DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 16 JULY 2022
TIME Magazine has just published the list of World’s 50 most extraordinary destinations to explore in 2022. The list includes Ahmedabad- India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City and Kerala, the God’s Own Country.
This has been a great news for ‘Incredible India’ as after a gap of two years since the outbreak of covid -19 pandemic the tourism peaks up in the country slowly as traffic increases in both air and railways sector and with commencement of international flights the number of inbound tourists are set to increase in the next few months, says travel and tourism experts.
A jubilant Amit Shah, home minister of India tweeted, “ Matter of immense pride for every Indian, especially the people of Gujarat that India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad has now been included in the list of ‘World’s 50 Greatest Places of 2022’ by Time Magazine. Congratulations to everyone.”
“As India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad boasts both ancient landmarks and contemporary innovations that make it a mecca for cultural tourism, from the serene Gandhi Ashram that sits on 36 acres on the banks of the Sabarmati River to Navratri, a vibrant nine-day celebration (this year from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5) billed as the longest dance festival in the world.
Ahmedabad’s Gujarat ScienceCity, a sprawling entertainment center and theme park, unveiled three major attractions last year, including a 20-acre nature park to educate the public on local flora as well as provide new spaces for playing chess and practicing yoga. There is also a new interactive robot gallery that celebrates innovation in robotics and features a towering replica of a Transformer. And Science City’s new aquarium, which showcases aquatic species from around the globe, is now India’s largest. New hotels include the Hillock Ahmedabad, which offers old-world elegance with antique furniture and golden chandeliers, and the luxurious 18 story ITC Narmada with patterns and woodwork inspired by Gujarat’s legendary stepwells,” the TIME Magazine report says, describing Ahmedabad as a place of ‘higher learning’.
“On the southwest coast of India, Kerala is one of India’s most beautiful states. With spectacular beaches and lush backwaters, temples, and palaces, it’s known as “God’s own country” for good reason. At the new Amal Tamara in Kerala, wellness is a way of life. This tranquil ayurvedic retreat in the Alleppey backwaters offers meditation, yogic practices, ayurvedic treatments, and bespoke meals crafted based on careful assessment by their team of Ayurvedic physicians. Guests at the intimate 19-room property can also learn the tenets and practices of Ayurveda, participate in various healing rituals, and explore the nearby environs. This year, Kerala is boosting motor-home tourism in India to inspire a new pas de deux of exploration and accommodation. The state’s first caravan park, Karavan Meadows, opened in Vagamon, a scenic hill station. In the wake of the state’s success with houseboat cruising, caravans are expected to follow suit with a similar promise of sustainable tourism. Over 1,000 campers have already begun to traverse the land, a fresh and unique way to experience Kerala’s beaches and verdant plantations,” the Time Magazine report describes Kerala as an ‘Ecotourism Hotspot’.
The other 48 international cities included in the list are – Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Park City, Utah, Galapagos Islands, Dolni Morava, Czech Republic, Seoul, South Korea, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Doha, Qatar, Detroit, The Arctic, Nairobi, Kenya, Valencia, Spain, Queeenswtown, New Zealand, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, Historic Silk Road sites, Uzbekistan, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan, Devon, England, Bali, Indonesia, International Space Station, Kyushu Island, Japan, Rapa Nui, Chile, Salta, Argentina, Portree, Scotland, Tofino, British Cloumbia, Boracay, Philippines, Madeira, Portugal, Franschhoek, South Africa, Miami, El Chalten, Argentina, Bogota, The Alentejo, Portugal, Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia, Kauna, Lithuania, Setouchi Islands, Japan, Calabria, Italy, San Francisco, Skelleftea, Sweden, Copenhagen, Marseilles, Thessaloniki, Greece, Istanbul, Illulisat, Greenland, Jamaica, Fremantle, Australia, Toronto, Kigali, Rwanda, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, Portland, Ore.
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