BY DEEPINDER SINGH
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – India Tourism, Los Angeles hosted a seminar titled ‘Know Incredible India’ seminar here at Spice Affair restaurant on March 10. In attendance were prominent members of the tourism industry including airlines, tour operators and travel agents. The Consul General of India, San Francisco,
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – India Tourism, Los Angeles hosted a seminar titled ‘Know Incredible India’ seminar here at Spice Affair restaurant on March 10. In attendance were prominent members of the tourism industry including airlines, tour operators and travel agents. The Consul General of India, San Francisco,
Venkatesan Ashok, graced the event with his presence. Speaking on the occasion, Ashok discussed the potential of the tourism industry of India. He said people visited India for a variety of reasons and India was considered to be the cultural and spiritual hub of the world. He added traveling to India had become easier as Air India was now flying three times a week directly from San Francisco to Delhi, the Emirates was flying 14 times a week from L.A. to India and similarly a lot of other airlines like Etihad and many more were also flying frequently to India. While talking about how convenient it has become to travel to India, Ashok said with the facility of electronic tourist authorization, a tourist can take a print out of the authorization and passport and directly get a visa at the port of entry. He added it generally took 24-48 hours to get authorization, but one could get it as quickly as within four hours. Ashok stated this scheme started with 43 countries in February, 2015, but now it had been extended to 150 countries. Speaking on the India – U.S. relationship, Ashok said it was the best it had ever been. Talking about the facilities in a changing India, Ashok said in all major cities, Uber, Tab cabs or other cabs were easily available. Internet connection in India was even better then internet availability in some of the major cities of the US. Hotels, cabs and even railway tickets could be booked from anywhere across the globe. Speaking of the railways, he said earlier India had only one luxury train known as ‘Palace on Wheels’ but now five more have been added. Adventure tourism was also picking up with a variety of sports available to tourists including ballooning, white water rafting, paragliding, parasailing and skiing.
The CGI gave assurance that the Indian Consulate’s grievance cell was set up to handle any kind of complaint and anyone could contact him personally or his colleagues for any problem they were facing regarding visas. He also assured that any email he received would get a response.
Sandhya Haridas, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Los Angeles in her presentation said India was a year -round tourist destination. Thirty two of the world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO were in India. While talking about the means of travel, Haridas said air, rail and road travel were at their very best in the new changed India. People visited India for a variety of reasons including medical/ wellness tourism, adventure tourism, wild life tourism, cruise tourism and for destination weddings as well. There were a large number of world class yoga, spiritual meditation and Ayurvedic resorts to cater to the wellness needs of the people of this planet through traditional Indian systems. The‘Golden Triangle’ was still the among most popular itineraries for most tourists. The ‘Golden Triangle’ included Delhi-Agra-Jaipur. In South India, tourists visit Chennai, Pondicherry, Tanjore and Kanyakumari. The 13- days Delhi – Kolkata itinerary was also getting popular where tourists got a chance to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kalna and Matiari. The Kerala backwater house boats, root bridges, floating lakes, river cruising on the Bhramaputra, luxury camping in the Himalayas and deserts were some other favorites. Every tourist on landing in India was provided with local tourist information and a 24- hour helpline number in case of any kind of medical emergency, criminal activity or natural calamity. The government was also looking into a proposal to offer SIM cards to all tourists arriving in India so they can connect right away with their friends and family. She ended her presentation by saying,“We at India Tourism believe in this saying, ‘Find what you seek in India.’ ”
Neeraj Sharma, Sales Manager Air India was also present during the event.
The CGI gave assurance that the Indian Consulate’s grievance cell was set up to handle any kind of complaint and anyone could contact him personally or his colleagues for any problem they were facing regarding visas. He also assured that any email he received would get a response.
Sandhya Haridas, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Los Angeles in her presentation said India was a year -round tourist destination. Thirty two of the world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO were in India. While talking about the means of travel, Haridas said air, rail and road travel were at their very best in the new changed India. People visited India for a variety of reasons including medical/ wellness tourism, adventure tourism, wild life tourism, cruise tourism and for destination weddings as well. There were a large number of world class yoga, spiritual meditation and Ayurvedic resorts to cater to the wellness needs of the people of this planet through traditional Indian systems. The‘Golden Triangle’ was still the among most popular itineraries for most tourists. The ‘Golden Triangle’ included Delhi-Agra-Jaipur. In South India, tourists visit Chennai, Pondicherry, Tanjore and Kanyakumari. The 13- days Delhi – Kolkata itinerary was also getting popular where tourists got a chance to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kalna and Matiari. The Kerala backwater house boats, root bridges, floating lakes, river cruising on the Bhramaputra, luxury camping in the Himalayas and deserts were some other favorites. Every tourist on landing in India was provided with local tourist information and a 24- hour helpline number in case of any kind of medical emergency, criminal activity or natural calamity. The government was also looking into a proposal to offer SIM cards to all tourists arriving in India so they can connect right away with their friends and family. She ended her presentation by saying,“We at India Tourism believe in this saying, ‘Find what you seek in India.’ ”
Neeraj Sharma, Sales Manager Air India was also present during the event.
RSS Feed
