Safari Plus 2020 - World Tourism Day Special edition

World Tourism Day Special

Goverdhan Ecovillage An Innovative Tourism Model for Rural Development

Govardhan Ecovillage has developed an innovative tourism model combining both tourism and the promotion of sustainable development by attracting the tourists and visitors through an integrated environmental, social, cultural and spiritual model to experience wellness and harmony with nature, along with comfortable facilities to stay and relax. An eco-community located around 100km from Mumbai, nested in an ecological infrastructure amidst a picturesque landscape of the Sahyadri mountains in Wada. The ecovillage is composed of farms, animal shelter, yoga school, ayurveda center, community area and geotourism site, all nested in the setting of an ashram.

Tourists also get a chance to interact and support local tribal communities who are empowered in various skills needed to generate income through various rural development initiatives by Govardhan Ecovillage.

Some of Govardhan Ecovillage’s sustainability initiatives are also being replicated in nearby villages so that the

villagers learn to live a life, which is preserving the environment and enabling them to be financially sustainable.

Goverdhan Ecovillage is recognised as role model for creating sustainable solutions for synergised social, economic, ecological and cultural conditions in rural communities. Shri Gauranga Das, Director Govardhan Ecovillage said, “The aim is to develop farm communities as they present the only sustainable way of leading a life which is physically, mentally, socially, economically, spiritually and environmentally friendly.�

Govardhan Ecovillage also got honored with the UNWTO Award for transforming the landscape of rural India using ecotourism to reduce poverty and provide sustainable livelihoods in one of the most backward tribal regions of India. Thus serving as a catalyst for rural development & positively impacts & inspires sustainable tourism development.

Learn more about - https://ecovillage.org.in/

Tourism Reopened In

ANDAMAN

Under the leadership of Shri M. Vinod, President, AATO The programme was attended by all members of Aato. celebrated World Tourism Day, in a simple manner due On this occasion Shri Vinod has expressed his gratitude to the pandemic situation. Aato members in association towards the Honble Lt. Governor of A & N Islands and with Island Trading Agency sanitised the National Chief Secretary, A& N Administration for opening Memorial Cellular Jail & Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Tourism activities in the islands. Shri Vinod also Complex. The association has also donated one foot thanked Shri Sunil Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner, sanitizer Stand and 200 Face Masks to the Asst. Director South Andaman for gracing the occasion. Shri M. Vinod Cellular jail and 50 Face Shields and 500 Face Masks has further requested all tourism stakeholders to were handed over to the Deputy Commisiner, South follow all COVID Protocols while starting there tourism related activities.

Andaman who graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

2

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Odisha Tourism to promote Curated and Niche Experiences Mr Vishal Kumar Dev, Commissioner– cum– Secretary, Tourism and Sports and Youth Services Department, Govt of Odisha, on Sunday said that the impact of COVID-19 has caused a paradigm shift for the Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Industry, which is one of the most severely impacted sectors. Addressing a webinar on ‘Future of Travel & Tourism and Strategies to Revitalize the Industry’ organized by FICCI, jointly the Department of Tourism, Govt of Odisha, Mr Dev said, “There is a lot of pent up demand to travel. What is crucial now is our ability to generate and inspire confidence among the people that travelling is safe. Odisha Tourism is focusing on safety and health, domestic tourism and promotion on curated and niche experiences.”

He further added, “Odisha has been working on a number of innovative products over the past three-four months to enhance the brand value of the state. These include houseboats, river cruises, culinary tourism, to promote the Odia cuisine and the makeover of the Niladri beach, which will soon be among the first ‘Blue Flag’ beaches in India.”

The Konark Glamping Festival had received a positive response last year and we plan to launch the same at four new destinations in Odisha this year, Mr Dev noted. Mr Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director & Addl. Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, said, “The Government is positive about the recovery and revival of Tourism sector and we are taking steps in this direction.” Taking the example of other states which have opened to tourism, he said that the

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earlier we open, the earlier we will learn to revive tourism. “While our response to the pandemic has been tactical, our approach to restart tourism has to be strategic and we must set our priorities right,” he added.

Mr Dhruv Shringi, Co-Chair, FICCI Tourism Committee, Chairman, FICCI Travel Technology Committee and Co-Founder and CEO, Yatra Online Inc, said, “It is high time that we focus on expanding the purview of domestic tourism. It will become more localised and we need to work with the authorities to promote hidden gems which have otherwise been unknown.”

Ms Anita Mendiratta, Global Advisor and Author- Tourism & Development and Special Advisor to Secretary General, UNWTO, said, “We have to first recognize that this is a global and humanitarian health crisis that has caused an economic travel and tourism crisis. Our industry is vital when it comes to supply chain and comprises of 80 percent of SMEs.” Travel and Tourism have become the solution and the basis of recovery of the global economy and society; trust is the new currency to restart this industry, she said.

Mr Dipak Deva, Co-Chair, FICCI Tourism Committee and Managing Director, Sita, TCI & Distant Frontiers, said, “The tourism industry is a huge job creator and has the largest number of SMEs that has shown the way for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.” Tourism will revive in a strong way, provided that we take the right steps now. However, we must ensure that travellers return to travelling in a sustainable way, he added.

3

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Tourism Reopened In

ANDAMAN

Under the leadership of Shri M. Vinod, President, AATO The programme was attended by all members of Aato. celebrated World Tourism Day, in a simple manner due On this occasion Shri Vinod has expressed his gratitude to the pandemic situation. Aato members in association towards the Honble Lt. Governor of A & N Islands and with Island Trading Agency sanitised the National Chief Secretary, A& N Administration for opening Memorial Cellular Jail & Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Tourism activities in the islands. Shri Vinod also Complex. The association has also donated one foot thanked Shri Sunil Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner, sanitizer Stand and 200 Face Masks to the Asst. Director South Andaman for gracing the occasion. Shri M. Vinod Cellular jail and 50 Face Shields and 500 Face Masks has further requested all tourism stakeholders to were handed over to the Deputy Commisiner, South follow all COVID Protocols while starting there tourism related activities.

Andaman who graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

2

www.safariplus.co.in

Odisha Tourism to promote Curated and Niche Experiences Mr Vishal Kumar Dev, Commissioner– cum– Secretary, Tourism and Sports and Youth Services Department, Govt of Odisha, on Sunday said that the impact of COVID-19 has caused a paradigm shift for the Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Industry, which is one of the most severely impacted sectors. Addressing a webinar on ‘Future of Travel & Tourism and Strategies to Revitalize the Industry’ organized by FICCI, jointly the Department of Tourism, Govt of Odisha, Mr Dev said, “There is a lot of pent up demand to travel. What is crucial now is our ability to generate and inspire confidence among the people that travelling is safe. Odisha Tourism is focusing on safety and health, domestic tourism and promotion on curated and niche experiences.”

He further added, “Odisha has been working on a number of innovative products over the past three-four months to enhance the brand value of the state. These include houseboats, river cruises, culinary tourism, to promote the Odia cuisine and the makeover of the Niladri beach, which will soon be among the first ‘Blue Flag’ beaches in India.”

The Konark Glamping Festival had received a positive response last year and we plan to launch the same at four new destinations in Odisha this year, Mr Dev noted. Mr Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director & Addl. Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, said, “The Government is positive about the recovery and revival of Tourism sector and we are taking steps in this direction.” Taking the example of other states which have opened to tourism, he said that the

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earlier we open, the earlier we will learn to revive tourism. “While our response to the pandemic has been tactical, our approach to restart tourism has to be strategic and we must set our priorities right,” he added.

Mr Dhruv Shringi, Co-Chair, FICCI Tourism Committee, Chairman, FICCI Travel Technology Committee and Co-Founder and CEO, Yatra Online Inc, said, “It is high time that we focus on expanding the purview of domestic tourism. It will become more localised and we need to work with the authorities to promote hidden gems which have otherwise been unknown.”

Ms Anita Mendiratta, Global Advisor and Author- Tourism & Development and Special Advisor to Secretary General, UNWTO, said, “We have to first recognize that this is a global and humanitarian health crisis that has caused an economic travel and tourism crisis. Our industry is vital when it comes to supply chain and comprises of 80 percent of SMEs.” Travel and Tourism have become the solution and the basis of recovery of the global economy and society; trust is the new currency to restart this industry, she said.

Mr Dipak Deva, Co-Chair, FICCI Tourism Committee and Managing Director, Sita, TCI & Distant Frontiers, said, “The tourism industry is a huge job creator and has the largest number of SMEs that has shown the way for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.” Tourism will revive in a strong way, provided that we take the right steps now. However, we must ensure that travellers return to travelling in a sustainable way, he added.

3

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Goverdhan Ecovillage

ONE ROAD EXPEDITION

An Innovative Tourism Model for Rural Development

Rain Water Harvesting

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Some of Govardhan Ecovillage’s sustainability initiatives are also being replicated in nearby villages so that the villagers learn to live a life, which is preserving the environment and enabling them to be financially sustainable. To name few are - HOLISTIC rural development program. ORGANIC FARMING WATER SHED MANAGEMENT & HEALTH CARE. RURAL HEALTH CARE Reducing burden of illness on society since 2010.

EMPOWERMENT OF FARMERS - Stabilising tribal farmers through climate resilient, economically viable and sustainable agriculture. WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT - Stabilizing rural communities by addressing water s c a r c i t y fo r d r i n k i n g a n d i r r i g a t i o n . W O M E N EMPOWERMENT -Participation and inclusion of women in the system, since 2016, to empower them and emerge as confident individuals. RURAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT Enhancing skills of rural youth by creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship since 2016.

EDUCATE THE YOUTH, EDUCATE THE NATION! - At Govardhan Eco Village, we are using innovative and nontraditional ways of imparting education to make our youth more informed and employable. CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW THROUGH EDUCATION - Govardhan Eco Village has been providing shelter and a family to those without one for over a century!

4

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Let’s be back on road and #SaveTourism A one of its kind campaign presently ongoing “ONE ROAD EXPEDITION”, an initiative to revive Tourism back to normal.

And to promote Domestic Tourism, 6 travel agents have teamed up for a 36 days expedition throughout India.

The participants initiated this campaign with the message “VOCAL FOR LOCAL” and have begun a road trip on 18th September from Surat. The 36 days trip stretched to 18000 kms covering 34 Indian State and Union Territory by road touching all the 4 corners of India (Koteshwar in west, Leh in north, Tezu in East and Kanyakumari in South).

Mr Rajiv Shah from Surat said, “No sector has been spared from the economic downfall brought up by this pandemic & the travel industry has also been badly hit. Now as we begin to Unlock in phases and everything is falling back to place, travel industry also deserves the speed to boost back. Currently international travel is not possible and with an endeavour to support the message VOCAL FOR LOCAL & persuade Indians to travel domestically , we have commenced this Road trip of 18000 kms

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within 36 days.”

Other participants along with Mr Shah are Mr Ritesh Parekh, Mr Sanjay Patel, Mr Nitin Gupta from Surat, Mr Thomas Koshy from Ahmedabad & Mr Pawan Dubey from Mumbai.

Mr. Pawan Dubey said, “This is our attempt to influence people and motivate them to travel and it is safe to travel with responsibly taking all the safety measures against corona virus.

We should take this as an opportunity to promote Domestic Tourism. We should also be revealing how all hotels & destinations are covid ready & looking forward to welcome tourists with utmost health & safety measures.”

5

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Goverdhan Ecovillage

ONE ROAD EXPEDITION

An Innovative Tourism Model for Rural Development

Rain Water Harvesting

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Some of Govardhan Ecovillage’s sustainability initiatives are also being replicated in nearby villages so that the villagers learn to live a life, which is preserving the environment and enabling them to be financially sustainable. To name few are - HOLISTIC rural development program. ORGANIC FARMING WATER SHED MANAGEMENT & HEALTH CARE. RURAL HEALTH CARE Reducing burden of illness on society since 2010.

EMPOWERMENT OF FARMERS - Stabilising tribal farmers through climate resilient, economically viable and sustainable agriculture. WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT - Stabilizing rural communities by addressing water s c a r c i t y fo r d r i n k i n g a n d i r r i g a t i o n . W O M E N EMPOWERMENT -Participation and inclusion of women in the system, since 2016, to empower them and emerge as confident individuals. RURAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT Enhancing skills of rural youth by creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship since 2016.

EDUCATE THE YOUTH, EDUCATE THE NATION! - At Govardhan Eco Village, we are using innovative and nontraditional ways of imparting education to make our youth more informed and employable. CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW THROUGH EDUCATION - Govardhan Eco Village has been providing shelter and a family to those without one for over a century!

4

www.safariplus.co.in

Let’s be back on road and #SaveTourism A one of its kind campaign presently ongoing “ONE ROAD EXPEDITION”, an initiative to revive Tourism back to normal.

And to promote Domestic Tourism, 6 travel agents have teamed up for a 36 days expedition throughout India.

The participants initiated this campaign with the message “VOCAL FOR LOCAL” and have begun a road trip on 18th September from Surat. The 36 days trip stretched to 18000 kms covering 34 Indian State and Union Territory by road touching all the 4 corners of India (Koteshwar in west, Leh in north, Tezu in East and Kanyakumari in South).

Mr Rajiv Shah from Surat said, “No sector has been spared from the economic downfall brought up by this pandemic & the travel industry has also been badly hit. Now as we begin to Unlock in phases and everything is falling back to place, travel industry also deserves the speed to boost back. Currently international travel is not possible and with an endeavour to support the message VOCAL FOR LOCAL & persuade Indians to travel domestically , we have commenced this Road trip of 18000 kms

www.safariplus.co.in

within 36 days.”

Other participants along with Mr Shah are Mr Ritesh Parekh, Mr Sanjay Patel, Mr Nitin Gupta from Surat, Mr Thomas Koshy from Ahmedabad & Mr Pawan Dubey from Mumbai.

Mr. Pawan Dubey said, “This is our attempt to influence people and motivate them to travel and it is safe to travel with responsibly taking all the safety measures against corona virus.

We should take this as an opportunity to promote Domestic Tourism. We should also be revealing how all hotels & destinations are covid ready & looking forward to welcome tourists with utmost health & safety measures.”

5

WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Into an age of conscious TRAVEL 'Into an age of conscious travel' How travel should evolve post the pandemic?

Sustainable Responsible Travel that benefits the communities in the region of travel is important and hence rural tourism is an area for the travel industry to focus on.

Explore Rural Tourism in the Northeast of India which is bordered by 5 countries - China, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh & Bhutan and over centuries, people from several civilizations have met and mingled here. Better known as the '7 Sister-States of the Northeast and Sikkim' it is a melting pot of different ethnicities quite distinct from the rest of India. It has over 300 tribes, sub tribes and clans.

The vibrant textiles and costumes, traditional festivals filled with music & dance, ancient techniques of paper making, preserving meat, versatile use of bamboo and ethnic cuisines have remained the same since the days of their forefathers.

Even in recent times the local communities have preserved their way of life, leaving the surrounding environment largely untarnished by modern 'development'. It is this synergy with nature and the distinctive tribal identities that makes this region special to explore.

Some itinerary options for a sustainable holiday keeping social distancing in mind and making a difference for the better.

A look at the rustic lifestyles of the Bodo tribe who are the original inhabitants of the region and spending time to learn how they fish, weave and worship.

Taboos that have preserved many endangered species in Arunachal Pradesh, explore the Apatani tribe whose villages have been described by UNESCO as living cultural landscape and learn how they live in harmony with their surroundings.

Festivals in agrarian societies are centred around harvest, sowing of new crops and they follow the lunar calendar. A visual exploration of the vibrant Wangala festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya.

Tribal costumes, jewellery and weaving have helped the local communities maintain their distinction. Explore the aesthetics of the Rang tribe classified as a primitive tribe in Tripura and of the Meitei community in Manipur who flourished under royal patronage.

Meghalaya is known its scenic beauty, the matrilineal tribal society and the Ingenuity of the Khasi tribe in building living root bridges. Explore how these bridges are built and preserved.

Written by Julie Kagti (Founder - Curtain Call Adventures)

Restarting Tourism in Eastern Himalayas of India EHTTOA and IndiaTourism Kolkatta initiates to

A New Horizon

WTD Celebration @ Maniben Nanavati Women's College The Department of Commerce organised this programme as part of the World Tourism Day celebration. The theme was “Tourism & Rural Development” given by World Tourism Organisation.

A Panel Discussion, a Video film and Power Point presentation made by S.Y.B.Com & T.Y.B.Com Tourism Specialization students were some of the main highlights of this programme. For the Panel Discussion, the Panel Members were Mr. D. Venkatesan, Regional Director – India Tourism (West & Central Zone ) and Ms. Smeeta Gulvady, Head - School of Excellence. The questions were based on Rural Development, Strategies adopted by the Tourism Industry- Post Pandemic, Responsible

Tourism and Start –Up Culture.

Dr. Rajshree Trivedi – Principal and Dr. Rita Patil, Supervisor, MNWC also graced the occasion. 136 students and faculty members participated in this programme. A Poster Competition was organised titled “Keeping Monuments & Tourist Places Clean”. The Winners were : Ms.Taniya D'souza – S.Y.B.Com ( First Prize ), Ms.Urja Valodra – S.Y.B.Com (Second Prize ) and Ms. Saniya Rathod ( Third Prize ). The Posters of the Prize Winners will also be uploaded on the Website specially designed by Ministry of Tourism as part of the Swacchta Pakhwada from 16th to 30th September, 2020.

Winners of Poster Competition Keeping Monuments & Tourist Places Clean WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

6

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WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

Into an age of conscious TRAVEL 'Into an age of conscious travel' How travel should evolve post the pandemic?

Sustainable Responsible Travel that benefits the communities in the region of travel is important and hence rural tourism is an area for the travel industry to focus on.

Explore Rural Tourism in the Northeast of India which is bordered by 5 countries - China, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh & Bhutan and over centuries, people from several civilizations have met and mingled here. Better known as the '7 Sister-States of the Northeast and Sikkim' it is a melting pot of different ethnicities quite distinct from the rest of India. It has over 300 tribes, sub tribes and clans.

The vibrant textiles and costumes, traditional festivals filled with music & dance, ancient techniques of paper making, preserving meat, versatile use of bamboo and ethnic cuisines have remained the same since the days of their forefathers.

Even in recent times the local communities have preserved their way of life, leaving the surrounding environment largely untarnished by modern 'development'. It is this synergy with nature and the distinctive tribal identities that makes this region special to explore.

Some itinerary options for a sustainable holiday keeping social distancing in mind and making a difference for the better.

A look at the rustic lifestyles of the Bodo tribe who are the original inhabitants of the region and spending time to learn how they fish, weave and worship.

Taboos that have preserved many endangered species in Arunachal Pradesh, explore the Apatani tribe whose villages have been described by UNESCO as living cultural landscape and learn how they live in harmony with their surroundings.

Festivals in agrarian societies are centred around harvest, sowing of new crops and they follow the lunar calendar. A visual exploration of the vibrant Wangala festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya.

Tribal costumes, jewellery and weaving have helped the local communities maintain their distinction. Explore the aesthetics of the Rang tribe classified as a primitive tribe in Tripura and of the Meitei community in Manipur who flourished under royal patronage.

Meghalaya is known its scenic beauty, the matrilineal tribal society and the Ingenuity of the Khasi tribe in building living root bridges. Explore how these bridges are built and preserved.

Written by Julie Kagti (Founder - Curtain Call Adventures)

Restarting Tourism in Eastern Himalayas of India EHTTOA and IndiaTourism Kolkatta initiates to

A New Horizon

WTD Celebration @ Maniben Nanavati Women's College The Department of Commerce organised this programme as part of the World Tourism Day celebration. The theme was “Tourism & Rural Development” given by World Tourism Organisation.

A Panel Discussion, a Video film and Power Point presentation made by S.Y.B.Com & T.Y.B.Com Tourism Specialization students were some of the main highlights of this programme. For the Panel Discussion, the Panel Members were Mr. D. Venkatesan, Regional Director – India Tourism (West & Central Zone ) and Ms. Smeeta Gulvady, Head - School of Excellence. The questions were based on Rural Development, Strategies adopted by the Tourism Industry- Post Pandemic, Responsible

Tourism and Start –Up Culture.

Dr. Rajshree Trivedi – Principal and Dr. Rita Patil, Supervisor, MNWC also graced the occasion. 136 students and faculty members participated in this programme. A Poster Competition was organised titled “Keeping Monuments & Tourist Places Clean”. The Winners were : Ms.Taniya D'souza – S.Y.B.Com ( First Prize ), Ms.Urja Valodra – S.Y.B.Com (Second Prize ) and Ms. Saniya Rathod ( Third Prize ). The Posters of the Prize Winners will also be uploaded on the Website specially designed by Ministry of Tourism as part of the Swacchta Pakhwada from 16th to 30th September, 2020.

Winners of Poster Competition Keeping Monuments & Tourist Places Clean WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

6

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WORLD TOURISM DAY, 2020

World Tourism Day Special

Goverdhan Ecovillage An Innovative Tourism Model for Rural Development

Govardhan Ecovillage has developed an innovative tourism model combining both tourism and the promotion of sustainable development by attracting the tourists and visitors through an integrated environmental, social, cultural and spiritual model to experience wellness and harmony with nature, along with comfortable facilities to stay and relax. An eco-community located around 100km from Mumbai, nested in an ecological infrastructure amidst a picturesque landscape of the Sahyadri mountains in Wada. The ecovillage is composed of farms, animal shelter, yoga school, ayurveda center, community area and geotourism site, all nested in the setting of an ashram.

Tourists also get a chance to interact and support local tribal communities who are empowered in various skills needed to generate income through various rural development initiatives by Govardhan Ecovillage.

Some of Govardhan Ecovillage’s sustainability initiatives are also being replicated in nearby villages so that the

villagers learn to live a life, which is preserving the environment and enabling them to be financially sustainable.

Goverdhan Ecovillage is recognised as role model for creating sustainable solutions for synergised social, economic, ecological and cultural conditions in rural communities. Shri Gauranga Das, Director Govardhan Ecovillage said, “The aim is to develop farm communities as they present the only sustainable way of leading a life which is physically, mentally, socially, economically, spiritually and environmentally friendly.�

Govardhan Ecovillage also got honored with the UNWTO Award for transforming the landscape of rural India using ecotourism to reduce poverty and provide sustainable livelihoods in one of the most backward tribal regions of India. Thus serving as a catalyst for rural development & positively impacts & inspires sustainable tourism development.

Learn more about - https://ecovillage.org.in/