Hyatt Announces Plans for First Hyatt Vivid Property to open in 2024

 Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Grupo Murano for Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, an adults-only resort and Dreams Grand Island, a family-friendly 616-room luxury resort.

Both properties are expected to open in Cancun, Mexico in early 2024 within the Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt. Hyatt Vivid Grand Island will mark the first Hyatt Vivid property in the Inclusive Collection portfolio.

“These plans for the first Hyatt Vivid resort reflect the continued evolution of travel and Hyatt’s unwavering dedication to the all-inclusive concept. Introducing a resort experience that blends culture and a free-spirted atmosphere with the conveniences of an all-inclusive is an ideal value proposition for owners who are eager to capitalize on this exciting opportunity to introduce the all-inclusive experience to the next generation of travelers,” said Javier Coll, group president, global business development & innovation, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt. “We are confident the winning combination of Hyatt Vivid Grand Island and Dreams Grand Island will create a must-visit destination that will appeal to a variety of travel occasions and guests.”

“Working with one of the most prominent brands in hospitality aligns with Grupo Murano’s strategic vision,” said Marcos Sacal, CEO, Grupo Murano. “We are thrilled to continue collaborating with Hyatt, now in Cancun, to launch the new Hyatt Vivid brand. As we expand our services, offerings, and developments, we are eager to work with like-minded companies and brands, such as Hyatt and the Inclusive Collection, that are evolving the travel and hospitality space.”

Hyatt Vivid hotels and resorts will offer couples, friends and solo travelers locally inspired itineraries and encourage social interaction at every turn through experiential-driven programming, dining, and entertainment. Created to appeal to the next generation of forward-thinking travelers, the new brand is designed for adults seeking casual comforts filled with simple pleasures. Signature dining experiences will offer a casual and inviting approach focused on flexibility over formality, including a culinary collective comprised of taco trucks, ceviche carts, a food hall, and more. For active travelers looking to maintain healthy routines and fitness goals, resorts will offer specialty classes to complement state-of-the-art fitness centers.

Hyatt Vivid Grand Island will feature 400 guest rooms designed for comfort and featuring expansive views. Reminiscent of the Mayan deity Kukulcan, the resort is being designed by world renowned and award-winning architects, HOK.

Guests can expect to have seamless access to the adjacent Dreams Grand Island, a family-friendly 616-room resort expected to open in early 2024, providing additional options and amenities for a truly immersive experience. Guests will enjoy the brand’s signatured Unlimited-Luxury® inclusions, such as pool and beach service, unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room and concierge services, daily activities and entertainment, nightly events and more.

Together, the resorts will offer 19 unique culinary concepts comprised of Japanese, Mexican, French, Mediterranean, and more. Guests will have access to a 26,000-square-foot spa, complete with 25 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, multiple pools, a beach club and more.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6416

Odisha government hopes to boost tourism with launch of direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore

 With launch of direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore - under Viability Gap Funding scheme - Odisha government hopes to boost tourism.

Direct flights connecting Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore - under the Viability Gap Funding scheme - launched.
Direct flights connecting Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore - under the Viability Gap Funding scheme - launched.

"The target is to double the foreign tourist arrivals by 2025 to 2.5 lakh from the pre-Covid peak of 1.2 lakh witnessed in 2019," Sachin Jadhav, Director of Tourism Odisha, said.

The Odisha government has allocated ₹660 crore in its budget for the current financial year for the tourism sector.

“With the launch of direct flights with these three cities, we expect a surge in international tourists taking onward flights to Odisha,” Jadhav said during the Odisha Tourism Roadshow here.

“We have shown a more proactive approach in starting direct flights to Bhubaneswar to Dubai, which began on May 15, and Bangkok and Singapore on Jun 3,” he said.

Connecting Bhubaneswar to these three destinations will not only boost tourism but also bolster trade links, he said.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6408/Odisha-government-hopes-to-boost-tourism-with-launch-of-direct-flights-from-Bhubaneswar-to-Dubai-Bangkok-and-Singapore

ITA Airways Launches Washington – Rome Connection

 ITA Airways, on the Italian National Day i.e., June 2, launched the Washington Dulles – Rome Fiumicino direct flight. The inaugural flight, which departed from Dulles International airport, was operated with the new Airbus A330neo, the first aircraft completely built according to ITA Airways’ new cabin design.

To celebrate the launch of the new intercontinental route and the entry into service of the new aircraft, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the departure gate in the presence of Pierfrancesco Carino, Vice President International Sales ITA Airways, Chryssa Westerlund, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority, and Min. Plen. Alessandro Gonzales, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Italy in Washington.

To further underline the importance of the new connection between North America and Italy, ITA Airways was partner of the Italian National Day celebrations held yesterday at the Italian Embassy in Washington. On the occasion, the Ambassador of Italy in Washington, Mariangela Zappia, said: “ITA Airways’ new connection and plans to expand its network in the United States are important, long-awaited steps that bring America even closer to Italy and allow us to strengthen not only tourist flows but also the political, economic and cultural relations between our two countries”.

The Washington destination inaugurates the expansion of ITA Airways’ intercontinental network for the 2023 summer season and is enhanced by the introduction of the new Airbus A330neo, which made its first commercial flight today.
ITA Airways’ new direct Washington-Rome route is now operating with five roundtrip flights a week and will offer daily roundtrip flights in the peak of the summer season, from 1 August to 28 October 2023.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6410/ITA-Airways-Launches-Washington-Rome-Connection

Jamaica, The Bahamas to Collaborate to Grow Regional Tourism

 Another alliance is being forged between Jamaica and a key Caribbean tourism partner in a drive to develop a cooperative approach to air travel and grow regional tourism.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation for the Bahamas, Hon I. Chester Cooper in New York where they are participating in the annual Caribbean Week celebrations organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
Announcing the agreement reached to pursue, Minister Bartlett said, “Jamaica and the Bahamas have entered into a new era of collaboration in consonance with the new tourism view of co-petition as the way forward, as opposed to competition.”

As a matter of policy, Jamaica has been spearheading an initiative of regional cooperation in the marketing of tourism with Minister Bartlett piloting the multi-destination strategy of promoting the Caribbean as one destination in which travellers have the option of experiencing two or more destinations on their travels.

Minister Bartlett explained that in the partnership with the Bahamas, “We’re looking at how we can collaborate in the area of air connectivity to begin with. We’re looking at how we can advance the hub and spoke principle and to bring more visitors into our space.”

Currently, Jamaica is engaged in multi-destination arrangements with Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama and there have been discussions with the Cayman Islands to put a similar agreement in place. Minister Bartlett said giving effect to this initiative will entail standardizing certain protocols such as having a common visa regime and clearance arrangements that will allow for visitors to the Bahamas and the other destinations to market together and bring more airlines into the region.

The proposed collaboration with the Bahamas also takes into consideration the matter of training and the resilience building, which, he said, “has generated a big discussion around the establishment of a satellite resilience centre in the Bahamas.”

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) was founded by Minister Bartlett, who is now its co-chair, with centres already established in three other countries (Jordan, Kenya and Canada) with others in the pipeline.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6414/Jamaica-The-Bahamas-to-Collaborate-to-Grow-Regional-Tourism

JetBlue to Launch First Ever Nonstop Service from Los Angeles to Nassau, Bahamas

 The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) welcomes the announcement by JetBlue to launch its first-ever nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Nassau.

The new service connecting the United States West Coast to the Islands of The Bahamas will debut on 4 November, with a once- weekly Saturday flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Nassau’s Sir Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS).

“Over the past nine months, the Ministry has been in constant dialogue with key international aviation stakeholders, including JetBlue to increase airlift capacity to meet the demand for travel to our destination.” said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
“We are thrilled that within a few short months, travellers will be able to board a JetBlue flight in Los Angeles and be in The Bahamas within a matter of hours, to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the rich culture and the myriad of experiences on offer in Nassau and Paradise Island,” said DPM Cooper.

JetBlue’s announcement of the launch of nonstop service from Los Angeles to Nassau comes only days in advance of the Ministry of Tourism’s “Bringing The Bahamas to You” Global Sales Mission Tour scheduled for California 12th – 15th June. The 3-day tour will make stops in Los Angeles and Costa Mesa, to showcase the 16-island destination’s latest tourism offerings and developments, spotlight The Bahamas’ longstanding film legacy and celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of Independence.

The Los Angeles/Nassau nonstop route will also allow for more connectivity from major markets in Asia and the Pacific, putting The Bahamas’ 16 destinations in easier reach for new visitors. The new Los Angeles/Nassau route will also feature JetBlue’s award-winning Mint premium service.

Los Angeles International Airport is the world’s fifth busiest airport, with 645 daily commercial flights to 162 destinations.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6417/JetBlue-to-Launch-First-Ever-Nonstop-Service-from-Los-Angeles-to-Nassau-Bahamas

Maiden cruise vessel for Indian tourists reaches Hambantota port in Sri Lanka

 Some 80,000 tourists, mostly Indians, are expected to use the Chennai-Hambantota-Trincomalee-Chennai cruise service every week during the next four months.

The inaugural cruise for Indian tourists from Chennai arrived at Sri Lanka's southern port of Hambantota on Wednesday.

The "MS Empress" arrived with 1,600 passengers and 600 crew members on board, the local agent for the Advantis and Cordelia Cruises said.

As part of a partnership between Advantis -- the transportation and logistics arm of the Hayleys Group -- and Cordelia Cruises, Advantis - Travel and Aviation will serve as the general sales agent while Advantis Group subsidiary Clarion Shipping will serve as port agent for Cordelia Cruises in Sri Lanka, local media earlier reported.

Some 80,000 tourists -- mostly Indians -- are expected to use the Chennai-Hambantota-Trincomalee-Chennai service every week during the next four months.

The newly-launched cruise service would sail to three ports -- Hambantota, Trincomalee and Kankesanturai -- in Sri Lanka.

The launch of the cruise service comes in the backdrop of the memorandum of understanding signed between Chennai Port and Waterways Leisure Tourism for domestic and international cruise service at the Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6418/Maiden-cruise-vessel-for-Indian-tourists-reaches-Hambantota-port-in-Sri-Lanka

Timarpur Lake will soon be Delhi’s newest tourist destination

 Delhi will soon have a new addition to the already long list of tourist attractions in the city and this time, it is a beautiful lake. The sprawling 40 acres Timarpur Lake, located in an area near Vidhan Sabha, will be ready in no time.

If reports are to go by, the Timarpur Lake will soon be open to the general public. Once open, this lake will be a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction because the lake site will also house a Sewage Treatment Plant that will feed clean water into the lake, and the site will help in water storage too. A lot of ecologically-friendly steps have been taken while creating the Timarpur Lake.

For those curious, Timarpur is located in North Delhi, just 1.5 km from Vidhan Sabha, and just 2.5 km from Delhi University’s North Campus.
Once the lake is all ready, visitors will be able to enjoy facilities like food cafes, open-air theatre, butterfly park, a gallery and an auditorium. As per reports, development of this lake will not only help with restoration of groundwater but it will also help create a healthy ecosystem in the immediate areas.
Places worth a visit near Timarpur:
Signature Bridge: The Signature Bridge covers a section of the Yamuna river, and is India’s first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge.
Delhi University North Campus: Delhi University is one of the largest universities (area-wise) in the country.
Yamuna Biodiversity Park: Timarpur, Civil Lines, is just 4.5 km away from Yamuna Biodiversity Park. It is one of the seven biodiversity parks in Delhi-NCR.
Majnu Ka Tila: The famous Majnu Ka Tila is a great place to explore authentic Tibetan culture in Delhi. Check out the eateries when in Majnu Ka Tila.
Northern Ridge or the Kamla Nehru Ridge: The Northern Ridge (Kamla Nehru Ridge) is spread across 122 hectares. It is a great natural spot, where you can hangout and enjoy nature around you. Remember, DO NOT feed the monkeys.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6419

Sweden on track to become Europe’s first ‘smoke free’ country

 Sweden, which has the lowest rate of smoking in the Europe Union, is close to declaring itself ‘smoke free,’ as it has less than 5% daily smokers in the population.

Many experts are of the view that this credit goes to decades of anti-smoking campaigns and legislation. Now, since it now has less than 5% daily smokers, it’s said that the said number is well within reach.
If we go by the data from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the smoking rate has actually continued to fall since then, reaching 5.6% last year.
Reports further add that the risks of smoking appear well understood among health-conscious Swedes, including younger generations. 20 years ago, around 20% of the population were smokers, which was also a low rate globally during that time. Since then, a number of measures have been put into place to discourage smoking, including bans on smoking in restaurants.

Sweden has even gone out further to stamp out cigarettes, and argued that it helped in a range of health benefits, including a relatively low rate of lung cancer. Sweden even levied taxes on cigarettes to curb the practice and put strict restrictions into place on the marketing of these products, which have played a remarkable role too.

Also, like in most of Europe, smoking isn't allowed inside restaurants and bars, but Sweden has banned smoking even in outdoor seating areas since 2019.
Further, WHO attributes Sweden's declining smoking rate to a combination of tobacco control measures, including advertising bans, information campaigns, and ‘cessation support’ for those wishing to quit tobacco.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6409/Sweden-on-track-to-become-Europe-s-first-smoke-free-country

Beyond Shimla and Manali: India's unexplored hill stations, ideal for escaping the summer heat and tourist flocks

 Whether you're an adventure seeker, nature lover, or looking for a peaceful escape, these hidden gems will provide you with unforgettable memories.

India, known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is home to numerous captivating hill stations that offer respite from the scorching summer heat and bustling tourist hubs. While popular destinations like Shimla and Manali often attract large crowds, there are several hidden gems tucked away in the country's mountains that remain unexplored by many travellers. Check out some of India's lesser-known hill stations, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature and escape the tourist flocks.

Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh: Nestled in the serene Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley is a secluded paradise that offers a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery and tranquillity. With its crystal-clear river, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks, this unexplored gem provides ample opportunities for trekking, angling, and birdwatching.

Chaukori, Uttarakhand: Located amidst the mighty Himalayas, Chaukori in Uttarakhand is a hidden treasure that boasts panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. This lesser-known hill station offers a pleasant climate and lush tea gardens, making it an ideal retreat for nature lovers and those seeking solitude. Take leisurely walks, sip aromatic tea, and soak in the enchanting vistas of Chaukori.

Dzükou Valley, Nagaland: Tucked away in the northeastern state of Nagaland, Dzükou Valley is a hidden paradise that showcases nature's unmatched beauty. The valley is famous for its vibrant rhododendron flowers, gushing streams, and pristine trekking trails. Unwind amidst the captivating landscapes, camp under a starry sky, and experience the untouched charm of Dzükou Valley.

Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu: Escape the scorching heat of Tamil Nadu by visiting Yelagiri, a lesser-explored hill station nestled in the Eastern Ghats. Surrounded by verdant hills, lush orchards, and picturesque lakes, Yelagiri offers a serene environment and pleasant weather throughout the year. Embark on nature walks, go boating in the Punganur Lake, and relish the tranquility of this hidden gem.

Pelling, Sikkim: Located in the northeastern state of Sikkim, Pelling is a lesser-known hill station that provides awe-inspiring views of the mighty Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak. Pelling offers a peaceful escape from the crowded tourist destinations in the region. Explore ancient monasteries, trek through scenic trails, and witness breathtaking sunrise views over the Himalayas from Pelling.

Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh: Tucked away in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, India, lies a hidden gem known as Pachmarhi. Surrounded by lush green forests, cascading waterfalls, and ancient caves, Pachmarhi is a mesmerizing hill station that often goes unnoticed by many travellers. In this article, we invite you to explore the enchanting beauty and tranquillity of Pachmarhi, where nature's wonders unfold at every step.

Chopta, Uttarakhand: Often referred to as the "Mini Switzerland of India," Chopta is a picturesque hill station tucked away in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by dense forests and towering peaks, including the majestic Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba, Chopta offers a peaceful atmosphere and serves as the base for the popular trek to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world.

Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh: Tucked away in the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro is a hidden valley known for its scenic beauty, rice fields, and unique indigenous culture. The valley is home to the Apatani tribe and offers a glimpse into their traditional way of life. Enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains, take part in the vibrant Ziro Music Festival, and explore the rich biodiversity of the region.

Chikhaldara, Maharashtra: Nestled in the Satpura Range of Maharashtra, Chikhaldara is a lesser-known hill station famous for its misty valleys, cascading waterfalls, and wildlife-rich forests. It is the only coffee-growing area in the state and offers a pleasant climate throughout the year. Visit the beautiful Bhimkund Waterfall, go on a wildlife safari in the Melghat Tiger Reserve, and enjoy the serene beauty of Chikhaldara.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6411

IndiGo to expand international connectivity with 6 new destinations and 174 new weekly flights

 IndiGo is taking a massive step in its international expansion strategy with the addition of six new destinations across Asia, and Africa. It will connect Nairobi, Kenya and Jakarta, Indonesia, with direct flights from Mumbai in late July / early August. Delhi will get connected in August to Tbilisi, Georgia (3x) and Baku, Azerbaijan (4x) and in September to Tashkent, Uzbekistan (4x), and Almaty, Kazakhstan (3x). IndiGo is therefore adding an impressive 174 new weekly international flights between June and September 2023, including new destinations, routes, and frequencies, catering to the rising demand for international travel from, to and via India.

The execution of this large-scale international expansion is an integral part in IndiGo’s strategy of moving Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers under the aegis of its CEO, Pieter Elbers, who joined the airline ten months ago. This strategic expansion plan will offer an array of super exciting opportunities for customers to travel worldwide on IndiGo.

Along with this expansive launch of new routes, IndiGo will also be resuming operations daily services from Delhi to Hong Kong in August, further enhancing travel options for passengers. This flight was suspended 3 years ago when Covid-19 hit and will now be reinstated. These new flights will unlock remarkable opportunities for both business and leisure travellers seeking seamless connectivity.

Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo said, “We are absolutely excited to embark further on our ambitious international network expansion plans, in line with our commitment to giving wings to the Indian nation. As we steadfastly execute our strategy ‘Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers’, we are poised to establish unparalleled connections between people and places. The addition of these exciting new destinations, new direct flight routes, enhanced flight frequencies, and strategic codeshare partnerships, will help us expand our footprint across four continents with Africa and Central Asia being penetrated for the first time. With this expansion in our network, we will now be directly touching 32 international destinations (up from 26), next to our 78 domestic destinations.”

Reinforcing stronghold between India and Middle East
IndiGo’s Middle East expansion plans include launching more direct international services bringing the Middle Eastern destinations closer to more Indian cities by connecting Dammam to Lucknow, Chennai, and Kochi; Abu Dhabi to Goa, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad; Ras Al Khaimah to Hyderabad; Bahrain to Kochi and Jeddah to Ahmedabad over the next few months.

Along with this, there will be an array of increased frequencies between Mumbai-Dhaka, in August 2023. These expansions are a testament to IndiGo’s commitment to provide travellers with an extensive choice of destinations and convenient flight schedules.

In addition, IndiGo is also offering direct international connectivity from destinations like Bhubaneshwar and planning for international flights from North Goa Airport. The airline will commence exclusive flights from Bhubaneshwar to Singapore and Bangkok from June 2023.

Expanding reach through codeshare connections
IndiGo has already been strengthening connectivity in Europe and North America through its codeshare connections via Turkish Airlines. IndiGo currently offers connectivity to 33 destinations in Europe via Istanbul. As part of the codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, IndiGo will soon be offering connectivity to North America closing final regulatory approvals. The partnership allows passengers to experience hassle-free transfers, access to a vast network, and a seamless travel experience across continents.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6390/IndiGo-to-expand-international-connectivity-with-6-new-destinations-and-174-new-weekly-flights

Etihad Airways named Environmental Airline of the Year 2023

 Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has been named Environmental Airline of the Year 2023 for the second year running in the prestigious Airline Ratings awards.

The awards, which acknowledge the best of the aviation industry, and ranks airlines on their innovation, route networks and safety score against a strict assessment criteria, recognised Etihad for its commitment to sustainable aviation through innovation and collaboration, along with its dedication to drive change and results from Abu Dhabi, or the world.

As well as being crowned Environmental Airline of the Year, Etihad took third in Airline Ratings’ ‘Top 10 Airlines’ award, which critiques airlines on comfort, innovation, value and safety across Economy, Business and First Class.

Etihad’s sustainability strategy is focused on achieving emissions reductions through in-sector measures, aligning with industry roadmaps and frameworks, collaborating with UAE industrial ecosystems, and remaining transparent and proactive regarding sustainability issues within the aviation industry.

In its most recent sustainability report released in May 2023, Etihad announced it had achieved a 26% reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometre (RTK). This achievement is underpinned by Etihad’s flagship sustainability initiatives, including the Greenliner programme which uses the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners as flying test-beds, as well as the Sustainable50 A350-1000.

Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We take great pride in reducing our CO2 RTK by 26 percent. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and efforts of our team to drive our sustainability agenda and we thank them for their contributions. I am also very proud of our overall achievements, which go beyond delivering direct Co2 reductions but explore innovative solutions to the broader challenges facing aviation sustainability, as you can see in our annual report.”
Airlineratings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Etihad Airways has demonstrated its leadership in the push for sustainable flight with its Greenliner Boeing 787 program and last year with its Sustainability50, A350 aircraft. In every aspect, Etihad Airways staff and management are committed to reducing the airline’s CO2 footprint and it shows. The rallying phrase is a million things count in reducing emissions and thus the focus is all-consuming. The airline’s Sustainability Report 2021-2022 demonstrates the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives.”

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6393/Etihad-Airways-named-Environmental-Airline-of-the-Year-2023

Tourists rush to Himachal hill stations to escape from heat in the plains

As the mercury soars in the plains, tourists are visiting hill stations in Himachal Pradesh where the weather is pleasant. Dharmshala recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius in the state. Quite a few people also come to Dharamshala to learn about Buddhism. This city is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. 

Raghav, a visitor from Delhi said, "The weather was quite high recently. We have come here from plains where it is hot. So we planned to come to the hills in Himachal Pradesh. We are enjoying here as the temperature is around 18 degrees in day time whereas it is above 40 degrees in Rajasthan or some other areas."

Raghav said he is keen to visit Buddhist monasteries to learn about Buddhism. "We are enjoying our trip here".

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6394/Tourists-rush-to-Himachal-hill-stations-to-escape-from-heat-in-the-plains

Ayodhya prepares to host one lakh tourists a day

 The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is set to completely transform the holy city into a religious and tourist destination.

Earlier, only small hotels and dharamshalas were visible in the city, but in a few years, luxury five-star hotels have also shown interest in starting operations in the city.

Besides, big hotels, food chains of big brands are also exploring possibilities in Ayodhya and now preparations have started to establish them here.

In the next one to two years, Ayodhya is going to transform completely as the entire surrounding area will be full of temples.
Tourist footfall from all over the world is set to increase once the construction of the grand temple gets complete. Considering this, hotels, restaurants, cinemas as well as shopping complexes are exploring possibilities for themselves.
Many big companies have even bought land for extending their operations here.

If we look at the figures for the years 2021 and 2022, about four crore devotees have come to Ayodhya. After the construction of the temple in 2024, this figure is estimated to reach close to 8 to 10 crores.

The government has even announced special subsidies for dharamshalas to ensure proper accommodation facilities for pilgrims in Ayodhya.

Several luxury hotels are being constructed in Ayodhya. The government has approved about 30 big hotels in the last month.

The local pre-built hotels are also being expanded. Ayodhya’s famous Panchsheel Hotel, where there used to be around 50 rooms, now 50 more rooms are being constructed to make it a 100-room hotel.

In the same way, other hotels in Ayodhya are also enhancing their capacity.

Ayodhya Municipal Commissioner Vishal Singh told IANS that a large number of people will come to Ayodhya as soon as the Ram temple gets open for devotees and their accommodation will also be taken care of. The plan for which has been prepared and is being executed.

According to Singh, a large number of hotels should be built in Ayodhya, for which the tourism department has also made a lot of changes in the tourism policy. The department has exempted hotels from paying development charges.

Building plans of 30 hotels have been approved in the last one to one and a half months. Construction works have also started, which is expected to be completed by December. Along with this, a study has also been done about the already existing dharamshalas and guest houses in Ayodhya. They are being upgraded.

The already existing dharamshalas and guest houses will be renovated, and their special design will also be taken care of so that the pilgrims who come here, would get a better understanding of Ayodhya.

Along with this, there are many ‘Panchayati temples’ (ashrams) which are being renovated so that they can be used by the people in the coming times.

The project for developing homestay has also been started. Under this, whoever has a house with more than five rooms, is being convinced to make those rooms available to the tourists by improving their capacity. From November to December, almost 6000 rooms would be made available for homestay.

“Along with this, we are also making a tent city comprising 50 tents and the tender process for the same has been completed. We have also identified a 150-hectare land to build a bigger tent city on the lines of Banaras. As soon as the construction of the Ram Temple gets completed, the number of devotees coming to Ayodhya will start increasing and it will be the responsibility of the district administration to take special care of pilgrims’ stay, food and safety on their arrival,” the Municipal Commissioner added.

The district administration and the Municipal Corporation are working on a war footing to ensure the timely completion of all the works.

Singh said that efforts are being made to ensure that the pilgrims visiting here would not face any problems with accommodation and at least one lakh pilgrims could stay in the holy city.

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/6396/Ayodhya-prepares-to-host-one-lakh-tourists-a-day