General Awareness

TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS - December 2019

Dec 2019

Feb 12, 2026

Meghalaya CM Announces 70% Subsidy for Homestays Ahead of National Games 2027

Shillong, 12 February 2026 — Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced a 70 percent subsidy for homestays ahead of the National Games 2027. The government aims to boost community‑based lodging in parallel with five‑star resort development planned at Tura. The subsidy supports entrepreneurs to establish sports hostels owned and operated by local families after the Games. Officials say the scheme will diversify tourism infrastructure, create livelihoods, and encourage participation from rural areas. The plan follows a broader push to blend public and private tourism assets for a more inclusive visitor experience.

70% subsidy for homestays announced
Aim: support sports hostels for National Games 2027
Focus on community-owned accommodation
Plans to pair homestays with higher-end tourism assets
Expected to boost Meghalaya’s rural livelihoods

Feb 07, 2026

Telangana PRASAD scheme supports spiritual tourism infrastructure

Under the Centre’s Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), Telangana has received ₹146.50 crore for four tourism projects. The funds aim to strengthen pilgrimage and heritage tourism infrastructure, including transport and accommodation facilities, while conserving sacred sites. Project work includes Jogulamba Devi Temple at Alampur, Ramappa Temple at Mulugu and the Bhadradri-Kothagudem area, with further improvements at Renuka Yellamma Temple. Officials say the initiative will enhance visitor experience, generate local employment and promote heritage assets. The Centre’s sustained support signals long-term emphasis on religious and cultural tourism within the state. (Sources: Telangana PRASAD project releases; Siasat, February 2026.)

PRASAD funds ₹146.50 crore for Telangana tourism projects.
Projects cover Jogulamba Devi Temple, Ramappa Temple and Bhadradri areas.
Aims to improve transport, accommodation and basic infrastructure.
Conservation of spiritual heritage sites highlighted.
Expected boost to tourism-related employment and local economy.

Jan 29, 2026

Nagpur aims to become global medical and wellness tourism hub

Maharashtra's government, under the MahaStride project supported by the World Bank, is pushing Nagpur to become a global medical and wellness tourism hub. A high-level MahaStride meeting discussed infrastructure strengthening, regulatory ease, and cross-departmental coordination. Officials highlighted Nagpur’s hospital network, medical education, and pharmaceutical manufacturing as strengths, with proposals to simplify hospital regulations, upgrade nursing colleges, and integrate traditional medicine into wellness tourism. The plan envisions attracting international patients through high-quality facilities, streamlined processes, and partnerships with public and private healthcare providers.

MahaStride project aims to develop Nagpur as a medical/wellness hub
World Bank support; cross-department coordination emphasized
Strengths include hospitals, medical education, and pharma
Regulatory simplification and nursing education upgrades proposed
Focus on international patient influx and high-quality facilities

Kerala Tourism and The Hindu Group to host inclusive tourism conclave

Kerala Tourism and The Hindu Group will host a two-day conclave titled Kerala for All in Kochi on 31 January and 1 February 2026. The event focuses on inclusive and accessible tourism and will be inaugurated by the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Kerala officials emphasise responsible tourism that benefits all visitors and communities, with plans to build an ecosystem that makes destinations accessible and welcoming. The conclave aims to share best practices and promote sustainable, community-led tourism development across the state.

Two-day conclave: 31 January–1 February 2026
Theme: inclusive and accessible tourism
Inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
Focus on sustainable, community-led tourism
Collaboration with The Hindu Group

Meghalaya spice festival in Mumbai to promote high-quality produce

Meghalaya will host its first Spice Festival in Mumbai from 30 January to 1 February 2026 at Bandra Kurla Complex. The event aims to showcase Lakadong turmeric and other premium spices, linking farmer groups and MSMEs with national and international buyers to strengthen market access and exports. The festival will feature B2B meetings, culinary demonstrations, and a Meghalaya pavilion highlighting government initiatives in agriculture and livelihoods. Organisers hope the festival will position Meghalaya as a leading spice destination and boost sustainable farming incomes.

Spice Festival in Mumbai: 30 Jan–1 Feb 2026
Meghalaya spices, including Lakadong turmeric, showcased
Direct linkages with buyers; focus on value chains
B2B meetings, culinary demos, government showcases
Aims to boost farmer incomes and export linkages

Jan 18, 2026

India promotes tourism at Riyadh megEvent; cultural showcase planned

India’s embassy in Riyadh hosted a major tourism promotion event titled India Unveiled: culture, heritage and beyond. The gathering aimed to connect Saudi partners with India’s diverse travel experiences, featuring operators Indigo and Air India. Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan delivered the keynote on the long‑standing bilateral ties and people‑to‑people links. The event highlighted visa facilitation and a range of destinations across Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states. Organisers stressed collaborative opportunities in culture, wildlife, history and wellness tourism as part of broader bilateral engagement.

Event: Tourism promotion in Riyadh
Theme: India Unveiled: culture, heritage and beyond
Participants: Indian embassies, tour operators, carriers
Key focus: visa ease, travel destinations, cultural exchange
Impact: stronger tourism ties with Saudi Arabia

Hyderabad hosts three‑day Hot‑Air Balloon Festival at Golconda Fort

Hyderabad began a three‑day Hot‑Air Balloon Festival near Golconda Fort, inaugurated by State Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao. About 40 passengers rode in 18 balloons, covering roughly 13 kilometres during the event’s opening. The festival features aerial views of Hyderabad and surrounding landscapes, and complements Telangana’s heritage and innovation focus, including kite and drone festivals. Organisers say such events aim to boost tourism, create new experiences for visitors and showcase modern technology alongside cultural heritage.

Event: Hot‑Air Balloon Festival
Location: near Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
Duration: three days
Participants: ~40 passengers, 18 balloons
Distance: ~13 km per ride
Impact: tourism growth and tech‑driven attractions

Jan 14, 2026

UP to award rural tourism champions

The Uttar Pradesh tourism department announced the State Tourism Awards 2026 to recognise rural tourism champions. Categories include best tourism village, best rural homestay, and best farm stay, with gold, silver, and bronze awards. Registrations are open until 20 January. Tourism minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted UP’s progress in agri and rural tourism, noting more villages, families, and farm stays joining the program. The awards aim to encourage sustainable, community-led tourism and to showcase authentic rural experiences to visitors seeking cultural and ecological authenticity.

State Tourism Awards 2026 for rural tourism
Categories: best village, best homestay, best farm stay
Registrations open until 20 January
Officials emphasise community-led and sustainable tourism
Aims to promote authentic rural experiences

DHR to start 34 km Jungle Safari in Darjeeling area

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) announced a 34-kilometer Jungle Safari from Siliguri to Gayabari and back. The trial run took place recently, with formal operations planned to start on 17 January, operating on weekends. The service, priced at ₹500, will feature three coaches and be hauled by a diesel engine. Passengers will travel through forested scenery and notable viewpoints, including the Agony Point Loop. DHR director Rishav Choudhary described the route as an affordable, immersive way to experience the region’s natural beauty while supporting heritage rail tourism.

DHR announces 34 km Jungle Safari
Trial run completed; formal start on 17 January
Weekend operation with three coaches
Ticket price set at ₹500
Promotes heritage rail tourism and forest experiences

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