On his first visit to India post his relection in January 2024, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, emphasised the need to strengthen air connectivity between India and Bhutan to promote tourism during an exclusive interaction organised by FICCI in New Delhi. Highlighting the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, he invited more Indian tourists to explore Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage and natural landscapes.
“Our aim is to target 1,50,000 Indian tourists in the coming year,” stated PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay, underscoring Bhutan’s commitment to enhancing happiness and well-being among tourists through a holistic tourism policy. Globally, Bhutan is targeting to receive 3 lakh tourists. In 2023, 72659 Indian tourists travelled to Bhutan. The country yet the reach the pre-pandemic visitor arrival numbers, when it had received 2.30 lakh tourists.
The Bhutanese PM also invited more Indian carriers to fly to Bhutan and utilise the current air travel agreement between both the countries.
Bhutan’s tourism policy revolves around the concept of Gross National Happiness, focusing on sustainable development, social progress, cultural preservation, and good governance. Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay highlighted Bhutan’s efforts in education, ensuring that tourists receive excellent care and experiences during their visit.
During the interaction, the Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of good governance in ensuring the safety and security of tourists. He outlined plans to improve air access to Bhutan and sought collaboration from the industry to achieve this goal. Additionally, he announced that Bhutan government will work towards providing subsidies to airlines to reduce airfares and easing of permit processes for Indian tourists visiting Bhutan.
Over the past few years, there has been a notable increase of over 25 per cent in the number of female guides in Bhutan, particularly since the country reopened its doors to tourism in September 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, there are approximately 1,809 certified and validated guides in Bhutan.
On the ocassion, Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI, emphasised Bhutan’s potential for tourism growth, citing its stunning landscapes and commitment to sustainable development. She called for increased collaboration between India and Bhutan in infrastructure development and trust-building initiatives.Dipak Deva, Chairman, FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee, stressed the need for enhanced air connectivity between India and Bhutan to facilitate tourism. He also highlighted the demand for a common regional package for tourism covering India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, a proposal that the Bhutanese Prime Minister supported.
The summit concluded with a shared commitment to fostering greater understanding and collaboration between India and Bhutan, with a focus on promoting tourism and enhancing people-to-people ties.
[ad_2]
Source link
On his first visit to India post his relection in January 2024, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, emphasised the need to strengthen air connectivity between India and Bhutan to promote tourism during an exclusive interaction organised by FICCI in New Delhi. Highlighting the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, he invited more Indian tourists to explore Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage and natural landscapes.
“Our aim is to target 1,50,000 Indian tourists in the coming year,” stated PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay, underscoring Bhutan’s commitment to enhancing happiness and well-being among tourists through a holistic tourism policy. Globally, Bhutan is targeting to receive 3 lakh tourists. In 2023, 72659 Indian tourists travelled to Bhutan. The country yet the reach the pre-pandemic visitor arrival numbers, when it had received 2.30 lakh tourists.
The Bhutanese PM also invited more Indian carriers to fly to Bhutan and utilise the current air travel agreement between both the countries.
Bhutan’s tourism policy revolves around the concept of Gross National Happiness, focusing on sustainable development, social progress, cultural preservation, and good governance. Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay highlighted Bhutan’s efforts in education, ensuring that tourists receive excellent care and experiences during their visit.
During the interaction, the Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of good governance in ensuring the safety and security of tourists. He outlined plans to improve air access to Bhutan and sought collaboration from the industry to achieve this goal. Additionally, he announced that Bhutan government will work towards providing subsidies to airlines to reduce airfares and easing of permit processes for Indian tourists visiting Bhutan.
Over the past few years, there has been a notable increase of over 25 per cent in the number of female guides in Bhutan, particularly since the country reopened its doors to tourism in September 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, there are approximately 1,809 certified and validated guides in Bhutan.
On the ocassion, Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI, emphasised Bhutan’s potential for tourism growth, citing its stunning landscapes and commitment to sustainable development. She called for increased collaboration between India and Bhutan in infrastructure development and trust-building initiatives.Dipak Deva, Chairman, FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee, stressed the need for enhanced air connectivity between India and Bhutan to facilitate tourism. He also highlighted the demand for a common regional package for tourism covering India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, a proposal that the Bhutanese Prime Minister supported.
The summit concluded with a shared commitment to fostering greater understanding and collaboration between India and Bhutan, with a focus on promoting tourism and enhancing people-to-people ties.
[ad_2]
Source link
Himachal Pradesh‘s Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, addressed recent speculations surrounding tourism in the state, revealing a significant rise in visitor numbers despite setbacks in the industry. Popular destinations like Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala observed an influx of tourists, countering rumours of traffic jams in Manali and other areas, which Sukhu dismissed as baseless.
Recently, a few concerns fueled by circulating aerial images of congested hill roads, impacted hotel bookings particularly during the festive season in the state. This resulted in a notable decline in hotel occupancy rates in Shimla compared to previous peak seasons, as reported by the local stakeholders. Reports suggest that Shimla recorded the lowest occupancy rate on this New year’s eve in last 40 years.
As images circulated, opinions diverged: some experts labeled it as overtourism, the others attributed the issue to excessive reliance on private vehicles. A responsible hotel chain owner pointed out the alarming congestion in India’s hill destinations, advocating for a Swiss-model public rail system. Similar concerns echoed in Munnar, he recalled where choked roads pointed to the problem of excessive tourist vehicles. According to the him, while the hilly destinations can accommodate more people, the strain lies in managing vehicles, highlighting the pressing need for alternative transportation solutions.On the other end, responding to the challenges, Sukhu assured the public of the government’s efforts to accommodate tourists, emphasising the commitment to making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. In Nov 2023, Chief Minister Sukhu introduced the e-taxi scheme as part of the INR 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi self-employment start-up initiative. Sukhu emphasised its role in curbing air pollution, aiming to transform Himachal Pradesh into a green energy state by March 31, while also creating employment opportunities for youth. Moreover, the state is developing infrastructure, planning to install 17 e-charging stations within two months to support e-vehicle adoption.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh said that infrastructure is being developed as per the modern-day requirements for the convenience of the visitors. He also informed that there were about 9,000 hotels in Himachal and considering the influx of tourists, the operation of homestays is also being regulated, to attract more tourists in the state.
Sukhu also recalled the government’s efficient response during the disaster caused by floods adding that within a span of 48 hours, essential services were temporarily restored. The successful evacuation of 75,000 tourists and 15,000 vehicles underscored the administration’s effectiveness in crisis management, the CM reiterated.Sukhu was speaking while inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for 13 projects totaling INR 197.93 crore in Kullu district on January 1. Among these were significant infrastructure ventures, including a double-lane bridge over River Beas at Raison costing INR 9.07 crore, and a steel truss bridge at Nehru Kund (Bahang) completed with INR 6.44 crore, linking the Burwa and Shanag link roads. Additionally, projects like the INR 7.83 crore Eco-Friendly Market in Marhi Tehsil, Manali, and the INR 54 lakh Way Side Amenities at Solangnalla were inaugurated.
Sukhu underscored the transformative impact these initiatives would have on both local residents and tourists, projecting them as pivotal milestones for the Kullu district’s development. Highlighting the state’s economic progress, Sukhu declared a 20 per cent improvement within just one year.
[ad_2]
Source link
With barely a month to go, the forthcoming Hornbill Festival is already over booked, revealed Temjen Imna Along, Nagaland‘s Tourism and Higher Education Minister.
“Things have taken a positive turn, especially after the G20 meeting in the state. We’re nearly booked out for the upcoming Hornbill festival. We now look at how to cater to the influx of tourists in terms of accommodating. Besides domestic, we’re even receiving inquiries from foreign tourists, including from Europe, America, Southeast Asia, and even places like Libya and Mongolia,” the minister told ETTravelWorld.
According to him, while the surge in interest has made positive waves for Nagaland’s tourism sector, the key hurdle remains the need for more affordable flight options to accommodate this growing demand. “In the near future, we hope that the aviation industry and the Central Ministry of tourism can provide more affordable flights to the state to accommodate this demand,” he stated.
The foreigners need RAP or PAP to visit certain parts of the North East, particularly the border states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. “Now any foreign traveller can visit these states through organised tours which have to be handled by a local tour operator based in that particular state,” he said.
Regarding hotel accommodations, the minister also mentioned a keen interest from various hotel brands eager to establish a presence in Nagaland. “A project by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is on the horizon while big brands like Taj Group have shown keen interest too,” the minister stated, adding that it’s best to await official announcements, without disclosing specific details at the moment.Asked what were the recorded tourist numbers after the pandemic, the minister pointed out that there’s no clear distinction between pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods, as the pandemic affected festivities, bringing down the visitor numbers. “Nevertheless, Nagaland has experienced steady growth in tourist numbers over a few years. While foreign tourists continue to visit, there’s a noticeable increase in domestic tourists too, keen to immerse themselves in Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage,” he asserted.
“We don’t necessarily rely on specific marketing strategies for Nagaland tourism. Our state itself is an epitome of cultural and traditional heritage, with vibrant people who add a unique flavor. Our aim is to share this with the world,” said Along.
When asked about the substantial changes witnessed in Nagaland’s tourism landscape over the past 5-10 years, particularly regarding connectivity and infrastructure, minister Along acknowledged the considerable progress made during this time. He attributed this transformation to improved road connectivity, aviation access, and railway infrastructure, crediting the current government’s efforts to promote tourism in the North East. “The enhanced accessibility has allowed people from all over the world to explore Nagaland,” he highlighted.
Besides Gwalior, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network welcomed a diverse array of new members, including another Indian city, Kozhikode. Each of these contributed their unique cultural strengths to the global stage. These cities, representing seven fields including Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music, were recognised for their commitment to integrating culture and creativity into their development strategies.
As the Hornbill festival is scheduled to take place between December 1 and 10, 2023 at Kisama approaches, the minister highlighted the increasing diversity of visitors over the years. “While domestic travellers remain a core audience, Nagaland is getting interest from markets like Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. With this surge, we also aim to expand the festival’s reach and global appeal,” shared Along.
With Nagaland’s 16 to 17 distinct tribes as its backdrop, the Hornbill festival has emerged as a global phenomenon, fostering the traditional music, dance, arts, and activities, drawing crowds from all corners of the world, while cementing its international status.
The Minister was interacting with ETTravelWorld on the sidelines of the 2nd edition of the Autumn Festival, held in Delhi last week. “This vibrant prelude to the Hornbill Festival is a testament to our shared heritage and the spirit of unity that defines Nagaland,” he said during his welcome address.
Also present on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Manisha Saxena IAS, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, commended the North Eastern states for their significant contributions.
“The Northeastern states comprise eight per cent of India’s total area, four per cent of its population, and nearly four per cent of its GDP but in terms of experience, the region offers a 100 per cent experience of fun, sustainability, and beauty,” she said. She also acknowledged the Hornbill Festival’s well-deserved reputation as a brand and expressed her hope that through the Autumn Festival, the people of Delhi could catch a glimpse of Nagaland’s culinary, handloom, and handicraft offerings.
Saxena also announced the upcoming International Travel Mart organised by the Ministry of Tourism, to be held in Shillong, Meghalaya from November 21 to 23, adding that the government is committed to promoting the unique cultural wealth of the North East.
[ad_2]
Source link