Eco-friendly Colors to Night Tourism in West Bengal
The Kolkata night life will soon throb with music and the sights and sounds of history. The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) is preparing to take up a project to overhaul the existing son-et-lumiere at Victoria Memorial and replace it with an “intelligent 
dynamic light-and-sound show”. The newage eco-friendly system will have low power consumption, generate less heat, save energy and have a longer shelf life.
Also on the anvil are illumination of four heritage buildings Nakhoda mosque, Town Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral and Dakshineswar temple. Add to that another son-et-lumiere show at the Park Street Cemetery for which talks have started. Here, plans are to organize a light-and-sound show with a narrative on the city’s history, that of the cemetery and the personalities buried there.
Kamat Hotels to develop heritage hotels in Odisha
Kamat Hotels India Ltd (KHIL) has signed a lease agreement of sixty years with Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). Likewise, Kamat Hotels has acquired the heritage palace ‘Mahodadhi Niwas’ in Puri and also the Eco Resort at Ramchandi, in Konark, in addition to the Parikud Palace and Rambha Palace, which are located near the Chilka Lake.
Of the three heritage properties acquired by Kamat Hotels, Mahodadhi Niwas opened for business on November 28, 2009. In the first phase, Mahodadhi offers 12 rooms and an additional 60 are expected to be developed over the next phase. KHIL is presently involved in restoring Parikud and Rambha Palaces, which will be commissioned in a phased manner in 2010.
Update 1: Manipur Tourism Festival 2009 – showcasing rich Manipuri culture
Manipur Tourism Festival 2009 has started with fanfare on Friday at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal.
The festival is one of the main platforms to display the uniqueness of the culture of Manipur. Manipur festival aims at promoting tourism in the north-east by showcasing the richness of the Manipuri culture and heritage, by portraying its art and culture and exhibiting crafts, indigenous sports along with tourist spots of the state.
In all, 300 stalls including representatives from outside the state have participated in the festival. The most attractive aspect of the festival this time is the participation from Thailand.
Manipur Tourism Festival 2009 in a New Look
The Manipur Tourism Festival 2009 is going to be held at the Hatta Kangjeibung ( Palace ground), Imphal East from December 10 to 19.
Highlights of this year`s festival:
- Showcasing of extreme sports like BMX cycles
- Demonstration cum friendly competition will be held by the expert cyclists from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, apart from local talents
- Adventure tours: cycles expedition from Imphal to Ukhrul, Siroy Lily and Dzuko valley areas will be held.
- Different items of foods including from Myanmar are also going to be made available at different stalls.
- Indigenous sports like Polo (Sagol Kangjei) will be played
- Display of famous dances like Raj Leela and other tribal dances
Easier clearance for hotel projects with Hospitality Development and Promotion Board
The tourism ministry has planned setting up of a single window clearance system under the guidance of the Hospitality Development and Promotion Board (HDPB). 
The HDPB Board, to be established will streamline permissions and clearances required for the hotel industry. Currently, 64 clearances that are required to set up a hotel.
The proposal is in the final stages and waiting for approval from the cabinet secretariat.
The decision comes at a time when India is under pressure to meet accommodation demands for Commonwealth Games 2010. With an estimated 30,000 rooms required, hotels have only contributed about 10,000 rooms.
Andaman and Nicobar islands to promote eco-friendly tourism
The Andaman and Nicobar govt has decided to develop 36 beach sites on the islands.
‘Action has been taken to develop three sites in outer islands – Hut Bay, Neil island and Lalji Bay under PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode,’ Lt. Gen. (retired) Bhopinder Singh, the lieutenant governor of the union territory, said in an official statement here.
He also announced setting up of the country’s first ever marina in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
‘The islands administration has started some unique projects like introduction of seaplane service launched for the first time in India. The administration will set up canopy walkways, luxury cottages, and procure luxury boats to attract high-end tourists. Plans are afoot to start more sound and light shows and setting up de-compressions chambers for scuba drivers in the islands in the near future,’ he said. Continue Reading →