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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Planning a yoga retreat? 4 destinations you need to have on your itinerary for a transformative experience
Wellness travel is coming to the forefront, especially as increasingly overwhelming workloads and burnout become an unshakable norm in daily life. Travel, which was once all about sightseeing and ticking off tourist checklists, is now shifting toward a slower, more mindful approach, one that prioritises rest and rejuvenation from the grind and hustle. Yoga is one of the holistic practices for wellbeing that offers mental and physical rejuvenation. Even other than yoga, there are many holistic practices from Ayurveda techniques to meditation, which travellers are actively seeking out on their wellness vacation. Yoga retreats are suitable places where travellers can enjoy a meditative experience. Make yoga the highlight of your travel for a rejuvenating experience.(Shutterstock) ALSO READ: Yoga expert shares 'no. 1 pose' that can help you sleep like a baby: 'Get 8 hours of rest in just 4' Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), highlighted the growing influx of wellness tourists to various regions across India. He said, 'India's longstanding tradition of yoga, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and holistic healing offers a uniquely authentic wellness experience of body-mind-soul transformation that cannot be matched. India's depth of spiritual knowledge, natural beauty, and authentic approaches to wellness are married seamlessly with luxury and sustainability, providing an inviting environment for both spiritual truth seekers and discerning wellness tourists.' He further explained how, in comparison to Western wellness facilities, India offers a more affordable yet high-quality alternative, with certified practitioners and government-regulated centres ensuring safety and authenticity. This makes Indian destinations ideal spots for yoga retreats. Ravi listed out 4 popular destinations in India for yoga retreats, emphasising the unique offerings and experiences that set each one apart: 1. Rishikesh Rishikesh's serene ghats offer a peaceful location for yoga.(Shutterstock) Rishikesh is globally known for yoga, meditation, and spiritual renewal. Renowned for some of the best places in the world for yoga, meditation, and pilgrimage, the holy city of Rishikesh contains some of the most recognised yoga institutions in the world and holds the annual events of the International Yoga Festival, bringing practitioners from around the world for yoga and pilgrimage. As a centre for yoga, the famous ghats and banks of the Ganges river are lined with yoga ashrams, eco-retreats, and wellness centres that offer wellness retreats, Ayurvedic healing. 2. Kerala By the greeneries of Munnar, yoga becomes a rejuvenating experience.(Shutterstock) Kerala has marketed itself as the Ayurveda capital of India with superb backwaters, lush greenery, and a climate conducive to effective healing. Kerala quickly became a prime destination for wellness seekers. From several coastal villages offering authentic Panchakarma therapies to a few from traditional healing homes placed just under coconut groves. to a few from traditional healing homes placed just under coconut groves. Kerala offers physical and mental balance through authentic older traditions of Ayurveda. 3. Dharamshala Dharamshala's monasteries provide calming spaces.(Shutterstock) The Kangra Valley provides a unique combination of yogic traditions from India and Tibetan Buddhist practices . . With quiet forest monasteries, Dharamshala provides a meditative means for meditation retreats, silent course meditation classes, and emotional detox. 4. Mysuru Mysuru is the home of contemporary Ashtanga yoga and draws a rigorous crowd of practitioners and aspirants from all around the globe. and draws a rigorous crowd of practitioners and aspirants from all around the globe. Mysuru is the home of classical yoga schools and long-term teacher-training programs.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Tour operators advise against Himachal, Uttarakhand travel amid rains
Amid flash floods in parts of Himachal Pradesh and a cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, tour operators are advising people to avoid travelling to the northern mountain states. 'Monsoon time is not the best time to visit states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We generally advise people to avoid travelling to these states during the monsoon season,' said Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). The caution comes during a strong season for short-haul travel ahead of the Independence Day long weekend. Several leisure destinations in the northern hills, including Shimla and Chail, had been expecting high occupancy for the August 15–17 weekend. 'We sympathise with those who have suffered losses and hope the government will step up relief and rescue measures,' Gosain said. 'My cousins and I had planned to visit Kasauli for the upcoming Rakhi weekend, but seeing the weather conditions, we have cancelled the trip and are now exploring other places in Rajasthan,' said Shubham Sharma, a 29-year-old engineer based in Delhi. 'Last year in Himachal there were flash floods leading to loss of lives and damage to property. This year we have a cloudburst in Uttarakhand. These states are vulnerable to natural calamities during the rainy season, and people should wait for better weather to visit,' he added. After flash floods ravaged Dharali in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday visited the village to review relief and rescue operations. He met affected families and assured them of all possible assistance. Over 150 people have been rescued, while several remain missing, including a tourist group from Kerala. In Himachal, the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra was suspended on Tuesday following heavy rainfall and damage along the route. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several districts of Himachal after the Uttarakhand cloudburst.


News18
27-07-2025
- News18
From Sacred Trails To Scenic Tours: Understanding Amarnath Yatra's Impact On Tourism
The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most important pilgrimages for Hindu devotees. Every year, thousands of devotees undertake this pilgrimage to seek the blessings of Baba Barfani. Every year, the Amarnath Yatra weaves together devotion, endurance, and an unmistakable economic upswing for Jammu & Kashmir. This sacred pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave, nestled deep within the Himalayas, doesn't just move pilgrims; it powers an entire region's tourism economy. 'The annual Amarnath Yatra is not only a spiritual pilgrimage but the life-giving soul of the economy of Jammu & Kashmir," says Mr. Ravi Gosain, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). Pilgrims Powering Local Prosperity In the June-July window, more than three lakh pilgrims descended upon the valley, triggering a cascade of benefits across transport, hospitality, food services, and the local handicrafts market. 'Hotels, guesthouses, and homestays were overflowing, while local vendors and artisans had a hefty business," Mr. Gosain shares. The towns of Pahalgam and Baltal came alive with the energy of visitors, creating an unusually extended high season for surrounding tourist hotspots. Srinagar, thus extending the tourist season," says Mr. Gosain. This blend of spiritual travel and leisure tourism has led to tangible infrastructural gains: improved roads, enhanced healthcare access, and better mobile connectivity, which benefit both locals and tourists year-round. Challenges on the Trail: Managing Security and Sustainability Yet, the pilgrimage isn't without its hurdles. Environmental degradation, waste management, and safety remain key concerns. 'Security was the major concern, and therefore, to ensure safety, 50,000 security personnel were deployed after the terrifying recent events in Pahalgam," he notes. 'It's not just an annual recurrence, but an occasion of the local community coming together with new hope, offering visitors the best holiday experience," adds Mr. Gosain. The Amarnath Yatra stands as a vivid example of how faith-fueled travel can shape a region's economy, cultural exchange, and community spirit. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
24-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Spiritual circuits to gain as India opens doors to Chinese tourists
The Indian tourism sector has cheered the government's move to resume issuing visas to Chinese nationals after a hiatus of five years, while calling for 'concentrated efforts' to attract tourists from the neighbouring country, who had formed 27 per cent of the total foreign tourist footfall to India in 2019. 'It is a good move. China is one of our major trade partners, and tourism, which fosters people to people interaction, could lead to greater cooperation and understanding. But mere liberalisation of the visa regime is not enough. There should be a concentrated effort to create and actively promote itineraries and experiences geared to attract Chinese tourists,' said Ajay Prakash, vice president of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH). India had received around 300,000 Chinese tourists in 2019, after which the Covid-19 pandemic prompted countries to close borders. 'Chinese tourists accounted for nearly 27 per cent of total foreign tourist arrivals to India in 2019, and we are very glad to welcome this move from the government as China is an important source market for the country,' said Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), which has been pushing for this for the past three years. In 2018, a survey conducted by and Chinese International Travel Monitor, said that Delhi and Mumbai were the top most visited Indian cities for Chinese tourists. However, the Taj Mahal in Agra took the cake as the most favoured site. 'Chinese tourists mostly used to visit in big groups and enjoyed the variety of experiences that India offers. The golden triangle, made up of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, was among the most sought after tours from these groups,' said a tour operator who did not wish to be named. Now, with the evolution of spiritual tourism in the country, the Buddhist spiritual corridors coming up in Bihar, connecting the ancient Vishnupad and Mahabodhi temples, there will be heightened interest from the Chinese traveller, say industry experts. 'With regional tourism now regaining momentum post-Covid, we believe the restoration of visas for Chinese tourists is critical to revive inbound growth,' Gosain added. The Embassy of India in China announced on Wednesday that Chinese nationals can apply for Indian visas from Thursday (July 24, 2025) after completing an online application and obtaining an appointment at the Indian Embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou. This move comes on the heels of China resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in June this year.
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Business Standard
24-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India's spiritual circuits to benefit as Chinese tourists make a comeback
Indian tour operators are cheering the government's move to issue tourist visas to Chinese citizens for the first time in five years – a sign of thawing relations between the two nations. 'It is a good move. China is one of our major trade partners, and tourism, which fosters people-to-people interaction, could lead to greater cooperation and understanding. But mere liberalisation of the visa regime is not enough. There should be a concentrated effort to create and actively promote itineraries and experiences geared to attract Chinese tourists,' said Ajay Prakash, vice president of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH). India had received around 300,000 Chinese tourists in 2019, after which the Covid-19 pandemic prompted countries to close off their borders. However, the two most populous nations in the world did not lift travel restrictions for each other's citizens. 'Chinese tourists accounted for nearly 27 per cent of total foreign tourist arrivals to India in 2019, and we are very glad to welcome this move from the government as China is an important source market for the country,' said Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), which has been pushing for this for the past three years. In 2018, a survey conducted by the Chinese International Travel Monitor revealed that Delhi and Mumbai were among the top visited Indian cities for Chinese tourists. However, the Taj Mahal in Agra was the most favoured site to visit. 'Chinese tourists mostly used to visit in big groups and enjoyed seeing the variety of experiences that India offers. The Golden Triangle – made up of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra – was among the most sought-after tours from these groups,' said a tour operator who did not wish to be named. Now, with the evolution of spiritual tourism in the country, the Buddhist spiritual corridors coming up in Bihar, connecting the ancient Vishnupad and Mahabodhi temples, are set to see heightened interest from Chinese travellers, say industry experts. The Embassy of India in China announced on Wednesday that visas can be applied for starting Thursday (July 24, 2025) after completing an online application and obtaining an appointment at the Indian Embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou. This came after China resumed the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in June this year. As many as 750 pilgrims were selected from 5,500 applicants. Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar had also travelled to China in July and met his counterpart Wang Yi, along with other national leaders, including President Xi Jinping. These steps have been instrumental in this move, say industry experts, adding that the move will help in.