tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247374199372379382012-05-27T10:42:45.955+05:30the only Travel career ezine! find travel news, travel jobs, travel trends, travel careers, travel ideas, travel videos &amp; more!Prabhjot Bedinoreply@blogger.comBlogger872125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-7189172925784918532012-05-26T21:00:00.001+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.395+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The tourist season has finally picked up in McLeodganj and Dharamsala in the past few days. Enquiries from various tour operators in the area revealed that all hotels in the area were jam-packed. Traffic jams on the Dharamsala-McLeodganj road were also an illustration to the fact. A large number of ‘walk-in tourists’ had to return from McLeodganj as they could not find rooms. Prem Sood, a hotelier, said the tourist season had picked up in <br /><a name='more'></a>McLeodganj only in the past few days. However, for the entire month of June, most hotels were already booked. The tourist season had picked up after the start of holidays in schools in the plains, he said. Ram Swaroop, another hotelier from McLeodganj, said the tourist season had picked up late in the area this year. Earlier, the tourist season used to start in Dharamsala and McLeodganj in April. However, the business for the tourism industry at McLeodganj remained lean in April and the first week of May this year. As per a report by Lalit Mohan in Tribune News Service hoteliers and tour operators here feel that the return of normalcy in Kashmir has hit the tourism industry of Himachal Pradesh. A large number of domestic and international tourists now prefer Kashmir over Himachal, they say. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>These days a majority of tourists like to plan their tours rather than walk in to tourist places and then look for accommodation. The tour operators said there were no coordinated efforts either on the part of the Tourism Department or private hotelier bodies to ‘sell Dharamsala and the surrounding areas to tourists’. Besides McLeodganj, hotels have also come up in the hinterland surrounding Dharamsala like on the Khaniara road and Stowbery. However, the common tourist has no knowledge about these areas. In case a website containing the details of all hotels available in and around Dharamsala is made available, tourists can make an easy choice for the area. Hoteliers feel that the Himachal government should brace for the challenge being posed to its tourism industry due to the return of normalcy in Kashmir. The Tourism Department of the state will have to hardsell destinations of Himachal to national and international tourists. The tour operators reported a decline in the number of tourists coming from Europe due to the economic crises in various European Union countries.<br /></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=13654&amp;sid=1">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-718917292578491853?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-55146271373769254272012-05-26T20:59:00.003+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.303+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Online travel portal MakeMyTrip.com recently partnered with global channel manager SiteMinder to boost its hotel room offerings. This partnership would enable SiteMinder’s hotel customers to list inventory on MakeMyTrip.com, and automatically receive bookings from the latter into their PMSs and CRSs. “SiteMinder is the first global channel manager<br /><a name='more'></a> to achieve two-way booking connectivity with MakeMyTrip, which provides our customers with ready access to this very lucrative online market,” said Duncan Waterman, Partnerships Manager, SiteMinder. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Commenting on the partnership with SiteMinder, Amit Saberwal, Senior Vice President, MakeMyTrip, said, “Our partnership with SiteMinder is strategically significant as it establishes two-way connectivity. We see a lot of synergies and a win-win proposition in our mutual association. As the local market leader, we can and will leverage our considerable network to their advantage.” </div><a href="http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=13656&amp;sid=1">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-5514627137376925427?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-47704317514758881962012-05-26T20:58:00.003+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.238+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The Travel &amp; Tourism industry in the Americas region is three times the size of automotive manufacturing and roughly one-third larger than chemicals manufacturing and mining. This is according to new research from the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC) sponsored by American Express, launched on the first day of WTTC"s <br /><a name='more'></a>first Regional Summit of the Americas in the Riviera Maya, Mexico from 16-18 May. This is according to new research from the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC) sponsored by American Express, launched on the first day of WTTC"s first Regional Summit of the Americas in the Riviera Maya, Mexico from 16-18 May. The research, undertaken by Oxford Economics, shows that the sector"s direct contribution to the Americas GDP is US$666 billion which is more than three times the GDP of automotive manufacturing and one-third larger than the global chemicals and mining industry. Travel &amp; Tourism"s total contribution to GDP in the Americas was US$1.9trillion in 2011, or 8.6% of total GDP. This compares to 6% for automotive and mining and 7% for chemicals. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4056156.html">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-4770431751475888196?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-3575446578230006542012-05-25T20:55:00.001+05:302012-05-25T20:55:06.342+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Low-cost carrier IndiGo today commenced operating two additional daily direct flights on its Delhi-Mumbai sector , bringing the total number of flights by IndiGo on the route to 11. <br /><a name='more'></a>Aditya Ghosh, President, IndiGo said, “In line with our endeavour to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers, we have introduced two new daily direct flights between Delhi and Mumbai.”<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/indigo-launches-2-more-daily-direct-flights-on-delhimumbai-sector-16517">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-357544657823000654?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-2129152818156441312012-05-25T20:52:00.004+05:302012-05-25T20:52:55.409+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Jet Airways (India) Ltd has posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 354 crore in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011-12, compared with a loss of Rs 200 crore in the same period last year. For 2011-12, Jet Airways’ consolidated loss stood at Rs 1,420 crore, against a Rs 85-crore loss in the year before, the company said in a statement yesterday. <br /><a name='more'></a>The company said fuel costs jumped 42 per cent year-on-year in the March quarter. While the 24 per cent jump in revenue during the quarter was in the line with analysts’ expectations, the bottom line performance was better than estimations. Traditionally, the fourth quarter is a weak season for airlines and travel companies. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>However, Jet Airways registered significant passenger, revenue and yield growth in the quarter, as Kingfisher Airlines curtailed its domestic services to around 100 flights from 400 six months ago. Load factors were up 510 basis points year-on-year to 83 per cent. To reach break-even, the company needed load factors of 91 per cent. Yields grew 9.6 per cent year-on-year on a standalone basis. Both Jet Airways and its subsidiary JetLite (now renamed as Jet Konnect) registered revenue growth of around 24 per cent to Rs 4,638 crore in the March quarter, compared with Rs 3,729 crore in the year-ago quarter. The growth was aided by fare increases and a sharp jump in load factors. “Rupee depreciation and fuel prices have impacted the quarterly results. However, capacity reduction in the industry has helped raise fares and improve yields,” said Nikos Kardassis, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways. The company also said it would discontinue loss-making routes. Capacity reduction in the industry has helped domestic airlines increase fares and improve yields. The full impact of the same would be felt in the current quarter. “We have not seen any adverse effect on passenger traffic flow. Rupee depreciation and crude oil prices continue to be a cause of concern, as per a report by Mint. This, coupled with a sluggish economy, could impact traffic growth to some extent in the short to medium term, as the discretionary spending on travel could get affected,” the airline said. The airline also told its investors that it appointed a valuer to assess exposure in JetLite, whose performance had been affected due to high operating costs. The unit continues to have a negative net worth. Jet Airways has total investment of around Rs 1,645 crore in JetLite in the form of equity and preference shares. The valuer has recommended that no impairment in exposure is required.<br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/jet-airways-posts-net-loss-of-rs-354-crore-in-q4-201112-16521">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-212915281815644131?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-81124183191842532002012-05-21T21:11:00.003+05:302012-05-24T20:19:53.068+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">In order to provide better infrastructure facilities to travellers to the state as well attract tourists through internet and mobile services, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL)<br /><a name='more'></a> has decided to have a 24x7 call centre, a mobile application and GIS mapping of the tourist destinations of the state to help the tourists get information about the destinations, facilities and hotels. It will also help them in arranging taxi services and online bookings.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=13605&amp;sid=1">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-8112418319184253200?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-82105803664066649352012-05-21T21:10:00.001+05:302012-05-24T20:19:53.088+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The Bihar government will put in place infrastructure at various tourist places in the state to boost its overall economy, Sushil Kumar Modi, Deputy Chief Minister, Govt of Bihar said recently, according to a PTI report. “Bihar may have lost minerals and natural resources post-bifurcation,<br /><a name='more'></a> but it was blessed with rich cultural heritage and centres of ancient civilisation,” he said at a function after rolling out air-conditioned luxury buses to various tourist destinations in the state.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=13611&amp;sid=1">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-8210580366406664935?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-20345679752147414722012-05-21T21:09:00.002+05:302012-05-24T20:19:52.941+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><img align="right" alt="GBTA Forecasts Double Digit Percentage Increases In Brazilian Biz Travel Spending" border="0" height="101" src="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/picture/153005353.jpg" width="200" />Sao Paulo, Brazil - The Global Business Travel Association ("GBTA"), the world"s premier business travel and corporate meetings organization, announces the results of its inaugural GBTA BTI™ Outlook – Brazil, sponsored by VISA. The GBTA BTI™ Outlook – Brazil includes the GBTA Business Travel Index™ (GBTA BTI™).<br /><a name='more'></a> The GBTA BTI™ provides a way to distill market performance and the outlook for business travel into a single metric that can be tracked over time. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Highlights Brazilian business travel spending will increase by 13% in 2012 and 15.7% in 2013, to US$31.1 billion and US$36 billion respectively Significant increases in real, actual travel Price rises impact [peripheral] Real GDP in Brazil will increase by 3.8% in 2012 and nearly 5% in 2013 Brazilian business travel spending shows a strong correlation with domestic job growth with BTS one quarter ahead of subsequent job creation By 2013, domestic business travel spending in Brazil will constitute 78% of the overall total<br /></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4056153.html">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-2034567975214741472?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-25143036958704721602012-05-21T21:08:00.001+05:302012-05-24T20:19:52.979+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><img align="right" alt="An Open Letter to the Industry on Funding for the Canadian Tourism Commission " border="0" height="90" src="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/picture/153005375.jpg" width="200" />Canada"s tourism industry is in crisis; plain and simple. Funding for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Canada"s national marketing agency, has declined from $100 million in 2001 to $72 million in 2012 and $58.5 million in 2013.<br /><a name='more'></a> The cuts come when Canada faces increasing competition from international competitors including the new $200 million Brand United States Program - $20 million of which is being spent in Canada. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Canada"s tourism industry is in crisis; plain and simple. Funding for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Canada"s national marketing agency, has declined from $100 million in 2001 to $72 million in 2012 and $58.5 million in 2013. The cuts come when Canada faces increasing competition from international competitors including the new $200 million Brand United States Program - $20 million of which is being spent in Canada. What is the result? 10 years ago 35 percent of tourism revenue in Canada came from the international market; today it is down to only 20 percent. Due to lack of funding, the CTC has been forced to exit many markets including Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and major cuts in Japan and the United States.<br /></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4056150.html">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-2514303695870472160?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-79036962626121335772012-05-21T21:07:00.001+05:302012-05-24T20:19:53.056+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><img align="right" alt="Visa facilitation can create five million additional jobs in G20 economies" border="0" height="90" src="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/picture/153000963.gif" width="200" />Visa facilitation is central to stimulating economic growth and job creation through tourism. The G20 can have a particularly important role to play in this respect. G20 economies could boost their international tourist numbers by an additional 122 million, generate an extra US$ 206 billion in tourism exports and create over five million additional jobs by 2015 by improving visa processes, <br /><a name='more'></a>according to preliminary research by UNWTO and the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC) presented on the occasion of the T20 Ministers" Meeting (Merida, Mexico, 16 May 2012). <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Preliminary findings show that of the 656 million international tourists who visited G20 countries in 2011, 110 million needed a visa, while millions more were deterred from traveling by the cost, waiting time and difficulty of obtaining a visa. Facilitating visas for these tourists, many from some of the world"s fastest growing source markets, could create over five million additional jobs in the G20 economies by 2015 and generate an additional US$ 206 billion in international tourism receipts. In spite of the great strides made in recent decades to facilitate tourist travel, there are still important areas of opportunity, namely considering the possibilities to maximize the use of information and communication technologies in improving visa procedures. Further opportunities include improving the delivery of information, facilitating current processes to obtain visas, differentiated treatment to facilitate tourist travel, instituting eVisa programmes and establishing regional agreements for visa facilitation.<br /></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4056157.html">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-7903696262612133577?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-39807842160787073982012-05-20T17:43:00.003+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.179+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">PTM™12 brings Buyers of Leisure Travel services from global markets to Lima, Peru to meet senior sales and marketing Supplier executives who can make commitments, and who represent hotels, airlines, cruise companies, receptive operators, car rental firms, attractions, <br /><a name='more'></a>resorts, tourist boards, city and convention bureaus, and promotional organizations from all of Peru.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitynet.org/event/154000327/3002740.html">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-3980784216078707398?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-22038628780971392432012-05-20T17:42:00.002+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.095+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">In order celebrate significant enhancements opening this summer at some of California’s top attractions, Visit California has launched a premium edition of its Fun Spots promotion. With this campaign, visitors can save on admission at California theme parks,<br /><a name='more'></a> zoos, aquariums, museums as well as boat and train rides through downloading discount coupons at http://www.visitcalifornia.com/Fun-Spots. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>According to a release, Disney California Adventure will reopen this summer on June 15, 2012 after a USD 1.2 billion enhancement that includes the new movie-inspired Cars Land and re-imagined Buena Vista Street. SeaWorld San Diego will launch the Manta double launch roller coaster on May 26, 2012. The roller coast includes gliding through a 100,000-gallon underwater habitat providing the sensation of swimming like a giant Manta Ray. Los Angeles’ Universal Studios will also première Transformers: The Ride 3D on May 25, 2012, fusing HD 3D media and flight simulator technology creating a new benchmark in a theme park attraction. “It is unprecedented to have three of California’s biggest attractions to unveil major enhancements all in one season,” said Caroline Beteta, CEO and President of Visit California, “These developments provide another reason to visit the California this summer, especially for families.” She added, “The Premium Fun Spots promotion showcases the abundance of diverse attractions available across the entire state. Through logging onto the promotion website, it has never been easier to include a broad range of family-fun attractions into a California summer vacation itinerary.”<br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/visit-california-launches-premium-funspots-promotional-campaign-for-summer-travel-season-16462">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-2203862878097139243?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-86306593637697232742012-05-20T17:41:00.001+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.428+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Turkish Airlines has recently announced that a commercial cooperation agreement has been reached between Turkish Airlines and Air Canada. The agreement will enable domestic Canadian flights to directly connect to Turkish Airlines itineraries to or beyond Turkey and for THY originating passengers to continue their journey with Air Canada domestic flights. <br /><a name='more'></a>All passengers will now be able to travel with a single Turkish Airlines ticket, which will include the Air Canada domestic connections, as per a release. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>The agreement covers the following main cities via Toronto and other 33 domestic destinations in Canada; Calgary, Charlottetown, Deerlake, Edmonton, Fortmcmurray, Fredericton, Halifax, Kelowna, Kingston, London, Moncton, Montreal, Northbay, Ottawa, Quebeccity, Regina, Saintjohn, Sarnia, Saskatoon, Saultstemarie, Stjohns, Sudbury, Sydney, Thunderbay, Timmins, Vancouver, Victoria, Windsor and Winnipeg and some US destinations via Canada.<br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/turkish-airlines-enters-commercial-cooperation-agreement-with-air-canada-16461">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-8630659363769723274?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-45302431794503208042012-05-20T17:40:00.001+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.189+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The 17th annual Cards &amp; Payments Asia, the longest-standing smart technologies exhibition in Asia held in Singapore last month saw an increase of 17 per cent visitors from countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and China. <br /><a name='more'></a>A total of 198 exhibitors showcased several innovations and products such as card readers, mobile payment platforms, card printers and scanners, NFC &amp; RFID card terminals, authentication and identification systems, signage products. According to a release, many exhibitors also premièred their new products and worldwide launches at the event. Over 100 product launches were showcased at the show and some of the highlights included M2CASH’s Mobile to CASH, Sony’s FeliCa Lite, ASAP Transaction Processing’s Novapay, hybris’s Multichannel Accelerator among others. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Complementing the showcase of cutting edge innovations and solutions, eight high-level conferences and four workshops were held alongside the exhibition to provide attendees with in-depth knowledge and valuable insights into key issues in the smart cards and payments industry. Over 100 industry experts shared their best practices and strategies and more than 120 topics were discussed over the course of the event. </div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/cards--payments-asia-records-17-per-cent-increase-in-visitors-from-region-16463">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-4530243179450320804?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-55759185183251606492012-05-19T21:13:00.003+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.370+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Gate Gourmet, a subsidiary of Swiss giant Gategroup which provides in-flight catering and services, and Indian food catering firm Travel Food Services(TFS), have forged a joint venture alliance to provide in-flight on-board catering services targeted mainly at low-cost airlines.<br /><a name='more'></a> TFS is the majority partner in the 60:40 joint venture, which has kicked off operations under the TFS-Gate brand starting this month. The JV has tied up with Jet Airways as a first move and will cater to 500 Jet flights a day, a top company official said. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>"The buy-on-board business is evolving rapidly... we are trying to create aspirational values within low-cost carriers and offering multiple types of foods on board," Sunil Kapur, chairman and executive director, TFS said. He added that besides Jet Airways, TFS would enter into partnerships with other low-cost carriers like Indigo and GoAir later this fiscal. The move is being seen by industry experts as a win-win as it helps Gate step up its presence in emerging markets, and marks the privately-held TFS' entry into the fast growing on-board, in-flight catering segment. In February this year, Gate had completed 100% acquisition of Indian airline catering company Skygourmet from India Hospitality Corp (IHC), by acquiring the remaining 26% of Skygourmet. Gate had already acquired 76% of Skygourmet in Nov2010 for US$ 92 million. TFS was formed in '09 to focus on food services within the fast growing travel sector. Founded by entrepreneur Sunil Kapur of restaurant group Blue Foods, which debuted in year 2000 in Mumbai, now operates close to 150 restaurant outlets across the country, including Italian restaurant Spaghetti Kitchen, Copper Chimney which serves North Indian cuisine. <br /><br /></div><a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/travel-foodservices-gate-gourmet-ink-6040-jv-to-cater-to-low-cost-in-flight-catering/articleshow/13294471.cms">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-5575918518325160649?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-73722272843884975082012-05-19T21:12:00.003+05:302012-05-27T10:42:46.402+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The Ministry of Tourism has advised both state governments and Union Territories to rationalise taxes for the growth of the tourism sector in the country. The government has asked the states to follow tourism-friendly policies like allotting land sites on revenue sharing basis, granting extra floor space index and floor area ratio (FAR) for hotels, creation of land banks, single window system for promoting hotel projects, according to a report by PTI.<br /><a name='more'></a> An investment-linked deduction under Section 35 AD of the Income Tax Act has been extended for new hotels under the two-star category and above, anywhere in India, to facilitate the growth of tourist accommodation in the country, he said. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>The Reserve Bank of India has de-linked credit for hotel projects from commercial real estate, thereby enabling hotel projects to avail credit at relaxed norms and reduced interest rates. External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms have also been relaxed by the Finance Ministry to solve the liquidity crunch being faced by the hotel industry for setting up new hotel projects. In order to encourage the growth of hotels, the government has announced a few incentives like five-year tax holidays for two, three and four-star category new hotels located in UNESCO-declared World Heritage Sites (except Mumbai and Delhi) which start operating between April 2008 and March 2013, said Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India, in the Lok Sabha yesterday. <br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=13587&amp;sid=1">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-7372227284388497508?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-13683477056488392962012-05-19T21:11:00.003+05:302012-05-24T20:19:52.856+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The Himachal Pradesh government yesterday announced a ten-year tax holiday for all new hotel projects coming up in the state’s tribal districts and other remote areas. The upcoming hotels will not be charged any luxury tax under the HP Tax on Luxuries (Hotels and Lodging Houses) Act, 1979 and the ten-year period will be calculated from the date they begin operations.<br /><a name='more'></a><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>A decision, in this regard, was taken by the state cabinet at a meeting that was presided over by Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Government of Himachal Pradesh yesterday, according to a report by The Indian Express. “The decision is aimed at promoting tourism in rural areas and to divert tourist traffic from urban and popular holiday destinations to these areas. We also aim to create employment opportunities for youth in these areas,” said Dhumal. Himachal Pradesh has been focussing on Rural Tourism, which has already proved reasonably successful, especially with the homestay and Har Gaon ki Kahani schemes. <br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/10year-tax-holiday-for-new-hotels-in-rural-areas-of-himachal-pradesh-16457">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-1368347705648839296?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-33558221215843572512012-05-19T21:10:00.003+05:302012-05-24T20:19:52.987+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Air Pacific, Fiji’s national airline, recently revealed that it has inked partnerships with Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), Zodiac company Weber Aircraft, and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company (SIAEC) for its re-launch in 2013. The airline will re-launch with a re-brand, returning to its original name, Fiji Airways.<br /><a name='more'></a> “We’re working with Panasonic, Weber/Zodiac, and SIAEC. These deals are consistent with our desire to work with the very best, as we continue to revitalise the airline and prepare to re-launch as ‘Fiji Airways’ next year,” said David Pflieger, Managing Director and CEO, Air Pacific. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Leading entertainment and communications provider, Panasonic, will install their eX2 in-flight entertainment system on the airline’s new A330-200 aircraft, while Weber Aircraft will provide the seats for both Economy and Business Class on-board the new Airbus fleet. SIAEC will design the new fleet’s cabin design and functionality. In the last 12 months, the airline has ordered the three Airbus A330-200 aircraft, increased flights between Fiji and Sydney from seven to 13 times weekly, and it has made investments in revitalising and modernising the airline’s product and services, such as a newly refurbished Tabua Club Lounge at Nadi International. The new Airbus aircraft will be delivered in March 2013, and will fly to Fiji from Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles. <br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/air-pacific-inks-partnerships-with-three-aviation-companies-for-2013-relaunch-16458">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-3355822121584357251?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-50477516334291309102012-05-18T21:47:00.000+05:302012-05-24T20:19:53.007+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The flavour of India captured through its food is the next big idea in tourism, with the local Indian 'dabba' going glam, under a project that seeks to showcase the variety in the country's cuisine as well as attract tourists. The "Incredible Tiffin" project by the Cuisine India Society launched here recently provides a tiffin packaged with local food for people outside the country, to help them get an idea of the choices of food available in India.<br /><a name='more'></a><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>The project is part of the Tourism Ministry's popular "Incredible India" campaign that was launched initially to attract more foreign tourists and has now successfully established India as a high-end tourist destination. Food has much more pleasure, joy and happiness attached to it rather than any other art form. Indian cuisine reflects spirit of India. When we have such wide varieties of exquisite cuisines to offer then why not let our tourists nurture a life<br /><br />&nbsp; <a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/news/tourists-to-get-dabba-taste-of-india/949580/">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-5047751633429130910?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-18947078122034926762012-05-18T21:46:00.000+05:302012-05-24T20:19:52.909+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The off shore casino industry has welcomed Goa government's decision to not allow any more casino mounted vessels in the state waters. The industry has said that they require gestation period of at least 10 years to stabilise and grow in the business, without any hindrance. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's move has been perceived as an opportunity for the industry to grow without facing competition within. "The decision is welcomed by the industry. We required gestation period of 10 years," <br /><a name='more'></a>said Shrinivas Nayak, representative of Casino Pride. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>He said that the move will help existing off shore casinos to stabilise in their business. The industry, which set its foot in the state's waters since 1999, has been facing competition from destinations like Macau, Singapore and Malaysia, where flight rates are cheaper. "People from India go to these destinations as flying there is cheaper than coming to Goa," Nayak said adding that Sri Lanka is also emerging as <br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/news/decision-to-not-allow-more-casino-vessels-in-goa-waters-lauded/950475/">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-1894707812203492676?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-21619778675355945112012-05-18T21:44:00.001+05:302012-05-24T20:19:52.967+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">India has sought assistance of USD 30 million under the Global Tiger Initiative, said Keshav Varma, Program Director, Global Tiger Initiative, WBITI at The World Bank, on the sidelines of the first stock-taking meeting of tiger-bearing countries on the Global Tiger Recovery Programme held recently in New Delhi.<br /><a name='more'></a> The workshop is expected to set the agenda for this year and negotiate and deliberate common parameters to assess conservation efforts, according to a report by The Times of India. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>India has refused to let bank funds be used for protection of and running tiger reserves in the country but Varma suggested that the funds were to be used for the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and international collaborations. Speaking at the meet, Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, emphasised that conservation in India had to be more inclusive, involving and protecting the rights of people living in vicinity of forests. "The 'people agenda' ranks prominently in our 'tiger agenda'. While we do not imagine any coexistence in the inviolate core areas, a viable inclusive agenda involving local people is fostered in the surrounding buffer," Natarajan said. Earlier, while the initiative was taking off, India pushed for country-specific solutions to conserve the tiger and won the debate on maintaining the issue as a 'sovereign one' - something that Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority, stated again at the stock-taking exercise. <br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/india-seeks-assistance-of-usd-30-million-under-global-tiger-initiative-16439">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-2161977867535594511?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-67456061106431550782012-05-18T21:43:00.002+05:302012-05-24T20:19:53.045+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department is planning to organise marketing meets in Switzerland, the Netherlands and France in co-ordination with the Indian Tourism Development Corporation to highlight and promote the state’s tourism offerings. <br /><a name='more'></a>The department is also planning to take part in the World Travel Mart in London in November 2012 as well as in the International Tourism Bourse in March 2013. As per a report by The Hindu, a top official said that the average stay of 20 per cent of foreigners in Tamil Nadu was about eight to ten days, while those who visited under the business and leisure categories stayed for three to four days. The idea was to prolong the stay period to eight days. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>With a view to popularising lesser-known places in the state in the domestic tourism market, Tamil Nadu Tourism will organise familiarisation (FAM) trips for the travel trade. “In addition, the department will also organise road shows in Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The department will also promote farm, palace and temple tours with the objective of attracting more tourists into the state and making them stay longer,” the official added. Currently, the state ranks second with regard to the number of foreign tourist arrivals to the state and third in terms of domestic arrivals. New initiatives are planned to top the list by providing more facilities to the pilgrims. Last year, the state received 33.08 lakh foreign tourists against 28.04 lakh in 2010. <br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/tamil-nadu-tourism-to-organise-marketing-meets-in-overseas-markets-16442">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-6745606110643155078?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-33589352201337395472012-05-16T20:24:00.001+05:302012-05-17T10:43:38.226+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Tour operator Cox &amp; Kings plans to raise up to USD 140 million from an institutional investor for its UK subsidiary, the company said in a statement. Cox &amp; Kings will issue shares to the investor for a minority stake in Prometheon Holdings (UK) Ltd, it said. At 0423 GMT, shares in Cox &amp; Kings, <br /><a name='more'></a>which also has operations in the United States, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Greece and Singapore, were down 2.55 per cent at Rs 141.5 in a weak Mumbai market. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/cox--kings-planning-to-raise-up-to-usd-140-million-for-uk-subsidiary-16413">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-3358935220133739547?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-43008851347347248322012-05-16T20:23:00.001+05:302012-05-17T10:43:38.427+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">Kerala registered over one crore visitors during 2011, said A. P. Anil Kumar, Tourism Minister, Government of Kerala. Revenue earnings recorded by the sector during the period stood at Rs 19,037 crore, the minister said in an update of the government’s performance in its first year in office yesterday in Thiruvananthapuram. Of all inbound tourists,<br /><a name='more'></a> 7.3 lakh were foreign and 93.7 lakh domestic. This represented a year-on-year rise of 73,720 in the number of foreign tourists and as much as 7.86 lakh in domestic tourists, according to a report by The Hindu Business Line. Foreign exchange earnings have gone up from Rs 3,797.37 crore in 2010 to Rs 4,221.99 crore in 2011. The Kerala Department of Tourism achieved 94.5 per cent utilisation of the annual plan funds during the period under reference. This was the best performance in at least the last 20 years, Kumar claimed. <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5894193141368783"; /* 300x250, created 19/10/09 */ google_ad_slot = "4569929648"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/kerala-records-more-than-one-crore-tourist-arrivals-in-2011-16414">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-4300885134734724832?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224737419937237938.post-59930334976884406512012-05-16T20:22:00.000+05:302012-05-17T10:43:38.472+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;">In a move that is sure to ease some tourist pressure from the near-saturated Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra, the administration of TATR has decided to open a new route for tourists in its buffer areas. While safaris in the buffer areas will be cheaper than those inside the reserve, tourists can also enjoy some special perks which are not allowed inside the TATR on this new route.<br /><a name='more'></a> Tourism in the buffer area is being promoted with the sole objective of economical development of buffer villages and providing employment to local youths, according to a report by The Times of India. The new 14-km-long tourist route will begin from Navargaon Chauki and end at Jakana gate near Junona village in the buffer area. "Local eco-development committees of the Devada and Junona villages will shoulder the responsibility on this route. While gate fees will be charged, youths from the villages will also take up jobs as guides for the safaris. Modalities over the gate fees and timings of the safari are being finalised. Tourism in the buffer zone will start in the next 10 days," said P Kalyankumar, DCF, Forest Division, Chandrapur. The department has added a five-km patch of road to the existing nine-km tourist road. Three water holes fall along this route and the density of the forest and wildlife here is said to be as good as inside the tiger reserve. "Spillover tourists of TATR can be accommodated on this new buffer route," said Kalyankumar. There would be no restriction on the number of vehicles on this new route. Visitors can take the buffer ride from either Navargaon Chauki or Jakana gate. "Tourists can enjoy snacks and coffee at some specific points on the route. We even have plans of plying a mobile snack stall along the route, so that tourists can buy snacks midway if they want," he said. This new buffer route will be open to tourists even during the monsoon, when safaris inside the TATR are closed. Based upon experience gained from opening this new route, the forest department has plans to open two more routes in the buffer area soon. <br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/tadoba-tiger-reserve-to-open-new-tourism-route-in-buffer-areas-16415">Click here to see the original article&gt;</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/224737419937237938-5993033497688440651?l=mytravelcareer.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03065803179033187559noreply@blogger.com0