The Union Government has approved 450 crore rupees for Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. 
•    It was approved by the Union Tourism Ministry for the development of Heritage circuit in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, North East Circuit in Sikkim and Coastal Circuit of Tamil Nadu. 
•    The Heritage Circuit in Uttarakhand: It covers Jageshwar-Devidhura-Katarmal-Baijnath sites with total project cost of approximately 83 crores rupees. 
•    Coastal circuit in Tamil Nadu: It envisages development of Chennai-Mamamallapuram-Rameshwaram-Manpadu-Kanyakumari. 
•    The total project cost is of approximately 100 crores. 
•    Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh: It envisages development of two destinations, Chitrakoot and Shringverpur. 
•    North East circuit in Sikkim: It includes development of cultural centre, paragliding centre and craft bazaar for mountaineering and meditation hall at approximate project cost of 95 crores. 
•    The Heritage Circuit in Madhya Pradesh: It covers developing Tourism Infrastructure Gwalior-Orchha-Khajuraho-Chanderi-Bhimbetka-Mandu. 
•    The total project cost is of approximately 100 crore rupees.

Aiming to promote avian tourism, the Goa forest department will host its first "Bird Festival" in the state in November, state Environment and Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar said on Friday. 
•    Goa is home to nearly a third of all the bird species in the country. 
•    The event will include bird-watching sessions at the state’s numerous wildlife sanctuaries.
•    The bird festival will be held over three days from November 11 to 13 and participants at the event will be treated to bird-watching sessions at the state’s numerous wildlife sanctuaries including Dr. Salim Ali bird sanctuary.
•    The participants will also watch a series of films screened on birds and their habitats, and engage with well known ornithologists who would be conducting technical sessions at the event.
•    Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Arlekar said that his ministry was in talks with the state Tourism Ministry, in order to promote avian tourism in Goa, which is home to 432 of the 1,224 bird species found in India.
 

Stone Brewing', a brewery based in San Diego, California is set to open the world's first beer-themed hotel in the city in 2018. 
•    The $26 million 'Stone Hotel', that will spread across 1,00,000 square feet, will feature a bar-style lobby where guests will be welcomed with complimentary beer on arrival. 
•    Draft beer will also be delivered to the guests' rooms.
•    The sprawling 100,000 sq-ft, $26 milllion Stone Hotel, set next to the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station venue, will feature a bar-style lobby where guests will be welcomed with a complimentary Stone beer on arrival. 
•    The hotel will also also offer in-room 'beer growler' service, with draft beer delivered in a jug.
•    Other facilities at the hotel will include a 10,000 sq-ft rooftop garden, a pool deck, an acre of outdoor event space and an 8,000 sq-ft ballroom.
 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has listed Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s works among its World Heritage Sites list. 

•    In this regard, announcement was at the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO held in Istanbul in Turkey. 
•    Le Corbusier works were added in the list in recognition of his contribution in spearheading the modern architectural movement after World War I, with an emphasis on functionality, bold lines and materials such as concrete, iron and glass. 
•    His 17 sites across spread across seven countries France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Argentina, Japan and India have been added in the World Heritage Sites list. 
•    He was Swiss-French architect, urban planner, designer, painter, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. 
•    Corbusier also had prepared the master plan for the city of Chandigarh in India and contributed specific designs for several buildings including Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex.

Travel guide Lonely Planet has published its 'Best in Asia' list, ranking the Japanese island of Hokkaido the best destination in Asia. 

•    Shanghai in China, Jeonju in South Korea, Con Dao Islands in Vietnam and Hong Kong completed the top five. Meanwhile, Meghalaya, the only Indian destination featured on the list, was ranked ninth.
•    Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's main islands, famous for skiing volcanoes and hot springs.  
•    Lonely Planet said: 'Hokkaido's perfect powder snow put it on the international map, but it has also blinded visitors to the year-round charms of Japan's northernmost island. 
•    Top 10 location list are:
1.   Hokkaido, Japan
2.   Shànghai, China  
3.   Jeonju, South Korea
4   Con Dao Islands, Vietnam  
5    Hong Kong, China
6    Ipoh, Malaysia
7    Pemuteran, Indonesia
8    Trang Islands, Thailand
9    Meghalaya, India  
10  Taitung, Taiwan

The Philippines' Palawan province has been voted the World's Best Island in a survey by Travel + Leisure magazine for the second time after winning in 2013. Three beaches from the Philippines have made it to the top ten list this year - Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. 
•    Santorini in Greece and Ischia in Italy were also included on the list.
•    Palawan officially the Province of Palawan, is an island province of the Philippines that is located in the Mimaropa region. 
•    It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. 
•    Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, but it is governed independently from the province.
•    The islands of Palawan stretch between Mindoro in the northeast and Borneo in the southwest. 
•    It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. 
•    The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island measuring 450 kilometres (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometres wide.