THEKKADY KERALA, IN THE DISTRICT OF IDUKKI IS ONE OF THE 27 TIGER RESERVES IN INDIA.

 Thekkady is a town near Periyar National Park is one of the tourist attractions in Kerala in India.The name Thekkady is derived from the word "Thekku" which means teak.Thekkady is famous for the magnificient Periyar Lake & the Periyar Tiger reserve that is home to some of the most unique species of flora & fauna.Thekkady is one the well known hill stations of Kerala that boasts of serene geography,lush plantations & thick forests. October to February is the peak season for the tourists to visit & March,April & May is  a moderate season.

 How to reach Thekkady: The nearest airport is Madurai Internationa airport which is 136 Kms away & Cochin International airpost is 190 Kms away. You can reach by train also & the nearest railway station is Madurai Junction Or Ernakulam Junction.

TOURISM CAMPAIGN VIDEO FEATURES KERALA'S CULTURAL VIVACITY,RESILIENCE.

Signalling the on set of another season for travellers, Kerala tourism has come out with a short video,showcasing the festive spirit of its people in the context of Onam & celebrating their resilience in the face of odds  titled " Ente Keralum Ennum Sundharam" (My Kerala is ever beautiful),the music by Prayaan band features four singers crooning vibrant lyrics in Malayalam even as the language stands no barrier to the secular spirit of the harvest festival of Onam that follows monsoon.

The release of the video by Tourism & Public Works Minister Mr.P.A.Mohammed Riyas at Mananthawady in Wayanad marks the start of the campaign.Outside the state the campaign will be run with the tagline "It is Kerala season".

REST ROOM FOR TOURIST TAXI DRIVERS MANDATORY IN HOTELS SAYS KERALA GOVERNMENT.

In a major labour-friendly initiative in the tourism sector, Kerala Government has made it mandatory for classified hotels and other tourist accommodation units  in the state to provide rest rooms and other basic facilities for tourist taxi drivers carrying domestic & foreign tourists in their vehicles. "Taxi drivers are an integral part of Kerala Tourism and this decision meets their long pending demand of facilitating the basic amenities for them" said  shri.P.A.Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister.

KERALA TOURISM PRESENTED THE GLOBALLY ACCLAIMED PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA) GOLD AWARD 2024.

 Kerala Tourism was presented the globally acclaimed PATA GOLD AWARD 2024 for its Online Contest "Holiday Heist" in the Digital Marketing Campaign category at a function held in Bangkok.Tourism Director Smt.Sikha Surendran received the award at a PATA Travel Mart 2024.Kerala Tourism was the only destination from India to bag the PATA Gold Award this year. Shri.P.A.Mohamed Riyas,Tourism Minister said," this year's PATA Gold Award for Kerala's Digital Marketing campaign a reaffirmation & celebration of our ingenious planning to create out of the box strategies that trigger visitors' interest in the state's unique offerings'.

     Tourism Director Smt.Sikha Surendran,receiving the PATA Gold Award 2024.

JANAPADA LOKA IN RAMANAGARA ON THE BANGALRE-MYSORE HIGHWAY 53 Kms SOUTH OF BENGALURU.

 Janapada Loka ( Folk Culture World) is established on a 15 acre Campus.It works under Karnataka JanapadaParishat.It was established on 21 st March,1979 by Mr.H.L.Nage Gowda, a Civil Servant  who thought of creating a Museum to exhibit the varied Folk art & Culture of Karnataka,Janapada Loka is divided into separate wings; Folk arts Museum,Loka Mahal,Chitra Kuteera,Doddamane Shilamala & Arghyamala etc.It has a display of 5000 folk artifacts. it is worth a visit to know & understand the richness of our Folk arts & culture of Karnataka. It takes  us to a different world altogether.

                                                        Mr.Aakash Kamath speaking to few Travel Writers.

About Kamat Lokaruchi : When you visit Janapada Loka, a visit to Kamat Lokaruchi,is a must. It is blend of Old & New. While talking to Mr.Aakash Kamat, who is a qualified Food Processing Engineer, he said this hotel was started by his father Mr.A.S,Kamat in 1995. This Group operates 25 hotels all over Karnataka with a turnover 45+ crores. They are planning to expand to 10 more outlets in a few years. This hotel is worth the visit to have breakfast,Lunch etc .& to cater to the taste of  the food lovers.

INDIAN TOURIST ARRIVALS IN SRI LANKA DOUBLE IN 2023 -SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT HOLDS ROADSHOW IN INDIA TO PROMOTE TOURISM.

 As part of series of Roadshows in India, Sri Lankan Tourism held a roadshow in Bengaluru yesterday to expand its warm bilateral & cultural ties with its Indian counterparts. Sri Lanka is witnessing a considerable increase in tourist arrivals with India leading the way  and securing the number One position. The event also focused on highlighting the positive message that Sri Lanka is open for Leisure.Business and MICE Tourism.

The target audience of the roadshow were Tour operators, Media,Key influencers,Corporates,Trade Associations  and key Tourism Industry stake holders in India,to carry the message that Sri Lanka is not only one of the beautiful countries with an amazing range of destinations and products,but is also safe & secure. A delegation  of over 30 Sri Lankan Travel agencies & Hotels participated at this event led by Mr.Harin Fernando,Minister for Tourism,Sri Lanka, accompanied by Mr. Chalaka 

Gajabahu,Chairman,Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion  Bureau and Mr. Thisum Jayasuriya,Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

Speaking on the occasion,Mr.Harin Fernando,Minister for Tourism said," India has generated over 100,000 tourist arrivals to the country in 2022 and is expected to double by 2023. From January to March, 2023, the tourist arrivals from India was 46,432. Sri Lanka has seen an increase from tourism earnings with around $530 million received in the first three months of 2023 as compared to $482.3  in the first three months of 2022.Tourism in Sri Lanka over the last six months have been very interesting and promising. The last three months alone in 2023 from January To March has seen 8000 tourist arrivals a day, which is the highest since 2018. He further added,Sri Lanka values the Indian outbound market and has been the key driver of arrivals into our country.Sri Lanka offers other than its rich heritage of 2500 years,a spectacular array of destinations and products such as wellness & Yoga beaches,shopping,cuisine,adventure and wild life.The added attraction for the Indian tourists is the very well laid out Ramayana Circuit.which is an excellent religious travel initiative.The time is perfect to experience the warm hospitality of our people,he concluded'.

Mr.Chalaka Gajabahu,Chairman,Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said,Sri Lanka offers a complete destination for families and is a Year Long destination. We are here with our delegation to reach out to our travel trade partners in India to add value to a mutually fruitful relationship.

Mr.Thisum Jayasuriya,Chairman,Sri Lanka Convention Bureau said," Sri Lanka is a promising MICE destinations for meetings,Conferences,& Incentives.The proximity and good connectivity enhances the appeal of Sri Lanka as a cost effective & attractive place for MICE travellers".

Sri Lanka has been listed in the Forbes List as one of the 23 best  places to visit in 2023.

MISTY WOODS RESORT - LOCATED AMIDST MISTY HILLS,LUSH FOREST & TEA & COFFEE PLANTATIONS NEAR MADIKERI -COORG.

 Misty Woods in Kakkabe,Coorg, is located  260 Kms from Bengaluru and 1525 Metres above sea level  in Karnataka, Coorg is dubbed as Scotland of India,has lot to offer to the tourists both domestic / International. Misty Hills,lush forest,acres & acres of Tea & Coffee plantations,orange groves, and breath taking views are what makes Coorg an unforgettable  holiday destination.

Misty Woods,is nestled in a part of the mountain ranges called ' Karadi Moole'is built in an estate that sprawls over 100 acres of coffee land. Moreover,this untouched nature is on the foot of the highest peak in Coorg.

' Thandiyante Mol' and barely a step away from ' Nalknad palace' built in 1794, known for its paintings and carvings.The rich aroma of coffee and pepper, the fragrance of cardamom and wild honey and the fruity flavour of oranges beckons tourists  to the dream world,free from pollution and hustle bustle of the urban & Metropolitan cities.The gurgling streams on both sides of the resort becomes a roaring waterfall during the rainy season.

The resort offers multi cuisine restaurant,serving variety  of cuisines which caters to all the taste buds. The Cottages are styled in a way that each cottage has a view of its own. Misty Woods Resort has been considered as one of  the best resorts in Coorg after being awarded the tripadvisor certificate for excellence 6 times in the last 7 years.

How to reach the resort : Located at 35 kms from Madikeri towards the hills is accessible by vehicles.