Latest news with #TourismDepartment
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh Government aims to redefine tourism
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to celebrate the World Tourism Day on September 27, 2025 on a grand scale and plans are under way to develop a unique tagline and a compelling theme for the State's tourism sector, which would be unveiled by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on that day. Andhra Pradesh will be the best bet for investors from UAE, CM Chandrababu Naidu gives assurance To provide tourists visiting Andhra Pradesh with an unforgettable experience through diverse tourism initiatives and to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary stories, the Tourism Department held a two-day workshop attended by the top brass of Mastercard's 'Priceless Experiences' programme. Mastercard's 'Priceless Experiences' programme is a global initiative that offers exclusive, curated experiences to Mastercard cardholders. Under its 'Priceless' programme, Mastercard provides exclusive access to culturally rich, gastronomical and wellness experiences to its cardholders in cities such as Delhi, Agra, Jodhpur, Dehradun and Pune. The company currently offers 40 priceless experiences in India and plans to expand its operations. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu leading a high-level team to Singapore from July 26 The workshop held at the Tourism office in Vijayawada focussed on devising strategies and guidelines for tourism development in the State, creating frameworks to offer invaluable experiences through varied tourism initiatives, and understanding the Mastercard cardholders' preferences. The discussion also included identifying opportunities for access to world-class events. Officials also deliberated on steps to simplify coordination with cultural and other Ministry departments, support social media promotions through government-run channels, develop immersive experiences for tourists and give special priority to heritage sites. Naidu releases report of Task Force on Economic Development for Swarna Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Amrapali Kata said the idea was to transform the State into a major tourism destination in South Asia. She said to create unforgettable experiences for visitors, the State was divided into four tourism circuits, each offering unique experience. They included Araku-Vizag circuit designed to introduce tourists to tribal culture, encourage them to interact with tribal communities and local artists; Godavari circuit - focus on the scenic backwaters of the Godavari River, boat journeys amidst coconut groves and serene river experiences; Suryalanka-Chirala Coastal circuit - offering insights into coastal life, fishing communities and the handloom heritage of the region and Tirupati circuit - designed to provide spiritual experiences, explore the lives of local weavers and connect with nature in pristine environments. The department is working on a marketing strategy to utilise all branding opportunities. The officials requested cooperation and partnership of the Mastercard cardholders in this endeavour.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
AP partners with MasterCard to boost tourism experience in state
VIJAYAWADA: In a move to elevate Andhra Pradesh's appeal as a premier tourist destination, the Tourism Department, in collaboration with MasterCard, organised a strategic workshop at its office in Vijayawada. The session focused on designing immersive, world-class tourism experiences tailored to MasterCard holders and global travellers. Tourism officials, MasterCard representatives, and key stakeholders participated in discussions on developing innovative tourism circuits, strengthening branding, and improving digital outreach. The aim is to transform routine visits into enriching journeys aligned with international expectations. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) Managing Director Amrapali Kata said that under the guidance of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, and Special Chief Secretary Ajay Jain, efforts are underway to position Andhra Pradesh as a top tourism hub in South Asia. A central focus of the workshop was the creation of a unique tourism tagline and thematic brand identity for the state. Officials proposed launching the new brand on World Tourism Day in September, with support from MasterCard's global expertise in marketing and digital integration. Discussions included sustainable tourism models that involve local communities and promote cultural exchange. MasterCard delegates appreciated the department's vision and expressed their willingness to collaborate further. Calling the session insightful, they affirmed confidence in Andhra Pradesh's potential to offer diverse experiences.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
At upcoming UPITS 2025 event, UP to showcase its tourism potential to the world
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Tourism department has set in motion large-scale preparations for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025, set to take place from September 25 to 29, at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. The five-day mega event will see Uttar Pradesh projecting its tourism potential to the world by showcasing its rich cultural heritage and also its unique local products, traditional handicrafts. The move reflects Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's goal and objective to establish Uttar Pradesh as a global tourism hub. The UPITS-2025 is the flagship trade event of the Uttar Pradesh government, bringing together policymakers, global business leaders, trade representatives, and industry experts under one roof. The event will play a vital role in the state's journey towards achieving its one trillion-dollar economy target, with tourism being identified as a key growth sector. As part of the preparations, the Tourism Department is setting up an expansive stall that will showcase the state's heritage sites, temple architecture, thematic tourism circuits, and PPP-based tourism projects, alongside highlighting local crafts and One District One Product (ODOP) items. To enhance visitor engagement, the department will also introduce and promote digital tourism tools such as mobile applications, websites, and QR codes, allowing easy access to information and seamless travel planning. To attract visitors, the stall will include auto-navigation screens that showcase popular tourist destinations in UP. There will also be an Augmented Reality (AR) based digital touch panel where visitors can click selfies with images of at least six famous tourist sites. Preparations are also underway to host traditional dances like Mayur Nritya (from Braj region), tribal dance forms (from Sonbhadra and Lakhimpur), Bundeli Folk Dance (from Jhansi), and Kathak (Lucknow Gharana). Each day, there will be six short performances, each lasting around five minutes, with opportunities for visitors to click selfies with the artists. The Tourism department will also set up registration counters for event planning, B2B meetings, and 20 co-exhibitors. The Tourism department is working in mission mode to make UPITS 2025 a huge success. The goal is not only to present Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural diversity to the world, but also to boost the tourism sector and strengthen the economy. The event promises to be a memorable experience for millions of visitors and a significant milestone in promoting Uttar Pradesh as a top tourist destination.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Buddhist circuit in focus, UP looks to strengthen tourism, investment ties with Japan
The Uttar Pradesh government is exploring ways to strengthen business ties with Japan as the state Tourism Department is making extensive plans to start a tourism exchange and showcase investment opportunities with the East Asian country during the Japan Tourism Expo in September with a focus on the Buddhist Circuit. Meanwhile, a delegation led by state Finance Minister Suresh Khanna is meeting investors in Japan. Tourism Department officials said besides the Buddhist Circuit, the state is preparing an elaborate plan to showcase investment opportunities in meditation centers, hotels, and cultural infrastructure under public private partnership (PPP) mode. The foundation of the ties was laid last year during the visit of Yamanashi prefecture Governor Kotaro Nagasaki, who was accompanied by leading Japanese business delegates. They not only signed MOUs for industrial cooperation but also discussed opportunities in tourism exchange with a joint promotion of Mount Fuji and hot springs in Japan, and Buddhist and cultural destinations such as Sarnath, Shravasti and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. 'Familiarisation trips from Japan are being regularly organised by the state Tourism Department to showcase the Buddhist Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, which is deeply intertwined with the life of the Buddha. The idea is to showcase the significant role of UP in the global Buddhist pilgrimage trail and encourage tourism exchange with Japan,' said a senior government official. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, 'The state has seen a three-fold rise in tourist footfall the last eight years, and this reflects our focused strategy and global engagement. Our vision is to transform the Buddhist Circuit into a world-class spiritual and cultural gateway by integrating infrastructure, international connectivity and community involvement. We are welcoming countries like Japan to partner with us in building Buddhist temples, meditation centres, wellness retreats, and hospitality projects under PPP mode.' With Kushinagar getting much attention in the past, the focus now is on developing infrastructure and cultural centres in Kaushambi and Farrukhabad districts where the government will invest on meditation centers or developing Buddhist tourist sites. 'In 2016, nearly 28 lakh tourists visited the Buddhist sites in UP. The number nearly tripled by 2024. Kaushambi witnessed a massive jump from just over 2 lakh tourists to more than 24 lakh visitors. Kushinagar witnessed a jump to 22 lakh from 9 lakh, while Sarnath remained a leading destination with 11.8 lakh visitors in the past year,' said Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture. The delegation led by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna is camping in Japan for the last three days, to participate in the World Expo in Osaka and hold B2B meetings with potential investors. On Thursday, the delegation, also comprising Principal Secretary, Infrastructure and Industries, Alok Kumar, explored tie-ups in the semiconductor sector and academics. Officials said the delegation explored semiconductor collaboration with Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) in a meeting with the company's Executive Vice President (Global Sales Division and India Business) Takeshi Okubo. During the meeting, the TEL's possibility of collaborating in semiconductor manufacturing, skill development and establishing global capability centres (GCCs) in UP were discussed. Khanna with officials from Invest UP also visited the Osaka Prefectural Assembly to explore investment in capacity-building, youth upskilling and technology exchange. At the World Expo 2025, academic collaborations with Portugal (University of Guarda) were also discussed, it is learnt.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Delhi CM to inaugurate three-day Teej Mahotsav tomorrow
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will on Friday inaugurate the Tourism Department's three-day Teej Mahotsav at Dilli Haat, Pitampura. The Mahotsav aims to promote women empowerment, cultural enrichment and community harmony, said Minister for Tourism and Art Kapil Mishra. He said the visitors will get an opportunity to witness Delhi's festive spirit at its finest. A cultural evening filled with colour, music and tradition. Mishra announced that a Teej quiz and slogan writing competition will be organised to further energise the celebration. Participants will have a chance to win cash prizes – Rs 3,000 for first place, Rs 2,000 for second, and Rs 1,500 for third. The Tourism Minister said she has extended a heartfelt invitation to all women in Delhi to participate in this vibrant celebration. Mishra said a key meeting was held at the Delhi Secretariat with the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) regarding the preparations for Teej Mahotsav 2025. Several women entrepreneurs and social media influencers participated in the meeting and shared their creative suggestions to make the event more inclusive, engaging and culturally rich. On the occasion, Mishra said that the government is committed to transforming Teej Mahotsav into a grand celebration of tradition, creativity and womanhood. He said this festival is a tribute to the spirit, culture and strength of Delhi's women. In keeping with the aim to make the event accessible and inclusive for all, entry to the festival will be completely free on all three days. 'This initiative reflects the Delhi government's broader vision of empowering women through cultural participation and community engagement,' he said. The event will feature over 100 stalls, including 80 dedicated to traditional handicrafts and handlooms and 25 showcasing a diverse range of traditional cuisines from across the country, said a government statement. Traditional competitions such as Mehndi designing, bindi decoration and rangoli making will provide women and young girls with a platform to display their creativity, it said. A dedicated kids' zone will also be set up, featuring storytelling sessions, magic shows and educational and recreational activities, ensuring that every member of the family can enjoy the festivities. Mishra said, 'Delhi is no longer just an administrative capital – it is also emerging as a cultural and family tourism destination. We are proud to present traditional festivals like Teej in a new format that blends modern technology with public participation.'
