Gujarat’s New Face - Amitabh Bachchan

Impressed by Narendar’s Modi initiative, Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary bollywood actor offered to become State Tourism Brand Ambassador. Mr Bachchan expressed his views in his blog that says “Modi talks of raising the level of awareness for his state through tourism and I volunteer to participate in any activity that would help promote that.” He also concluded that the largest number of heritage sites in the country is in Gujarat and it should be well promoted.

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India a 'must visit' destination for people from Asia Pacific

New Delhi, July 16: India has emerged as one of the top five travel destinations for the people of Asia Pacific, a new survey has said.

The survey, commissioned by Visa, had asked people from Asia Pacific countries to list their top 'must visit' destinations.

Out of 4,500 people, who were surveyed, Australia came top on the list of 'must visit' countries with 63 per cent of the respondents opting for it. It was followed by Singapore (42 per cent), New Zealand (41 per cent), Japan (40 per cent) and India (27 per cent).

"In recent years, India has become an important destination on the global tourist map with more than two million foreign visitors between January and May 2008," said Santanu Mukherjee, country manager, South Asia, Visa Asia Pacific.

Domestic tourism proved a big draw for the tourists with more than half of the Indian respondents in the survey expressing interest in exploring their own country.

Indian respondents preferred India in their top priority list with 53 per cent women and 49 per cent men wanting to explore the well known tourism destinations of India.

India also emerged as a big draw among the Indian youth with more than 53 per cent of those belonging to the age group of 35 years opting India as 'must see' destinations.






Sourced : http://www.expressindia.com




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SNIPPETS

Call centres for Rajasthan
Rajasthan, the number one destination of India is planning to set up a call centre for tourists. These call centre would help travellers and would provide information on customers queries.We are in the process to set up the call centre,' said Urmila Rajoria, additional director in the Rajasthan tourism department. The language used in the call centre would be either Hindi or English.Rajasthan is also one of the few Indian states to have 'Electronic Tourist Information Kiosks' (E-Tec). Three such kiosks, opened in Jaipur Oct 27. The call centre would be a good help to those who want to collect information on monuments, forts, palaces and museums.


Rajasthan In Bangalore
Bangalore is hosting a Rajasthan Craft fair and presenting products in different hues and designs. Here you would find the varied artifacts of Rajasthan. Mirror-work tops, vegetable block-print kurtas, chikan-work churidar, Rajasthani bedspreads, cushion covers, pillowcases and jute products including carpets and mats are some examples. You can also purchase jewellery in precious and Semi precious stone.


Forests Spreads its Occupancy
For wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists, this is a news to rejoice. The Indian forest spans over an area of 20.64 percent of total geographical area. The forest cover grew from 637,293 square kilometres in 1999 to 675,538 sq kms in 2001 to 678,333 sq kms in 2003 when the last assessment was made on the basis of remote sensing satellite data, Environment and Forests Minister A Raja said during Question Hour.

Further the figures are more astonishing with - 678,333 sq kms forest area, 51,285 sq kms area was very dense, 339,279 sq kms moderately dense and 287,769 sq kms open forest.

Madhya Pradesh tops the chart with around 76,428 sq kms of forests, Second on the list is Arunachal Pradesh with 68,019 sq kms and Chhattisgarh 55,998 sq kms.

Alfred said " India.....Why?"

Day by day, my friends list is growing and I blame it to Orkut. I have made many overseas friends, who are zealous explorers like me.

Few of them are leading a nomadic life and to my astonishment, neither they are disappointed nor enervated, in fact they love it. Their sole purpose is to DISCOVER.. discover the world. (and if you earn while exploring.. nothing like that)

Though most of them are quite apprehensive about India - " India... why?". (We cannot blame them for this as it is we who are responsible to bring forward our country on World platform.)

Hmmmmm!! When you have Australia on one hand, Europe on other; Canada and Singapore are also not far behind; amidst them why should one chose India as a travel destination.." Land of Snake Charmers".

Is Taj Mahal, the only palpable reason? Not really if we say, you have not one or two but more than 25 World Heritage Sites in India scattered in different parts of its body. This sounds tempting.............


READER CHOICE AWARD 2006
India Ranked 4 th from the Top.

According to the 2006 Readers' Travel Awards announced by the Conde Nast Traveller UK, India has been ranked as the 4th most preferred destination in the world. India has moved to the fourth slot from the 10 th in just three years.

Applauding India's success, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni, said, "India's positioning and branding as the destination of choice for the discerning traveller is evident. We are focusing on infrastructure to create a unique experience for tourists visiting India. We are confident that in the coming years, India will emerge as the number one tourism destination in the world. "


Source: Indian Travel Trendz


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What in India??

Adventure : Scream, shout or feel as if this is the last time you have taken your breathe..adventure in India is one helluva thing to try and why not??? If you have Gulmarg, Leh and Ladakh, Goa… adventure cannot be far behind.

Beach – Feel the romance of Indian water as it splashes you mind, body and soul. You would find everything here from small time flea market to shacks. With a sip of coconut water you could actually see the mermaids in bikni’s collect on the shores from different part of the world. All the flirtie s’ have big chance there….


Pilgrimage – For devouts, no other destination in the world can be a better than INDIA. Temples, Churches, Mosques…phenomenally integrate on this land. If Goa is for Churches, Ajmer is for Khwaji Mouinddin mosque, while Jammu have Vaishno Devi. I am sure your quest for revelation would be solve here.


Wildlife –“ Tigers Tigers burning bright....”
India is not all about Tigers. Yes it has Corbett, Yes it has Sunderbans too but it also have Kutch Sanctuary which Asia’s largest and of its kind ASS sanctuary. You have Kazianga in Assam which is best known for conserving one horned Rhinos. Don’t you want that you should be surrounded in greens and a sudden roar could make you scream.


Leisure: Those looking out for cosy honeymoon, a sail through backwaters on Kettuvallams could offer an experience which you would like to relish in later part of your life.


Heritage: Needless to say anything about it. This state is not only rich in monumental heritage but cultural too. Taj Mahal, Khajuraho Temples, India Gate is just a few examples.


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Know India

INDIA – A variegated abode with lush grean meadows, majestic mountains, and tranquil beaches calls nature lovers to unfold this wonder land. The state presents eye candy locales and an age old cultural heritage on display.

Carrying on her shoulder 5000 year old civilization have made INDIA a unique destination for globe trotters.


How Insane I was
To look out for something more pristine
Though I knew
INDIA was mine!!!


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