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February 2010

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                                    Exotic Craft Fair                                             [top of page]

http://www.tourismindiaonline.com/images/story_23/Exotic%20Craft%20Fair.jpghttp://www.tourismindiaonline.com/images/story_23/Exotic%20Craft%20Fair%202.jpg

 

                    Come February and it’s time for the Surajkund Crafts Mela which showcases some of the finest handloom, handicraft and folk art traditions of the country. This annual fair is held at Surajkund in Haryana (8 km New Delhi) during 1-15 February. Surajkund is the most popular of all the melas conducted in Haryana and attracts many tourists from all parts of the country and abroad.
Started in 1987 by Haryana Tourism, the fair aims at bringing to light the enormous talent of artisans and craftsmen from all over India as they get a chance to display their exquisite handloom and handicraft creations before a large audience. Several small thatched roof platforms are specially provided to create an authentic rustic ambience and the typical setting of a Indian rural marketplace. The fair also serves as a meeting place for talented artists, painters, weavers, sculptors and craftsmen from different parts of the country.
                    Every year, one state is selected as theme state and its handicrafts, wood crafts and other traditional crafts and works are the fair’s special highlight. Sandalwood and rosewood carvings from South India, ‘Chikri’ woodcraft of Kashmir, fine cane craft and ‘Kantha’ traditions from West Bengal and the North Eastern states, Phulkari embroidery of Punjab, ‘Banjara’ and ‘Bunni’ embroidery of Gujarat, lace and crochet from Goa and ‘Chikan’ work of Lucknow are just a few of the amazing exhibits found here.
                   A food festival showcasing the cuisine of the various states is also organised during this fortnight-long celebration. Chinese and Continental dishes can also be enjoyed at the fair. A special stall that serves the traditional food of the theme state is another attraction.
                  Vivacious folk dances and vivid theater activities at the open air theatre draw large crowds. Folk dances and musical evenings are held throughout the fortnight during the fair at the open air ‘Natyashala’. Surajkund is 8 km from South Delhi, between the villages of Baharpur and Lakkarpur. The nearest airport is at Delhi. The complex is 35 minutes drive from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and 25 km from Palam Airport. Delhi is the nearest Railway junction. Surajkund is also well connected by rail and road to Faridabad and Gurgaon. Tour coaches, tourist taxis and other public conveyance are also available to ply visitors to the mela grounds.

Source: Tourism India Online

Dated: 1st Feb.2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             Sikkim declared Eco- friendly Tourism State                                               [top of page]

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                          After Kerala, ‘God’s Own Country,’ which has proved to be a role model for other states in its tourism development, now, it is Sikkim’s turn to set an example. Thanks to the State’s unmitigated efforts at environmental protection, the Union Ministry of Tourism recently declared it an ‘Eco-friendly Tourism State.’
                          Speaking at the inauguration of an Inter-state Regional Conference of Tourism Ministers of East and North Eastern States, Kumari Selja, Union Tourism Minister said, “The Green Mission campaign of Sikkim Government to preserve the environment and forest cover is highly commendable and we are very happy to declare Sikkim as an Eco-friendly Tourism State.”
                           Ms Selja said that while drawing up tourism policies, we must not forget the fragile ecology of North Eastern States, which offer extraordinary prospects for Green Tourism. “In this direction, the Green Mission initiative of the State Government of Sikkim aiming to sustain, maintain and enrich the State’s environment and ecology is highly commendable. I urge every State and Union Territory in India to emulate this initiative,” she said. Ms Selja praised the Sikkim Government for its exemplary tourism projects, including the beautification of the Mahatma Gandhi Marg located in the heart of the capital.

Source: Tourism India Online

Dated: 5th Feb, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            Tourism promotion on a new track                                             [top of page]

 


 http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/07/images/2010020757890201.jpg

Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar.
Kerala on wheels: Through the ‘Go Kerala’ campaign, Kerala Tourism attempts to attract domestic tourists.

 

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism’s branding of the Rajdhani Express, dubbed the ‘Go Kerala’ campaign, is aimed at showcasing ‘God’s Own Country’ across the length and breadth of the country and to get an upper hand in domestic tourism circuit.

                By adorning the 17 coaches of the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Expresses with the tourist attractions unique to the State, Kerala Tourism has once again come up with innovative marketing strategies to promote its products.

Domestic tourism

A first-of-its kind of branding exercise, Kerala Tourism had gone for the venture following the reported dip in foreign tourist arrivals to the State on account of global recession. The branding of the Rajdhani Express is the first step of Kerala Tourism’s strategy to concentrate on domestic tourists.

As the train traverses Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka in its journey from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram and back, it is expected that the message will reach to more than three crore people.

The campaign will be one of the most visible undertaken by Kerala Tourism. “In terms of eyeballs, around 850,000 commuters use the railway platform daily and Go Kerala campaign is a great way to reach out to the audience,” says Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu.

Over 75 lakh domestic tourists had visited the State last year. The authorities have decided to use a major chunk of the funds this year for attracting domestic tourists to the State. Till last year, 60 per cent of the funds was used for attracting foreign tourists.

Unique experiment

As the train chugs through the stations in its long journey from the nation’s capital and back, foreigners are eager to take its photographs and to know more about the branding exercise.

“We have never seen such an experiment,” says Remevi Simone and Morie from Italy.

Source: The Hindu

Dated: 18th Feb, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      UNESCO world heritage status for Khangchendzonga BR on cards                                     [top of page]
The KBR is about to declared as UNESCO world heritage site: Bhim Dhungel


Gangtok, February 9: Spread over an area of 2619.92 sq kms in high altitude areas of Sikkim below the world third highest peak, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) would be soon included in the exclusive list of world network of biosphere reserve of UNESCO, said State forest minister Bhim Dhungel today.
                      The KBR is one of the world highest ecosystems and spreads over large tracts of high altitude areas of South, West and North districts of Sikkim. The KBR which includes Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) and several bio-diversity rich buffer zones containing majestic peaks of heights ranging from 5825 m and above, accounts for 36.92 percent of total area of Sikkim which is 7096 sq kms.
                      The KBR is about to be declared as a UNESCO heritage site which would bring global attraction to this biosphere of Sikkim, said Dhungel today here at Gangtok while releasing the posters and other promotional items for the upcoming International Rhododendron Festival slated from April 25 to May 15 at Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, North Sikkim.
                      The KBR endemic flora consists of Anemone, Uvaria, Sikkim Rhododendron and Sikkim Mahonia with exotic wildlife such as Tibetan sheep, Musk deer, Monal pheasant, and Snow partridge. Glaciers and high altitude lakes constitute an integral part of the KBR, one of the world’s highest ecosystems.
                      Sikkim government has been actively pursuing the world heritage site for KBR for the past few years and has been communicating with the Centre and UNESCO for the inclusion of KBR in the UNESCO heritage list.
                      We are confident that UNESCO will give world heritage site status to KBR this year, said Sikkim forest secretary ST Lachungpa. He said that the UNESCO has accepted the proposal of Sikkim government adding that some formalities are remaining including the recommendation of the Centre to the global body. We are expecting it to happen within 2010, said Lachungpa adding fresh communication have been received from UNESCO. Once KBR is declared as UNESCO world heritage site, Sikkim will celebrating this recognition with a Khangchendzonga tourism festival, he said.
The recognition of world heritage site status to KBR would usher in global attention to one of the world’s highest ecosystem leading to further presevation and promotion of Sikkim’s natural resource. It could also open up new fund sources for development of those villagers living in the fringe areas of the KBR besides adding a new vista in Sikkim Tourism.
                      The forest authorities here have pointed out the never ending global love for Darjeeling toy train after it was declared as a UNSECO heritage site. It is informed formal notification of a transition zone in the periphery of the buffer zones of KBR are among the formalities remaining for expediting inclusion of KBR in the world network of biosphere reserve of UNESCO. This is in progress as per the guidelines of UNESCO, it is informed. Other criteria are being adhered by the proposing agency in close coordination with GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. After completion of all the remaining formalities, a reworked project report is expected to be forwarded to the Centre and UNESCO through the Sikkim government for the declaration of KBR in the world heritage site. It may be recalled that last year in the month of June, the forest department had submitted a proposal to the State government for establishment of a transition zone in the fringe areas of KBR as the UNESCO guidelines.
                     A transition zone is required per the requirement of the statutory framework of the world network of biosphere reserves. The transition zone should be in the periphery of the buffer zone of the KBR where the management structure of the forest department comprising civil society and other stakeholders play an effective role in a participatory manner. The KBR authorities have already earmarked the transition zone in the peripheries of the buffer zone as per the UNESCO guidelines. The proposed transition zone of 455 sq kms starts from Sokpakha village of West Sikkim to cross into Muguthang of North Sikkim via Sada-Famtan and Lingi-Sokpey of South Sikkim. Around 44 villages having a population of around 35,757 fall within the proposed transition zone of KBR.
The UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) has now 553 sites in 107 countries. It may be added here that the forest department and GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development had jointly prepared a proposal report for the KBR inclusion.
                    The proposal had been approved by the State government in 2007 after which the proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forest. Subsequently the report was recommended to the UNESCO for the inclusion of KBR in the world heritage sites where the lack of a transition zone in the KBR was pointed out.

Source: Sikkim Express

Dated: 8th February, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     NE MPs demand adequate compensation for protecting Himalayan ecology                                    [top of page]


Gangtok, February 12: Asserting that the underdeveloped Northeastern region is shouldering the Himalayan environmental and bio-diversity responsibilities of the country, the Parliamentary members of the region today collectively iterated its demand for adequate compensation from the Union government.
               The role of Northeastern region has increased for protecting the nation’s biodiversity and we have been conserving our forests for clean environment and sake of humanity, said Mukut Mithi, chairman of North East MPs’ Forum (NEMPF) in his opening remarks of the one day NEMPF summit here at Gangtok.
               “We have already banned the commercial felling of trees from forests but we need to be compensated. This forum will work to demand the Centre for adequate compensation to the region”, said Mithi who is also the Rajya Sabha member from Arunachal Pradesh. Around 27 MPs from the Northeast region are participating in this one day summit. In his opening remarks, Mithi said that NEMPF has been formed to influence policy decisions of the Centre in the interests of the Northeast. This is a platform of mutual interests to deliberate in issues which impact or likely to impact the people of Northeast, he said.
                 Highlighting the importance of Northeast region which is connected with the mainstream India through the narrow strategic ‘Chicken Neck’ zone, Mithi said that the region share five international borders including with China. We are like buffer region and this has to be discussed and suggestions must come from the seminar, he said. Mithi said that the growth rate of the Northeastern region is lower than the national average because of corruption, insurgency and absence of industries due to extortion. Undeniably peace is the precursor for development and the Centre must talk directly with the insurgent groups for peace in the region, he said. He expressed his hopes that the summit would come up with practical and implemental resolutions and be a milestone in the development of the region.
Minister of State (Water Resources) Vincent Pala said that there should be collective intensive efforts to stop the environmental degradation of the hills of the Northeastern region. There is a need for afforestation through local governments and to improve the hill development, he said.
                We need appropriate technologies to bring sustainable development and alternate employment opportunities in the region to reduce pressure on our forests, said Pala. He said that the region desperately needs sustainable development through creation of jobs, eco industries, clean energy and new technology.
               The Minister of State also praised Sikkim government for the rapid progress the State has made over the years. It is imperative that other States should follow the tourism model of Sikkim, he said. Sikkim Lok Sabha member and also the NEMPF general secretary, PD Rai said that NEMPF is a collective forum of all the MPs from the Northeast cutting across political lines. We would be trying to take out outcome driven agendas for the next four and half years for the development of the region, he said.

Source: Sikkim Express

Dated: 11th February, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   Tourism a strong potential contributor to economic recovery of ASEAN region                                       [top of page]

Report–Brunei–ATF 2010: The Tourism Ministers from ASEAN and India met at their Second Meeting on 25 January 2010 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. H.E. Pehin Dato Yahya, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam chaired the Meeting with H.E. Mr. Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India as Co-chairperson.
                The Ministers had a fruitful exchange of views on the impact of the global economic downturn to tourism sector, and shared common view that tourism could take more active role as a strong potential contributor to economic recovery. They unanimously acknowledged the urgency and necessity of cooperation to realize mutual prosperity of the tourism industry in the region, and pledged commitments to revitalize international and intra-regional tourism. The Ministers agreed to further strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation to deal with the forthcoming challenges. 
                The Ministers noted that the number of tourist arrivals between ASEAN and India had shown steady growth. In 2009, the number of tourist arrivals from India to ASEAN recorded more than 1.9  million. 
                The Ministers noted with appreciation the progress of the ASEAN-India tourism cooperation especially in joint marketing, crisis communications, tourism investment and tourism standards activities. The Ministers were pleased with the outcomes of the ASEAN-India Workshop on the Development of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism held on 24-28 August 2008 in Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay, Myanmar with the theme of “Strengthening Partnerships for Peace and Harmony through Buddhist Circuit”. The Ministers welcomed the work plan for the Development of ASEAN-India Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism including the development of the webpage, tour packages, listing of potential industry players, production of documentary film, photo exhibition and printing promotional material. The Ministers supported the establishment of the ASEAN Tourism Promotional Chapter (APCT) in Mumbai. The APCT will be an important collaborative platform for ASEAN NTOs to market Southeast Asia to the Indian consumers. ASEAN’s Tourism Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Indian Minister for the endorsement of the establishment of an APCT in Mumbai and the facilitation to be extended for its activities upon the application of  the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-India Aviation Cooperation Framework by transport officials as the foundation for closer aviation cooperation between ASEAN and India. They are confident that its early implementation will result in a more liberalized environment which will be beneficial to tourism integration in ASEAN and India.

Source: The Travel Daily News

Dated: 18th Feb, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     Gujarat relaxes prohibition to promote tourism                                            [top of page]

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has decided to partially relax its prohibition policy for visitors from outside the State by opening a special counter at the Ahmedabad domestic airport from where the air travellers will be issued a permit for buying and consuming liquor during their sojourn within the State.

                    The special counter, set up at the arrival terminal of the Ahmedabad airport, started functioning from Wednesday where a domestic air traveller on production of residential proof of having an address from any place outside Gujarat would be able to avail the permit on payment of fees. No question would be asked whether the visitor was coming to the State for business work or for pleasure trip provided he or she was not a resident of Gujarat.

                  “The step has been taken to remove the impediments that come in the way of encouraging tourism in the State,” the tourism department secretary, Vipul Mitra, said. On the basis of the feedback of the functioning of the special counter at the Ahmedabad domestic section, the facility would later be extended to other airports in the State and the Ahmedabad international air terminal, he said.

Source: The Hindu

Dated: 18th Feb, 2010.