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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bengal ranks third among foreign tourists' fave Indian destinations
1 2 Kolkata: Bengal has emerged as one of India's top tourism hotspots for foreign travellers, clocking a record 32 lakh international tourist arrivals in 2023–24 — the third highest in the country after Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bengal's tourism minister Indranil Sen said in the assembly on Thursday. This marks a significant jump from 27.1 lakh in 2022–23 and just 10.4 lakh in 2021–22, underscoring the state's growing global appeal and tourism turnaround post-Covid, he said. Sen said the state accounted for 14.8% of India's foreign tourist arrivals last year. "This is a huge achievement. Bengal is firmly on the international tourism map," Sen said in response to a question by BJP MLA Bishwanath Karak. The data, sourced from 'India Tourism Statistics 2023' released by the Union ministry of tourism, places Bengal alongside national tourism giants. Sen debunked a common perception that a bulk of Bengal's foreign tourist inflow is limited to visitors from neighbouring Bangladesh. "Only 1.8 lakh out of the 32 lakh foreign tourists came from Bangladesh. Over 27 lakh were from Europe, Russia, and Australia," he said. One of the biggest tourism magnets remains Kolkata's Durga Puja, which was inscribed in Unesco's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo In 2023, during the festival period from Mahalaya to Diwali, the city welcomed over 5 lakh foreign visitors — with trade estimates suggesting at least 20,000 were international travellers during the five puja days in Kolkata. Anil Punjabi, national committee member of Travel Agents Federation of India, said, "We are already getting puja bookings from Canada, Spain, Europe and UK. The festive charm, the craftsmanship on display, and Bengal's value-for-money factor make it an irresistible destination during this time." Hill stations, particularly Darjeeling and Kurseong, are also witnessing a massive influx of foreign visitors. "Bengal's hill stations are now more preferred than overcrowded destinations like Shimla and Kullu-Manali. Tea tourism is popular too," said Manav Soni, national committee member of Travel Agents Association of India. Purulia and Bankura — once peripheral to Bengal's tourism economy — are now gaining traction. Launched on April 22, an eco-tourism centre near Ayodhya Hills run by local enthusiasts has already reported 87% occupancy, Sen said. The Purulia Tourism Development Council has been formed to assist local tourism stakeholders and attract more visitors. Bengal has also taken a pioneering step in professionalising its tourism industry. The state now boasts the highest number of certified tourist guides in the country — 1,022 — trained under its Tourist Guide Certification Scheme. Bengal's strategic location as a gateway to the Northeast has also given it a dual advantage. Tourists exploring states like Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya often transit through Bengal. New spiritual landmarks, like the Jagannath temple in Digha, are also becoming major pilgrimage and tourist attractions, travel agents said.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paddles Up: Race into Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival
Join the 9 Days and Nights of Festivities Against Victoria Harbour's Iconic Skyline Experience the thrilling Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in Tsim Sha Tsui—where strength meets tradition! (Photo Credits: SHOTCOURT) HONG KONG, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The boats are fierce, the drums are loud and the energy is electric – Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival is back in spectacular style! Each year, this high-adrenaline celebration draws elite paddlers from around the world to compete in one of the city's most anticipated summer events. While races take place citywide, the spotlight will shine on the 2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, returning to Victoria Harbour from 7-8 June. Cheer for your favourite team on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and snap epic action shots of the dragon boat races! The race will transform the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade into a festival hotspot each year. This year, over 190 teams from 12 countries and regions, including teams from Qatar and Egypt for the first time, will compete in high-energy races set against Hong Kong's iconic skyline, drawing cheering crowds of locals and visitors alike. The 9 Days and Nights of Festivities Against Victoria Harbour's Iconic Skyline To mark the start of Dragon Boat Festival and build up momentum ahead of the races, HKTB is hosting 9 days and nights of action-packed celebrations starting 31 May along the photogenic Avenue of Stars. From 1pm to 10pm daily, visitors can look forward to festive foods, icy-cold beverages, summery sweets and photo opportunities galore with the dazzling harbour as a backdrop. The area will also include festive photo spots with displays of Ocean Park Hong Kong's adorable Panda Friends – the giant pandas An An, Ke Ke, Ying Ying, and Le Le, along with the adorable twin cubs Elder Sister and Little Brother. A special pop-up store will offer a selection of panda-themed merchandise. As the action peaks on 7-8 June, spectators can enjoy free entry and shaded viewing areas along the waterfront from Tsim Sha Tsui East to the Avenue of Stars. In Urban Council Centenary Garden, refreshing beers will be available at a lively Beer Garden set up to beat the summer heat and Cirque du Soleil performers will delight attendees with surprise appearances during the event. Find out more details of the event at the Hong Kong Tourism Board's event website. A Month of Tradition, Craft and Celebration Dragon Boat Festival was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. With its deep cultural roots, the Dragon Boat Festival aligns perfectly with inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month—a celebration in June that invites visitors to experience Hong Kong's cultural richness. Visitors can participate in highlight tours to explore the ICH-related traditional craftsmanship, such as bamboo steamer-making techniques, etc. Sign up for the tour at the Hong Kong International Airport Visitor Centre or Kowloon Visitor Centre starting 9 June, or visit the Hong Kong ICH Month 2025 website for more details. Whether you're drawn by the thrilling races, immersive festivals or deep-rooted traditions, late May and June is the perfect time to experience Hong Kong. The city welcomes visitors with a packed calendar of events that honour the past while embracing the present. Media can download photos at the following link: For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Holly ChanTel : 2807 6206Email: Ms Sarah HoTel : 2807 6372Email : Photos accompanying this announcement are available at :
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paddles Up: Race into Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival
Join the 9 Days and Nights of Festivities Against Victoria Harbour's Iconic Skyline Experience the thrilling Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in Tsim Sha Tsui—where strength meets tradition! (Photo Credits: SHOTCOURT) HONG KONG, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The boats are fierce, the drums are loud and the energy is electric – Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival is back in spectacular style! Each year, this high-adrenaline celebration draws elite paddlers from around the world to compete in one of the city's most anticipated summer events. While races take place citywide, the spotlight will shine on the 2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, returning to Victoria Harbour from 7-8 June. Cheer for your favourite team on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and snap epic action shots of the dragon boat races! The race will transform the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade into a festival hotspot each year. This year, over 190 teams from 12 countries and regions, including teams from Qatar and Egypt for the first time, will compete in high-energy races set against Hong Kong's iconic skyline, drawing cheering crowds of locals and visitors alike. The 9 Days and Nights of Festivities Against Victoria Harbour's Iconic Skyline To mark the start of Dragon Boat Festival and build up momentum ahead of the races, HKTB is hosting 9 days and nights of action-packed celebrations starting 31 May along the photogenic Avenue of Stars. From 1pm to 10pm daily, visitors can look forward to festive foods, icy-cold beverages, summery sweets and photo opportunities galore with the dazzling harbour as a backdrop. The area will also include festive photo spots with displays of Ocean Park Hong Kong's adorable Panda Friends – the giant pandas An An, Ke Ke, Ying Ying, and Le Le, along with the adorable twin cubs Elder Sister and Little Brother. A special pop-up store will offer a selection of panda-themed merchandise. As the action peaks on 7-8 June, spectators can enjoy free entry and shaded viewing areas along the waterfront from Tsim Sha Tsui East to the Avenue of Stars. In Urban Council Centenary Garden, refreshing beers will be available at a lively Beer Garden set up to beat the summer heat and Cirque du Soleil performers will delight attendees with surprise appearances during the event. Find out more details of the event at the Hong Kong Tourism Board's event website. A Month of Tradition, Craft and Celebration Dragon Boat Festival was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. With its deep cultural roots, the Dragon Boat Festival aligns perfectly with inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month—a celebration in June that invites visitors to experience Hong Kong's cultural richness. Visitors can participate in highlight tours to explore the ICH-related traditional craftsmanship, such as bamboo steamer-making techniques, etc. Sign up for the tour at the Hong Kong International Airport Visitor Centre or Kowloon Visitor Centre starting 9 June, or visit the Hong Kong ICH Month 2025 website for more details. Whether you're drawn by the thrilling races, immersive festivals or deep-rooted traditions, late May and June is the perfect time to experience Hong Kong. The city welcomes visitors with a packed calendar of events that honour the past while embracing the present. Media can download photos at the following link: For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Holly ChanTel : 2807 6206Email: Ms Sarah HoTel : 2807 6372Email : Photos accompanying this announcement are available at : in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Jordan Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
US congressional delegation visits Petra
Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority Fares Breizat on Friday receives a delegation of US Senate and House of Representatives staff and committees working on bilateral relations, mainly foreign affairs and allocations (Petra photo) AMMAN — Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) Fares Breizat on Friday received a delegation of US Senate and House of Representatives staff and committees working on bilateral relations, mainly foreign affairs and allocations. The delegation was briefed on Jordan's experience in managing tourist and heritage sites, mainly the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. During the meeting, Breizat briefed the delegation on Petra's development plans, highlighting the efforts made to support local communities, preserve the site's cultural identity, and protect Petra as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Breizat highlighted the importance of preserving the Bedouin culture in Petra, inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. Breizat also spoke about USAID's projects in Petra, particularly the visitor transportation projects within and outside the archaeological reserve and the Green Growth Tourism projects, which contribute to enhancing Petra's cultural heritage and sustainable tourism in Petra. He also noted that PDTRA is working to sign agreements with several reserves in the United States. The delegation members expressed their "remarkable" admiration for the "excellent organisation, stable security, and advanced "tourist services in Petra, urging tourists to visit this "unique site and enjoy an unforgettable" tourist and cultural experience. In 2024, PDTRA signed a $15 million grant agreement with USAID to finance 18 projects aimed at enhancing Petra's position as a "global" tourist destination and enhancing its tourist "competitiveness" by diversifying its products, increasing the sector's revenues, and creating new job opportunities in the region.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
This prison in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is the best place to get a massage
After passing by golden temples and crossing the gates into the Old Town, I hand my helmet back to my driver and check in for my massage appointment. As I sip on my iced coffee in the shade, I'm grateful for the mist from the courtyard's waterfall, and the restaurant's mango sticky rice has left a sweet taste in my mouth. It feels like a normal morning in Chiang Mai until I spot the warden's uniform. That's when I remember that I am sitting in the middle of a prison. When it's time for my massage, I am led into a dim room full of beds. Like many vocational schools in Thailand, no one is given a private room and everyone is clothed. They give me a locker to put my phone, wallet, and other valuables in—along with a key to hold onto. My masseuse is kind and quiet except when she whispers to make sure that the pressure of the massage is okay. I surrender to the flow of the massage, and easily forget that I am in a big room—part of the prison. The experience is relaxing and luxurious, but it is even more rewarding to learn that this exceptional service offers a unique way support incarcerated women in Thailand. Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Center is a women's prison that offers a Thai massage and spa training program. his vocational program, also called Naree Spa, allows non-violent prisoners to receive massage training, and each treatment helps women earn their certification as traditional Thai massage therapists. Prisoners live in a different part of the city but are transported in every day with wardens and other officials to do their training. Today, travelers can also enjoy the restaurant, boutique, and beauty salons—all of which hire prisoners and allow them to get hands-on work experience. For those who are curious to learn more and are desperate for air conditioning, there is also a museum with information about the program on site. (Related: 6 ways to explore Chiang Mai through its burgeoning craft scene, from ceramics to silver jewelery.) Nuad Thai, or Thai massage, is incredibly important to the country's traditions and history, which is why it has earned UNESCO recognition on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In traditional Thai villages, those who practiced Thai massage were seen as healers, which is why spa certification, in the form of certificates, is still regulated by the Thai Ministry of Public Health. The standard curriculum for those looking to practice Thai massage is an 800-hour course that has to take place over more than two years. Like all massage students in Thailand, prisoners at the Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Center must learn philosophy, anatomy, and other physiology courses. They must also do 300 hours of professional experience training, which is where massages like mine come into play. This makes these women true experts of their craft and incredibly knowledgeable of the human body. During my massage, my masseuse could tell something was wrong with me after briefly touching a small muscle on my ankle. After just a moment, she knew I was walking too much and advised me to stretch the muscle and rest it when I could. Receiving spa certificates are a bright light in the otherwise dark reality of female incarceration in Thailand. According to the latest comparative statistics published by the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research, Thailand has the world's second highest incarceration rate of women. Andrea Giorgetta, the Asia Desk Director at the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) says, 'Women in Thailand tend to encounter greater difficulties and discrimination than men within the legal system due to a combination of factors, including poverty, a lack of legal knowledge, and inadequate legal assistance.' These social and economic factors result in women receiving longer sentences that are disproportionate to their offenses—especially when you consider women's caregiving obligations or the role of abuse and coercion. After serving their time in prison, women may face difficulties when it comes to finding jobs, which is why reoffending rates for women are between 14 percent (who are detained a second time) and 20 percent (who are detained up to a fifth time). (Related: Some of the best cheese in the world is in Thailand—here's where to try it.) Luckily for the women of Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Center—they are not alone. Thunyanun Yajom worked in the prison as an officer for more than 15 years before opening the Dignity Network, a certified massage center for vocational graduates from the women's prison. Each of the masseuses have gone through the programs outlined by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, but they still faced prejudice when attempting to find jobs. Yajom says that before her spa, 'It was not easy for my ladies to find jobs after getting out of prison … if some places know you are ex-prisoners, they will leave you out of a job. Nobody cared about them.' In 2014, she opened her first center with only three ex-prisoners, and it quickly became internationally appreciated by tourists and locals alike. Since then, they have expanded into five massage centers around Chiang Mai, and they have given more than 500 ex-prisoners jobs over the past decade. This steady employment gives women the chance to be financially independent, provide for their families, and give back to their communities. Yajom says, 'We work together like family. When customers come into my shop, they feel the same because we take very good care of them.' There are thousands of spas in Thailand, but the Dignity Network centers and the women's prison give travelers the chance to make their massages something more. These treatments provide an opportunity to play a small role in a much bigger movement towards women's liberation and independence in Thailand. (Related: UNESCO recognizes more than just historical sites—here are 5 protected health customs.) The Women's Correctional Center is located in Chiang Mai's old town (on Ratvithi Road in the Mueang Chiang Mai District) and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the weekends. In order to get a massage, visitors must make a same-day appointment in person. Visitors should get there as early as possible because their appointments tend to book up quickly. The spa is occasionally closed for holidays, so be sure to check their Facebook page for any announcements. Anyone is welcome to get a massage, but they ask you to indicate if you have heart problems, allergies, or any other conditions they should know about. They offer one-hour traditional Thai massages (250 Baht/about $7.36), two-hour Thai massages (500 Baht/$14.73), and one-hour foot massages (250 Baht/about $7.36). For your massage, visitors should wear loose clothing that they can easily move around in. As mentioned before, there are five Dignity Network centers around Chiang Mai, and it's usually easier to get appointments at these spas. Each location has different hours that you can find on their website. As with most Thai spas, reservations are made in person, and they can accommodate guests fairly quickly. (Related: How to plan a food tour around northern Thailand, from Chiang Mai to Phrae.) Acacia Gabriel is a freelance journalist who covers responsible ecotourism, cultural experiences, and the intersection of outdoor adventure and luxury. Follow along on her website and Instagram.
