Author Archives: TBM Staff - Mumbai

Karnataka Deputy CM announces a new tourism policy to attract investments

 

Bengaluru, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced on Saturday that the state is planning to introduce a new tourism policy to attract investments into the industry.

Speaking at the event “Dakshin Bharat Utsav” jointly organised by Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Karnataka Tourism Department, he emphasised that a good tourism policy will attract industrialists and investments. When industrialists thrive, the government receives more revenue, jobs are created for the people, and the industry grows.

Shivakumar invited representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Telangana to share their experiences and noted that Karnataka is looking to develop its 300-km long coastline. He suggested that Bengaluru could become a tourist hub in addition to being the IT capital.

The government will also be issuing new tenders for a sky deck in Bengaluru. To create new tourist spots for the next generation, Shivakumar mentioned that a sky deck is planned in Bengaluru, with new tenders to be issued within the next 8-10 days.

Additionally, the government is planning to develop Brindavana on the lines of Disney land, with budgetary allocations made in the last budget for this project.

Shivakumar highlighted that the 18% GST is killing the tourism industry. If businesses lose more than half their revenue to taxes, they will not be motivated to invest more. He urged the people and the industry to raise these issues and asked investors and industrialists to submit their demands in writing to the government. “We need you to walk with us in our journey to improve tourism in the state,” he added.

Finnair opens new Schengen Lounge in Helsinki

 

Finnair is enhancing its customer experience by opening a brand-new Finnair Lounge on July 9. Located on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport, near gate 21, the lounge offers unparalleled comfort and convenience to travellers. The lounge is designed to provide more space and comfort before take-off, responding to feedback from Finnair Plus tier members.

The new lounge features an exclusive Finnair Platinum Corner for Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members. It can be accessed by Business Class Classic and Flex ticket holders, as well as Finnair Plus Gold members.

Additionally, lounge access can be purchased as a travel extra during ticket booking, via Manage booking, or through the Finnair app.

The lounge has been designed to accommodate up to 440 guests, which is about 150 seats more than the current lounge. Different spaces within the lounge cater to various needs, including dining, working, resting, and spending time with travel companions. The design, led by Studio Joanna Laajisto, captures the essence of the Nordics, with peaceful, natural, and inviting elements such as wooden textures, soft forms, and warm colors.

The lounge also features furniture from renowned Nordic design brands, adding a touch of local craftsmanship.

The new lounge offers spectacular views of the runway and the airport gate area. This enhanced lounge experience is part of Finnair’s ongoing efforts to improve customer satisfaction and provide a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for its passengers.

Rajasthan Tourism Safeguards Folk Music Heritage

 

Rajasthan’s folk music and tourism are intricately intertwined, each contributing to the preservation and promotion of the state’s rich cultural heritage. The folk music of Rajasthan not only preserves the state’s cultural legacy but also serves as a powerful draw for tourists, captivating audiences with its mesmerising melodies and traditional instruments.

Rajasthan’s folk music encompasses a diverse range of styles and genres, each reflecting the state’s unique traditions and folklore. These musical forms have been passed down through generations, with local artists and communities playing a vital role in their preservation. The folk music of Rajasthan can be broadly categorised into three main types: professional folk songs, regional folk songs, and songs inspired by the common people.

The Rajasthan Tourism Department has been actively involved in supporting and promoting the state’s folk music. The department provides financial assistance, training, and performance opportunities to folk artists, ensuring that their art form not only thrives but also contributes to the local economy. This collaborative effort between the tourism industry and the folk music community has strengthened the livelihood of these artists and reinforced the cultural identity of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan’s folk music is characterised by a rich tapestry of styles and traditional instruments. From the soulful Maand and the vibrant Langa to the rhythmic Talbandi and the enchanting Manganiyar, each musical form showcases the depth and diversity of the state’s cultural heritage.

Additionally, the unique Pabuji Ki Phad style, with its narrative storytelling and use of instruments like Ravanhatta and Sarangi, offers a distinctive and immersive experience for audiences.

Queen’s necklace in Mumbai now open to public

 

The iconic Queen’s Necklace on Marine Drive in south Mumbai is now ready to welcome visitors and tourists. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has completed extensive restoration and development work as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project, enhancing the infrastructure.

The project includes the restoration of a 1.07 km long walkway, which will provide seamless access for tourists. Additionally, a new 1 km long stretch, with a width of 10.56 meters, has been constructed for improved transportation. The road stretches between Princess Street Flyover and Mafatlal Club signal with a 400-meter interurban path.

The restoration project includes well-equipped visitor sitting arrangements that guarantee a relaxing visit. To stop further filling, the walkway beside the beach has been raised using beams and columns.

Tetrapods have been strategically positioned throughout the 590-meter run from south to north to reduce wave impact and velocity, ensuring the pathway’s longevity and safety.

The work on raising the pathways to provide adequate lighting is in progress. The new footpath, adjacent to the existing one, ensures that tourists have a high-quality walking experience without the need for additional filling.

Digi Yatra expands to hotels and public places

 

Digi Yatra, a facial-recognition technology-based check-in service, is set to expand beyond airports to hotels and public places like historical monuments. Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO, Digi Yatra, revealed that a prototype for this use-case has been developed and discussions are ongoing with government agencies, including the Ministry of Tourism.

The goal is to create a seamless travel experience across India by implementing Digi Yatra at various locations. Currently, tourists need to produce a passport for hotel check-in and report to police stations for verification. Khadakbhavi explained that Digi Yatra could also be used for rail travel, with initial discussions held with the Ministry of Railways.

Certain nationals are required to register their stay and departure at police stations, while tourists with visas longer than 180 days must register at the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Extending Digi Yatra to hotels and public places aims to prevent data leakage, as people often share unencrypted identity documents. In contrast, Digi Yatra ID does not carry personally identifiable information, and the Digi Yatra Central Ecosystem saves only a hash value or numerical identifier for the file, ensuring that none of the four data items shared by passengers during registration (name, Aadhaar, face scan, and passport number) can be leaked.

Digi Yatra digitally processes air travellers using biometrics, such as facial scans, instead of boarding passes, enabling paperless movement through airport checkpoints. Launched in December 2022, the initiative currently covers 14 airports, with plans to include 15 more by the end of 2024. Initially, Digi Yatra aimed to improve passenger throughput at airports, but the proposed use-case for hotels and public places suggests a broader role for Digi Yatra beyond air travel.

OYO in talks for INR 1,000 crore funding boost

 

OYO, a hospitality giant, is reportedly in advanced discussions to raise around INR 1,000 crore in fresh funding, just weeks after withdrawing its initial public offering (IPO) application. According to sources, family offices of prominent Indian corporate executives, including Ramesh Juneja and Rajeev Juneja of Mankind Pharma, as well as stock market expert Anand Jain, are likely to invest in the hotel chain.

OYO withdrew its IPO documents from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) last month. Founded in 2012 by Ritesh Agarwal, the company aims to provide easy-to-book and affordable accommodations worldwide. It claims to offer over 40 integrated products and solutions to operators of more than 157,000 hotel and home storefronts across 35 countries, including India, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

The company is set to host an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on June 18 to approve the fundraise, where it will consider raising around INR 500 crore. In May, OYO was reportedly in talks to raise a fresh funding round at a marked-down valuation. The company had enlisted Incred to facilitate discussions with family offices to raise about USD 80 million to USD 90 million at a valuation of USD 2.3 billion, significantly lower than the USD 10 billion valuation at which it last raised external funding.

OYO reported its first full year of profitability in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), posting a net profit of about INR 100 crore. The company logged its eighth straight quarter of positive EBITDA in Q4 FY24 and had cash reserves of around INR 1,000 crore at the end of the year, according to Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO, OYO.