Whale Shark Conservation Campaign in Gujarat coast
As a part of CSR Tata Chemical has funded a research programme to study shark migration in Gujarat coast. This will boost Gujarat coast as toursit spot for watching whale sharks. Around 60% of the whale sharks visiting Gujarat coast are female sharks and Gujarat could be one of the important breeding hub.
Foreign experts have taken up a research project to study feasibility of developing whale shark eco-tourism in the state. The research programme is being undertaken under “Whale Shark Conservation Campaign” jointly carried out by Tata Chemicals Ltd, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the forrest department of Gujarat.
“As part of the research programme, Tata Chemicals will fund Rs 2 crore for five years research programme,” said Alka Talwar, head, community development, Tata Chemicals.
A five member team of experts from Australia and US have already started working on the study. “Australia and Philippines have developed tourism based on whale sharks. However, a lot more needs to be known about the accessibility whale sharks and the duration of their stay in Gujarat waters,” said Dr. John Keesing of Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
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Gujarat Toursim Policy to be Announced
Gujarat State Govt will unveil the new tourism policy in two months.
The new policy is aimed
- to place Gujarat as a top tourist location in the world in five years
India best value-for-money destination according to Country Brand Index Survey
India is the ‘best country brand for value for money’, according to this year’s Country Brand Index (CBI) survey done by FutureBrand.
The United States bagged the top spot in overall ranking ahead of Canada and perennial favourite Australia in the online survey, which was partnered by public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel & Lifestyle Practice.
The survey, conducted among frequent international travellers from nine countries, also ranked India fourth best new country for doing business, behind Japan, US and the UK.
The survey compared 102 countries in diverse fields such as arts & culture, business, best place to raise a family, political freedom, nightlife and environmentalism.
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Kerala World’s 23rd Best Destination National Geographic Rating
Kerala has got the National Geographic rating its backwaters as the world’s 23rd 
best destination.
“We will make this new certification as our USP. We have now finished a series of road shows in Europe and our next round of road shows in Italy, France, and Australia will take place. We will make this certification our main campaign point,” Balakrishnan said.
Over the years Kerala’s tourism industry has recorded consistent growth. In 2008 there was 14.84 percent growth in tourism revenue while tourist arrivals grew 14.41 percent over 2007.
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Re-survey of Goa Beaches
Cyclone Phyan has made topographical alterations on some of the Goa’s beaches and the tourism department may consider a re-survey of affected beach 
stretches if asked for by shack applicants.
“Sand dunes have disappeared from some of the beaches in South Goa,” says Cruz Cardozo, president, Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS).
“Some of the beaches which have lost sand dunes are Colva, Benaulim, Betalbatim and Majorda,” he added.
Cardozo said that he would have to take into consideration petitions from his members affected by the topographical alterations on their beach stretches.
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ADB Loans $57.5 mn to India, Nepal, Bangladesh for Tourism
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $57.5 million in grants and loans to India, Nepal and Bangladesh to develop major tourism sites, including 
Buddhist sites.
The South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project would improve the existing infrastructure and services and develop new ones in key tourism sites in the three countries. The project is expected to be complete by September 2014, the bank said in a statement.
Beside the ADB support, governments of these countries, and the OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) Fund for International Development, would provide the remaining project cost of $89.5 million. Continue Reading →
Govt Expects Commonwealth Games will Revive Tourism in India
Expecting a large turnout of tourists during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the government said it expects the buoyancy in tourism sector would return due to the mega sporting event.
Special Package for the Christian Tourists in Orissa
In a bid to negate the adverse campaign against Orissa in the post-Kandhamal riot, the state government has offered a special package for the Christian tourists under spiritual or religious tourism.
Chandragiri – Inaguration of Monastry
Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama is expected to naugurate a monastery at Chandragiri in Gajapati district of the state where a large number of Tibetans 
have been staying.
2010 Global Travel& Tourism Summit in Beijing
WTTC has announced that China will hold the 2010 Global Travel& Tourism Summit in Beijing.
The summit will take place in Beijing on May 25-27, 2010.
Climate change will affect Goa beaches: study
Goa is the most vulnerable among coastal area, as major portion of its beaches would be submerged within a foreseeable future due to climatic changes, 
according to a scientific study.
Gujarat Tourism Summit in Ahmedabad on November 21
The government of Gujarat and Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) have organised ‘Gujarat Tourism Summit-2009′ on November 21 at a leading hotel in Ahmedabad.
OTDC special tour package for Konark Festival 2009
Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has announced a special tour 
package for those wish to visit the famous Konark Festival, which starts from December 1-5, 2009. Under the package, visitors will be taken from OTDC premises in Bhubaneswar/Puri every day to Konark by air-conditioned bus during the five-day long Festival.
Tourism sector in India during October 2009
Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism on the basis of data
received from major airports. Following are the important highlights regarding these two important indicators of tourism sector.