Latest news with #PTDC
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- The Hindu
Warm reception accorded for cruise travellers
A warm reception was accorded to passengers who de-boarded luxury cruise liner, M/V Empress, for sightseeing in Puducherry when the vessel berthed near the coast on Friday morning. The ship, operated by cruise brand Cordelia Cruises, with 1, 231 passengers and 574 crew members, anchored around one km away from the Puducherry shoreline around 6.30 a.m. as the vessel sailed from Visakhapatnam to Chennai. As around 700 travellers had registered with the cruise management for sightseeing in Puducherry, they were taken to the New Port in boats available with the ship. They were received by Secretary to Lieutenant Governor and Tourism Secretary D. Manikandan. 'A total of 150 travellers who had enrolled for the package offered by Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation were taken to major tourist destinations in buses. For others, the PTDC had facilitated cabs and autorickshaws for sightseeing and shopping. Most of them were domestic tourists,' he said. In the evening, Minister for Public Works and Tourism K. Lakshminarayanan visited the New Port and gave a send -off to the tourists and the ship crew. The cruise liner is expected to make Puducherry a part of their itinerary on July 11 and 18, said a government official.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pawnee Nation plans to turn 20 acres into cultural, entertainment destination
The Pawnee Tribal Development Corporation has announced a multi-phased project plan to turn tribal land near the StoneWolf Casino into an area with an outdoor stage and amphitheater, RV Park and Campground and new hotel with a gaming floor among other features meant to celebrate Pawnee heritage. With some construction set to being this year, the Pawnee Nation is calling it the StoneWolf Park Project, intended to 'transform 20 acres of tribal land into a premier cultural and entertainment destination for the Pawnee Nation and its visitors.' 'The StoneWolf Park Project represents a strategic investment in the future of the Pawnee people, aiming to enhance community resources, drive economic growth and boost tourism in central Oklahoma,' according to the press release. 'Each phase of development is designed to increase visitation to the adjacent StoneWolf Casino, while creating new opportunities for cultural celebration, business operations and hospitality.' Phase 1, expected to begin this year will be construction of the outdoor stage to launch 'live entertainment with a foundational stage to host concerts and cultural events, eventually expanding to a full amphitheater.' Phase 2 will include the RV Park and Campground to welcome 'tourists and event goers with modern RV hookups, camping amenities and outdoor hospitality infrastructure.' A 7,000-square-foot office complex is planned for Phase 3, while Phase 4 will be a 15,000-square-foot event center described as a 'multipurpose space for pow-wows, ceremonial dances, community events and recreational bingo gaming.' The final phase is a 30- to 60-room hotel with a gaming area and bar 'designed to extend guest stays and complement the StoneWolf Casino experience.' 'Additional infrastructure, including expanded parking, will support large events and increased traffic to the park, casino and lodging facilities,' the release reads. 'PTDC will lead the development through a newly established general contractor LLC, prioritizing tribal employment and local partnerships. The project will be funded through a combination of tribal investment, gaming revenue, grants and potential private partnerships – especially for tourism-oriented assets like the RV park.'
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Vesak Day event highlights Gandhara heritage
Buddhists carry candles as they pray during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. PHOTO: REUTERS In celebration of Vesak Day 2025, a roundtable and book launching ceremony was held today at the Kohsar Block, Pak Secretariat on Friday. Organised by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with the Silk Road Centre and i-DOT COOL, the event brought together scholars, government officials, and cultural stakeholders. The gathering marked a significant cultural milestone under the Gandhara Culture & Tourism Festival 2025, reflecting Pakistan's commitment to preserving its Buddhist heritage and strengthening historical ties with the Republic of Korea. The highlight of the event was the official launch of the book titled "Tracing the Journey of the Ancient Korean Monk Hyecho", authored by Dr Kyosoon Park (Esther) with Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla. The book narrates the spiritual journey of Monk Hyecho, who travelled from Korea to the Gandhara region in the 8th century, revealing the shared Buddhist legacy between the two nations. In his welcome remarks, Managing Director of PTDC, Aftabur Rehman Rana, appreciated the efforts of Dr Kyosoon Park and Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla for contributing this remarkable book which will be greatly helpful in the promotion of Buddhist heritage and religious tourism in Pakistan. He added, "this initiative will play a vital role in promoting Gandhara heritage and culture globally. PTDC is already actively working on various projects to promote Gandhara's rich Buddhist heritage, and this book adds valuable depth to our collective efforts. Such initiatives strengthen Pakistan's position as a center of ancient Buddhist culture and foster stronger cultural diplomacy." Speakers at the roundtable including author Dr Kyosoon Park, Dr Ijlal Hussain, Director of Silk Road Centre, Imran Masood, Chairman of Gandhara Art and Culture Association, and Muhammad Hassan, CEO i-DOT COOL, highlighted the immense economic and cultural potential of Gandhara. Dr Ijlal Hussain said "By making Gandhara a national priority, we can unlock not only economic prosperity but also strengthen Pakistan's global ties. This is not a fantasy; it is a goal that can lead Pakistan to self-sufficiency. Let's embrace the tangible and intangible heritage of Gandhara, and work together, public and private sectors alike, towards a brighter, stronger, and more prosperous Pakistan." Author Dr Kyosoon Park said "It was a deeply personal and professional journey for me to retrace Monk Hyecho's footsteps. People from Korea and other countries can come to Gandhara with an interest in following in the footsteps of Hyecho, and to help develop Gandhara as a pilgrimage land for Buddhists." Muhammad Hassan added, "The Vesak Day roundtable and book launch mark the beginning of a series of events leading up to the Gandhara Culture & Tourism Festival (GCTF) scheduled for October this year. The GCTF is a key initiative aimed at establishing Pakistan as a custodian of Gandhara heritage and a premier pilgrimage destination for international visitors."
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Reconstructed bus terminus likely to be inaugurated on April 30
The reconstructed Rajiv Gandhi bus terminus on Maraimalaiadigal Salai is likely to be inaugurated on April 30. Senior officials from the Local Administration department and Smart City project on Monday inspected the facilities at the bus terminus. 'We have put up the file for dedicating the reconstructed bus stand for public use from April 30. The issue of allotment of shops is still in court. The facility will be inaugurated with an outlet of Ponlait and PTDC,' said an official. Work to reconstruct the bus stand was taken up after shifting operations of government and private buses to AFT Mills ground in 2023. Though the work was completed a few months ago, the municipal authorities were waiting for a formal inauguration of the facility to start bus services from Maraimalaiadigal Salai. The new terminus has 42 bus bays, 31 shops, two restaurants, four transport offices, parking facilities for six omni buses, a cloak room, an ATM, three general waiting halls with a capacity of 30 each, an AC waiting hall, two dormitories, and a parking lot that can accommodate 450 two-wheelers and 25 cars. The facility also has an information centre, a CCTV room, ticket booking offices, administrative building and a sanitation complex, said an official.
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Uzbekistan deepen tourism ties
Listen to article In a significant move to bolster bilateral ties and promote regional tourism, Pakistan and Uzbekistan held a high-level tourism engagement in Islamabad. The event brought together senior tourism officials, diplomats, and industry stakeholders from both countries. The Uzbek delegation was led by Umid Shadiev, Chairman of Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee, along with Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev. Senior officials from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and representatives from the local tourism sector participated on behalf of Pakistan. PTDC's managing director highlighted the shared historical and cultural heritage between the two nations, rooted in the ancient Silk Road. "Tourism is not just an exchange of money; it is an exchange of stories, experiences, and friendships," he noted, emphasising travel as a means to foster peace and collaboration. Discussions focused on leveraging tourism opportunities in both countriesfrom Uzbekistan's historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva to Pakistan's scenic north and archaeological sites like Mohenjo-Daro and the Shahi Fort. Prominent Pakistani tour operators were invited to explore Uzbekistan as a travel destination. The Uzbek delegation offered detailed insights into Uzbekistan's tourism offerings, covering cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Shadiev reaffirmed Uzbekistan's desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan. "Uzbekistan sees Pakistan not just as a neighbour, but as a trusted friend," he said, envisioning a tourism bridge connecting both nations. Actionable steps were outlined, including launching joint cultural festivals, promoting youth and media exchange programmes, and improving direct flight connectivity.
