This weekend, cheap 'n' best Nepal

Kathmandu, in spite of all its political upheavals, has turned out to be the number one travel destination for Delhiites this extended weekend (a leave on Monday, followed by Gandhi Jayanti on Tuesday). Flights to the neighbouring kingdom are full between Saturday and Tuesday, as are hotel rooms. Why Kathmandu? With budget packages costing as little as Rs 12,000 per head (that includes ticket, airport to hotel transport, accommodation and some meals), tourists are flocking to the Himalayan kingdom, say tour operators. Moreover, the flying time is just one hour and 20 minutes.

Travel: A passage to India

If lying on a beach is not your thing and you yearn for a bit of adventure set against an exotic backdrop, have you thought about the possibilities the vast sub-content of India has to offer? The country offers a wealth of ancient temples and monuments for lovers of culture and heritage and many travel companies now offer fantastic sight-seeing trips. For example, a Golden Triangle with Tiger tour traces the rugged landscape of northern India beginning in Delhi, where you will find the best food and markets, apart from the significant monuments, before tasting the spirits of adventure at Sariska.

Jet Airways hopes to sell India at travel fair

Jet Airways (India) Limited expects to sell 300 tour packages and 500 air tickets with the launch of the Incredible India Travel Fair. The fair, which is a joint effort by Jet Airways and India Tourism, will feature tour packages and standalone air tickets to India at special rates. Jet Airways regional vice-president Gerry Oh said that the fair, which will be held from Sept 11-13, is expected to attract some 2,000 visitors.

Discover Samudra, India

If Mumbai is to be described as 'a generation and a continent away' from Kalkata, then India’s southernmost state of Kerala can only be described as a world and a lifetime away from the northern states of this vast and plural land. Whilst the contrasts of ancient and modern and the extremes of want and wealth are diversities we associate with this country, Kerala remains much as the unchanging India of old. A most beguiling and peaceful atmosphere permeates this region, with enduring traditions practiced by a people renowned for their friendliness.

Travel firms focus on the travellers' gender

MUMBAI: At Mumbai’s Kesari travels it is a toss-up between My Prince Charming offering tours for men - the men’s way, or My Fair Lady aimed at the woman who wants to let her hair down in the company of other women. Gender specific international tours are gaining ground, as outbound tourists move beyond the catch all family-group tours. Though still largely stereotypical, with fashion shows for women and laddish activities for men, travel companies in India are experimenting with programmes worked with a focus on the travellers’ gender.

Hotel crunch may halt dream run of tourism

NEW DELHI: There is a twist in the tale here. Although in-bound tourism figures notched up an impressive 15.1% growth in first six months of 2007 at 22.4 million international passengers — it seems that the advantage may soon fritter away — given the lack of star accommodation facilities in the country. In fact more than 30-35% airlines cancellation have been reported in the last six months, according to industry estimates, because no rooms are available in big cities across the country.With extremely slow growth in building accommodation capacity, less than one lakh rooms in the star category are available in India currently.Experts say the lack of hotel rooms facilities may hit future tourism potential in the country.

India tops Condé Nast Traveller's, readers' travel awards 2007

Mumbai: India ranks No.1 in top travel destination in the world according to this year's readers' travel swards announced by luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller UK, up from the fourth position last year. In the global luxury travel trade circles, the Condé Nast Traveller awards are considered the equivalent of the Oscars of the travel industry. Among advertising campaigns for the top tourism destinations, the ministry of tourism's Incredible India series, walked away with best awards.

Travel, but in a responsible way

The Indian government rural tourism project across 36 villages too is a good example of responsible travel, where the idea is to help the village communities. Villages have been selected on the basis of their involvement in either a specific art or craft, or for their cultural and natural environment. Tourism can be both good and bad for the environment and local people. Responsible travel increases the good and reduces the bad. Incentive to take that responsible holiday.

India Exotic Toxins

Paul Theroux’s latest book brings Indians and Americans together in three fictional stories that present both cultures as equally venal, grasping and degenerate. In Monkey Hill, a wealthy, middle-aged American couple visiting a Rishikesh spa succumb to the decadent comforts of Tourist India, only to be savaged by the Other India lurking just outside the magic circle of security guards and filtered water.