April 2021
Dear Friends, Guests, Patrons and Partners in Travel,
Greetings from India on it’s New Year, Vikram Samvat 2078, 13 April 2021!!
India is a land of festivals, celebrating its glorious heritage, culture and traditions. Irrespective the odds, festivals give us reason to celebrate Life, revitalize our energies, be one with our inner self, a time of bonding and reflection of strong decision makings and carving new milestones.
The month of April holds a very important religious significance and a very auspicious time for Hindus across India and Nepal. A month, wherein Gods bounty of Good harvest is celebrated in different hues, most colorful and vibrant, with joy of caring and sharing most apparent and palpable in the air. We pray it brings good Health, Peace and Happiness to all, the world over.
This year is Special as it also marks the Maha Khumbh, coming every 12 years to mark completion of one cycle of Jupiter around the Sun, in the Holy city of Haridwar. You have to see the visuals, if not to behold otherwise, to believe what Shakti (Strength) lies in Bhakti (Conviction) can make one surmount, bereft of the fear of circle of life or death – A world known only to the seeker.
Yet, there is a world which moves differently. India's vaccination drive having spiraled manifold to over 100 million but the pandemic seems to grow at a mighty pace too. All agencies across the country battling it strong with new New Lock-Down and closure rules in place to contain the same.
We pray this wave settles and world at large sees better times in the not too distant a future, for betterment of countless lives.
Take care, stay safe, stay well!
Anjali Babbar Basu
CEO
Sanjay from Far Horizon Tours is Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist 2021!
Representing “Far Horizons of India’s“ passion for “Experiencing the Rich Living Cultures and Diverse Natural History through India’s Grand Natural Heritage”, Mr. Sanjay Basu (Chairman – Far Horizon Tours) has been selected as part of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine US’s: Top Travel Specialist Worldwide List 2021! This is a great honour and recognition of our efforts to create unique luxury tours, adventures, safaris, eco lodges and river cruises showcasing the cultural and natural resources of this ancient and possibly, one of the most diverse lands!
Ministry of Home Affairs has restored the Electronic Visa (e-Visa) under sub-categories
E-Visa under the categories viz. e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa has been restored with immediate effect. Click here to view the list of countries whose nationals are eligible for e-Visa facility.
India fastest nation to administer 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine
With the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossing 100 million, the Union health ministry said that India is the fastest nation to administer 100 million doses in 85 days.
India to develop 78 maritime tourism landmarks around lighthouses: PM Modi
Inaugurating the Maritime India Summit 2021 through video conferencing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his government is committed to invest in transforming port and waterways infrastructure in a way which is not seen before. He said that the Ministry of Port Shipping and Waterways has created a list of 400 investable projects in the sector with potential investment opportunities to the tune of INR 2.25 lakh crore to make this transformation happen.
Talking about India’s long coastline and its potential to become tourism hubs, the Prime Minister said that the government has drawn up plans to develop landmark destinations around the lighthouses across the vast coastline. India has 189 lighthouses across the country's coastline.
Consumers are looking forward to travel again: American Express report
The latest Global Travel Trends Report released by American Express, reveals how people are finding hope and comfort in thinking about and even planning future trips and 59 per cent respondents indicate that they want to use a travel agent to help plan and customise their next trip.
Revealing a strong pent-up demand for travel, 87 per cent of people have said that having a trip planned in the future gives them something to look forward to. This was according to the Global Travel Trends Report released by American Express, which provides unique insights into consumer sentiment towards travel, nearly one year after the Covid-19 pandemic began. The findings in the report were conducted among a national sample across seven countries, including India, the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the United Kingdom.
India to soon unveil a new tourism policy: Tourism Minister
India plans to unveil a new tourism policy soon, Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel announced in the Council of States, saying that the country has embarked on a journey to achieve the top ranking in the sector by 2024 despite challenges. About a month ago, the Centre circulated a new proposed tourism policy among states for its finalisation. It focuses on developing medical, religious and other facets of tourism and offering new destinations other than the popular ones such as the Taj Mahal and the Qutub Minar.
Replying to a discussion on the Ministry of Tourism, Patel said, "Our leadership is focused on developing the (tourism) sector. We have sent tourism policy to state governments. It has been one month. The policy...will enable us to reach the target (of higher ranking) set by the country." He informed the House that India was on the 65th position in 2014 and it reached 34th position in five years.
First night flight operated from Srinagar Airport
The first night flight has been operated from Srinagar Airport by Go Air for the sector Srinagar to Delhi. Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, who was present on the occasion, greeted the crew of the flight and other ground personnel.
He said that the start of the night operations from Srinagar is the dawn of a new era as it will improve air connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir, and also boost the tourism sector by increasing the tourist footfall in the region. Thakur said that with this development, the long-pending demand of tour and travel operators has been fulfilled and will substantially help in economic growth of the Union Territory as the tourism sector forms the core of its economy. With the start of night operations of flights, the summer schedule will see a substantial increase in flights to the UT.
Redevelopment of Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi) completed, Delhi CM to inaugurate
The renovation and beautification work of the iconic Chandni Chowk road has been completed and will be inaugurated by Delhi’s Chief Minister. Beside various new facilities for tourists coming from across the world to visit the bustling historic market, the revamped stretch - from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque - will be a non-motorised zone from 9 am to 9 pm.
"It is a historical heritage site and the entire area has been made very beautiful, seeking to bring back the glory of this old historical place. After the beautification of Chandni Chowk, tourism would get a major boost, and people coming to Delhi would be attracted to pay a visit to Chandni Chowk," the chief minister was quoted as saying in the statement.
Chandni Chowk is known to be one of the oldest and major markets not only in Delhi but also in the country.
