India Tourism Promotion in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Tourism with the objective to tap the high end tourists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) organised Tourism Road Shows in the cities of Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah. The shows were held from 7th to 11th of this month.

A strong Indian delegation comprising officials from the India Tourism Departments of Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra, members of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Air India, Jet Airways, Taj Group of Hotels, Medical and Wellness facilities etc., from India were present to showcase the multitude of tourist attractions of India to the Saudi Arabian Traveller. The Indian delegation was led by Shri RH Khwaja, Union Tourism Secretary.

The State delegation of Jammu & Kashmir was led by the Minister of Tourism & Culture Shri Nawang Rigzin Zora and the Minister of State for Tourism Shri Nasir Aslam Wani. The Ambassador of India, Shri Hamid Ali Rao, was also present during the event in Riyadh.

The Road Show held in the city of Dammam on 7th January 2012 witnessed the presence of over 154 participants representing the members of the Travel Trade, Media and opinion makers of this sector. During the event held in Riyadh on the 9th January, as many as 172 members of the travel industry and media participated and got a glimpse of Indian tourism products and its rich cuisine. The final leg of the Road Show was held in Jeddah on the 11th January 2012.

According to travel statistics, 4.5 million Saudis representing nearly a quarter of the population, travelled abroad and spent about US $33 billion last year. India is fast emerging as a preferred destination for the Saudi tourists.

Foreign tourist arrivals into India have witnessed a steady increase over the years, touching 6.29 million in 2011, an increase of 8.9% over 2009. During the year 2010 there has been an increase of nearly 38% in the inbound tourism from KSA to India with around twenty two thousand tourists. The Visa issuance figures of the Indian Mission indicate a similar high growth in the year 2011.

One of the highlights of the Road Show was the focus on the ‘Medical & Wellness’ Tourism potential of India. India’s vast potential as a Health and Wellness tourism destination, backed by its medical facilities and world-class doctors, para-medical staff and hospitals, ancient healing systems such as ‘Ayurveda’ and other rejuvenating programs were show-cased.

The cost of medical services in India is almost 30% lower to that in Western countries and the most cost effective in the region. Indian hospitals excel in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint replacements, transplants, cosmetic treatments, dental care, orthopedic surgery and much more. All medical treatments and investigations are done using the latest, technologically advanced diagnostic equipment. Moreover, India is just about four hours away making it easier for patients to visit even for follow-up – offering unmatched proximity and value-for-money.

The Road Show also highlighted destinations which are becoming popular for holiday and the business traveler like the Luxury Trains viz. Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, The Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot etc. in addition to the Palace Hotels, Luxury Spas etc. The other niche tourism products being publicized were adventure, eco and wildlife tourism.

The presentations were followed by interactive sessions with the members of the Indian Tourism Industry which provided an opportunity of building awareness about the Incredible India tourism product. This will contribute significantly in sustaining the growth of high spending tourists from KSA.

Ryanair to charge for new emission

Ryanair allows its passengers pay for airline emissions by introducing a new fee.From next Tuesday, January 17, Ryanair will charge a fee of 0.25 euros per passenger. The fee will cover Ryanair's costs for the EU's emissions trading scheme.

Ryanair passengers expected in 2012 to pay between 15 and 20 million through the levy.

Ryanair does not believe that the European aviation will be included in the ETS scheme, as it accounts for less than 2 percent of the EU's carbon emissions. This EU tax rate will harm the aviation, tourism, European competitiveness and employment in a time when no other economic associations include aviation in its ETS scheme. It reduces the competitiveness of the airlines within the EU even further by yet another misguided "environmental tax" that does nothing for the environment, but instead of punishing European consumers and families, said Ryanair's Stephen McNamara Communications.

Incredible North India Tourism

The States of North India refer to a set of states like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal which are situated in the non-peninsular region of the Republic of India. Because of the strategic location, North India plays a significant role in shaping the course of India’s historical and cultural evolution since the time of human settlement on the Indo-Gangetic Plain whose fertile soils and perennial rivers diverted the early human being for their permanent settlement. It is in north India where the great religions of the world – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism – were born and spread to all the parts of India and the world. The great Himalayas are situated in north India which separates the Indian sub-continent from the rest of Asia. Since the ancient time, the north India was the centre of conflict among the different powers like Mauryan, Gupta, Mughals, British and many others to control the entire subcontinent of India.

Tourist Attractions of North India

It is because of this diversity and intermixing of different cultures and religions, the region has become more dynamic and centre of attractions for its States like Rajasthan known as the “Desert Jewel of India"; Uttar Pradesh which is famous as “one of the most ancient and diverse states of India"; Punjab is known as the “granary of India"; Delhi the capital of India is an epitome of the whole history of Indo-Islamic culture; Uttaranchal is known for its healthy and wholesome tourist destination of India; Himachal Pradesh is regarded as the place of “nature at its best";  Jammu & Kashmir is blessed as “the paradise on earth". The other attractions of North India are wildlife tour, forts and monuments, adventure tourism of north India, fairs and festivals, pilgrimage centres of north India, Ayurveda & meditation, north India train travel, airports and hotels of north India.

Religious Tourism of North India

North India has attracted the tourists from all over the world for its religious tourism of all faiths and Yatras – the holy pilgrimage tour to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri combinedly known as Chardham, Kailash Mansarovar and many other sacred places. Some of the famous places of religious tourismare Vaishno Devi Yatra to Jammu & Kashmir which is devoted to Mata Vaishno Devi; Golden Temple of Punjab which is devoted to Sri Harmandir Sahib; Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu respectively; Char Dham is devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Ganga & Yamuna; Buddhist pilgrimage centres at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Spiti, Lahaul and Dharmashala in Himachal Pradesh, and Leh Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir make north India the prime attractions of pilgrimage tourism.

World Heritage Sites of North India

India is considered by the peoples of the world as mosaic of different beliefs, faiths, doctrines and cultures since the time immemorial. It is here on this subcontinent of Mother India the visitors like Aryans, Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs, Afghans, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British visited and with the passage of time they assimilate the very culture of India and became one with the distinction of without losing the peculiarity of their own culture. It was this peculiarity that makes Indian art and culture so vibrant which is still reflected in the forms of historical monuments and other architectures. India has near about 27 World Heritage Sites in her credit, out of which 12 sites are located in North India. All these historical monuments of north India are the source of attractions especially of the international tourists. Among them, Taj Mahalof Agra is credited with one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Shah Johan in memory of his consort Mumtaz Mahal! Other World Heritage Sites of north India are Agra Fort a reflection of distinct Mughal style of art and architecture, Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun's Tomb, Khajuraho, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Delhi, Keoladeo National Park, Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Sanchi, Champaner etc.

tourist exchange between Europe and SA

To boost tourism in the off season, Brussels starts a vacation exchange between the EU and South America. The European Commission signed for this purpose on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding with EU governments, airlines and representatives of the Tourism industry. Advertising campaigns in the EU countries, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, a total of 50 000 additional Tourists move to the other continent in the holiday . Make "We are obliged to promote Europe as a tourist destination and strengthen cooperation with countries that have a strong Growth potential in tourism have, "said EU Commissioner Antonio Tajani in Brussels.

In joint agreement to about 25 000 South Americans for the period Book between October 2012 and March 2013 trips to Europe. And same number of Europeans enter their holiday, ideally, 2013 May-October to. The idea bears fruit, the Commission plans the tourist exchange on the international tourism markets expand. So far, the governments of France, Italy, Lithuania and Spain signed the statement.