Monthly Archives: August 2023

Want to turn Himachal Pradesh into tourist capital of India: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that his plans to turn his state into the tourist capital of India. Tourism brings in a lot of GST to us, the Chief Minister said. Sukhu was speaking at the AajTak G20 Summit in New Delhi.

He spoke about plans to expand the tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh, including getting an international airport in the state. The Chief Minister also spoke about plans to decentralise tourism.

Addressing a session, Sukhu first spoke about calamity being faced by the hilly state. He said that in the past one month, Himachal Pradesh has faced two devastating incidents. In the first instance, in July, cloudbursts had led to landslides, with tourists and several vehicles left stranded due to it. And the second part was from August 13 to August 16 when continuous downpour led to landslides, the chief minister said. (Source: India Today)

Tourism Ministry launches campaign to showcase India as premier wedding destination

The Ministry of Tourism launched an ambitious campaign to showcase India as a premier wedding destination globally. Officials said the wedding tourism campaign also aims to unlock the potential of India’s huge wedding industry. Building upon the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to developing tourism in a mission mode, the ministry has unveiled an “ambitious campaign aimed at showcasing India as a premier wedding destination on the global stage,” according to an official statement.

This campaign also envisions to explore avenues of great potential, for scaling tourism in India to new heights, the ministry said in the statement.

It seeks to “expand India’s wedding industry, by enticing couples from around the world to embark on a remarkable journey to celebrate their special day in India,” it added.

Launching the special campaign, G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Tourism, said, “Today marks the beginning of a remarkable journey. A mission to position India as the epitome of wedding destinations worldwide”.

“With the launch of this campaign, I invite couples from around the world to explore the enchanting dream wedding destinations across our incredible nation,” the minister said.

Reddy said the “360-degree approach” of the campaign will “ensure that every moment, from the first ‘hello’ to the final ‘I do’ is a testament to India’s warm embrace and rich heritage”.

The campaign begins with profiling about 25 key destinations across the country, exploring how India fits into their wedding aspirations in more than one way. From breathtaking landscapes to sacred traditions, from tantalising culinary delights to cutting-edge infrastructure, this campaign captures the essence of India’s grandeur, inviting couples to say ‘I do’ against a backdrop that transcends imagination, the ministry said.

“It celebrates the fusion of India’s ancient heritage with modern elegance, weaving a narrative that entices the world to embark on an unforgettable journey of love and celebration,” the statement said.

Samit Garg, President, EEMA (Event and Entertainment Management Association), said, “It’s truly wonderful to witness this idea come to fruition, and it seems to be shining brightly indeed”.

He also said the Ministry of Tourism has translated the vision of the Prime Minister into action and “brought the wedding tourism campaign to life”. (Source The HT)

Ayodhya Haat will be another attraction in temple town

An Ayodhya Haat will come up at Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghat on the bank of river Saryu, adding another feature to the temple town’s long list of tourist attractions.

The Ayodhya Development Authority will spearhead this project to turn the religious town into a tourist destination.

The Ayodhya Haat would also bring change in areas surrounding the ghat, said officials of the Ayodhya Development Authority.

Announcing the project, Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya Gaurav Dayal stated that the project would spur local economy also.

The Ayodhya Haat will have specially designed stalls offering handicrafts of local artisans. It will also have a floating restaurant and boat services as added attraction for tourists.

Ram Kutir cottages will come up for those who want to stay at the ghat. A jetty will also come up at the Chaudhary Charan Singh ghat.

Cultural programmes, laser shows and musical fountains will add to Ayodhya Haat’s beauty.

Dayal assured that the highest standards of cleanliness and environmental practices would be maintained at the Haat. This project is part of the Yogi Adityanath government’s initiative to transform Ayodhya into a prominent religious tourist destination.

The Ayodhya administration is expecting substantial increase in the number of tourists after Ram temple is opened for devotees in January next. (Source The HT)

Airfares soar up to 89% on key routes for Diwali week

Travelling by air during this Diwali is likely to be an expensive affair. Airfares on key routes across the country for the festival week — between November 10 and November 16 — are already up to 89 per cent vis a vis last year’s Diwali week due to high demand and limited capacity amid Go First’s insolvency and SpiceJet’s financial troubles.The average one-way airfare on the Delhi-Ahmedabad route for the November 10-16 period is INR 5,688, which is 72 per cent higher than in the Diwali week last year (October 21- October 27, 2022), according to data provided by travel website Ixigo. This is for tickets booked more than 80 days before the travel date. Last Diwali, there were about 290 flights per week operating on the Delhi- Ahmedabad route. For this Diwali, airlines are currently scheduled to operate 15 per cent fewer flights on the route, according to airline executives. “Go First used to operate about 42 weekly flights on the Delhi-Ahmedabad route. They are gone. SpiceJet has reduced its services on this route in the past year. It is currently operating about 14 weekly flights.

Other airlines do not have planes to operate more flights on this route,” an airline executive explained. Go First suspended all its flights from May 3 onwards and filed an insolvency application. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last month approved Go First’s plan to resume flights, subject to the outcome of pending cases and the availability of interim funding. The airline is yet to resume flights. Airfares are also shooting up as demand for air travel — even in a lean season — has significantly shot up this year. “June and July, which are traditionally lean seasons, have recorded higher domestic air traffic this year (12.4 and 12.1 million passengers, respectively) as compared to the peak festival season of October 2022 (11.4 million passengers). Travel demand is likely to escalate further during this year’s Diwali, resulting in higher airfares across key routes. The increase in capacity by year-end may lead to some relief on fares in India,” said Ixigo spokesperson. The average one-way airfare on the Delhi-Srinagar route for the Diwali week this year is INR 7,175, which is 89.11 per cent higher than in the Diwali week last year, according to Ixigo’s data.

For this year’s Diwali, airlines are currently scheduled to operate 33 per cent fewer flights on the Delhi-Srinagar route. “Go First used to operate about 72 flights per week on the Delhi-Srinagar route. No other airline has been able to fill that gap,” an airline official explained. On the Bengaluru- Hyderabad route, the average one-way airfare for the Diwali week this year is INR 1,914, which is 63 per cent more than last year, shows the Ixigo data. This is despite the fact that aviation companies are scheduled to operate about 40 per cent more flights this Diwali. SpiceJet this month is scheduled to operate overall 1,266 flights a week — 41.5 per cent less than August last year, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium’s data. The airline has been finding it difficult to make timely payments to its aircraft lessors. As on August 1, 26 of its total 62 planes were grounded, according to Cirium’s data. SpiceJet earlier this week stated that it plans to revive 25 grounded planes back to service. (Source :The Business Standard)

Hotel industry to contribute $1.5 tn to GDP by 2047

The Indian hotel market has significant growth opportunities and is poised to contribute $1,504 billion to the country’s overall gross domestic product (GDP) by 2047, from $65 billion in 2022, suggests a report by the Hotel Association of India (HAI). It forecasts that the demand for hotels will increase over the next 25 years. However, supply will grow in the same ratio if there remains a continuous development plan for the pipeline and new projects.

The association anticipated the growth to be at 11%, 13% and 15% in the short, mid and long term for the overall hospitality industry. The total contribution includes aspects of services from corresponding industry verticals such as food and beverages, salon and spas, etc. This excludes consideration of services market growth and therefore it also excludes scenario-based contribution estimates.

The direct contribution of the hotel industry to GDP was $40 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $68 billion by 2027, and $1 trillion by 2047.

The report highlighted that to reach the $3 trillion economic target by 2047, the tourism and hospitality sector will need policy support, including but not limited to the ease of doing business and infrastructure status. There is an urgent need for a robust tourism policy structure, a rise in national and international tourist footfalls and 100% foreign direct investment, it said.

Policy and the ease of doing business will play a key role in the way that tourism shapes up, said Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, HAI’s secretary general and a former secretary in the ministry of tourism.

Bezbaruah said within the tourism and hospitality sector, 30 key segments had been identified by the government which are important for the sector to function properly to reach its desired size.

“Different states have different policies when it comes to tourism. While some have given the sector an industry status, others have not. We do not understand why because it doesn’t cost states money to do this,” he said. The report added that granting infrastructure status to hotels will facilitate long-term loans at competitive interest rates, thereby boosting the industry’s growth. (Source: The Mint)

The Soaltee Kathmandu: A Luxurious Oasis in the Heart of Nepal

 

HBI Staff | Kathmandu

Nestled amidst 12 acres of serene greenery in Tahachal, Kathmandu, The Soaltee Kathmandu stands as a testament to luxury and tranquility. This exquisite 5-star hotel offers an exceptional experience to its guests, providing stunning views of the majestic Himalayan range while ensuring easy access to major attractions and business districts in the city.

Luxurious Accommodations

The hotel’s 285 spacious and luxurious rooms and suites are thoughtfully designed with modern amenities to provide guests with the utmost comfort. Each room offers breathtaking views of the enchanting garden, refreshing pool, or the majestic Himalayas. The hotel offers various room categories, ranging from Executive Rooms, Classic Heritage, and Club Rooms to the opulent Executive Suite Room, Regal Suite, and Presidential Suite, catering to diverse preferences and needs.

Extravagant Amenities

Beyond its elegant rooms, The Soaltee Kathmandu offers additional amenities that elevate the guest experience to new heights. For those seeking entertainment, the hotel houses a sophisticated Casino and the exclusive Premium Night Club – Prive Nepal, ensuring unforgettable evenings. Moreover, the sprawling Tranquility Spa, one of the largest in the region, offers rejuvenating experiences that cater to relaxation and wellbeing.

Dining Delights

When it comes to culinary delights, The Soaltee Kathmandu exceeds expectations with its array of exceptional restaurants. With four dining options to choose from, guests are spoilt for choice. The famous Garden Terrace captivates visitors with its delightful view of lush gardens, creating a serene ambiance to savor scrumptious dishes. Bao Xuan, the authentic Chinese restaurant, tantalizes taste buds with its delectable offerings, while Kakori offers a culinary journey through sumptuous flavors.

Meetings and Events

For business travelers and event organizers, The Soaltee Kathmandu offers state-of-the-art meeting rooms equipped with cutting-edge audiovisual facilities. Whether it’s seminars, workshops, MICE events, or social celebrations, the hotel’s dedicated Meeting & Events team ensures that every detail is meticulously attended to. The newly renovated Megha Malhar function room adds a touch of grandeur to conferences and social gatherings, providing a trendy and sophisticated ambiance for memorable occasions.

Beyond Kathmandu, The Soaltee Group has three more properties in Nepal. Soaltee Westend Premier in Nepalgunj, the first LEED-certified hotel in Nepal, attracts local and international visitors with its eco-friendly approach. Soaltee Westend Resort Chitwan, a 5-star resort, offers a relaxing stay with an outdoor swimming pool and delectable dining options. Meanwhile, Soaltee Westend Itahari provides a dynamic and vibrant hotel experience that celebrates Nepal’s heritage in a contemporary setting. Additionally, Mithila Yatri Niwas in Janakpur offers a 4-star accommodation with warm hospitality and convenience.