Tag: India
Calicut on India’s visa-on-arrival radar
August 4 (TravelAndy): India is planning to extend its tourist visa-on-arrival for the Calicut International Airport, reported The Hindu newspaper.
Around 50,000 foreign passengers arrive at the Calicut airport every year.
The tourist visa-on-arrival facility is now available at nine airports in the country.
A central team is visiting the visiting Calicut on August 6 to discuss the proposal, said the report quoting sources. Continue reading Calicut on India’s visa-on-arrival radar
Kullu bans paragliding till Sep 15
August 2 (TravelAndy): The tourist department of the popular hill station Kullu in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday banned paragliding in the district till September 15.
“Paragliding has been banned under Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules till September 15, because in rainy season, dense fog on hilly areas may cause accidents,” said a Hindustan Times report, quoting a statement by district tourism officer Ratan Gautam.
A ban on river rafting is also on and it will continue till September 15. Continue reading Kullu bans paragliding till Sep 15
‘New’ Victoria Memorial sets 2017 date
July 23 (TravelAndy): The iconic Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata is undergoing an elaborate makeover and intends to open in all its glory to visitors by March 2017, said reports.
After the renovation, it will serve as an open cultural space, allowing visitors access to parts which are not open to the public now.
This makeover will transform this Kolkata landmark into a unique combination of heritage, architecture and museum, Victoria Memorial Hall curator, Jayanta Sengupta told PTI. Continue reading ‘New’ Victoria Memorial sets 2017 date
Tourist guide app plan for Delhi
July 19 (TravelAndy): The Delhi government is planning to launch an app to help tourists visiting the India’s capital.
Reports quoting a tourism department official said it would provide useful information and work as an audio guide at tourist destinations.
Tourists using the app will no long need to visit the tourist information offices. Continue reading Tourist guide app plan for Delhi
India mulls 3D debut on Google Earth
July 10 (TravelAndy): The Indian government is mulling to allow Google Earth to upload 3D images of Indian cities. If this works out, it will be good news for travellers for it will help them get to know a place better before visiting it.
If the government gives its nod, important buildings such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister’s office could be seen and explored through Google Earth. Continue reading India mulls 3D debut on Google Earth
India: 12-language helpline for tourists
July 7, 2015 (TravelAndy): In an attempt to facilitate international tourists, India’s tourism ministry has announced a tourist helpline that would operate in 12 international languages.
Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma said yesterday that the service would be functional in two months.
The current helpline operates in Hindi and English. Continue reading India: 12-language helpline for tourists
Baggage breather for budget fliers
June 28 (TravelAndy): The Indian government on Saturday rejected a proposal by budget airlines operating in the country to charge for checked-in baggage.
Passengers are now allowed to carry check-in luggage of up to 15kg for free.
“We have got the proposal from low-cost flights to charge for check-in baggage. We have rejected it and there will be no consideration at the Aviation Ministry level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers,” Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma told PTI. Continue reading Baggage breather for budget fliers
Mandu revamp plan to attract tourists
June 25 (TravelAndy): Mandu, a tourist destination in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is set for a revamp in order to attract more tourists, reported The Times of India.
The project is a joint venture of Mandu Tourism Promotion Council and the Dhar district administration.
According to the report, the project aims to introduce adventure sports such as paragliding, parasailing, water tugging, banana rides, hiking, rappelling, rock climbing and a zipline across the valley of Kakdakho. Continue reading Mandu revamp plan to attract tourists
Nathu La opens to Indians after 50 years
June 19 (TravelAndy): The Nathu La pass reopened on Thursday after more than 50 years to facilitate Indian pilgrims going to Kailash Manas Sarovar in Tibet.
During his trip to China in May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the pass would be made operational in June.
A batch of forty tourists including two women and support staff have embarked on the journey to the Hindu pilgrimage from the Indian state of Sikkim. Continue reading Nathu La opens to Indians after 50 years
India plans e-visa for 150 countries by 2015
June 17 (TravelAndy): The Indian government plans to bring bring 150 countries under its e-visa scheme by the end of 2015, minister of state (independent charge) for tourism Mahesh Sharma has said.
More than 1.36 lakh tourists have availed of the e-visa and this year, India has seen a 10 per cent jump in the number of tourists, reports said.
The e-visa scheme currently covers 77 countries including the US, Germany, Russia, Singapore and Guyana. Continue reading India plans e-visa for 150 countries by 2015
British Airways treat for Indian students
June 13 (TravelAndy): British Airways is allowing Indian students to carry an extra check-in bag of up to 23kg while travelling abroad for higher studies, reports said.
The airline normally allows check-in luggage of 23kg. With this move, students will able to check in up to 46kg.
This allowance is valid for destinations across the US, Canada, UK and Europe. Continue reading British Airways treat for Indian students
Ancient Buddhist site excavated in India
June 13 (TravelAndy): The Buddhist tourism circuit in the east Indian state of Odisha just became historically more significant with archaeologists finding that a structure unearthed at Aragada was much older than initially thought, The Telegraph reported.
The stupa (dome-shaped Buddhist shrine) discovered at Aragada in the suburbs of Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, could date back to the first or the second century BC, say researchers.
The new conclusion comes after examination of the pottery and other artefacts discovered from the site. Continue reading Ancient Buddhist site excavated in India