Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the civil aviation ministry has asked airlines to carry out their own risk assessment on international flight operations. Air India, Vistara, IndiGo and various international airlines have opted for alternative flight paths to the West and are avoiding the Iranian airspace against the backdrop of tensions flaring up between Iran and Israel.
Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam on Tuesday told PTI that airlines have been asked to make their own risk assessment with respect to their flight operations.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is handholding and interacting with the airlines, and also in touch with the external affairs ministry, he added.
The secretary was responding to a query on whether there is an advisory by the ministry or the DGCA to airlines amid the crisis in the Middle East.
Air India is operating some of its international flights on alternative flight paths to and from India, and Vistara has also made changes to flight paths for some of its flights due to the Middle East situation.
Also, Air India has temporarily suspended its flights to Tel Aviv.
Air India, Vistara, IndiGo e inte and some international airlines are avoiding Iranian airspace and have opted for alternative paths for their flights to the West. With the revised flight paths chosen after taking safety and security into consideration, the duration of some flights has increased by around half an hour.
The alternative flight paths have increased the duration of some of the international flights by around half an hour. About the Middle East crisis, Suprio Banerjee, Vice President & Sector Head, Corporate Ratings at ICRA, said commercial airlines may have to take a longer route in order to comply with no-fly regulations, leading to higher fuel expenses.
“This will also impact international air travel to the directly affected and potentially affected nearby geographies during the upcoming summer holiday season if the issue persists,” Banerjee said.
Manan Bajoria, Group VP Growth at travel portal ixigo, said re-routing of flights due to the current geopolitical tensions can result in longer routes and higher expenses for airlines that run flights to and from Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
“Lengthy diversions will add to airline fuel costs and may lead to an increase in airfares across these routes,” Bajoria said.
Banerjee also said the ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East region will continue to exert pressure on crude oil prices and, in turn, on ATF prices, which have been on an elevated level compared to the pre-Covid era.
During the weekend, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack. On Monday, Israel said it will respond to Iran’s weekend attack.
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India is expected to see a significant increase in visa applications this year, with 380,000 visitors projected to arrive in the US. Out of the total visitors entering the US, the New York City remains the number one entry point with more than 60 per cent Indian tourists embarking on their US journey through New York.
New York City is home to the world’s busiest airport system and the number one port of entry for US international travellers. New York City welcomed a total 61.8 million travellers in 2023, marking a recovery of 93 per cent of the City’s record 2019 visitation levels. It remains on track to welcome 64.5 million visitors this year.
New York City welcomed 336,000 India travellers – marking full recovery of the market’s pre-pandemic visitation levels – with 383,000 expected to visit this year.
During 2023, the New York City saw the average length of stay increase to 11 days (up from 9.9 days pre-pandemic) and spending increased from an average USD 1,955 to USD 2,200 per person per trip. Compared to all overseas visitors to NYC, Indian visitors skew to more leisure, tend to travel alone, and stay in hotels. Indian visitors generally prefer to book air travel to NYC in March, April, and May.
India continues to be a significant source of international visitors to New York City, and various initiatives taken by the New York City’s tourism board underscores the their commitment to providing Indian travellers with a warm welcome and a memorable experience.
New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitors bureau for New York City’s five boroughs, successfully wrapped up three-city Sales Mission in India earlier this year, where it hosted events across Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. The tourism board also recently launched online travel trade academy with Hindi subtitles providing increased education and sales support for travel trade.
As part of this mission, representatives the NYC Tourism delegation engaged with key stakeholders and travel agencies in three feeder cities – including Ahmedabad (first time post pandemic) – across India and showcased the diverse offerings that New York City has for Indian travellers.
“We were pleased to be back in India, a rapidly growing feeder market for New York City tourism, for our annual sales mission, said Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President, Tourism Market Development for New York City Tourism + Conventions. “Recently, we introduced the Travel Trade Academy program, thoughtfully enriched with Hindi subtitles to ensure that the Indian travel trade can fully engage with the five-borough destination. By incorporating Hindi subtitles, we aim to empower the trade to adeptly respond to evolving consumer demands, providing a diverse and personalised array of NYC experiences that resonate with the preferences of the Indian audience.”
The decision to ramp up efforts to draw Indian tourists follows a significant backlash against the Maldives triggered by derogatory remarks made against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Maldivian officials. This backlash led to numerous cancellations of reservations and a drop in plans to visit the Maldives by Indian tourists, including several celebrities.
Talking about the growth of tourism in New York from the Indian market, Healy said the development has been really promising. “India has increasingly become a significant source market for international visitors for NYC. Factors such as improved air connectivity, growing disposable income among Indian travelers, and the appeal of New York City’s iconic attractions, diverse culture, and shopping opportunities have contributed to this growth. Additionally, targeted marketing efforts, collaborations with travel trade partners, and initiatives to enhance the overall visitor experience have also played a role in attracting more Indian tourists to NYC,” she added.
During the Sales Mission in Delhi, Beate Mauder Kakkar, Managing Director, Indiva Marketing, who represent New York City Tourism + Convention in India in conversation with ETTravelWorld discussed marketing strategies for promoting New York City tourism to India.
When asked about the key focus areas and activities of the Tourism Board’s mission to India, Kakkar said metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi are the top sources of visitors but smaller emerging cities like Ahmedabad are also important targets. “Throughout the year, the Board conducts various initiatives in India through their trade and PR managers based in the country,” she added.
Talking about the re-branding of NYC & Company to the New York City Tourism + Convention, Kakkar said, “The new name is a lot clearer and better understood,” adding that it aims to improve communication around the city’s tourism and conventions efforts.
Whereas, Healy reaffirmed that the primary goal of the rebranding, which happened last year, was to strategically position the organisation to continue leading NYC’s tourism economy and reestablish its purpose and mission as the official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitor’s bureau for one of the world’s greatest destinations.
“The rebranding of New York City’s tourism efforts has likely had a positive impact on the Indian market, evident in increased visibility and clarity about who we are and how we can support the travel trade. By clearly defining who we are and establishing our new brand, we hope to further cement our position in the market and increase the desirability for key trade to partner with us in-market,” she added.
Dubbed “TIME FOR TAIWAN,” the program comprises nine comprehensive modules covering a wide array of topics, ranging from cultural insights and visa procedures to transportation options, accommodation choices, itinerary planning, MICE incentives, Indian restaurants and venues. Through engaging content and interactive webinar sessions, participants will gain invaluable insights about Taiwan.
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The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has announced its 39th annual convention, which will take place in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh from August 30 to September 2, 2024. The annual mega gathering of the association will be supported by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and MP Tourism. The last IATO Convention in the state took place in 2015 in the city of Indore.
Last year in October, the association has signed an MoU with MP Tourism to explore the possibility to host convention in 2024. This convention is anticipated to be a significant milestone for the tourism industry, emphasising the strengthening of ties between Madhya Pradesh and IATO.
IATO team led by Rajiv Mehra, President, Ravi Gosain, Vice President and Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman – IATO Madhya Pradesh Chapter met the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Mohan Yadav and invited him to inaugurate the event.
Sheo Shekhar Shukla, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Managing Director and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Bhopal also accompanied the IATO delegation.
The CM has reportedly accepted the invitation and assured full support from his office and Madhya Pradesh Tourism. The delegation also met Shukla separately to get his consent and finalise other details related to the convention.
Preparations are in full swing to transform the inaugural Navratri festival at the Ayodhya temple, following the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol earlier this year, into a grand and momentous occasion. The event is expected to draw a significant influx of religious tourists from all corners of the country. Varanasi alone saw a record-breaking influx of 95.63 lakhs pilgrims in the month of March.
Mehra said that the association is delighted to host the IATO Convention in MP after 9 years. “The 39th IATO annual convention will be held with great pomp and grandeur thanks to the support of Madhya Pradesh Tourism,” he added.IATO organises it annual convention every year in different cities to promote tourism to the state through its large membership base pan India. IATO has so far organised 38th conventions in different states. “All those states wherever IATO conventions were organized, they have been highly benefited with the increase of 30-35 per cent in foreign and domestic tourist arrivals,” said IATO in its statement.
There will be various events and activities taking place during the convention such as business sessions, tourism mart, marketing innovation competition, Run for Responsible Tourism, cultural evening, social functions besides the inaugural function and valedictory session.
Gosain mentioned that like every year IATO is expecting participation of about 20 state tourism departments and 900 – 1,000 travel and tourism industry stakeholders from all over the country.
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Croatia may be gorgeous in June, when the kids have their summer vacation, but if you have just started planning your holiday, it may just be too late for you to hang out on the Adriatic Sea. There is no visa slot open for the next two months. The same holds for several European countries, where delays and strict document requirements leading to rejections, are leaving both travellers and travel agents exasperated and people venting out their frustration on Visa providers for alleged delays.While post-Covid revenge travel, especially to international destinations, continues to hit the roof, getting the Schengen visa has become a problem—especially for certain countries.
Take the case of Croatia, which has become a popular destination and became part of the Schengen agreement last year. “We regularly check for appointment availability and have not been successful in catching even one slot since the beginning of 2024,” says visa and immigration consultant Cyrus Sethna. “If an appointment is miraculously secured, the visa process takes a staggering 60 days before the passport is returned to the traveller.” Dates for Iceland are also not available.
A leading Visa provider firm in India – is facing the heat of customers over the delays.
Travel agents say that people who have been rejected or have not found an opening to apply, are forced to lie about their destinations and sometimes go via the Scandavian countries where slots tend to be more available. But, warns a travel agent, know that you can’t apply to Norway if you really want to go to Spain, because they are geographically too far apart and it is likely that you might get caught out. There’s also a parallel system where some visa agents charge double the price and somehow procure a slot.
“VFS Global does not control processing timelines of visa applications, neither does it control appointment availability. These are governed and controlled by our client governments,” says a VFS Global spokesperson.
“Applicants are advised to beware of fraudulent entities who charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments, using VFS Global’s name or independently.”
Greece is a bit of a hit and miss, say travel agents, pointing out that last year it had halted visa applications for the entire month of May. While some visas are processed quickly, in certain instances, they can take up to six weeks, with no option for expedited service. Another travel agent points out that her client had booked an island-hopping trip in Greece for her family, but the visas got declined and she eventually applied for a Schengen from Hungary, even though Budapest was afar cry from the Grecian agenda. It also was a needlessly additional cost for the family of four.
Solo travellers constitute the majority, representing approximately 65 per cent of visa applications in the UAE, 60 per cent in Egypt, 40 per cent in Singapore, and 45 per cent in Vietnam. Groups of two travellers make up around 20 per cent in the UAE, 30 per cent in Egypt, 25 per cent in Singapore, and 20 per cent in Vietnam.
Last year, Italy opened no appointment slots the entire summer. However, this year they have been lenient, allowing quick appointments to those who have previously held a Schengen visa. But if there is no prior visa, thenthere are virtually no dates. Spain has been fairly consistent about giving visas, but as of now, there are no appointment slots.
Before March, things were quite easy and we were getting slots but suddenly they seem to have disappeared, says travel agent Vipul Bhuva. “I had booked so many tickets thinking that the client wo-uld get the visa and now we have to change the itinerary. But it causes too much anxiety.” Main problem countries tend to be Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland because they are more popular among Indian tourists.
The pile-ups and confusion are forcing vacationers to look at other destinations. Despite the heat, some are op-ting for Asia trips which might take them to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, or travelling to African countries, both of which have eased their visa requirements. Australia and New Zealand are too far. “Pre-Covid, if you wanted to travel in May, you could apply in April, and you’d be fine,” says Sethna. “Clearly, consulates and embassies are not able to keep up with the numbers which are going up every year.”
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With the Middle East tensions flaring up, Air India has temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv flights and airlines have charted alternative flight paths to avoid the Iranian airspace. Longer flight paths will result in increased operational costs for the carriers, and the situation could also push airfares higher.
Air India, Vistara, IndiGo e inte and some international airlines are avoiding Iranian airspace and have opted for alternative paths for their flights to the West. A senior wide-body aircraft pilot at an Indian carrier told PTI that the alternative paths are increasing the flight duration.
With the revised flight paths chosen after taking safety and security into consideration, the duration of some flights has increased by around half an hour, the pilot said.
Such a scenario will result in higher operational costs, increased fuel usage and more crew members might have to be roped in for flights as there are duty time limitations. The pilot also opined the rise in expenses could even be passed on to the passengers, which means that international airfares could rise.
Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack. Amid the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Air India on Sunday decided to temporarily suspend the flights to Tel Aviv from Delhi.
Air India operates four weekly flights between the national capital and Israeli city. The Tata group-owned carrier recommenced services to Tel Aviv on March 3 after a gap of nearly five months.
Technicians at AI Engineering Services Ltd. — a state-run maintenance, repair and overhaul firm and an erstwhile Air India unit — will strike on April 23 due to various issues affecting their “well-being” and “professional growth,” All India Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Union wrote in a letter dated April 8 to the chief executive officer.
Air India and Vistara have opted for alternative flight paths for their flights to the West. An official in the know said that IndiGo, which operates flights to Istanbul with aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines, is avoiding the Iranian airspace. Air India on Saturday said it was closely monitoring the Middle East situation and that its aircraft will operate on alternative flight paths to and from India. On Saturday, Vistara said it is making changes to the flight paths of some of the flights due to the situation in the Middle East.
On Sunday, India said it is concerned over escalating hostilities between the two sides that threaten regional peace and security.
Iran carried out the attack on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1, in which seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards personnel, including two generals, were killed.
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IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, has announced the commencement of daily direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Chandigarh starting from May 15, 2024. This strategic addition to IndiGo’s route network aims to strengthen international connectivity by offering seamless and convenient travel options between the thriving capital city of the United Arab Emirates and the vibrant beauty of Chandigarh.
Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, expressed his delight, stating, “We are pleased to introduce direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Chandigarh. This new route will provide customers with increased travel options between the UAE and North India. With this addition, IndiGo now operates 63 weekly flights to Abu Dhabi from 9 cities in India, fostering travel, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations. IndiGo remains committed to delivering an affordable, punctual, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience across an extensive network.”
The airline is set to commence daily flights between Mumbai and Prayagraj from May 25, 2024, enhancing connectivity and accessibility between these key cities. This development reinforces Akasa Air’s commitment to strengthening its presence in North India, with Prayagraj being the fourth city in Uttar Pradesh to join its network.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, boasts a range of attractions including the iconic Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Ferrari World, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Yas Island. On the other hand, Chandigarh, known for its architectural marvels by Le Corbusier, offers picturesque sites such as the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, and the Capitol Complex.The introduction of these daily flights marks a significant step in enhancing IndiGo’s international reach and offering passengers unparalleled connectivity and travel experiences.
The first flight departs from Abu Dhabi and arrives at Chandigarh on a daily basis, with the frequency remaining the same throughout the year. This flight is effective from May 15, 2024, and departs at 22:15, arriving at its destination at 3:30. The second flight, departs from Chandigarh and arrives at Abu Dhabi also on a daily basis. This flight is effective from May 16, 2024, and departs at 2:45, arriving at its destination at 5:15.
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India on Friday advised its citizens against travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice in view of the “prevailing situation in the region”. The advisory from the foreign ministry came amid Iran’s threats to retaliate against a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy in Syria this month.
Countries including the US and Russia have issued similar travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region.
In an advisory, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged the Indians residing in Iran and Israel to exercise utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to minimum.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” the MEA said.
“The north is empty of visitors these days,” Safi Maklada, the Negev and Galilee Authority’s Druze and Circassian tourism coordinator, told The Press Service of Israel. “You won’t find anyone around except for the soldiers doing their duty, guarding the border and the communities, and their families dropping by for a visit.”
“All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves. They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added. It is feared that retaliation by Iran can widen the six-month old conflict between Iran-backed Hamas militants and Israel in Gaza.
The US has reached out to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iraq, asking them to urge Iran to lower tensions with Israel, as part of its efforts to contain the conflict.
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Upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, UP has inked a significant concession agreement with Bird Group to manage ground-handling services at the airport. This strategic collaboration aims to streamline and enhance ground-handling operations. Bird Group, which is well known for its ground-handling capabilities, brings over five decades of expertise and a vast presence in aviation services across 21 airports in India.
The partnership involves Bird Group assuming a wide array of responsibilities for the ground-handling project. This encompasses a comprehensive range of services designed to elevate the traveller’s journey. From extending a warm welcome to passengers to ensuring smooth ramp operations and meticulous handling of baggage, the focus is on optimising efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
Aligned with Noida International Airport’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, Bird Group will deploy electric-powered ground service equipment (GSE). This move is aimed at reducing the airport’s carbon footprint, paving the way for more sustainable and eco-friendly operations.
Commenting on the development, Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer, Noida International Airport, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Bird Group, a leader in ground handling services. Their proven expertise and dedication to innovation will play a crucial role in our journey towards establishing a world-class airport. Ground handling is a pivotal aspect of airport operations, ensuring seamless functioning, and with this alliance, we aim to deliver an exceptional experience at every touchpoint for our customers.”
Red Sea International Airport (RSI), which has been servicing domestic flights since September 2023, is designed to provide seamless connectivity to The Red Sea. Luxury resorts like Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and St. Regis Red Sea Resort are already operational, with more set to open this year, including the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Shebara, and Desert Rock.
Gaurav Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group, shared his pride in the collaboration, highlighting its significance as the first ground handling provider at the capital’s second airport. “We are proud to be a part of this historical moment! To be the first ground handling provider at the capital’s second airport is a very significant milestone in our journey. We are committed towards setting new benchmarks for service delivery and sustainability by introducing newer processes and technologies,” he added.The initial phase of the upcoming airport, featuring one runway and terminal, will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. Upon completion of all four development phases, the airport’s capacity will expand to accommodate up to 70 million passengers per year, catering to the growing demands of air travel in the region. The airport is expected to start operations by end of this year.
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Air India, one of India’s premier global airlines, is set to introduce non-stop service between Delhi and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in Vietnam starting from June 1, 2024. The new route marks a significant addition to Air India’s extensive network and aims to provide travellers with enhanced connectivity and convenience.
Operating with its Airbus A320neo aircraft configured with two classes, Air India will offer flights five days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, ensuring flexibility for passengers.
The launch of this route is strategically aimed at strengthening Air India’s presence in Southeast Asia while catering to the growing demand for travel between India and Vietnam. It also presents an opportunity for Vietnamese travellers to access Air India’s global network, creating seamless connections for passengers from the United States, Canada, UK, and Europe via Delhi.
Here is the schedule of flights for the Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City route, effective June 1, 2024:
– AI388: Departure from Delhi at 13:15 Hrs, Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City at 19:55 Hrs (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)
– AI389: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City at 20:55 Hrs, Arrival in Delhi at 00:30 Hrs (+1) (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Currently, Air India operates non-stop flights between India and four key destinations in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket (Thailand), and Yangon (Myanmar). The introduction of the Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City route reflects Air India’s commitment to expanding its global reach and offering passengers more travel options across the region.
China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner and a vital source of imports for its manufacturing sector. The two countries are already connected via a system of highways and two railway lines that are old and need upgrading on the Vietnam side. The other would run from Hanoi to Lang Son province, which borders China’s Guangxi region, passing through an area densely populated with global manufacturing facilities, including some owned by Chinese investors.
A member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium of leading international airlines, Air India
offers seamless connectivity and facilities to passengers all over the world.
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With the onset of summer vacations and well before the festivals of Ram Navami and Navratri, cities crucial for religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh—Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya—are witnessing an influx of millions of devotees. Varanasi alone saw a record-breaking influx of 95.63 lakhs pilgrims in the month of March, flocking to seek the blessings of Kashi Vishwanath.
Preparations are in full swing to transform the inaugural Navratri festival at the Ayodhya temple, following the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol earlier this year, into a grand and momentous occasion. The event is expected to draw a significant influx of religious tourists from all corners of the country.
Typically, the month of Sawan witnesses such massive gatherings at Kashi Vishwanath. Similarly, in Ayodhya, more than two lakh visitors each day visited the newly constructed Ram Mandir and Hanumangarhi during the month of March. In Mathura-Vrindavan, the surge in crowds began 15 days before the festival of Holi and has shown no signs of abating yet, with pilgrims even seeking accommodation in Agra due to the lack of space in hotels, ashrams, and guesthouses.
The official envisions a holistic transformation through these initiatives, where tourism not only facilitates cultural exchange and economic growth but also fosters community development and empowerment.
Observing the heavy footfall for darshan at Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, there has been a notable increase in the number of flights operating from the recently operational airport. Presently, there are 24 daily flights operating from Ayodhya, with some routes being serviced twice a week and others four times a week, including services to Hyderabad initiated this week. Flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad have been operational since earlier.
At present, Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple is experiencing the highest footfall among religious tourism sites in Uttar Pradesh. Since the construction of the new corridor, there has been a significant surge in tourists visiting Varanasi.
Additionally, donations to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple have seen a considerable rise. On March 31, donations amounted to INR 83.34 crores for the fiscal year, marking a 42.43 per cent increase compared to the 2022-23 fiscal year when donations totaled INR 58.51 crores. Prior to the construction of the corridor, donations were approximately INR 26 crores up to the fiscal year 2019-20.
The surge in donations during March alone has broken all previous records, with contributions amounting to INR 11.14 crores, the highest for any single month according to temple management. This indicates a revival in pilgrimage travel post-pandemic and an enduring spiritual fervor among devotees.
Chief Medical Superintendent of the Ayodhya district hospital Dr Arun Prakash Shrivastava said, “We have been asked to be ready to deal with Covid-19. So we have established four special quarantine wards in the district hospital, where we will quarantine the foreigners for 14 days if symptoms of Covid-19 are found in them during their Ayodhya visit on Ram Navami, which is on April 17.”
The state’s religious tourism sites are experiencing an unprecedented surge, indicating a revival in pilgrimage travel post-pandemic and an enduring spiritual fervor among devotees.
Prakhar Mishra, Director Tourism, Governement of UP expressed high expectations regarding the impact of recent developments, including the newly constructed Ram Lalla Temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, and the Mathura-Vrindavan Corridor.
“We are expecting a significant surge of tourists prior to the festive season begins. The newly constructed Ram Lalla Temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, and the Mathura-Vrindavan Corridor will not only attract tourists from all corners of the country but also significantly boost local markets, particularly those associated with the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative,” he said.
The official further said, that these projects will set new records in terms of tourist footfall, drawing visitors eager to explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of Uttar Pradesh. “Furthermore, the enhanced connectivity and amenities provided by these developments are expected to create a ripple effect in the local economy, leading to increased demand for locally produced goods and services. This, in turn, is projected to generate a surge in employment opportunities, providing indirect livelihoods to the local populace,” he added.
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