TravTalk India Online Magazine
KJ Alphons, Minister of State (IC) for Tourism, India, launched the Incredible India digital calendar in New Delhi recently. The National Tourism Policy and the Incredible India 2.0 website is expected shortly
KANCHAN NATH
Summoning discerning travellers from across the world to visit India in 2018, the Tourism Minister unveiled the Incredible India desk, wall and digital calendars. The Incredible India digital calendar application enables users to know about the events and festivals happening in India on the go. It can also be used as a personal planner. The digital calendar can be downloaded on Android and iOS platforms. Each leaf of Incredible India wall calendar 2018 has been crafted using illuminating paints that would glow in the dark, showcasing 12 monuments including the Taj Mahal, India Gate and Char Minar at night. The desk calendar profiles 12 different kinds of travellers and suggests the appropriate destinations for them, highlighting various Indian landscapes from all regions.
In 2018, the tourism ministry would like to sustain and increase the growth in FTAs by 25 to 30 per cent
India’s foreign tourist arrivals in 2017 have been 15.2 per cent more than last year, while the global tourism industry has been growing at 3.9 per cent, Alphons said, adding that in 2018, the tourism ministry would like to sustain and increase the growth in FTAs by 25 to 30 per cent.
Giving a low-down on the Ministry’s plans for the year, Alphons said, “In 2018, we expect the whole world to come and see India. Our new tourism policy should be on the anvil soon enough. The Incredible India 2.0 is going to be launched this year and the website will be launched soon. Special tourism zones will be set up. We also had a meeting on the Buddhist circuits and how we should create infrastructure at these centres to get more tourists.”
On launching a digital calendar for the first time, Alphons said, “The digital calendar will be a very dynamic one where you will get updated pictures every day. We want to keep up with technology and thought to do something very innovative. Therefore, for the first time in the wall calendar, we are showing India at night. You get a feel of the monument under moonlight. Photographs have been enhanced using radium ink.”
