Free Packages for Foreign Tourists to India

Central govt. of India has decided to provide some free packages to foreign tourists like free air ticket, complimentary stay and sight seeing tour to lure foreign visitors as part of its Visit India 2009 scheme.The step has been taken to give a boost to Indian travel industry which is facing huge problems and a steep fall in attracting foreign tourists after Mumbai attack. In a statement, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said, "We are launching the scheme from April this year involving all stakeholders of tourism". The scheme includes complimentary international air passenger for travelling companion, one night complimentary stay in hotel booked by the tourist and complimentary local sightseeing tour in any one city of visit among others.

The Tourism Ministry has also planned to organize road shows in important tourist generating overseas markets with participation of the travel industry. Road shows have been finalised in Singapore, Malayasia, Australia, UK, Japan, South Korea, USA and Canada during February and May this year.

List of ITC Hotels in India

ITC Maurya, New Delhi
Address: Diplomatic Enclave, Sardar Patel Marg, New Delhi 110 021, India
Tel :(91) (11) 26112233
Fax :(91) (11) 26113333

ITC Maratha, Mumbai
Address: Sahar, Mumbai, India 400099
Tel :(91) (22) 28303030
Fax :(91) (22) 28303131

ITC Windsor, Bangalore
Address: 25, Windsor Square, Golf Course Road, Bangalore 560 052, Karnataka, India
Tel :(91)(80) 22269898
Fax :(91)(80) 22264941

ITC Grand Central, Mumbai
Address: 287, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Parel, Mumbai – 400 012
Tel :(91) (22) 24101010
Fax :(91) (22) 24101111

ITC Sonar, Kolkata
Address: JBS Haldane Avenue (Opp Science City)Kolkata - 700046 India
Tel :(91) (33) 23454545
Fax :(91) (33) 23454455

ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad
Address: 6-3-1187, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016, Andhra Pradesh, India
Tel :(91)(40) 23400132
Fax :(91)(40) 23401045

ITC Mughal, Agra
Address: Taj Ganj, Agra 282 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tel :(91) (562) 2331701
Fax :(91) (562) 2331730

For more details and other ITC hotels log on at www.itcwelcomgroup.in/

New Online Visa Travel Rules to US

As per New online visa travel rules to US requiring people traveling to the U.S. under the visa waiver program to register online in advance, instead of filling out paper forms in flight or at the airport. This has been designed to improve U.S. security, the rules has been voluntary since August, but now became mandatory. Travelers are being asked to fill out the forms at least 72 hours in advance of travel.

There were no signs of confusion as the new system was implemented at London Heathrow's sprawling Terminal 5 — departure point for many U.S.-bound flights. The rules cover the citizens of 35 countries — from nations in Europe and Asia, to Australia and New Zealand — who don't require a visa to enter the U.S.

Travelers filling out the online form will be told whether their request is authorized, denied or pending, he said. Those who are marked "pending" must check back in 72 hours to see if they have been approved, Derwood Staeben said. People whose application is denied must apply to the U.S. Consulate for a visa. He said the U.S. Congress mandated the change.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department said in a statement that it will take a reasonable approach to travelers who have not obtained an approved travel authorization, but warned that travelers without authorization do risk being delayed or denied entry to the U.S.

There is no fee for the service, he said, and the travel authorization is valid for two years. He warned that operators of some unscrupulous Web sites are charging fees for this service, which is designed to be free of charge.

People can apply for travel authorization at any time, and Staeben said about 14,000 applications per day are being received.

Taj Group of Hotels in India

List of Taj Group of Hotels in India

Taj Mahal Hotel
Apollo Bunder,
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India - 400001


Hotel Taj President
90, Cuffe Parade,
Mumbai - 400005
Maharashtra, India


The Taj Mahal Hotel
Number One Mansingh Road;
New Delhi
India - 110011


Taj Fisherman's Cove
Covelong Beach,
Kanchipuram District-603112
Tamil Nadu, India.


Fort Aguada Beach Resort
Sinquerim, Bardez,
Goa-403519, India.


Taj Exotica Goa
Calwaddo, Benaulim,
Salcete, Goa - 403716,
India.

Jai Mahal Palace
Jacob Road, Civil Lines.
Jaipur-302006,
Rajasthan, India.


Taj Hari Mahal
5, Residency Road,
Jodhpur - 342001
Rajasthan, India.

Travel & Tourism Trade Shows in January 2009

Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE-Chicago) (10-JAN-09 to 11-JAN-09)
Place of Trade Show: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois, United States Of America

Iran Hotel Travel & Tourism International Exhibition (HT&T) (13-JAN-09 to 16-JAN-09)
Place of Trade Show: Tehran Permanent Fair Ground, Tehran, Iran

Carvan Helsinki (15-JAN-09 to 18-JAN-09)
Place of Trade Show: Helsinki Fair Centre, Helsinki, Finland

ANFAS HOTEL EQUIPMENT 2009 (15-JAN-09 to 18-JAN-09)
Place of Trade Show: Antalya Expo Center, Antalya, Turkey

for more travel trade shows in january log on at www.inuttarakhand.com/travel-tourism-trade-exhibitions-in-january.html