http://www.easydestination.net/blog/ Travel blog of latest travel news, events, travel advisories, destination tips, family travel guide, hotels reviews from around the world. en-us Nucleus CMS v3.64 ??? Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.easydestination.net/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://www.easydestination.net/blog/ http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2938 Gujarat tourism has seen Cannes as an opportunity to woo foreign filmmakers to shoot movies in the Vibrant Gujarat.

With this move, Gujarat is making efforts to woo more foreign tourists. While the Khushboo Gujarat Ki ad campaign has done wonders in India, its effect outside India is not that great.

The number of foreign tourists Gujarat has received is relatively low and frankly disappointing considering the potential of the state. This is why Gujarat tourism is looking to attract foreign filmmakers to shoot movies in Gujarat so that it could lead to rise in foreign tourist arrivals

As per Vipul Mittra who is principal secretary of tourism, Gujarat government is planning to offer various sops to the international filmmakers. Gujarat tourism has partnered with various hotels to offer discounts to film crew if they decide to shoot movie in Gujarat.

The tourism department is also looking to woo filmmakers with the help of its brand ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan. Vipul Mittra is hoping that Amitabh Bachchan might be able to convince some filmmakers.

Amitabh Bachchan has made appearance in Cannes to promote his movie, The Great Gatsby. He plays a minor role in the movie which stars Leonardo Dicaprio and Tobey Maguire.

This is the second year in row when Gujarat tourism has visited Cannes Film Festival. Although it’s not the only one, Maharashtra and West Bengal are also trying to woo filmmakers in Cannes.

However Vipul Mittra believes that great culture and heritage of Gujarat makes it stand out. Apart from it, Gujarat will offering incentives and has a strong reputation of cutting through red tapes and get things done as quick pace. Let's hope we may see Gujarat in some of the upcoming big blockbuster from Hollywood.


tags: Gujarat Tourism, Amitabh Bachchan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cannes Film Festival]]> Gujarat TourismAmitabh BachchanLeonardo DiCaprioCannes Film Festival Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2938 Thu, 23 May 2013 19:34:40 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2937 Israel tourism. The tour operators have warned the govt that VAT will reduce tourism by 14 per cent.

Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association has said that the move by Finance Minster will cost the nation around 250,000 to 300,000 foreign tourists and 7000 jobs.

The views of association are backed by the Tourism Ministry. Making tourists pay 18 per cent tax will not be healthy for the tourism industry. Tourism Minister of Israel has said that, VAT will cost NIS 1.7 billion to the economy of Israel; therefore FM should reconsider his decision.

The budget draft mentions that overall burden on the tourists will increase by 3.1 per cent only. There will be relief for tourists in form of cheap airfare thanks to the Open Skies reform and some of the VAT will be absorbed by the hotels.

While in short term tourism may come down by 6.5 per cent but it will gain momentum once again in couple of years.

But the industry is not buying that argument. The impact would be much deeper than expected in the budget draft. It is already 20 per cent more expensive for the British and European tourists.

The tour operator association has also pointed out that drop in tourist arrivals is not only going to hurt hotels but all the tourism related businesses like restaurants, amusement parks, museums, shopping etc.

The association further pointed out that traveling to Israel is already very expensive and unlike other destinations, Israel is not seen as a safe place to visit. Imposing 18 per cent VAT will have severe impact. Tourists will ignore Israel.

tags: Israel Tourism, Foreign Tourists, VAT]]> Israel TourismForeign TouristsVAT Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2937 Fri, 10 May 2013 19:51:28 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2936

This time around Kashmir tourism is hoping to do even better. Kashmir will benefit from the peace which has prevailed after some minor tensions following the hanging of terrorist Afzal Guru.

Following the hanging of terrorist Afzal Guru, there was some tension in the valley. Srinagar saw some protests and curfew was imposed but things have returned to normal. Interestingly a couple of months back, tour operators were worried that Afzal Guru saga may wash out the entire tourist season for Kashmir.

Tour operators say that local people understand the value of tourism therefore despite the effort by Separatists to continue the tension, things returned to normal. Now they are looking forward a good summer season.

The temperature has started to rise in most parts of India. Hill stations are perfect escape from the heat, which will lead tourists to Kashmir. The hotels in Srinagar have reported 60 per cent occupancy but expect it to increase in coming weeks once the summer holidays are started in schools of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

It has been slow start of the tourism season for Kashmir. As per the tourism department around 4000 tourists are entering the state every day which is less than 2000 expected by the state government.

However tourism officials are confident that situation will improve. A large chunk of tourists to Kashmir comes from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Schools across these two states haven't declared summer vacations just yet. This is why the tourist season had a slow start.


tags: Kashmir Tourism, Afzal Guru, Tourist Arrivals, Summer Holidays]]> Kashmir TourismAfzal GuruTourist ArrivalsSummer Holidays Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2936 Thu, 9 May 2013 20:19:02 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2935 Greece tourism industry.

Britain and Germany are the two major markets for Greece. If they are showing strong early start, it means that tourism industry can expect a strong season. Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises is expecting 17 million tourists in 2013.

It would be one million more tourists in comparison to last year and 1.5 million more tourists over 2012. But the SETE has also said that to achieve this figure, we need nothing to go wrong this summer.

For last couple of years, violent strikes have crippled Greece. Violence has also broke out over the Eurozone bailout package to Greece for which the country was required to take several austerity measures.

Apart from strikes and violence, Athens also saw a terror attack last year. In addition, German tourists were targeted last year which also impacted the tourism.

But its a new day or should I say, new year for Greece tourism. The uncertainty surrounding the exist of Greece from Eurozone and number of strikes have decreased.

As a result the image of Greece has improved and tourists are keen in traveling to the country. Something which is visible from the early bookings from Britain and Germany.

Another positive sign is return of tourists to Athens. The capital from center of crisis which lead to huge drop in tourist arrivals in city. As a result last year more than 40 hotels ran out of business.

But this year tourists have started to return. They have been lured by extremely cheap hotels in Athens. On average, the hotel prices have dropped by more than 45 percent in the city.

tags: Greece Tourism, Tourist Arrivals, Greece Strike, Athens]]> Greece TourismTourist ArrivalsGreece StrikeAthens Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2935 Wed, 8 May 2013 19:45:29 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2934 Leh tourism from Chinese incursion.

Its been more than 2 weeks since 40 Chinese troops crossed over to Ladakh from illegally occupied Tibet. Chinese troops have set up tents and currently camping in the Daulat Beg Oldie.

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has rejected that entry of Chinese troops in India from illegally occupied Tibet is going to affect tourism. He said that Chinese troops are 150 km from the tourism town of Leh and therefore can not impact tourism.

The tour operators in Leh have also played down Chinese incursion and said that we are enjoying great tourist season. The season has started early for us and China is not strong enough to affect it.

However tour agents are worried with the media coverage surrounding the incursion which could create some panic among the tourists. They have urged the media to be more responsible in its coverage.

There is large number of domestic and foreign tourists in the town. The locals believe that eventually Chinese troops will go back to China. However they are disappointed with the response of Indian government.

The locals want strong stand against China to stop such incursions. Chinese troops have a habit to enter Ladakh and disturb the local people. Some locals even called the UPA government and Prime Minister coward for not taking strong stand.

Locals want to send strong message to China that Ladakh is part of India and will always remains so. They will never accept China as their country.

tags: Leh Tourism, Ladakh, Jammu And Kashmir, Chinese Incursion, Tibet]]> Leh TourismLadakhJammu And KashmirChinese IncursionTibet Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2934 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:32:20 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2933 Goa tourism received several complaints from the tourists.

The locals are expected to suffer a lot from the ban. Locals prefer to drink alcohol on the beaches during family picnics. Goa government has asked the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) to immediately implement this new rule on the beaches of Goa.

The main aim of the decision is to prevent tourists from drinking alcohol on the beaches. It has come to notice that after drinking alcohol, tourists break the bottles on the beaches which has caused injuries to several people.

The consumption of alcohol has also turned out to be big security threat for women tourists. There have been several cases of eve teasing by the drunk men. Goa government do not want to take any risk with the safety of the women considering the kind of atmosphere in the country.

The decision is also expected to help keep the beaches clean. The tourism department has asked Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), who is responsible for round the clock security at the beaches, to implement the rule immediately. The IRB has been instructed to first ask tourists politely not to take bottles at beaches. If they refuse then IRB can take away the bottles.

This rule however will not be implemented on the places that have legal license to sell alcohol. Which means that tourists can continue to buy and consume alcohol at the shacks, hotels in Goa and any other place which has legal license to sell it.

The decision is primary taken to ensure safety of foreign women tourists. The domestic tourists are known to buy bulk of alcohol and consume it on the beaches. These drunk tourists often misbehave with the female tourists.

tags: Goa Tourism, Alcohol Ban, Foreign Tourists, Goa Beaches, Domestic Tourists]]> Goa TourismAlcohol BanForeign TouristsGoa BeachesDomestic Tourists Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2933 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:51:03 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2932 Delhi tourism.

The city is seeing slump in tourist arrivals since the Delhi gang rape of December 2012 and the following protests. Several countries issued travel advisory for the city and its reputation was dented. Various surveys suggested that women are scared of traveling in Delhi.

To overturn the slump, Delhi government and Delhi tourism announced the winner of tagline competition which attracted more than 12,000 entries. The winning slogan was suggested by Amit Anand, a resident of Delhi.

The Chief Minister of the city, Sheila Dikshit made the announcement of Thursday in a event organized by her government. Several slogans made it to the final list but Dildaar Dilli was chosen by the Delhi tourism.

Interestingly Dildaar word was mentioned in various tagline that were submitted by the contestants.

Amit Anand received Rs. 50,000 for winning the contest. On the occasion, Sheila Dikshit said that generosity of Delhi is its biggest identity. It always welcomes people from different places and background with open arms.

Various Indian states uses tagline for promotion. Kerala uses God's own country while Gujarat uses Vibrant Gujarat. Sheila Dikshit and Delhi Tourism hopes to promote the city as tourist friendly destination with the help of new tagline.

However the tour operators are not so confident. They believe the unless situation changes of the ground, no matter what tagline you use, it is not going to make difference.

One tour operator even went on to suggest that Sheila Dikshit should spend her time and energy is making Delhi a safe place for women instead of coming up with tagline. Unless you ensure safety of the women, nobody is going to buy this tagline.

The fear of tour agents have come true. In a shocking incident, 5 year old girl was gang raped by 2 men after which the girl was hospitalized. The Delhi is once again witnessing the same kind of protest which erupted following the Delhi brave heart case in December.

The main opposition party, BJP took a dig at Sheila Dikshit and said that Delhi is not Dildaar Dilli but Balatkar (Rape) Dilli. The opposition party is extremely critical of the Delhi government and believe that Sheila Dikshit has completely failed to provide security to women.

Tour agents are in shock and believe that now it will take a long time for tourism to recover. The tourism not just in Delhi but entire country will suffer because of repeated incidents.

tags: Delhi Tourism, Delhi Gang Rape, Dildaar Dilli, Tourist Arrivals, Sheila Dikshit]]> Delhi TourismDelhi Gang RapeDildaar DilliTourist ArrivalsSheila Dikshit Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2932 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:46:49 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2931 Gujarat tourism to have Disneyland amusement park.

It will be first such project in India by the Walt Disney World. The Walt Disney finds Gujarat an ideal place due to its tourist friendly as well investor friendly image. Apparently grabbing big projects like Tata Nano and now Disneyland has become habit of Gujarat.

There are still very sketchy information regarding the projects. We don't know yet where the park will be established. The spokesperson of the Walt Disney Company, India is expected to disclose the information very soon.

The Gujarat tourism hasn't reacted to the news so far. But the tourism industry is delighted with the news. Although they are also waiting for additional details regarding the project.

This is not the first such project in Gujarat. Last year we $2 billion Disneyland style theme park near Surat was approved by the Gujarat government. Wonderland Canada is believed to be behind the project.

Now Gujarat will have Disneyland which will make it a international destination. So far Gujarat has been very successful in attracting domestic tourists, however the foreign tourist count is disappointing.

But with the help of these two amusement parks, Gujarat can soon play a vital role for tourism sector of India by attracting easily over 1 million international tourists.

tags: Gujarat Tourism, Amusement Park, Disneyland, Wonderland Canada, Walt Disney World]]> Gujarat TourismAmusement ParkDisneylandWonderland CanadaWalt Disney World Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2931 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:07:26 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2930

The twin bomb blasts took place towards the end of Boston marathon which is one of the biggest tourism events in the city. Three people killed and more than 140 injured in the terror attack. The Boston Airport was immediately shut down following the blasts for security reasons.

This is the first terror attack in United States since the 9/11. Tour operators have said that it is quite natural that tourists may cancel booking and decide against traveling to Boston.

However they don't see tourists completely shunning Boston and believe that things will start to get normal as more information regarding the blasts will be provided.

The FBI has started the investigation of the blasts and so far no terror group has been blamed for the blasts.

Tour agencies in Boston are hopeful that tourism will start to rebound from May. However it will take few months for tourism to completely recover. The tour operators don't see overall any big slide for tourism to United States.

However some are of the view that tourists from some Asian countries may decide against traveling to United States since such incidents increases the security checkups at the airports and generally Asian tourists are the subject of lengthy security checks.

tags: Boston Bombing, Boston Marathon, Terror Attack, Tourist Arrivals]]> Boston BombingBoston MarathonTerror AttackTourist Arrivals Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2930 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:14:57 +0530 http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2929

North Korea has vowed to take action not just against United States but South Korea as well. North Korea is openly talking about Nuclear war and strengthening its nuclear arsenal.

This has not gone too well with some tourists. As a result some tour operators in South Korea have reported cancellations although there is nothing significant enough as the moment.

The worst affected areas are the bordering town with North Korea. Imjingak is one such town that has seen drop in tourist arrivals since the tensions have escalated at the Korean Peninsula.

The local business owners have complained that there is visible drop in tourist arrivals which is not good for their business. Other bordering towns are also reporting same thing.

The local tourism industry is not worried at the moment. They were expecting some impact in the bordering towns but overall situation is not bad. Tour operators believe that there will be no significant impact since North Korea has habit of threatening the South. People hardly take such threats seriously.

South Korea is currently busy exploring new markets including India. The country is targeting 100,000 Indian tourists for this year. South Korea tourism is excited about India since several Bollywood movies are expected to be filmed in the country. This will largely have positive impact on the tourism.

tags: South Korea Tourism, North Korea, Imjingak, Indian Tourists]]> South Korea TourismNorth KoreaImjingakIndian Tourists Travel News http://www.easydestination.net/blog/index.php?itemid=2929 Tue, 2 Apr 2013 20:13:45 +0530