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The dice is set: Casino games rolls from The Royal Plaza.............
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4th Lampokhari Tourist Festival to be held on April 3rd & 4rd...........
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TAAS attends conference for promotion of tourism in NE States.............
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Pench National Park boasts of the highest density of herbivores in India..........
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Sikkim tourism to race along mountains from Friday.................
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Heavy snowfall forces tourists to return back.................
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Aperture Culture to showcase works of ST Wangdi.................
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The dice is set: Casino games rolls from The Royal Plaza [top of page]
Casino Sikkim
Venue: The Royal Plaza
Timings: 6 pm to 4 am
Games: 10 slot machines
2 Roulette tables
1 Flush table
1 Baccarat table
1 Blackjack table
Age limit: 18 years and above
Hawk eye: Specialized team from Nepal
Gangtok, March 1: Take a bow, Nepal. Step aside, Goa. Make away for
the new royal player. Sikkim on Sunday evening became the first and only
State in the entire length and breadth of the nation when State tourism
minister RB Subba set the roulette rolling from the ‘Casino Sikkim’ at The
Royal Plaza here today evening adding yet another ‘first’ to the glittering
tourism crown of Sikkim.
This ‘first’ is Sikkim now officially rounding off a slew of national
tourism awards with ‘the first land based live casino’ in the entire length
of breadth of the nation.
During this momentous step towards attracting ‘high rollers’ to Sikkim, the
tourism minister said that the casino at The Royal Plaza should have its
impact in promoting high-end tourists.
“The effect will be good”, said Mr. Subba during a brief interaction with
SIKKIM EXPRESS after the launching ceremony. However, the casino is
presently on a trial basis and we have to wait and see on the overall
impact, he added.
Mr. Subba reminded that there has been an annual increase of 20 percent in
the inflow of tourists to Sikkim in the recent years. And of course, there
are other players more waiting on the wings for casino business in the
State. Seven applications for opening up casinos are pending with the State
government, Mr. Subba said after making a brief tour of the casino hall of
The Royal Plaza. Former Chief Minister SM Limboo was also present during the
opening ceremony. “It is soft opening. We are investing Rs. 30 crores more
to have a full-fledged casino in a bigger room in the next 3 months”, said
Naresh Subba, director of The Royal Plaza, a part of the Teesta Rangit
group.
“I am really looking forward to attract high rolling clients and that will
depend in the Pakyong airport whose Bhoomi puja had been done yesterday. The
airport is scheduled to be completed by two years which is ample time for me
to market my casino”, said a confident Subba. The director said Rs. 70
crores would be invested to expand The Royal Plaza, which has presently 60
rooms. I am adding 40 more rooms with other amenities like swimming polls
and indoor movie hall, he said.
Presently the casino has ten slot machines, two roulette tables, one
blackjack table, one baccarat table and a flush table manned and operated by
a specialized and experienced team from Nepal. The casino is open daily from
6 pm to 4 am. The Teesta Rangit Private Ltd has tied up Kishore Silwal who
runs 3 casinos in Nepal for technical tie up for the Casino Sikkim.
Expectedly, the tables and machines were packed with enthusiastic players,
many of whom were first timers.
It may be recalled that the State government on November 13 last year had
authorized Teesta Rangit Private Ltd for installation and operation of
casino games at the premises of its luxury hotel, The Royal Plaza.
The permission granted by the State government is a provisional license that
enables the Royal Plaza to run casino till it is fully classified as a five
star hotel by the Ministry of Tourism.
Original license will be issued to Royal Plaza only after it fulfils the
norms of a five star hotel within 5 years as per the guidelines of the
Ministry of Tourism.
The Sikkim government had set the dice rolling when it notified the Sikkim
Casino Games (Control and Taxes) Rules, 2007 thereby inviting interested
parties for setting up casinos in the State.
Till this period, only Goa had allowed casinos in India that too
electronically controlled. The objective of the State government was to
attract high end domestic and foreign tourists with the casino bid which had
already created ripples in the hospitality sector both national and
internationally.
Apart from carving a niche for itself as a major tourism player, Sikkim
government stands to gain with an amount of Rs. 1.5 crores which will be
paid by The Royal Plaza as taxes in the next 5 years.
Source: Sikkim express
Date: 1st March, '09
4th Lampokhari Tourist Festival to be held on April 3rd & 4rd [top of page]
Gangtok, March 3: The 4th Lampokhari Tourist Festival is scheduled to
be held on April 3 and 4, 2009.
This was decided today in a general meeting of all the members of
Aritar-Dalapchand Lampokhari Development Society, which was held under the
chairmanship of SDM Rongli at the Lampokhari premises.
An
organizing committee was formed with SDM Rongli as ex-officio chairman.
After threadbare discussion and shortcomings of the last 3rd Lampokhari
Tourism Festival, the meeting decided to include Khangchendzonga Body
Building Championship and Baby Show in the usual list of festivities this
year, said a press statement.
Source: Sikkim express
Date: 4th March.09
|
TAAS attends conference for promotion of tourism in NE States [top of page]
Gangtok, March 8: A nine-member TAAS (Travel Agents Association
of Sikkim) delegation had recently attended a conference and interaction
programme in Guwahati with officials of Ministry of Tourism and other
Tourism Stake Holders of Assam for the promotion of tourism in entire
eight North Eastern States, informs a press release. Source: Sikkim express Date: 8th March, '09 |
Packages to explore Rajasthan with RTDC [top of page]
Rajasthan - an
exotic and wonderful land that captivates people from all around the world
with its magnificent cities, mysterious forts and splendid palaces. And not
to forget the colorful people residing here who have poured in a continuous
stream of legends and folklores, craft, music and architecture into the
lives of millions around.
Rajasthan Tourism welcomes you to this land of colors. With its various
package tours, discover this land of living traditions and carry back
memories to cherish lifelong. RTDC has come out with a spate of lucrative
travel options for the traveler. On offer are an array of package tours to
Rajasthan like religious tours, adventure tours, wildlife trips, and
historical tours etc.
There are around 25 different package tours to explore Rajasthan. The
longest tour lasts 17 days titled "Rajasthan Exclusive" covering places via
Delhi-Mukundgarh-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Ranakpur-Udaipur-Kota,
Pushkar-Jaipur-Bharatpur- Agra- Delhi minimum for couple (terms and
conditions applicable.) By availing the package, one can, not only aim to
get the maximum of Rajasthan in minimum time, but also cherish the
experience altogether.
Rajasthan - an exotic and wonderful land that captivates people from all
around the world with its magnificent cities, mysterious forts and splendid
palaces. And not to forget the colorful people residing here who have poured
in a continuous stream of legends and folklores, craft, music and
architecture into the lives of millions around.
Rajasthan Tourism welcomes you to this land of colors. With its various
package tours, discover this land of living traditions and carry back
memories to cherish lifelong. RTDC has come out with a spate of lucrative
travel options for the traveler. On offer are an array of package tours to
Rajasthan like religious tours, adventure tours, wildlife trips, and
historical tours etc.
There
are around 25 different package tours to explore Rajasthan. The longest tour
lasts 17 days titled "Rajasthan Exclusive" covering places via Delhi-Mukundgarh-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Ranakpur-Udaipur-Kota,
Pushkar-Jaipur-Bharatpur- Agra- Delhi minimum for couple (terms and
conditions applicable.) By availing the package, one can, not only aim to
get the maximum of Rajasthan in minimum time, but also cherish the
experience altogether.
Source: Online Indian News.
Date: 10th March, '09
Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh Tourism
[top
of page]
Today Bandhavgarh,
in Madhya Pradesh, India, has the highest density of tigers in the world
making it just the best tourism destination. Bandhavgarh National Park is
one place where you certain of seeing a tiger in its natural habitat. It is
in this valley where white tiger was found.
Certainly the best jungle resort in India is GTV Resort, which is the best
with a lot of facilities. Spread in the land of the Royal Baghela
Destiny, the resort offers excellent lawns surroundings with beautiful
gardens and bamboo's.
The accommodation have a attached toilet of international sanitation
standard with 24 hours hot & cold water ( Wood fired geysers), beds having
curl on (Sponge) cushion in length as long as per international standards.
Gracious hospitality and efficient services goes at GTVResort. The interiors
are done with a royal comfort.
Today Bandhavgarh, in Madhya Pradesh, India, has the highest density of
tigers in the world making it just the best tourism destination. Bandhavgarh
National Park is one place where you certain of seeing a tiger in its
natural habitat. It is in this valley where white tiger was found.
Certainly the best jungle resort in India is GTV Resort, which is the best
with a lot of facilities. Spread in the land of the Royal Baghela Destiny,
TALA KOTHAR, TALUKA-BANDHAVGARH, RULED BY THE LATE RULERS OF THE REWA
STATE , the resort offers excellent lawns surroundings with beautiful
gardens and bamboo's.
The
accommodation have a attached toilet of international sanitation standard
with 24 hours hot & cold water ( Wood fired geysers), beds having curl on
(Sponge) cushion in length as long as per international standards. Gracious
hospitality and efficient services goes at GTVResort. The interiors are done
with a royal comfort.
Source: Online Indian News.
Date: 10th March09.
Pench National Park boasts of the highest density of herbivores in India [top of page]
Winning the
national award for the best-maintained tourist-friendly national park in
2007-08, Pench Tiger Reserve comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench
National Park, the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and a buffer. Pech National Park
boasts of the highest density of herbivores in India (90.3 animals per sq
km).
The Park is
located in the Satpura ranges of Central India. The river Pench, which runs
through the Park, is its lifeline. A few perennial springs also exist.
Recently a number of earthen ponds and shallow wells have been developed
leading to well distributed sources of water all around the reserve.
The Land of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, the terrain of Pench Tiger Reserve is undulating with gentle flat-topped slopes that offer fine vistas of the forests around. The best known of these is 'Kalapahar' at an altitude of 650 mts.
The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from
moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. Over 1200 species of
plants have been recorded from the area including several rare and
endangered plants as well as plants of ethno-botanical importance. The high
habitat heterogeneity favours a high population of Chital and Sambar.
The
area is especially famous for large herds of Gaur (Indian Bison), Cheetal,
Sambar, Nilgai, Wild Dog and Wild Pig. Predators include the Tiger followed
by the Leopard, Wild Dog and Wolf. The Park is also the habitat of the Sloth
Bear, Chousingha, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Jackal, Fox, Palm Civet, Small
Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Porcupine, etc....
Winning the
national award for the best-maintained tourist-friendly national park in
2007-08, Pench Tiger Reserve comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench
National Park, the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and a buffer. Pech National Park
boasts of the highest density of herbivores in India (90.3 animals per sq
km).
The Park is
located in the Satpura ranges of Central India. The river Pench, which runs
through the Park, is its lifeline. A few perennial springs also exist.
Recently a number of earthen ponds and shallow wells have been developed
leading to well distributed sources of water all around the reserve.
The Land of
Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, the terrain of Pench Tiger Reserve is
undulating with gentle flat-topped slopes that offer fine vistas of the
forests around. The best known of these is 'Kalapahar' at an altitude of 650
mts. The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from
moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. Over 1200 species of
plants have been recorded from the area including several rare and
endangered plants as well as plants of ethno-botanical importance. The high
habitat heterogeneity favours a high population of Chital and Sambar.
The area is
especially famous for large herds of Gaur (Indian Bison), Cheetal, Sambar,
Nilgai, Wild Dog and Wild Pig. Predators include the Tiger followed by the
Leopard, Wild Dog and Wolf. The Park is also the habitat of the Sloth Bear,
Chousingha, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Jackal, Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian
Civet, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Porcupine, etc.
There are
over 285 species of resident and migratory birds including the Malabar Pied
Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Osprey, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, White-eyed
Buzzard, etc. In winter thousands of migratory waterfowl including Brahmini
Duck, Pochards, Barheaded Geese, Coots, etc., crowd the tanks and the
reservoir within the Park. Four species of the now endangered Vultures -
white-rumped, longbilled, white scavenger and king vulture - exist in good
number. Other fauna include 50 species of fishes, 10 amphibians, 30
reptiles, 45 butterflies, 54 moths and numerous insects.(T.I.O)
Source: Online Indian News.
Date: 10th March, '09.
Sikkim tourism to race along mountains from Friday
2nd Khangchendzonga Mountain Biking expedition offers $25,000 US as prize
money [top
of page]
Gangtok, March 17: Armed with a slew of national awards and a growing list
of tourism clientele, Sikkim Tourism is set to race ahead from this Friday
with the second edition of Khangchendzonga Mountain Biking expedition
ushering in another year of hectic tourism activities for the hilly State.
Maintaining
its sobriquet as ‘an expedition to conquer the Himalayas’, the second
edition of Khangchendzonga Mountain Biking expedition will see cyclists
cross the length and breadth of the Himalayan state at climatic zones
ranging from tropical in south and east districts to alpine in north and
west districts in rough terrain and steep inclinations. The participants
will cover a total distance of around 499.1 kms during the meet. Three new
itineraries have been added to the biking circuit. They are Yangang, Uttarey
and Rinchepong.
The expedition will be flagged off from Gangtok on March 20. So far 54
participants including several foreigners have confirmed their
participations. Those confirming their participation are 16 cyclists from
Indian Amateur, 25 from the Indian Army, 8 from the India Air Force, 20 from
the Nepal, six from USA, 2 from Singapore and one each from Vietnam and Sri
Lanka.
Sikkim has 7 participants in the expedition. Registration by interested
persons is allowed till March 19. “The stage race is designed with short but
challenging days to allow participants to explore the country in a way long
days on the bike never could. If you are a cyclist and ready for an
experience unmatched by any other, begin preparing yourself for this
opportunity to explore a part of the world few have ever touched”, reads a
promotional feature in the official website of the expedition.
The expedition is
being organized by the State tourism department in association with Sikkim
Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
A booty of $25,000 US is being offered as prize money for the participants
in the meet in various categories like individual (men and women) and team
events.
Source: Sikkim Express
Date: 18th March, '09.
Sikkim’s first International Award in Tourism
Sikkim wins PATWA International award at ITB Berlin 2009
[top
of page]
Gangtok, March 19:
Adding another feather to its cap, Sikkim Tourism has bagged yet another
award, making its debut at international recognition. Sikkim won prestigious
Pacific Area Travel Writers’ Association (PATWA) award as Best Tourism State
during the ITB fair held at Berlin, Germany from March 11-15. ITB Berlin is
the largest travel event in the world.
The PATWA International Award ceremony was attended by large number of
diplomats, State Professionals, Ministers of Tourism and Media from all over
the world.
Deputy Director (I&P), Sikkim Department, Nirmala Rasaily said the award was
given out by Sujit Banerjee, Secretary Tourism, Government of India, the
chief guest during the function.
“Sikkim has come a long way in promotion of tourism and has earned a
prominent place in the global tourism map,” she said in a press release.
This award has gained an international acclaim for the State of Sikkim, the
release said adding that the combined effort of the State Government and the
stakeholders has contributed a great deal towards the achievement of this
recognition.
The recognition will also encourage all the people involved in tourism
promotion to further work towards qualitative tourism promotion, the release
further said. The department has also thanked all its stakeholders, tourism
committees and NGOs for their continuous support in making Sikkim one of the
most popular tourist destinations. PATWA, the biggest travel writers’
organization representing members from all over the world aims to promote
professional development of Travel Writing and Travel Communication, which
makes invaluable contribution in the promotion of tourism. PATWA will
support the fundamental objectives of efforts for tourism and at the same
time it maintains adherence to the fundamental principles of the UNESCO,
United Nation and of the UN World Tourism Organization.
Source: Sikkim Express
Date: 20th March, '09.
Heavy snowfall forces tourists to return back
Army, Sikkim Police, TAAS, JN Road Taxi Drivers Association coordinates
evacuation process [top
of page]
Gangtok, March 20: Heavy snowfall that had choked
the Jawaharlal Nehru road making traveling dangerous forced hundreds of
tourists to return back to Gangtok without reaching their dream spots of
Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir.
The Nathu La Pass had already been closed for tourists from yesterday
following the continuous snowfall. Sikkim Police and Indian Army personnel
manning the mountainous corridor at the border area pushed back the batch of
149 vehicles loaded with tourists considering their safety. The vehicles had
managed to reach 1 km away from Tsomgo Lake when heavy snowfall between 10
am to 11 am blocked the road for almost one hour leaving the tourists
standard.
It may be recalled that 85 tourists had been similarly standard on March 18
due to heavy snowfall. The tourists had been rescued and evacuated back to
their hotels in Gangtok by a commendable rescue initiative of the Indian
Army and Sikkim Police stationed in these high altitude areas.
Meanwhile, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) led by its president
Paljor Lachunpa had immediately rushed for rescue works after learning that
tourists were stranded below Tsomgo Lake. However, the TAAS members
stationed themselves at the 3rd Mile check post as the Army and Sikkim
Police were already sending back the tourists.
Monitoring the evacuation process of the tourists, PI Ongmu Tshering Bhutia
told reporters at 3rd Mile check post that it is responsibility of every
Sikkimese to provide all assistance to the tourists. She said that the
present situation was due to the sudden change in the climate. “It is our
responsibility to provide security to both domestic and foreign tourists
visiting Sikkim. We are working constantly to extend all help and security
to the tourists. However, tourists may face problems on occasions when there
is a sudden change in the climate”, said PI Bhutia.
PI
Bhutia said that Sikkim police personnel stationed from 3rd Mile check post
up to Sherathang, TAAS and JN Road Taxi Drivers Association have played
equally important roles along with the Indian Army in rescuing and safely
evacuating the trapped tourists. She said that from tomorrow the vehicles
going up to Tsomgo-Nathu La tourism spots will be allowed to pass only after
8 pm after considering the weather conditions. Till today, the vehicles were
allowed to pass from 7 am. Meanwhile, the State tourism department has said
that rest houses will be constructed at various places along the JN Road
keeping in view of the regular incidents of tourists left standard due to
snowfall and other natural reasons.
“If suitable
lands are found, we will set up rest houses at various spots along the road
leading to Tsomgo and Nathu La Pass after the completion of the election
process”, said State tourism secretary SBS Bhaduria. Tourists are our guests
and it is our responsibility to take care of them, he said.
Presently, it is been left to the Indian Army stationed along the border
areas to provide shelter and food to the standard tourists as the Army has
sufficient manpower and infrastructure to execute the rescue works without
any major fuss. Equally important rescue and evacuation works are conducted
by Sikkim Police stationed at various places from 3rd Mile check post up to
Sherathang near the Nathu La border and by TAAS. It may be recalled that
1343 tourists had been standard at Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La areas on
December 26 last year due to sudden heavy snowfall. The trapped tourists had
been given shelter, food and medical care by the Indian Army before they
were safely evacuated the next day in a combined operation by the Army,
Sikkim Police and TAAS. State tourism department has thanked the Indian
Army, Sikkim Police, TAAS and JN Road Taxi Drivers Association in helping
the standard tourists.
Source: Sikkim Express
Date: 21st March, '09.
Governor inaugurates Sikkim Flower Festival
[top
of page]
Gangtok, March 21: Governor BP Singh today inaugurated Sikkim Flower
Festival 2009 at the White Hall complex here. He was accompanied by the
first lady Karuna Singh.
After taking a round of the flower pavilion, Mr Singh applauded the efforts
of the organizing team for displaying many varieties of orchids under one
roof. “I thank the organizers for organizing the festival. One should hear
them whisper to enrich one’s sense of beauty and living in harmony with the
nature,” he added.
While
talking to SIKKIM EXPRESS, the chairman of the organizing committee ST
Lachungpa said 200 species of wild orchids and 60 hybrid varieties have been
kept for the exhibition. As usual, the flower exhibition has participants
from Darjeeling, Mirik, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Sikkim. “This time there has
been better participation from aspiring florists from Sikkim,” Mr. Lachungpa
said.
Also, a number of awards have been kept for the winners in different
categories in the state level competition to be announced shortly.The State
agriculture minister Somnath Poudyal, RM&DD minister KN Rai, MP, Lok Sabha
Nakul Rai, Chief Secretary ND Chingapa, DGP CM Ravindran, heads of
departments along with students from schools in and around Gangtok also
attended the inaugural function.
Source: Sikkim Express
Date: 22nd March, 09.
Jantar Mantar To Be World Heritage Site Soon [top of page]
Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is going to be a World Heritage Site soon. The decision has been taken by the teams of UNESCO and Archaeological Survey of India jointly. Jantar Mantar is one of the five astronomical observatories in west central India that includes multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. After Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur), Jantar Mantar would be the second site from Rajasthan to be listed as the World Heritage Site. The former joined the league in 1985.
According to director of archaeology and museums B L Gupta, the final report will be submitted soon for its inclusion in the list. It is noteworthy that due to the immense academic value attached to it, the 300-year-old monument daily attracts about 5,000 tourists including architects, artists and art historians from all over the world. The decision of its inclusion in the list however comes as a consequence of the World Heritage Committee's decision, which requested the director of the World Heritage Centre to explore further the thematic initiative "Astronomy and World Heritage" as a means to promote, in particular, nominations which identify and celebrate achievements in science.
Source: BharatOnline.com
Date: 22ndMarch, '09
French tour operators set to visit Sikkim
[top
of page]
Gangtok, March 21: A delegation of tour operators from France is set
to visit Sikkim for a five day tour starting from coming Monday. A press
note informs that the FAM Tour of French tour operators will arrive at
Sikkim on March 23 for the five day tour. During the visit, the tour
operators are likely to call the Chief Minister besides meeting other
tourism stakeholders of Sikkim to discuss important issues on promotion of
Sikkim as a tourist State in the European markets.
The
release informs that the foreign team is visiting Sikkim on the request made
by Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO) way back in
September last year during the organization participation at Topesra Travel
Mart at Paris.
The
SAATO team had also met various tour operators of Europe in Paris in
presence of Deputy High Commissioner of India and other dignitaries, the
release informs.
During the convention Sikkim team had made a beautiful presentation on
‘Green Sikkim’, which had received much appreciation and awakened keen
interests from the delegates.
As a result of which the FAM Tour of French Tour Operators have agreed and
confirmed their arrival to visit Sikkim, the release adds.
Source: Sikkim Express
Date: 22nd March, '09.
Aperture Culture to showcase works of ST Wangdi [top of page]
Gangtok, March 20: Aperture Culture has announced
to display works by one of its core group members, Sonam T Wangdi starting
from March 21 at Rachna Books here.
“In focus: works of ST Wangdi” will be on display till April 4 between 11 am
to 6 pm. This will be Aperture Culture’s second consignment of photographic
exhibition.
A press release informs that the initiative has been encouraged by the
overwhelming support and encouraged by the interest shown by the public.
Wangdi,
who had been travelling for most part of the second half of 2008, has come
back with a treasury of some extraordinary landscape photography for public
viewing, says the release. Of the 17 shots that are to go on display are as
varied as Wangdi’s destinations themselves. Rachna Books and Publications
have invited everyone to witness the show,
“Having travelled to a range of some very exotic places, not all easy to
reach, Wangdi has brought back to us, photos from trails leading to the
Everest Base camp, Leh, Ladakh, Mustang, Manang, the Annapruna Curcuit and
the beaches of Gokurna. And to emphasize just that, the prints have been
made on a big format, mostly on metallic paper - something that required for
the print orders to go all the way to a studio in Chennai,” the release
reads.
According to the release, the first set of photos that were on display until
this week saw many eager visitors coming in. While it has certainly been a
novelty for the people in the region to have a permanent gallery, what came
as a revelation to even the Aperture Culturists themselves was the style of
photography each one seem of have developed individually. It had a few
surprises and was a learning experience. Some of the prints have even been
sold and a part of the proceeds go to create a fund that Aperture Culture
intends to use to promote photography in any way possible in the future, the
release adds.
Source: Sikkim Express
Date: 21st March, '09.
Tourism Ministry To Market Monsoon Tourism [top of page]
What earlier had been the lean season for the tourism industry in India is today marketed as a pretty good season for traveling by the Ministry Of Tourism. Recently, at "National Seminar on Monsoon Tourism'', Leena Nandan, joint secretary of the ministry of tourism, reported that the ministry is working with various states to develop promotional packages for monsoon season which will be announced soon. She told that foreign tourist influx in India has increased by 14.3 % within a year, so it's time to attract tourists during the lean season as well.
Prime packages offered at this time could be honeymoon packages, Ayurveda rejuvenation holidays, houseboat cruises and rain walks. Moreover, West Asia, Europe and the Unites States pose good markets for promoting monsoon tourism, she added. Ashwani Lohani, managing director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC), said that the state's beauty can be cashed in during the monsoon season. He listed out few selling points like good roads, good signages, a 24x7 control room for distressed tourists and tax incentives to entice more and more tourists during monsoons.
M P Bezbaruah, earlier tourism secretary, said in his welcome address that the monsoon rains can be a major tourist attraction in India and imaginative packaging is the key to entice tourists. Following the idea of Bezbaruah, Subhash Goyal, chairman of Stic Travels Pvt Ltd, mentioned that Goa was the first Indian state to promote tourism during the monsoon season. He proclaimed that state's hotels have 100 per cent occupancy in monsoons. Goa's monsoon initiatives, together with successful monsoon promotions by Kerala emphasizing Ayurveda packages, confirmed that it is possible to mete out with the lean season.
Source: BharatOnline.com
Date: 23rdMarch 09
Garden Tourism Festival a big draw [top of page]
New Delhi: L More than 5,000 potted plants are on display at the 22nd Garden Tourism Festival that opened at the Garden of Five Senses here on Friday.
The three-day festival, inaugurated by Delhi Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri, is expected to draw huge crowds on its last day today (Sunday).
Source: The Hindu
Date: 23rdMarch 09