Amazing Fact About India

The name `India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.

The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name `Hindustan’ combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus.

India wins the bid to host PATA Travel Mart 2011

India has won the bid to host the PATA Annual Meeting 2011 in New Delhi, which was announced during the PATA Annual Meeting 2010, at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Malaysia. The opening event of the calendar year 2011 will provide a great opportunity to exhibit the state-of-the-art infrastructure, new hotel capacity and other major attractions of destination India post the Commonwealth Games. Ministry of Tourism will host a welcome dinner on September 17 at Macau to invite all PATA members to join the 2011 Mart in New Delhi.

1793 visas issued during January-March 2010 under visa-on-arrival scheme

Under the scheme of visa-on-arrival for citizens of five countries viz. Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore that was launched in January, 1793 visas were issued between January to March. During this period, visas issued were highest for Singapore in February (281), Finland in March (259), New Zealand in February (181), Luxembourg in March (6) and Japan in March (119). During these three months, the maximum number (957) of visas were issued at Delhi airport followed by Mumbai (418), Chennai (342) and Kolkata (76).

India's first international marina in Kochi

A full-fledged marina of international standards; first of its kind in India has come up in Kochi. Poised to become an icon in the travel and tourism sector of Kerala, the marina was inaugurated by Sri. A. K. Antony, Honourable Minister for Defence, Government of India, in the presence of Sri. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Honourable Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala.

Not far away from Marine Drive on the mainland of Kochi and close to the sea port of Kochi, the marina would have berthing facilities for 50 yachts at a time. Further, there is a Marina House, which would serve as a station for vessels to refuel and to replenish their stores. The Marina House would also have accommodation facility. According to Cherian Philip, Chairman, KTDC, the Marina House has 32 rooms, a recreation centre, convention centre and playground for children. One of the main attractions, which is part of the marina at Bolgatty Island would be the golf course.

Dubai selects India as the first country for M-Visa services
M-Visa to be introduced this month, Lama Tours appointed to provide M-Visa services in India

In a bid to simplify Visa procedures and attract more visitors, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), is ready to implement M-Visa (Mobile Visa). India has been selected as the first country for M-Visa services which will start from this month. Dubai-based Lama Desert Tourism L.L.C has been appointed by DNRD to provide M-Visa services in the Indian market. M-Visa will be provided to Indian travellers visiting Dubai for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition taking place in Dubai (May 4-7, 2010) on a trial basis. Talking exclusively to TravelBiz Monitor Kulwant Singh, Managing Director, Lama Desert Tourism L.L.C, informed that the company is going to provide free M-Visa services during ATM in order to get quality feedback from Indian travel trade along with end consumers.