Tag: India
India’s first wheelchair taxis to roll out in Goa
December 23 (TravelAndy): In an attempt to make Goa accessible for tourists with mobility challenges, Enable Travel, a travel company serving people with mobility issues, has joined hands with Ezy Mov, India’s first point-to-point wheelchair taxi service provider, to offer guided tours in wheelchair taxis.
Five such vehicles will be run in the first phase in January 2019.
Debolin Sen, head, Enable Travel, said that Goa serves as one of the most popular Indian travel destinations for both domestic and international tourists, but lack of transport facilities for people with mobility issues, including elderly travellers, makes them unable to experience it in its broadest sense.
Continue reading India’s first wheelchair taxis to roll out in Goa
Snow cleared, Rohtang Pass reopens
October 9 (TravelAndy): Rohtang Pass, the popular tourist destination in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, was reopened for tourists on Monday, said reports.
The authorities had closed the pass following heavy snowfall last month.
Every day, only 1,200 vehicles — 800 petrol and 400 diesel ones — would be allowed entry to the top of Rohtang following the order of the country’s National Green Tribunal. Continue reading Snow cleared, Rohtang Pass reopens
India plans e-visa fee roll back: Report
September 1 (TravelAndy): The Indian government plans to roll back the hike in e-visa fees, The Hindu Business Line reported.
“So far, we have done a great job by introducing e-visa. However, all the gains that we have achieved from this, I think we are negating some of those by increasing the e-visa fee,” the report quoted Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, as saying.
In June, India had increased the e-visa fee from USD50 to USD80. The fee for US and UK passport holders was increased to USD100. The bulk of foreign tourists come to India from the US and UK. Continue reading India plans e-visa fee roll back: Report
No free SIM cards for foreign tourists to India
July 16 (TravelAndy): A scheme by the Indian government to provide free SIM cards to foreign tourists has been stopped, reports said.
The government feels the facility is “unnecessary” in the age of social media widely available Wi-Fi.
India will however, continue to run the 24X7 Tourist Helpline 1800111363 in 12 languages. Continue reading No free SIM cards for foreign tourists to India
Indian state seeks Norway help for tourism infrastructure
June 28 (TravelAndy): The government of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is seeking cooperation of Norway for development of tourism infrastructure in the state, The Pioneer reported.
At a meeting yesterday, Himachal chief secretary Vineet Chawdhry said, “At present, around two crore tourists visits Himachal every year and it was estimated that around eight to ten lakhs tourists were availing eco-tourism facilities. There was eco-tourism potential of 66.56 lakhs tourists with eco-tourism value of Rs 6,657 crores.”
“Himachal Pradesh needs cooperation for investment in development of 31 eco-circuits and development of five eco-tourism hubs with investment of Rs 1,000 crore per hub, the report quoted him as saying. Continue reading Indian state seeks Norway help for tourism infrastructure
Trouble-torn Kashmir seeks to attract foreign tourists
June 18 (TravelAndy): The troubled north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir organised a familiarization trip for five foreign travel writers earlier this month, Greater Kashmir reported.
The writers from Australia and the UK visited Leh and Srinagar during their trip.
At the end of their trip, the visitors met the state’s tourism minister who told them about the wonderful experiences that the mountainous state had to offer. They were also made aware of the steps the authorities were taking to ensure safety of tourists. Continue reading Trouble-torn Kashmir seeks to attract foreign tourists
Air connect for more Indian destinations
June 8 (TravelAndy): The government of India plans to build airports at several popular tourist spots in the country under a regional connectivity scheme.
According to reports, the government is looking at popular tourist destinations such as Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Hampi in Karnataka, Kaziranga in Assam and Colva beach in Goa. Continue reading Air connect for more Indian destinations
India launches adventure tourism guidelines
June 2 (TravelAndy): India’s tourism minister K. J. Alphons recently launched the government’s guidelines on adventure tourism.
These guidelines on Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India have been formulated along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in an effort to make adventure sports safer.
Releasing the guidelines, the Tourism Minister said India has immense potential for adventure tourism ranging from the Himalayas to the coastal regions. Shri. K. J. Alphons said that these guidelines are a beginning to building adventure tourism in India and extended whole support to all stakeholders for developing this niche sector so as to tap the whole potential offered. The Minister also added that for India to be a well sought after destination, the facilities and support staff should be developed to global standards. Continue reading India launches adventure tourism guidelines
India offers visa free travel for Indonesian citizens
June 1 (TravelAndy): Indian citizens have long been granted 30-day visa-free travel in Indonesia. (ALSO READ: Indonesia visa for Indians- all you need to know)
India is now reciprocating the gesture.
Addressing Indian diaspora at the Jakarta Convention Centre in the Indonesian capital, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Not only do the names of our nations rhyme but also there is a distinct rhythm in the India-Indonesia friendship.” Continue reading India offers visa free travel for Indonesian citizens
World’s longest sandstone cave found in India
March 20 (TravelAndy): The world’s longest sandstone cave has been found in India’s Meghalaya state, Hindustan Times reported.
At 24,583 metres, the cave called Krem Puri, was measured between February 5 and March 1, 2018.
The second longest cave is Cueva Del Saman in Edo Zulia, Venezuela — a quartzite sandstone cave that is 18,200 metres long. Continue reading World’s longest sandstone cave found in India
India’s first helicopter taxi launches in Bangalore
March 6 (TravelAndy): If times equals money for you, consider taking the 15-minute helicopter ride to the Bangalore airport from the city instead of spending close to two hours getting there by road, said reports.
Thumby Aviation started India’s first helicopter taxi service with a Bell in Bangalore earlier this week.
The ride costs INR3,500 plus GST and this includes pick up and drop to the airport terminal from the helipad.
For now, the services are available from 06.30 to 09.30 and from 15.00 to 18.15 between the Kempegowda International Airport and Electronic City. Continue reading India’s first helicopter taxi launches in Bangalore
Why you should visit Kashmir in winter
Travelling to Kashmir has always been on my bucket list and this time I finally made it!
I’d always heard Kashmir was a land of magic that exhibits diverse beauty in different seasons. So I planned to start with winter, the season of of white bed of snow, chilling breeze and multiple-layered cloths and traditional Kangri hidden under Pheran (a traditional knee-length cloak).
After I reached India’s northernmost state, the first flavour of Kashmir I took in was with the sip of Kehwa, traditional Kashmiri green tea in my hotel located in an alley close to Dal Lake. I spent the day sailing around the lake.
Unlike other seasons, Dal lake during winter is not so colourful, but still it is mesmerising and equally absorbing. A blanket of mist covers the lake and from it emerges colourful Shikaras captained by the local people, whose lives are very much dependent on this beautiful lake. Sailing the Dal lake it a must-do when you’re in the area. Sailing through Dal lake in winter is like removing layers of fog one after the other and going closer to a refreshing beauty of its floating vegetable market and wood crafted houseboats. Continue reading Why you should visit Kashmir in winter