Latest news with #UnescoCreativeCitiesNetwork
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
Big jump in foreign tourist arrivals in Madurai
Madurai: Tourist inflow to Madurai saw an impressive rise in 2024, with both international and domestic footfall growing steadily compared to the previous year. The district welcomed 98,770 foreign visitors, up from 57,564 in 2023 according to the district tourism department. Domestic tourist numbers touched 2.74 crore, up from 2.5 crore in 2023, reaffirming Madurai's position as one of the major travel destinations in Tamil Nadu. While Meenakshi Amman temple and Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal remain key crowd-pullers, tourism stakeholders say the narrative is gradually shifting from purely spiritual to one that emphasizes culture, cuisine, and heritage. "Earlier, most tourists would only visit temples and return. Now, many ask about historical walks, old markets, traditional art performances, and even archaeological sites like Keeladi," says Nagendra Prabhu, a senior govt-recognized tourist guide. There's a clear demand for deeper, experience-based travel, he added. Travel operators say a large number of domestic visitors arrive from states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and West Bengal, while European travellers form the bulk of international arrivals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chrissy Metz Is So Skinny Now And She Looks Like A Model Cleverst Undo There has been a modest increase in tourists from North America and Australia. Hoteliers are witnessing the impact firsthand. K P S Kannan, president of Madurai Lodge Owners' Association, said the demand for hotel rooms has remained consistently high, with occupancy peaking during weekends and holidays. "Over the past few years, people's spending patterns have shifted more towards travel," he said. "Madurai has emerged as a central hub, especially for those looking to cover destinations like Rameswaram, Karaikudi, Kanyakumari, and Kodaikanal. With better road and rail connectivity, many prefer to base themselves here and plan onward trips," he said. An emerging highlight of the city's tourism profile in the post-pandemic period is food-based travel. Tour packages now often include local food trails, with visitors eager to sample iconic dishes like kari dosai, mutton biryani, and jigarthanda from long-standing eateries. "There's a lot more interest in exploring the city through its cuisine," said Vasanth Rajan, a city-based travel consultant who now offers culinary tours too. "Most of our clients specifically ask for places that locals frequent. Food vlogs and social media reviews have made a big difference in drawing this crowd," he said. Recognizing this trend, the district administration's draft tourism master plan proposes positioning Madurai as a gastronomic destination under Unesco Creative Cities Network. Plans include hosting annual food festivals in temple precincts. Madurai corporation had, in its recent annual budget, included a food street near Mattuthavani.
Free Malaysia Today
25-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
KL eyes Unesco Creative City status
Mayor Maimunah Sharif said Kuala Lumpur's bid to join the Unesco Creative Cities Network has passed the initial screening. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has officially submitted its application for the capital to join the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN), aiming to cement its status as a regional hub for creativity and innovation. Mayor Maimunah Sharif confirmed the development during a media briefing on the Warisan KL project, saying the application had passed the initial vetting process. 'We have already submitted our application to be in the Unesco Creative Cities Network,' she said. 'I have just received an email from Paris two days ago confirming that our application is in order. All the recommendations have been well received, and now they are going to the next stage.' If accepted, Kuala Lumpur will join a select group of global cities recognised for using creativity as a key driver for sustainable urban development. Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched Warisan KL, a project to revitalise Kuala Lumpur through physical upgrades, cultural preservation, historical conservation, and strengthened community values. Anwar had previously announced the RM1 billion project to preserve the capital's historic landmarks. Maimunah said the March application differs from Malaysia's current Unesco World Heritage recognition, such as for George Town and Melaka, which are heritage-based listings. She said Kuala Lumpur's bid focuses on the city's vibrant creative landscape, which includes design, arts, music, gastronomy, and digital innovation. 'One of the criteria of the Creative Cities Network is the creativity we have in Kuala Lumpur that we want to promote and convey to people,' she said. Established in 2004, the UCCN is a flagship city programme that promotes cooperation among cities which have recognised culture and creativity as strategic drivers of sustainable urban development. As of 2022, there are almost 300 cities from about 90 countries in the network.
