Airfare hike likely

The soaring price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) may lead to hike in the airfare soon. The impact can be felt in the next few months with a projected fall of around 15 per cent in passenger traffic, according to a report of The Economic Times. In the last four months, airfares have gone up roughly by 50 per cent, according to the Travel Agents Association of India.

The signature bridge in Delhi has been finally sanctioned in a bid to develop the bank of river Yamuna as a tourist spot. Delhi Urban Development Minister as well as the Education and Tourism Minister has reportedly announced that the 200 acre land along the eastern bank of Yamuna would be used for the construction of a recreational center, a water sports zone and a tourism park close to the signature bridge at Wazirabad in East Delhi. The bridge will be 575 meters long and 175 meters high, according to reports.

Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Jetlite have announced through their circulars that they are reducing agency commissions to zero per cent from 1 October, 2008. This step comes after Air India’s lead reducing agency commissions to zero per cent.

The Himachal Pradesh government is planning to invite Expression of Interest for setting up a Film City and a spa and golf course in the state. The move has been planned to promote Cinematic Tourism in Himachal Pradesh. However, the site for the proposed Film City is yet to be finalized. State government official sources have reportedly confirmed the news and said that the Film City has been planned to attract filmmakers to the scenic locations of the state.

Kerala tourism department is gearing up for the monsoon season with a number of tourism packages available on its official website. Hill station holidays to backwater houseboat cruises, monsoon honeymoon trips to ayurvedic rejuvenation packages – all are present in the list. More than 200 tourism organizations of Kerala have reportedly come forward with a diverse range of packages.