Tag: South India
Munnar turns winter wonderland as mercury dips below zero
Kochi (TAN): Sub-zero temperatures and South India do not often go hand in hand. Yet, the mercury in Munnar, one of Kerala’s most favourite tourist getaways, dropped below zero degrees last week, covering the hill station in thick layers of frost.
Places such as Chittuvara, Lakkad, and Chendura in Munnar saw temperatures fall up to -3 degree Celsius.
Tourism benefited as travellers flocked to Munnar to witness the unusual weather conditions first hand. Hotel and business owners were hopeful further fall in temperatures would boost business in the area.
Not just Munnar, other places in Kerala including Wayanad, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kannur too recorded dip in minimum temperatures. The cold and dry weather in South India has been attributed to the cold wave sweeping across the subcontinent. Ooty, Tamil Nadu’s popular tourist destination, was hit by the cold wave and experienced a chilly weather. Continue reading Munnar turns winter wonderland as mercury dips below zero
Telangana push for helicopter tourism
March 27 (TravelAndy): India’s youngest state Telangana has decided to develop heliports to facilitate conveyance for tourists, said reports.
The areas identified as heliports are Dundigal, Hakimpet, Nadirgul in Hyderabad, Basanthnagar in Karimnagar, Nagarjunasagar, Nalgonda, Alair (Yadagirigutta), Warangal and Kagaznagar (Sirpur).
Most of these areas are popular tourist spots — Nagarjunasagar, Nalgonda and Yadagririgutta temple in Alair. Continue reading Telangana push for helicopter tourism
Tourism boost for Thiruvananthapuram
January 30 (TravelAndy): South India’s state Kerala has decided to upgrade backwater tourism in its capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, said The Times of India (TOI).
The district tourism promotion council (DTPC) of Thiruvananthapuram is introducing a backwater tourism circuit including three lakes, namely; Kadinamkulam, Anchuthengu and Akathurmuri.
These three lakes will offer boat cruise across the backwaters and ferry through the eco-friendly environment, allowing tourists to visit the historical monuments, uninhabited islands punctuating the route. Traditional local cuisine and delicacies will also be served in the boat cruise. Continue reading Tourism boost for Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala to develop Kadambrayar island tourism
January 17 (TravelAndy): To encourage eco-tourism, India’s back water state Kerala has decided to give a facelift to Kadambrayar island tourism, said The Times of India.
A variety of boat services will be introduces across the island, which will include coracles, rafts and houseboats.
Previously, only pedal boat services were available for visitors. Continue reading Kerala to develop Kadambrayar island tourism
Festival boost for Andhra tourism
January 4 (TravelAndy): In a bid to promote tourism, South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is getting ready to host a series of festivals along the eastern coast of river Godavari.
The three major festivals include, Kakinada Beach Festival scheduled at the NTR Beach in Vakalapudi from January 12, 2017. Similarly, a four-day Konaseema Festival will be hosted on the banks of the Godavari at Muramalla from February 22 and the three-day ‘Manyam Jatara’ in the Agency area from March 26, said The Hindu.
“These festivals provide a platform to display the rich culture of the district. Food stalls will serve exclusive cuisine of local flavours, while the handicrafts and handlooms of the local artisans will also be on display,”said N. Chinarajappa, deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Continue reading Festival boost for Andhra tourism
Eco-tourism boost for Velrampet lake
January 2 (TravelAndy): Velrampet Lake, a significant water body near Mudaliarpet in India’s union territory Puducherry, will soon get a facelift in order to be promoted as an Eco-tourism spot.
Close to 60 species of migratory birds are spotted in the bank of this lake, which is going to attract bird enthusiasts and tourists alike.
Velrampet Lake is one of the important surviving water bodies in the union territory. Continue reading Eco-tourism boost for Velrampet lake
Andhra Pradesh to start helicopter service in Tirupati
December 3 (TravelAndy): India’s Andhra Pradesh state is planning to introduce helicopter rides for tourists visiting the pilgrimage town Tirupati, said The Hindu.
The price for approximately 7-10 minutes ride is yet to be announced.
The services are slated to begin by the end February, 2016. The Shilpa Ram helipad in Tirupati is expected to be ready by then. Continue reading Andhra Pradesh to start helicopter service in Tirupati
Kerala to develop tea estate tourism
October 23 (TraverlAndy): India’s backwater state Kerala is working towards developing tea estate tourism in Priyadarshini tea plantation in the Wayanad district, said The Hindu.
The tea estate, which has had a soft opening, is slated to be officially inaugurated in November.
The government has already set up a recreational park with tribal murals, an amphitheater, adventure tourism activities such as trekking, nature trails, night camping, mountain biking, and swimming facilities, to attract tourists. Continue reading Kerala to develop tea estate tourism
Puducherry to develop own Marina Beach
October 18 (TravelAndy): India’s union territory, Puducherry has decided to develop its Vambakeerappalayam beach near the Puducherry light house, into a tourist destination, said reports.
“The beach has to be converted to a place where people with their families can come and spend their evenings. Buses should be operated to the beach and tourists can be taken free of cost for one week and later by fixing a ticket fare,” Kiran Bedi, Lt. Governor of Puducherry was quoted as saying.
The beach will developed into a Marina beach, which will bear similarity with Marina beach in Chennai. It has been rechristened as ‘Pondy Mareena’. Continue reading Puducherry to develop own Marina Beach
Helicopter tourism plan for Kodaikanal
August 23 (TravelAndy): In order to draw more tourists, the Kodaikanal hill town, in India’s Tamil Nadu state, is gearing up to start its first Helicopter services for tourists, said reports.
A site has been identified by the state government near Vilpatti in Kodaikanal for the purpose. Facilities and feasibility options are presently being reviewed.
Once the authorities give their nod regarding the suitability of Vilpatti, helicopter services will begin immediately. Continue reading Helicopter tourism plan for Kodaikanal
Fort Kochi to become disabled-friendly
August 22 (TravelAndy): The authorities are planning to develop Fort Kochi in the south Indian state of Kerala as disable-friendly tourist destination, said The New Indian Express.
On December 3, 2016, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the state plans to officially announce Fort Kochi as the first disable-friendly tourist spot in India.
The plan has been afloat since 2013, which is expected to be completed by December, this year. Continue reading Fort Kochi to become disabled-friendly
Telangana plans tourist accommodation inside a jail
August 9 (TravelAndy): India’s youngest state Telangana is all set launch jail tourism in its Sanga Reddy heritage jail and museum, said reports.
This is going to be an innovative thing, where visitors will be able to rent a cell inside the 219 years old heritage jail, for accommodation. Moreover, tourists accommodating in the prison will be served the same food, which is served to the prison inmates.
Additionally, the tourists will follow the same schedule followed by prisoners, during their stay. This will give them the real feel of staying in a jail. Continue reading Telangana plans tourist accommodation inside a jail