Photo Gallery

The Union Minister of Tourism, Kumari Selja holding an Interactive Session with the Stakeholders in Tourism Sector, in New Delhi on June 17, 2009.

 C V Prasad, chairman and managing director, IRISS addressing the press persons at the launch of IRISS in New Delhi

  ‘Iriss Team’ at the launch of Iriss at

       Habitat Center New Delhi

HATT NEWS

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The Victoria Continental Hotel at Dharmpur on way to Shimla       -- Read more

Panoramic view from   Victoria Continental Hotel at  

Dharampur      -----Read more

‘Branding India - An Incredible Story' by Amitabh Kant, Principal Secretary & Special Commissioner (Industries) Government of Kerala was recently released by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dy, Chairman Planning Commission. Presiding on the occasion was Kumari Selja, Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism, Government of India

Budget 2009-10

Reactions from Travel Trade

Mrs. Jyotsna Suri – Chairperson & MD, Bharat Hotels Ltd.

From the perspective of the Travel & Tourism sector; we are disappointed that there was no mention of the industry – and this when the industry contributes 6% to the GDP and provides employment to 6.4% of employed population. From a corporate perspective the only plus point has been the abolition of the Fringe Benefit Tax. However no change in the corporate tax rate and no incentives for capital intensive industries like ours. We are hoping that the tourism sector may benefit from the overall focus on the Infrastructure and the additional allocation for the Common Wealth games ---

Vijay Thakur President IATO

The presentation of the Budget 2009 was really a challenging for the Hon’ble Minister. Every sector was optimistic of getting some big tax incentive. For tourism we too had big hopes. But once again tourism is not mentioned any where, one thing is good for the trade that no new tax has been added to tourism sector. Infact we feel some relief with the withdrawal of the Fringe Benefit tax....Read more

Rajji Rai President TAAI , the givernmnet of India has once again failed to realize the importance and contribution of tourism for the development of the country’s economy” We have raised some demands during our meeting with the Finance Minister with regard to budget 2009-10. On studying the budget, we are absolutely unhappy and planning to meet the minister again to request him to reconsider our proposals

KUMARI SELJA UNVEILS PLANS TO PROMOTE TOURISM

Recently, Kumari Selja, union minister for tourism, unveiled numerous promotional plans to tackle various developmental matters. These plans were unveiled in an interaction with the veterans of the Indian tourism industry. Some of declarations included strengthening the market development assistance  scheme, promoting of year 2009 as 'Visit India Year', and extending support for road shows to promote domestic tourism.

'IRISS' (INTEGRATED RESERVATION INVOICING SETTLEMENT SYSTEM) A LOW COST MULTI-DIMENSIONAL GDS LAUNCHED

'IRISS' (Integrated Reservation Invoicing Settlement System) a Low Cost Multi-dimensional GDS... is a new concept in travel distribution providing level playing field to small travel agent segment across the country. In a press conference held on 8th July 2008 in New Delhi C V Prasad, chairman and managing director, IRISS, said that the company’s role would go beyond the traditional GDS system. In addition to air ticketing, it would also offer non-air services from the same platform. Initially, the solution will target the LCC segment of India. The company has signed MoUs with 35 prominent travel agents who are in domestic air ticketing. Speaking to the press persons Ms. Venku Murthi Chief Marketing officer & Business head IRISS said that all domestic airlines in India are likely to use IRISS as their distribution channel. As of now IndiGo and SpiceJet have been fully integrated with the system while some other airlines are testing on the system. Ms. Elizabeth Samuel, General Manager Marketing & Sales expressed hope that with company’s innovative marketing Strategies they will soon be reaching out to travel agents other than in Metros...Read more

Best Western India, represented by Cabana Hotel Management, Best Western International’s master franchisee for India commenced its operation as  Best Western Royal Park at Baddi, 40 km ahead of Chandigarh, in Himachal Pradesh. The 51-room hotel spread over 2.1 acres is located in the industrial township of Baddi and will cater to business travellers. The hotel offers different category of rooms and banquet to accommodate over 1,000 guests.

METRO TAXI SERVICE BEGINS IN BHOPAL

The Metro Taxi Service was recently launched in Bhopal. The taxis will charge an amount of Rs 12 per km. MPSTDC has launched 30 such cars, which are fitted with the GPS system. “Bhopal is fast catching up with other metros in terms of services and the metro taxi is yet another facility made available to people”  said  Ashwani Lohani, MD, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.

MP TOURISM INVITES PRIVATE PARTIES FOR BUILDING TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN STATE

Madhya Pradesh Tourism has decided to invite private individuals, companies and other bodies for building hotels, resorts and entertainment centres in state. For this purpose, the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Coproration (MPSTDC) has made a land bank and has also earmarked some of its own properties for being given on a 90-year lease. Presently, the properties that are being offered through a transparent process include the Laxmipur Palace at Panna, Govindgarh Fort in Rewa, land on Indore-Ujjain Road, land at Pench (tiger reserve) and land at Orchha. Subsequently, many more lands, including one at Bandhavgarh and at Bhopal shall be offered shortly

TAAI TO HOLD ANNUAL CONVENTION IN DUBAI

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) will hold its 58th Indian Travel Congress & Exhibition from September 29 to October 2, 2009 in Dubai. TAAI says it will have 5-6 Hotels to suit all pockets and also that Dubai is also extremely well connected, and TAAI is in discussion with many airlines for the best possible fare deals for registered delegates.

IATO ANNUAL CONVENTION FROM SEPT 3-6 IN BANGALORE

Mr. Vijay Thakur, President, has announced that the 25th annual convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) will be held from September 3-6 at The Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.” He added that Mr. Arun Anand, Vice President, IATO will be the chairman, convention committee and Mr. Lally Mathews, Honorary Treasurer, IATO, will be the co-chairman, convention committee. The theme at the 25th annual convention would be Managing The Downturn. Madhya Pradesh would be the partner state this year.... Read more

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced the opening of its Visitors’ Information Bureau (VIB) at the Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport as part of its efforts to provide assistance to visitors in exploring the emirate during their business tours and leisure holidays. Mr. Salah Rashid Al Ansari, DTCM Director of Visitors’ Information Bureaus, said this was the sixth such facility operated by the department. The other VIBs are located in Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, Deira City Centre, Ibn Battuta Mall, Wafi City and BurJuman Centre. 

TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND TO SET UP OFFICE IN MUMBAI 

Tourism Authority of Thailand has got the requisite permission from the Government of India to open an office in Mumbai. Government of Thailand has allocated a budget for TAT to find a suitable location for the office where it will be easily accessible. TAT is planning to start operations in the Mumbai office by year-end.

TIRUPATI RAILWAY STATION TO BE DEVELOPED ON PPP BASIS 

Tirupati station in Andhra Pradesh, which is among the 50 stations to be upgraded with international class facilities, will be developed on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis, Kuldeep Chaturvedi, South Central Railway in-charge General Manager and General Manager, South Western Railway told UNI. Chaturvedi, who inspected Tirupati railway station as part of the Centre's proposal to upgrade 50 stations to world class standards, told newspersons that land acquisition for the expansion would be taken up as and when the project gets underway. A committee will visit the station soon and later submit the feasibility report to the Centre. He said to strengthen security, gadgets including metal detectors and door frames would be provided in the railway station soon.

NEW SCHEME TO GIVE TOURISTS ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN HERITAGE BUILDINGS IN AGRA 

Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has drafted a scheme to promote Heritage Tourism on the lines of Rajasthan and attract more tourists to Agra. Under the new scheme, the visitors, both national and international, would be provided elegant accommodation facility in forts and old buildings.  Avinash Mishra, Assistant Director (Tourism), Uttar Pradesh informed UNI that 15 such forts and buildings, which date back to 15th century and do not fall under the preserved category, have been identified for development as the tourist spots. He further confirmed that the state tourism department has given the green signal for the scheme and efforts for allocating funds was on. “There is a sudden rise in the number of visitors since the promotion of Heritage Tourism in Rajasthan. A similar scheme is being made to advance tourism in the Taj city,” said Mishra.

KINGFISHER AIRLINES PLANS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS ON EIGHT INTERNATIONAL ROUTES FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR 

Kingfisher Airlines is planning to launch flights on eight international routes this year. According to an IANS report, the airline spokesperson said that the company has planned a roadmap for the next phase of international routes. The airline will start flying on the Mumbai-Hong Kong, Mumbai-Singapore sector effective September 16, 2009. The six routes on which Kingfisher Airlines intends to launch services are Delhi-Bangkok, Delhi-Dubai, Delhi-London, Mumbai-Bangkok, Mumbai-Colombo and Mumbai-Dubai. The airline is likely launch operations on these routes from October this year in a phased manner. It has already started the procedure to get government approvals for its international route expansion.

DTCM TO LAUNCH ‘KIDS GO FREE’ PROMOTION TO BOOST DUBAI TOURISM INDUSTRY

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced the launch of a new promotion –Kids Go Free- from July 1 to September 20 as part of its efforts to consolidate Dubai’s strength as a leading global tourism destination and boost the number of visitors to the emirate.This was announced by the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, at the Professional Group Joint Meeting held at the InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

‘SUFISM ON CANVAS’ ART EXHIBITION AT ART JUNCTION. SUFI RECITAL   BY ANITA SINGHVI AND RELEASE OF HER NEW ALBUM ‘TAJALLI’

The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group presented a devotion to Sufism through a music recital and an art exhibition. The versatile & well-known singer Anita Singhvi sang a soulful Sufi Recital at The Crystal Ballroom, The Lalit New Delhi. The recital was followed by the release of her HMV SaReGaMa album ‘Tajalli’. The evening was presided by Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi. Erudite Indian actor Farooq Sheikh was the master of ceremony for the recital ...Read more