TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS - January 2023
Jan 2023
Jan 20, 2024
Kerala Bets Big on Heli-tourism to Attract Visitors
Tourism Kerala is diversifying its tourism appeal by emphasising its heli-tourism initiative in hilly regions and positioning itself as a premier wedding destination with the aim to attract more tourists.
As per Kerala Tourism Director P. B. Nooh, Kerala has distinguished itself as a top responsible tourism destination. Kerala's commitment to responsible tourism ensures that travelers act responsibly, and a portion of the expenditure contributes to the improvement of local communities.
Nooh announced the introduction of the 'Sky Escapes' heli-tourism initiative, designed to boost tourism in hilly terrains through helicopter services. The state government will collaborate with private entities to promote this initiative.
Jan 14, 2024
Goa Launches New Model of Regenerative Tourism
The Goa government launched a model for "regenerative tourism," to become the first state in the country to do so. The approach aims to redefine tourism by promoting environmental restoration, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
The launch of the model follows the G20 Tourism Ministers working group meet in June 2023, that came up with the Goa road map for tourism as a method for achieving the sustainable development goals.
With the launch of the 'Ekadasha Teertha', Goa gave Indian tourism a fresh look with an emphasis on spirituality, indigeneity, cultural and civilizational nationalism, and conscious tourism.
Jan 13, 2024
Indian Passport 80th Strongest
The Indian passport remained the 80th strongest in the world, the same as last year (2023), according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index. However, the Indian passport now gives its holders visa-free access to 62 countries as against 57 in the 2023 Henley Passport Index. Two years ago, India was at the 87th spot.
Jan 11, 2024
Crème de la Crème: World's most Powerful Passports
Rankings for the world's most powerful passports in 2024 were released, and the Indian passport improved its global standing, moving up three positions.
In 2024, the Crème de la crème or the accolade of having the world's most powerful passport is split among not one or two but six countries: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain. All these nations allow visa-free entry to a whopping 194 global destinations.
These rankings are as per the latest Henley Passport Index report, released in January 2024, which ranks the world's passports "according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa". Its rankings are based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)—world's the largest travel information database.
In second place, with 193 visa-free destinations, are Finland, South Korea, and Sweden. Rounding off the top three with 192 global destinations are Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
In 2023, India stood at the 83rd position and its passport didn't need a visa in 58 global destinations. This year (2024), the nation moved up three ranks to 80th and boasts 62 visa-free destinations around the world.
Jan 10, 2024
Inquiries for Lakshadweep Surging: TAAI President Jyoti Mayal
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) President, Jyoti Mayal said that there has been a surge in travel inquiries for Lakshadweep while there are none for Maldives right now. Mayal also noted that Maldives' Tour Operators and Travel Associations, in a letter to the organisation, distanced themselves from the remarks by the sitting minister of Maldives.
Mayal addressed concerns within the Maldives travel industry while also spotlighting opportunities in domestic tourism. Notably, Mariyam Shiuna, a sitting Maldives minister, made some derogatory comments about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he visited Lakshadweep.
Maldives Tour Operators and Travel Associations are reaching out to TAAI because we have a MoU with the Associations and the Ministry of Tourism there for working together. They are saying that this was not the opinion of everyone and this is an individual opinion.
+91-85588-96644
