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.

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.

River Ganga as National River

The Indian government has decided to declare the river Ganga as a national river, following campaigns from several quarters to preserve its cultural and religious significance. A High Powered Ganga River Basin Authority, to be chaired by the prime minister, will be set up as an empowered planning, implementing and monitoring authority for the river. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, or moef, has decided to conduct a basin-wide pilot study of the ecological impact of hydel projects coming up on the Ganga.

The study will be conducted from Dharasu to Gangotri lying in the stretch of the Ganga’s tributary Bhagirathi in Uttarakhand. It will help in the planning of hydropower projects and maintaining adequate water flow in the river for its ecological health. IIT Roorkee and G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora, have been asked to submit proposals for conducting the study.

Ban on Airlines Advertisements

Indian government put ban on all such type of airlines ads which gives incomplete information about fairs and other conveniences. The ban focussed those ads which shows low basic fares and do not showing high surcharges and taxes. The aviation ministry and DGCA recently probed a leading low cost carrier, which had started advertising fares of Rs 99 with the steep add-ons amount finding no mention, to withdraw the campaign.

Apart from a low passenger service fee of Rs 225, all other hefty surcharges are pocketed by airlines. On the basic fee, Indian carriers levy four different types of taxes and surcharge passenger service fee, fuel and congestion surcharges and transaction fee.

India & UN World Tourism Organisation

India has succeeded in thwarting attempts by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at ranking tourist destinations worldwide, a move which assumes significance in view of the recent terror attacks in the country. Previous month, many countries had considered issuing travel advisories against visiting India in the backdrop of terror attacks in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Delhi.

On this India has opposed, any kind of move regarding certifications, grading or ranking of tourist destinations on various parameters at the meeting of the Executive Council of UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at Madrid last week. The UNWTO serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and promotes the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism with special attention to the interests of developing countries.

New York City opens tourism office in India

New York City has opened its latest international tourism and marketing office in India, hoping to entice more Indians to visit. The office is located in Mumbai. India's office is the 18th international NYC tourism office to open and after this India, comes alongwith Spain, Russia, China and Brazil.

As per records New York City received 157,000 visitors from India in 2007, who generated $226 million in economic impact. The city also is trying to recruit more Indian films to be shot in the city.