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should assess the impact of its efforts towards getting more visitors to monuments falling under its jurisdiction, and compare them with the best global practices. A high-level Parliamentary panel has suggested this to the Culture Ministry in a recently released report. Referring to footfalls at Centrally-protected monuments, the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture recommended that the Culture Ministry “should make an assessment of the cumulative impact of all the ASI efforts towards attracting more number of visitors to ASI monuments and examine these efforts vis-à-vis the best global practices”. It has further suggested that state-of-the-art technologies being adopted by other countries in promotion of culture also need to be studied so that the same could be replicated in India as well. The Rajya Sabha panel further sought to know about the fate of 50 missing Centrally-protected monuments and recommended the ministry to direct ASI to initiate an urgent survey of such monuments in light of the lack of physical security instead of making it “as and when” matter based on the inputs of ASI field officers. While appreciating ASI’s efforts towards retrieving antiquities, the committee sought to be briefed about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) being followed in this regard, especially the responsibility of upkeep and preservation of the repatriated antiquities, including the role of respective states and the involvement of museum authorities. The committee also suggested that the Culture Ministry should put in all efforts to allocate adequate funds to North eastern states. The Ministry should strive make an effort for 100 per cent utilisation of the budget grants available for promotion and awareness of its varied schemes being implemented in North eastern areas, it said. The committee further reiterated that there is a consistent decrease in the funds allocated to the North eastern states and it felt that the 10 per cent mandatory allotment should be revised as per the demands raised by individual states in North eastern areas. The Ministry must increase the said amount as per the requirements of states and cultural organisations for proper promotion of the programmes and activities to be undertaken in Northeastern areas, it stated further.

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IIFCL Approves Loans Worth INR 8,800cr For Airport Development & Civil Aviation Projects

According to Managing Director PR Jaishankar, India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) they have approved loans amounting to INR 8,800 crore for airport development and civil aviation projects across India. Approximately INR 4,000 crore of these loans have already been disbursed for the execution of airport projects. IIFCL has a significant presence in the financing of airport projects across India and has provided support to projects with a cumulative value of around INR 74,000 crore. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to promoting the growth and expansion of the aviation sector in India. As a result of this expansion, India’s capacity to handle passengers is expected to increase from the current 350 million per annum to 500 million per annum by the end of the current fiscal year, and further to 2 billion by 2047. This highlights the ambitious vision for the development of the civil aviation sector in India. Jaishankar emphasized that IIFCL remains committed to providing ongoing support for the development of world-class airport infrastructure in India. The company is open to financing greenfield airport projects and also considers supporting maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Various financing methods, such as term loans, subscription to bonds, refinancing, and credit enhancement, will be explored to facilitate these initiatives. This commitment reflects IIFCL’s dedication to the growth and modernization of India’s aviation infrastructure.

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Haryana aims to open 100 farm tourism centres, encourage homestays

The state which pioneered the concept of highway tourism in India in the 1970s is slowly finding its niche in another important tourism segment after many decades. If the words of Neeraj Kumar, MD, P Krishna Kumar , Neeraj Kumar, managing director of the Haryana Tourism Corporation. Haryana Tourism Corporation is to be believed the state has been able to make a remarkable headway in farm tourism since the state government released a policy framework for farm tourism last year. “We have around 40 farm tourism centres registered already. There are farm tourism centres in every district of the state today,” he said, speaking to ET HospitalityWorld on the sidelines of the Travel for Life campaign launch and recognition of first best tourism village competition winners by the Ministry of Tourism, government of India recently in Delhi. Talao village in Jhajjar district in Haryana had won the bronze medal in the first-ever competition this year. Pratapgarh Farms in the district came to prominence by hosting G20 delegates early this year. “We are promoting farm tourism in the state in a big way. The state government had reinvented the farm tourism policy last year. Because of the marketing, promotions and outreach programmes undertaken by the department we have been able to elicit a lot of interest in farm tourism. Today, we have farm tourism centres in all districts of the state,” he said. He said that based on the interest among farm owners, they expect the number of farm tourism centres to reach 100 sooner than later.

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Weekend getaways: Travel to these 9 magical places to fall in love with India all over again!

With winter around the corner, travellers around India can’t wait to escape their mundane routines to embark on mini vacations. If you haven’t decided where to go yet, we’ve got you covered. Wish upon a star in Ladakh’s dark sky sanctuary, have a close encounters with the wilds in Madhya Pradesh, or travel far to the northeast for an adventure of a lifetime — these 9 destinations across the country will remind you exactly why we can’t help but fall in love with India over and over again! 1 Hanle, Ladakh Notified as India’s first Dark Sky Reserve, Hanle is your best bet if you wish to spend a night or two in a deserted moonscape, gazing at the endless inky, starry sky of Ladakh. The cluster of six hamlets — Bhok, Shado, Punguk, Khuldo, Naga, and Tibetan Refugee habitations within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary — now make up the sanctuary of darkness at 4,500 metres above sea level. The light pollution here is managed so that scientists and astronomy enthusiasts can access the night sky in its purest possible form. Once done, make your way to the eponymous 17th-century monastery here that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding rugged landscape! 2. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Whether you are here to wash your sins away in the holy waters of the Ganga or simply wish to sit by the ghats, watching the world go by in this timeless city, Benaras (officially, Varanasi) will feel like the India of your imagination. One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi is colourful and chaotic at the same time. Think overcrowded ghats, ancient temples, elaborate religious ceremonies, holy men to trinket vendors, and a sense of devotion and intrigue in the air. Towering tall near the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat, the 210-year-old BrijRama Palace lets you experience luxury living, while you embark on your spiritual sojourn. 3. Fort Kochi, Kerala Fort Kochi beckons travellers for its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Steeped in colonial heritage, this coastal town showcases Dutch, Portuguese, and British influences through its architecture, quaint streets, and charming waterfront along the Arabian Sea. The vibrant arts scene here, with galleries, exhibitions, and cultural performances celebrate its artistic heritage, while the iconic Chinese fishing nets along the shore make a mesmerising spectacle at sunset. The spice markets, local cuisine, and Ayurvedic treatments offer a further sensory journey into Kerala's traditions. 4. Udaipur, Rajasthan With the brown-purple ridges of the rugged Aravalis stretching in all directions and the tranquil Lake Pichola glistening like molten gold right in its heart, Udaipur is as romantic as it gets. Grand palaces and forts of yore, ornately decorated havelis, bustling bazaars, lavish heritage hotels, and ancient temples together give you reasons enough to leisurely walk around this gorgeous city’s timeless cobbled streets for hours. See a traditional show at Bagore ki Haveli or go for a hilltop drive to Sajjangarh for a panoramic view. 5. Baratang, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Once you leave the familiar shores of Southern Andamans behind and begin gliding towards its heart, the Indian archipelago starts to reveal its real natural beauty. With mangrove creeks, untouched beaches, limestone caves, and mud volcanoes, Baratang is a unique blend of natural wonders that you just cannot miss. The journey to the island itself is an adventure, involving a boat ride through dense mangrove forests and a fascinating limestone cave exploration. The island is also a haven for birdwatchers, offering a chance to spot rare avian species. Pro tip: Visit Baludera Beach and Parrot Island to witness thousands of parakeets returning to their nests at sunset! 6. Fontainhas, Goa Take a break from hip trance music scene, secret raves, and full-moon parties on your Goa trip, and spend your days experiencing true susegad by exploring the places still left unsullied. Located in Panjim, Fontainhas is Goa’s Latin Quarter, flanked by an ancient Ourem Creek to the east and the Altinho hills with springs to the west. Come here for a leisurely heritage walk organized by Make It Happen to soak in the rich heritage of a neighbourhood described by historian William Dalrymple as a ‘small chunk of Portugal washed up on the shores of the Indian Ocean’. Marvel at the old Portuguese houses (painted in fluorescents and pastels), interesting street arts, and cutesy bakeries that dot the winding lanes here. 7. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh A giant patch of green on the Indian map, Arunachal is probably the country’s wildest yet least explored states. Tawang, sprawling through the western end of this Northeast Indian state, lures travellers with the promise of adventurous journeys to remote mountain valleys. The famous Tawang Gompa perched on a hill, the high-altitude Sela Pass, lush forests, waterfalls, and the snow-capped peaks of the Eastern Himalayas together make it one of the most-sought-after destinations in this part of the world. Furthermore, Tawang's diverse culture, influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, is a cultural treasure trove with vibrant festivals, Monpa tribes, and a distinct local cuisine. 8. Pench, Madhya Pradesh Teeming with endless teak forests, abundant wildlife, and far less touristy crowds than neighbouring Kanha or Bandhavgarh, Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve inspired Rudyard Kipling to pen down The Jungle Book. Encounter the big cats on an early-morning game drive, spot migratory birds while on a backwater safari, visit the nearby potters’ village Pachdhar, explore the jungle on foot on a guided nature trail, and watch the night sky come alive with thousands of stars and fireflies taking over! 9. Belur and Halebid, Karnataka The historic twin towns of Belur and Halebid in the Hassan district of Karnataka are quite popular for their exquisite architectural and cultural significance. These towns boast stunning examples of Hoysala architecture, featuring intricately carved temples that date back to the 12th century. The Chennakesava Temple in Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid are marvels of artistry, with their intricate stone carvings depicting mythological tales, deities, and celestial beings. The Hoysala Temples have also recently been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list of 2023!

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Tourism Minister Says Indonesia Eyes Asia-Pacific Tourists in India-based Tourism Exhibition

Indonesia participated in the PATA Travel Mart exhibition in New Delhi, India, to reel in more tourists from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, stated Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno. "It is expected that our participation in tourism exhibitions, like this PATA Travel Mart, would boost the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia," the minister noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday. PATA Travel Mart, initiated by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), constitutes a tourism exhibition that promotes tourism destinations in the Asia-Pacific region by bringing together tourism service providers and their potential customers. Countries in Asia-Pacific have been among the highest contributors to Indonesia's total number of foreign tourists. As of August this year, over 5.3 million tourists from Asia-Pacific had opted for Indonesia as their tourism destination. Deputy for Marketing at the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, considered this year's edition of the exhibition, held on October 4-6, as a special event since it was the first exhibition to be held offline in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. "This is the first offline exhibition since 2019, and it serves as a momentum for us to once again demonstrate the existence of Indonesia's tourism in the Asia-Pacific region," she affirmed. Marthini remarked that the business-to-business exhibition had provided the Indonesian government with an opportunity to highlight the appeal of Indonesia's tourism destinations. She then expressed hope that by signing business contracts with international participants, the Indonesian tourism companies participating in the event would gain the expected results. In the 2023 PATA Travel Mart, the ministry collaborated with the Indonesia Inbound Tour Operators Association (IINTOA) to the participating parties from Indonesia. Travel agents that are members of IINTOA made the most of the event to promote a variety of Indonesian tourism packages, including those related to Indonesia's five super priority tourism destinations.

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