IRCTC to launch tour packages to holy places - TOI

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will launch tour packages for holy places of Shirdi Dham and Shani Singhnapur, Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Dakshin Bharat Yatra.

Dakshin Bharat Yatra will begin on August 31 and end on September 11. Shirdi Dham and Shani Singhnapur Yatra will commence on September 21 and end in three days. The tour to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu will start on September 30. This tour will culminate on October 3.

All the three tour packages will commence from Kanpur Central railway station. The three tours will culminate in Kanpur.

A passenger, by paying a sum of Rs 6,156, can be a part of the Dakshin Bharat Yatra which will cover Tirupati, Rameshwaram, Madurai and Kanyakumari.

Shirdi Dham, Shani Singhnapur and Mata Vaishno Devi shrine packages are available at Rs 2,052 per passenger.

Manoj Sinha, chief regional manager, IRCTC said that the three tour packages will commence at different dates from Kanpur.

IRCTC will provide confirmed reservation. "We will also arrange accommodation and provide vegetarian food to the passengers three times a day. The passengers are not required to pay anything extra as fooding and lodging prices are included in the packages," Sinha added.

The passengers will be taken to the pre-decided tourist places in non-AC buses.

The can get the seats confirmed by contacting the IRCTC office at platform number one of Kanpur Central. The passengers can also book tour tickets online by logging on to www.railtourismindia.com.

Sinha said that seats in all the three tour packages are limited, therefore, the passengers should get the seats booked in advance.

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/IRCTC-to-launch-tour-packages-to-holy-places/articleshow/9540853.cms
Crosswoods holidays 2011

Agra promises a better deal for tourists- TOI

Agra's tourism industry is preparing for the tourist season beginning Sep 1 by launching luxury buses, upgrading monuments and even recruiting English-speaking policemen - all of which is expected to improve the appeal of the city of the Taj Mahal.


Latest figures of the financial year ended March 31, 2011, from the central tourism ministry confirm Agra is at the top position among tourist destinations in India. The Taj Mahal earned around Rs.20 crore ($4.5 mn) from sale of entrance tickets alone. It topped the list of Archaeological Survey of India's Agra circle monuments with 4.18 million Indian and 624,000 foreign tourists visiting it last year.

"Time has come to consolidate the gains and not fritter away the advantage, through increased cooperation and coordination among various government agencies and the local industry," said Rajiv Tiwari, a senior tourism industry leader.

District authorities in cooperation with the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department have finalised a number of schemes that would broadbase facilities for visitors.

Clearly, the flow of tourists has increased which is good for the city, said Rakesh Chauhan, president of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association. "One of the measures we are all set to launch this independence day is running a local tourist bus service," Amrit Abhijat, divisional commissioner, said.

Visitors will now be able to board luxurious air-conditioned specially done-up Marco Polo buses, for a tour of the city from the Agra Cantt railway station.

Four buses will take the tourists to Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, according to the regional manager of the state roadways, Neeraj Saxena. Buses will have women conductors and a woman constable.

The buses were being given a trendy look compatible with Mughal heritage, Saxena said.
Tourist guides and brochures would be provided in the buses for convenience. LCD screens will provide relevant information about the monuments. "Four villages in the district have been given 'Tourist Village' status to enable tourists to see our rural culture from a closer angle," the commissioner said.

Government departments have been asked to coordinate and provide amenities for tourists and streamline infrastructure to attract tourists to these villages. Facilities at Bateshwar ghats are being upgraded and better connectivity is being provided. Recently the Yamuna aarti like in Haridwar and Varanasi was started at Batehshwar, the birthplace of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 70 km from the city.

The state tourism department is already working on the Heritage Walk project which will enable tourists to witness the grandeur of the heritage city on foot, Abhijat said. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Aseem Arun has unveiled a package of police reforms that will not only increase the visibility of cops but also quicken their response.

Cops on sleek bikes, speaking flawless English, with the latest gadgetry will hopefully be seen around monuments to instil a sense of confidence in tourists. Funds from entrance tickets to various monuments collected by the Agra Development Authority would be used to give a makeover to the police image.
The Tourist Thana on Fatehabad road, a special police station for registering the complaints of tourists, is being given a new look.

The DIG has taken the initiative to provide five brand new cars which will patrol the monuments. The selection process for inducting smart English-knowing cops has begun.To add to the sense of security, Arun has ordered the posting of horse-mounted cops around the monuments.

Women cops on scooties are already on the move keeping an eye on eve-teasers. Police teams are being provided with latest state-of-the-art gadgets, belts, night vision cameras and laser beams.
A proposal to print helpline numbers on entrance tickets to various monuments has been green-signalled. Providing helpline numbers would better address the grievances of tourists, said hotelier Sandip Arora.


Crosswoods holidays 2011

Medical tourism industry to touch Rs 10,800 cr by 2015: Assocham

Market size of the Indian medical tourism sector is likely to more than double to Rs 10,800 crore by 2015 from Rs 4,500 crore at present, industry chamber Assocham on Friday said in its study. 

The inflow of medical tourists in India is also likely to cross 32 lakh by 2015 from the current level of 8.5 lakh, it said. 

"Top notch healthcare facilities like cardiology, joint replacement, orthopedic surgery, transplants and urology at a low price are certain key factors making India a favoured destination in terms of medical tourism," the study said. 

States like Andhara Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and New Delhi are fast emerging as India's best medical centres with several hospitals and specialty clinics coming up in the cities, it said. 

India is also offering other medical services like yoga, meditation and ayurveda, which is increasingly becoming popular as a non-surgical treatment for various ailments among the foreign patients. 

The country attracts large number of medical tourists from the Middle East, America, Europe and also from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

However, it said that the country is facing tough competition in the sector from nations like Australia, Belgium, Greece, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand that are actively promoting healthcare tourism worldwide. 

The study has proposed to develop 'Multi-Specialty Health City' on public-private partnership basis at 10 centres - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, New Delhi, Pudducherry and Pune. 

"The proposal envisages setting up super-specialty hospitals in an eco-friendly atmosphere...with highly trained English-speaking healthcare professionals at affordable price," it added. 

Both central and state governments need to play key role in setting up these centres.

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Tamil Nadu Tour and Tourism: For an Unforgettable Experience: Sofia jaiswal

It is a delighting visitor’s place of South India. It is sought by points of visitors every year. People visit here to see its mysterious wildlife, hottest beaches, wonderful hill stations, charming temples and many more things. It is universally well known place amidst tourists for spending pleasant holidays. The convolute attraction of ancient culture and vogue attractions calls on scores of tourists to this place from several parts of the globe. The well-known attractions of Taamilnadu are:

Kodaikanal

It is a destination for idealistic holiday in South India. It is sanctified with awesome charm of Raj-era Bungalows, blue-green Vegai Plain, blossoming gardens and breezy atmosphere. Completely several a times, the destination is being explored by tourist who wants to take pleasure in the adventure of para-gliding and hang-gliders. The assumable analysis might be its skyward altitude, which measures more than two thousands.

Kanniyakumari

It is explained as the land’s end of this country, the southernmost end of this state, or the point where the three seas meet or Cape Comorin is one of the well known tourist destination in the state. Climate is so impressive at this place that numerous other beaches of India pale by comparison. It looks as if it is by earlier arrangement.

Thiruvannamalai

It is situated at the hoof of a hill from Chennai. It is one of the bigger shrine centers in this country. There are many distinct shrines were sanctified to lord Siva for worshipping him in the form of five elements of namely, nature, earth, water, wind, ire and ether. The Arunachaleshwara shrine in this place is one of them and Siva is worshipped in the form of fire.

Vellore

It is presently beating with bustle as a departmental, commercial, educational and medical centre.

It had the perquisite of being the reclining of the many kingdoms. It evolved into a busily city gradually since the 6th century changing the rulers and growing in importance. It has well known Christian Medical College and Hospital where patients from all angles of the globe get advanced medical treatment.

Madurai

It is reputed as Athens of the East; it is a destination of important historical and amazing cultural importance. It is the oldest city in this state and it lies on the edge of the well known River Vaigai. It is one of the energetic cities in South India it was generally reputed as Kadambavanam or the "forest of Kadamba" or the Nauclea kadamba.

Mamallapuram

It has reserved its integrity in stone. It is amidst the best extraordinary samples of Dravidian art and architecture and a jewel in the crown of this state. It grapes its own, and settles as a silent yet eloquent witness to the glory of its creators. The wonderful dance festival of this place is celebrated every year during winter season. The dance happens during the weekends.

If you think out a journey to South India enjoy this state as it is full of amazing attractions.


Article Source: http://travel.ezinemark.com/tamil-nadu-tour-and-tourism-for-an-unforgettable-experience-7d2fb50ea16b.html

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Foreign Tourist Arrivals To India Jumped 24.2 per cent: Gagan Sharma

According to Tourism Ministry, foreign tourist arrivals to India in 2010 jumped 24.2. per cent. Tourist arrivals in India reached 17.9 million in 2010 comparing to 14.4 million in 2009.


Tourism was helped by the advertising campaigns in several countries as well the road shows in major cities around the world by the Tourism Ministry of India.

The prospect of Indian tourism looks good following the 2 years slump due to the global recession and Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Domestic tourism too soared 10.7 per cent to 740 million in 2010.

Despite the strong growth, rising cost of travel in India remains a big concern for the Tourism Industry. Hotels rate are rising quite sharply across India. Tourism Ministry believes that shortage of 150,000 to 170,000 as major reason for the spike in hotels tariff.

Rising travel cost comparing to other Asian countries like Thailand, China and Malaysia not only threatens foreign tourist arrivals but domestic tourism as well. High prices of hotels and airfare to Goa has turned hundreds of tourists from North India to spend vacation in Thailand.
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Free and Paid Press Release Distribution: PRSafe.com – Bharat Book Bureau - Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)

As per new research report “Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)”, the Asian medical tourism industry revenue is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 20% during 2010-2013. Asian countries, such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand have been pouring investments into their healthcare infrastructure to meet the demand for supreme quality-assured medical care through first-class facilities and highly trained medical specialists, including tertiary hospital care.

Free and Paid Press Release Distribution: PRSafe.com – Bharat Book Bureau - Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)

Crosswoods holidays 2011

ICPB, SKICC join hands to promote convention tourism Smaller: GK News

Srinagar, July 30: The Indian Convention Promotion Board (ICPB) and Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) have joined hands to promote Kashmir as a destination for convention tourism.

The board during a recent visit here was impressed with the facilities at the SKICC which they considered fit for conventions. 

The ICPB, a joint effort between the private and public sectors, propagates India’s ability to hold conventions and conferences of all shapes and sizes.

Conceived 24 years ago, and sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, ICPB today is the only travel industry body that can boast of participation from the entire Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry with members from central and state governments, hotels, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, exhibition suppliers, professional conference organizers, event managers, educational institutions and more, a statement here said.

What makes ICPB unique is this cross segment membership base. “This allows for dynamism in how we collectively market India as a MICE destination as well as for buy-in from the all stakeholders from the entire travel industry,” it said.

The ICPB is chaired by Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Director General of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism Government of India with the support of 14 private sector members on the Governing board.

Meanwhile, the board held an interactive session today with eminent dignitaries from the tourism department including Minister of Tourism and Culture, J&K Nawang Rigzin Jora and MOS Home and Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani at SKICC here. 

Director SKICC, Dr G N Qasba on that occasion presented the welcome address and introduced the ICPB members.

Others present included Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atul Dhullu and Director Tourism Kashmir Farooq Shah. 

Jora urged members of the tour and travel community and the hoteliers present to be proactive and said that all those involved with tourism must work together as a body to help improve the livelihood of those dependant on travel and tourism as they are all common stakeholders of this industry.

“MICE tourism should be given prominent focus while looking at newer areas of business expansion for the tourism industry. 

The ICPB board was represented by Rajeev Kohli – Vice Chairman ICPB and Joint Managing Director Creative Travel

Chander Mansharamani – Hony Treasurer ICPB and Managing Director Alpcord Events
Sudip Sinha, Board Member and Head MICE, International Travel House
Naveen Chibber, Board Member and General Manager Orient Express Travels & Tours
Ritu Chawla, Board Member and Air India
Deepali Bhatia, Board Member and North India Head MICE Taj Group of Hotels
Rajesh Khanna, Board Member and Executiev Director, Sales & Marketing  Ambercombie & Kent

The ICPB has agreed to bring in international trainers on MICE to help train and build skills of the local tourism and travel community which will go a long way in enhancing the opportunities of Kashmir to attract MICE business.

Crosswoods holidays 2011