Charminar in Hyderabad

The stalled implementation of the 13-year-old Charminar Pedestrianisation Project forces one to marvel what the continued Heritage Week is celebrating?

The State Tourism department could also be celebrating the Heritage Week, however the stalled Charminar Pedestriani-sation Project (CPP) that begs for attention, forces one to raise the question - how dedicated are AP Tourism and GHMC at the ground-level, when it involves protecting, preserving and cherishing Hyderabad's "heritage"? This terribly month a year ago, GHMC drew the ire of Hyderabadis for the shoddy job that was done owing to the hastening of the CPP before the visit of the Unesco team to award the globe Heritage standing to Charminar. And rapidly, the project went back to the state of limbo that it's been in since 1999.

INTACH Hyderabad Chapter Convener, Anuradha Reddy, who visited Charminar last week, says, "The road between Gulzar House and Charminar is in a very deplorable state. Last year, GHMC suddenly wakened to implement the CPP and did a ghastly job by laying ugly multi-colored granite tiles round the space. there's no correct co-ordination between the departments. An in-house committee that's focussed solely on this should be discovered within the municipality. Before enterprise the work, there should be an understanding concerning the folks, the realm and its culture and a comprehensive study should be distributed."

HMDA Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) officer, Ziauddin, washes his hands off the matter by saying, "The previous GHMC Commissioner Mr Sameer Sharma was terribly hooked in to the CPP. once he got transferred, not a lot of is going on. we do not have something to try to to with it." The Heritage Conservation Committee has nothing to try to to with Charminar and its conservation? Mr Ziauddin remains non-committal on the project that aims to de-congest Charminar.

The Department of Tourism too plays the blame game. Principal Secretary (Tourism) Chandana Khan directs us to Tourism commissioner Sabyasachi Ghosh, who in turns asks Hyderabad Times to contact further Commissioner (Planning) K Dhanunjaya Reddy.

The Additional Commissioner but, remained unavailable for comment in spite of repeated makes an attempt to succeed in him since Friday, April 20, citing 'busy in a very meeting' because the reason.

With no work being done on the bottom level, the bold `300-crore and project that aims to preserve the 400-year-old monument, appearance no but an overseas dream even once thirteen years of its inception.

Best destination for a honeymoon

Spas Treatment Centers in Egypt

Lovers of The Taj Mahal

Places to Visit near Delhi

Tired of the same old, monotonous and boring life? Do one thing totally different this weekend. opt for a mini-vacation together with your loved ones and rejuvenate yourself. Jayshree Pyasi lists down a number of the choices you'll contemplate. 

Alwar 

Travelling160 kms from Delhi can take you to Alwar. The place offers you peaceful lakeside views, lush royal gardens and temples. far from the hustlebustle of the town nestled within the arms of Mother Nature, is not that one thing we have a tendency to all foresee to? build the foremost of your weekend and head towards Alwar. we advise a ride to the place by the 'Fairy Queen', the oldest engine within the world, that runs from Delhi. 

Kasauli 

A 325 km drive from Delhi can take you to the place where Hrithik danced to the tunes of 'Koi Mil Gaya'. do not be shelve by the distance; the weariness of the journey can wear off once you're here! The cobbled streets, the stunning frontage homes, the chestnut laden trees and tiny gardens at short distances are a haven for solitude lovers. If you're probing for a relaxed weekend far from the scorching heat of Delhi, Kasauli welcomes you. 

Nahan 

If Shimla looks too way then alittle hill station which works by the name Nahan may simply be good for you. A five-hour, 260 km drive transports you to the lap of Himachal Pradesh. Rani-tal, the middle of the city with a water tank, temple and a garden may be a must-visit. On the thanks to Nahan, ensure you stop at Suketi Fossil Park that homes fossils of pre-historic animals dating up to the Jurassic-era that were found at the positioning.The sprawling fruit orchard of Dhaula Kaun is another spot that you would not need to miss out on! 

Unchagaon 

Delhi offers variety of web sites for the heritage lover however if royalty is what you're searching for, the heritage hotel of Unchagaon is your best bet. Situated 118 kms from Delhi, the place is laden with stunning archways and towering minarets. The verdant lawns give you a peaceful reprieve from the town. If you wish to be transported back to the 50s, you'll hitch a bullock cart ride through orchards and farms or maybe raise for a Peshawari horse ride this weekend! 

Bharatpur 

If you're a bird lover, Bharatpur can surely prime your list of getaways. likelihood is you have got already experienced the delights the place should offer! If bird watching is not your most popular plan of a getaway, you may simply amendment your mind once visiting this place. Located a hundred and eighty km far from Delhi, The 'Keoladeo-Ghana bird sanctuary', a world heritage website, offers you an opportunity to visualize upto 350 species of birds at a time. The sanctuary has became one amongst the best heronry of the world; upto seventeen species are known to breed at Keoladeo. If you're a historian, a visit to the Lohgarh Fort here can regale you. 

Sariska 

Set at a distance of a hundred and eighty km from Delhi, the Sariska wildlife sanctuary provides the most effective chance to identify tigers. The 'Tiger Gate of Rajasthan' offers you a visit to the wild aspect of our country with chitals, hyenas, neel gais, wild boars, leopards, sambars all creating their presence felt, not in a very cage pleasingly, however in their natural habitat. the assorted waterholes and lakes give the proper getaway from the sweltering heat for the animals within the vicinity. The regal charm and atmosphere of the Sariska Palace may be a excellent place to place your feet up and relax once an exciting day amongst the wildlife.

Good food in the Network of Cities

Seven 7 Natural Wonders

Wildlife safaris in Dachigam

Gujarat Tour

Tourists sometimes need to soak within the sights and sounds of nature on a vacation, or explore the historical richness of heritage destinations. 

 There are few destinations that provide them the prospect to try to to each, besides having all the options and facilities a tourist destination ought to have, and Champaner-Pavagadh, the UNESCO-recognized World Heritage web site, is one among them.

 Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park may be a distinctive historical web site, with its ancient Hindu design, temples and special water-retaining installations, along side its spiritual, military and agricultural structures. Champaner is additionally the sole complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal town within the country.

 Situated 45km far from Vadodara, Gujarat, Champaner may be a testament to its time of glory because the capital of Gujarat throughout the Mughal reign. With many massive and outstanding mosques and temples - Jama Masjid, Sahar ki Masjid, Nagina Masjid, citadel engineered by Mahmud Begda, Mandvi/Customs House; Makai Kothar/Navlakha Kothar and also the sixteenth century Helical Step-well - this tourist attraction in Gujarat is additionally near Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, that is simply 20km away, choked with forests of teak and mahuda trees, bamboo, and alternative lush vegetation, home to a spread of flora and fauna. The Dhanpari and Kevdi Eco Campsites, in conjunction with machaans for landscape and wildlife viewing, create it the popular destination for eco-tourism. At the summit of Pavagadh hill, 762 metres on top of ocean level, may be a temple to Ma Kali, that is that the oldest temple within the space, dating back to the tenth or eleventh century. The Pavagadh Fort was additionally a crucial fortress of the Solanki kingdom.

Banaras Varanasi land of spirituality

The land that isn't solely famous for it mythology however conjointly lures Indian in addition as international tourist with its stunning waterfronts... 

 conjointly spoken as Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi is that the oldest living town within the world. Famous author Mark Twain, who was obsessed on the mythology of the town once said, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, previouser even than legend and appears twice as old as all of them place along." 

 This sacred land of Varanasi has been an final pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. They think about this land to be abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who are believed to be the foremost voters of {the town|the town|town} as they lived here for someday once their wedding and worshiped for being the holiest city beside Ganga, the origins of Varanasi are however unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to own the ability to scrub away the sins of mortals and therefore, the innumerable Ghats of Ganga within the town are accounted for. conjointly in all probability owing to its distinctive culture, Varanasi may be a major tourist destination for foreign tourists in India. 

Soothing water fronts 

 the good river banks at Varanasi, engineered high with eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with an endless chain of stone steps - the ghats-progressing along the total of the waterfront, altering in look with the dramatic seasonal fluctuations of the river level. every of the hundred ghats, huge and tiny, is marked by a lingam, and occupies its own special place within the non secular geography of the town. Some have crumbled over the years, others still thrive, with early-morning bathers, brahmin monks giving puja, and folks practicing meditation and yoga. Skirted with ghats all throughout, the main water fronts during this heritage town are Dasaswamedh Ghat, Asi Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and Lalita Ghat. 

 whereas the ghat that receives the most tourist footfalls is that the Asi Ghat that is that the southernmost within the sacred town, at the confluence of the Asi and therefore the Ganges, pilgrims bathe before worshipping at a large lingam beneath a peepal tree. Another lingam visited is that of Asisangameshvara, the "Lord of the Confluence of the Asi", during a little marble temple simply off the ghat. historically, pilgrims continued to Lolarka Kund, the Trembling Sun", an oblong tank fifteen meters blow ground level, approached by steep steps. currently virtually abandoned, except throughout the Lolarka Mela truthful, when thousands come back to propitiate the gods and pray for the birth of a son, Lolarka Kund is among Varanasi's earliest sites, one among solely 2 remaining Sun sites linked with the origins of Hinduism. Equated with the twelve adityas or divisions of the sun, that predate the good deities of contemporary Hinduism. 

A shoppers' paradise 

 With hustles and rickshaw drivers keen to tug tourists into retailers giving commission, searching in Varanasi may be a nightmare however its price seeking out the city's made silk weaving and brasswork. the simplest areas to browse are the Thatheri Bazaar (for brass), Jnana Vapi and therefore the Vishwanatha Gall with its Temple Bazaar (for silk brocade and jewellery). State run emporiums in Godaulia, Lahurabir and therefore the Chowk - the 3 Handlooms shops at Lahurabir, Nadesar and Neechi Bag, and Mahatex in Godaulia - of fastened costs and guaranteed quality. Housed during a former palace within the Cantonment, the CIE contains a massive and spectacular choice however, despite its official-sounding name, is outrageously expensive Kashmiri-run chain aimed solely at the five-star market. the town is legendary for silk weaving conjointly Banaras brocades are prized the globe over. Brassware, copperware, wood and clay toys and exquisite gold jewelry are a number of the opposite craft the town is legendary for.

social media in tourism sector

The advent of internet revolutionized every walk of life and tourism sector also get influenced by its impacts and contributions. Especially from the last decade, the areas of social media, mobile applications and the overall phenomenon of digital marketing are growing with rapid pace. 

In the initial phase, tourism industry particularly in India has given unfavourable responses to accepting the online technological tools. With increasing realization of its vitality, the tourism sector accepted it and then utilized it to compete globally. 

The entire-world of communication is changing with rapid pace and the upcoming magic word is "Social Media". As compared to this magic word, no other discipline or process has such a lasting effect on the field of tourism product and service marketing. Any event happening around the globe is easily spread to every corner within few seconds just because of the presence of Social Media. Even, social media proved its worth in all aspects of an organization i.e. from sales and marketing to operations to revenue management and so on. 

Social media has also changed the way the potential tourist explore the online sources to gather information. Then based on that information, he makes decisions of visiting the tourism destinations etc. Therefore, operators who provide the travel services also need to utilize the opportunities provided by social media to generate the greatest returns. There is an immediate need to tracking, analyzing and reacting to online reviews, feedback and actively engaging in social networking to build awareness and shape perceptions of one's brand. In the meantime, feedback generated from the guest also needs to be given adequate attention, so that it will drive towards revenue generation. The alerts on sites like Google, TripAdvisor, Twitter and Facebook will facilitate the process of feedback generation. While for larger businesses, a social media monitoring tool will help in collecting, organising and reacting to reviews and commentary. 

In tourism sector where most of the holiday-makers start with an internet research before they book accommodation, an active presence on social media sites is need of the hour. Social Media allows travel-based companies to quickly promote their product and brand, get the online community involved and motivated them to travel and specifically target key market segments. Ultimately, though, social media provides a way for users to deliver "word-of-mouth" marketing for businesses which is one of the biggest influencers when it comes to consumers making travel decisions.

The increasing use of mobile devices (m-technology) proved that it continues to dominate internationally. More and more travelers are researching, seeking advice and making decisions on where to stay, eat, drink, shop, explore and relax while on the tour through their handsets. Hence, travel service providers already developed and in the process of developing mobile compatible sites which are now essential for businesses that rely heavily on local traffic. Moreover, Location-based services allow leaving information, guides and other tips in locations for people to pick up with their mobile device. 

Beyond the above mentioned mediums, the tour and travel industry also has the option of other digital media that offer unique benefits over traditional channels. Tablet applications are the main attraction on whatever platform - iPad, Android, Windows or Black-Berry - is that these mediums offer tourism companies a platform for global distribution. Digital brochures - a form of portable tablet, mobile, social or online app - convert offline real world platforms into highly interactive digital platforms. Low-cost media like tablet apps, social media and digital brochures offer their best possible entry point to this digital marketing phenomenon. Another magical device named Smart Phones also contribute in glorifying the impact of social media.

For strategic decisions especially in tourism industry, websites and other online promotional tools have always been considered a vital component for any online marketing plan. Even the limitations in traditional channels of marketing and interacting with customers are broken down and numbers of online and digital platforms are making an impressive impact in the present technological era. Moreover, the present online mediums are cost-effective and attraction for all groupings and demographics - niche and mass markets, business and leisure travel, men and women and all age groups and hence it offer value to the tourism companies.

Every coin has two sides and it's also relevant in social media vis-à-vis tourism sector. The technology needs to be well utilized and hence the skilled manpower is needed. After every quarter, the technology also upgraded to the next level i.e. from beta version to actual launching of the software, from first generation to second generation and so on. Hence, there is a need to match these technological up gradation. 

In conclusion, the present technological think-tank put all the efforts to grab maximum output from social media unless the new futuristic alternatives would arrive and make the present technologies outdated. The live video streaming, video conferencing, virtual tours etc. need more attention because of the several benefits they are offering to service providers. In short, the dynamism of social media in tourism sector is ever-increasing and stakeholders need to capitalize it appropriately to generate and sustain the competitive advantage.