Vijayawada Railway Station was awarded the 'Green Railway Station' certification with the highest rating of platinum by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its efforts in improving the environmental standards and providing eco-friendly services to passengers.
This was an upgradation of the station's ratings, from gold in 2019 to platinum in 2023.
Vijayawada railway station is the second in the South Central Railway (SCR) zone after Secunderabad to have bagged the platinum rating.
The IGBC-CII Green Railway Stations Rating System is a voluntary initiative that aims to facilitate the adoption of green concepts in railway stations. The system helps to address national priorities such as water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, reduced use of fossil fuels, and lesser dependency on virgin materials.
The rating is based on six environmental categories as defined by IGBC which include sustainable station facility, health, hygiene and sanitation, energy efficiency, water efficiency, smart and green initiatives and innovation and development.
Sep 13, 2023
Hinduja Group to Reopen Old War Office of Churchill as Luxury Hotel
Hinduja Group collaborated with Raffles Hotels & Resorts to restore The Old War Office (OWO) of Britain's World War II-era Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The property with 120 guest rooms and suites, along with restaurants and spas, will be inaugurated on September 26 as a brand-new luxury hotel in the heart of London.
The Hinduja Family had acquired the landmark building on Whitehall, opposite Downing Street, over eight years ago. The Old War Office, originally completed in 1906 and designed by British architect William Young, was formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall.
Indian Navy, Uber Team Up for Private Travel of Naval Personnel, Families
The Indian Navy joined hands with cab aggregator Uber to provide reliable, convenient, safe and economical mobility solutions for personal travel and commute of naval personnel and families across the country. The Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber in the presence of Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar and senior officials of the company.
This MoU aligns with Chief of Naval Staff's vision of 'happy personnel' under 'SHIPS FIRST' and is a maiden initiative in the armed forces. It is also in furtherance of Government of India's 'Digital India' vision of embracing technology for transformative change.
Sep 09, 2023
Ministry of Tourism in Collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), ...
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), unveiled the G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER, G. Kishan Reddy, launched the dashboard in a virtual ceremony.
Developed under the leadership of India's G20 Presidency and with the expert knowledge partnership of UNWTO, the dashboard is a testament to India's commitment to sustainable tourism. It showcases best practices, case studies, and insights from G20 countries, all modelled for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This dashboard is a lasting legacy of India's G20 Presidency, reflecting its dedication to global collaboration and sustainable growth in the global tourism industry.
The G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard serves as a comprehensive online public platform, amalgamating the collective knowledge of the G20 Tourism Working Group. It consolidates the GOA Roadmap, survey results, case studies, and best practices from G20 countries. The dashboard offers insights into sustainable tourism practices and also provides a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and growth.
Sep 07, 2023
Visakhapatnam Port's International Cruise Terminal Inaugurated
International Cruise Terminal at Visakhapatnam Port was inaugurated in the presence of Minister of Tourism (State), Shripad Naik, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, VPA chairperson Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS along with several other distinguished dignitaries.
The International Cruise Terminal serves as a pivotal gateway for both domestic and international cruise tourism along the eastern coast of India. This world-class facility offers a transformative experience to tourists while fostering economic growth and benefiting local communities.
This visionary project was initiated in response to a proposal from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The Ministry of Tourism approved part funding for the development of the Cruise-Cum Cargo Terminal at the channel berth in the outer harbour of Visakhapatnam Port by the Vishakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) under the Scheme of Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development during the financial year 2018-19.
Sep 06, 2023
Ajay Prakash Re-elected TAFI President
During the 29th Annual General Meeting and national elections for the new term of 2023-25, held at the Peninsula Grand Hotel in Mumbai, the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) elected the new Managing Committee unopposed.
The TAFI President, Ajay Prakash, was re-elected, while Anil Kalsi took over from Kamal R Jadhwani as the Vice President. Abbas Moiz and Hitank Shah retained their positions as National General Secretary and Treasurer.
TAFI's membership - 1400 Active, Associate, Allied and Affiliate (Travel Service Intermediaries - Non (ATA) members from all over India
A proud member of World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA)
An Affiliate member of the Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA)
Signed an Agreement with the Federation of Hoteliers and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) for the benefits of its members