New Delhi (The Hawk): As India opens its borders post-pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has been organising a series of virtual roadshows in collaboration with Indian Missions abroad to reconnect with and welcome back partners in the international travel and tourism industry. As much as it is aimed to be an update on Indian tourism, it is also an initiative to rediscover old ties and explore new opportunities for the future.India’s diverse and unique tourism products were at display on 26th&nbsp;July, 2022 with the Italy edition of the Incredible India Reconnect 2022 virtual roadshow. The Incredible India Reconnect 2022 Virtual Roadshow began with opening remarks from Dr.Neena Malhotra, Ambassador of India to Italy. She highlighted the importance of efforts such as this in reigniting the tourism and travel interest between Indian and Italy – given the rich commonalities between history, culture, and civilization. She spoke at length about how Italy and India are fertile grounds for film and cultural tourism to thrive.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/2WSOZ.jpg">&nbsp;<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/3WNJE.jpg">It was followed by remarks from Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism.&nbsp;The Director General began with recalling the Prime Minister’s slogan ‘Chalo India’ mentioned in his address to Indian diaspora in Denmark. The call for the diaspora was for each of them to invite 5 non – Indian friends to come and visit India. Highlighting the importance of the diaspora, he mentioned the need for enabling members of the Indian diaspora to talk about the diverse tourism offerings of India in their daily places of work and interaction. He also mentioned how India was a tourist destination that offered the most economical and the most luxurious of tourist offerings at each of the 165-170 declared tourist destinations in India. While also highlighting Italian tourist preferences towards India’s traditional culture, heritage, wildlife, and nature, he mentioned how India’s success story in vaccination has allowed for tourism recovery at a faster pace than was predicted by global thought leaders like UNWTO and WTTC He reiterated on the importance of medical and wellness tourism and its popularity in Italy. Dilating on the fact, he mentioned how India was among the only countries in the world having a dedicated Ministry and action plan towards traditional knowledge systems.&nbsp;<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/4SJYM.jpg">Post this, Mr. Antonio Barreca, Director General, Federation of Tourism Industry highlighted that Italian tourists have traditionally been very enthusiastic about Indian culture, the outdoors, the cities, and the general vibrancy and diversity of India. He mentioned about how Italy and India can together compete on quality and excellence, while offering each other technical knowhow allowing opportunities for knowledge transfer.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/56MDQ.jpg">Ms. Maria Elena ROSSI, Marketing &amp; Promotion Director, ENIT – Italian National Tourist Board, spoke at length about new initiatives being taken by the Board with respect to digitalization and sustainability. Realizing the importance of people and community in this industry, she spoke at length about the need to make people and youth join the tourism and travel industry, she mentioned how India and Italy can get together to join hands and create tourism and travel professionals for the bright future of this industry.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/6F176.jpg">Mr. Pierpaolo Di Nardo from Maldindia Tour Operators, spoke about his passion for India given it being a destination which changed his life for the better. He mentioned how he was trying to give back to India by spreading knowledge about the rich and diverse destination that is India, through tailor made thematic trips to India exposing tourists to yoga, music, dance, and architecture in India. His experience only reiterated the importance of India being a must-visit experiential transformative destination. Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Director General (Tourism)in order to learn and delve deeper into Mr. Di Nardo’s experiences, threw light on the point about tourists wanting to experience India in a deep and authentic way. He also mentioned how India was taking forward-thinking steps with respect to rural and homestay tourism to enable the same.This session was followed by insightful presentations from the representatives of ATOAI, IATO, and ICPB who spoke about India’s tourism offerings, the varied geography and tourism products, and it’s edge as a MICE tourism destination.The virtual roadshow was a signal of the continuing efforts of the Ministry of Tourism to encourage bilateral tourism by recognising the issues, challenges, and opportunities between India and its top 20 source markets, sowing seeds for new ideas and relationships for a brighter future for Indian tourism.

As India opens its borders post-pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has been organising a series of virtual roadshows in collaboration with Indian Missions abroad to reconnect with and welcome back partners in the international travel and tourism industry.

Ministry of Tourism displays India’s diverse & unique tourism products at Italy edition of Incredible India Reconnect 2022 virtual roadshow

Religious Tourism

New Delhi: Pakistan on Tuesday issued 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims for the annual festival scheduled from June 8-17. High Commission for Pakistan took the initiative on the eve of the martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev. Expressing his views on the auspicious occasion, Charge d’Affaires Aftab Hasan Khan, extended his heartfelt felicitations to the pilgrims and wished them a rewarding and fulfilling yatra, read the High Commission for Pakistan press release.The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974. Every year, a large number of Sikh Yatrees from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions. The visas issued from New Delhi are in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in these events from other countries. During the visit, the pilgrims would, inter alia, go to Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib. They would enter Pakistan on June 8 and return back to India on June 17, 2022, added the release.—ANI

Pakistan on Tuesday issued 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims for the annual festival scheduled from June 8-17. High Commission for Pakistan took the initiative on the eve of the martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev.

Pak issues 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims for annual festival

Srinagar: The first Hajj 2022 flight carrying pilgrims to Saudi Arabia left the Srinagar International Airport on Sunday. The annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia re-starts this year after remaining suspended for two years due to the Covid pandemic.The Hajj flight is carrying 145 J&amp;K pilgrims to Madina. The flights will carry a total of 5,737 pilgrims from the union territory to Saudi Arabia and will continue till June 20. Officials at the airport said that on June 12 there would be two daily Hajj flights and from June 13 onwards there will be three daily flights to carry pilgrims from Srinagar to Madina.Senior officials of the J&amp;K government saw the pilgrims off at the airport. R.R. Bhatnagar, advisor to the Lt. Governor, Niteshwar Sharma, principal secretary to the LG and K.K. Pole, divisional commissioner (Kashmir) were present at the airport to see off the pilgrims. Authorities had made arrangements for immigration, foreign exchange, etc., at the Srinagar airport for the pilgrims.—IANS

The first Hajj 2022 flight carrying pilgrims to Saudi Arabia left the Srinagar International Airport on Sunday. The annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia re-starts this year after remaining suspended for two years due to the Covid pandemic.

First Hajj 2022 Flight With 145 J&K Pilgrims Takes Off From Srinagar

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Minister for Development of North East Region, Tourism and Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy addressed the ‘Round Table of Indian Foreign Service officers’, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Invest India. The conference witnessed several dignitaries from the Union government, diplomats, senior officers and investors from different segments. The Minister spoke on the increasing opportunities for investors in the North East Region due to a positive growth-oriented environment established in the region. He also highlighted how improvement in the security situation, better connectivity and unparalleled political will central government’s focus on the region, has ushered in an era of development and growth.The Minister said that the recent Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – NE Festival, celebrated from 28th&nbsp;April to 4 May, helped initiate dialogue on many critical issues and proved to be of immense significance for the policy makers and general public alike. He further added that throughout the discussions, two aspects were found to be fundamental for strengthening the region - the need for greater Public Private Partnership and tapping into inherent potential of the region such as Tourism, organic farming, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, textiles, handicrafts, IT sector,BPO and services industry, were found to be common across.&nbsp;<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image001I71U.jpg"> He also remarked that there is considerable demand for NE products and interest of foreign investors in NER but there is lack of awareness and a lot of misconceptions exist.He called on all the IFS officers to leverage their global presence to spread the word and help build brand “North East India as Paradise Unexplored and a Land of Unlimited Opportunities”. He also urged them to become ambassadors of the huge cultural capital and tourism potential of the North East Region.The minister also emphasised the fact that the IFS officers must catalyse the global investment community and industry to turn towards North East India.He said that with collective efforts, India can make the most of the Amrit Kaal, unleash the power of North East and establish it as the growth engine of Atmanirbhar Bharat.Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Invest India, the event was held as part of the Mid-Career Training program for senior IFS officers. The interactive session covered investment promotion and other initiatives of the government towards building brand India.

The Minister for Development of North East Region, Tourism and Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy addressed the ‘Round Table of Indian Foreign Service officers’, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Invest India. The conference witnessed several dignitaries from the Union government, diplomats, senior officers and investors from different segments.

  Reddy calls on  IFS officers to leverage their global presence to help build brand 'North East India as Paradise Unexplored'

New Delhi (The Hawk): Ministry of Tourism has initiated establishing ‘YUVA Tourism Clubs’ as&nbsp;part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. The vision of YUVA Tourism Clubs is to nurture and develop young ambassadors of Indian tourism who would become aware of tourism possibilities in India, appreciate our rich cultural heritage and develop an interest and passion for tourism. These young ambassadors would be catalysts for promoting tourism in India. Participation in Tourism Clubs is also expected to facilitate development of soft skills like teamwork, management, leadership besides encouraging adoption of responsible tourism practices and concern for sustainable tourism.Central Board of Secondary Education has come forward to support the initiative of Ministry of Tourism and issued instructions to all CBSE affiliated schools regarding formation of Yuva Tourism Clubs.Speaking on this, Union Tourism Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that youth are the best Ambassadors of India and its rich cultural, spiritual and natural heritage. The Yuva Tourism clubs that are being set up in various schools will promote national integration and build on the Prime Minister's vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha&nbsp;Bharat.&nbsp;Shri Reddy further added that students will now be aware of domestic destinations and equipped with the tools to promote the tourism sector. The tourism clubs help children to be more aware about their states and neighborhood along with the cultural aspects. This further builds on the clarion call of Dekho Apna Desh by the Prime Minister.The young members of these clubs would gain exposure to the rich diversity of India, and its civilizational values, it would enhance their sense of belonging towards the nation. On the other hand, as the youth become tourist ambassadors, India will become the favoured tourist destination of the world which will then have a cascading impact on our economy.The Ministry of Tourism has shared a ‘Handbook for Schools for conduct of Tourism Clubs’. The Handbook reiterates the purposes, operational strategies along with specific guidelines and suggestions for conduct of various activities. The proposed sample of activities is suggestive and the teachers and schools are encouraged to incorporate allied activities under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) programme like excursion, online or e-tourism, pen pals in the paired State/UT, learning the language of the paired State/UT, having exposure to the diversity, natural resources and rich heritage of India.YUVA Tourism Clubs would also enable learners to appreciate the importance of travel and tourism, ignite a passion for tourism and its value in learners, sensitize learners to various elements of travel, encourage, teach and propagate responsible tourism practices, improve physical &amp; mental health through exploratory, adventure and sports tourism and spread awareness about tourism opportunities at an early stage and encourage learners to be skilled professionals and entrepreneurs in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Ministry of Tourism has initiated establishing ‘YUVA Tourism Clubs’ as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. 