News Broadcasting
CNN’s ‘Task’ Group to organise eco-tourism event
MUMBAI: On 7 December 2007, international and Indian personalities in the fields of eco-tourism and conservation will come together at Horizons 2007 – Eco Tourism in New Delhi to discuss ways to develop sustainable eco-tourism in India. Horizons 2007 – Eco Tourism has been organized by CNN’s Task group (Tourism Advertising Solutions and Knowledge), recently launched by CNN’s advertising division.
For the uninitiated, Eco Tourism is environmentally responsible travel to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local population.
Participating in the event will be the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), Government of India and supported by PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association). The conference aims to stimulate discussions on a timely topic – tourism and related issues – and will seek to provide insight and learnings, based on successful models and best practices, both in India and globally.
Horizons 2007 – Eco Tourism will draw on the expertise of some of people who work in the field of sustainable tourism growth. These include Climate Change expert Prof. Ian Swingland; policy advisor Lisa Choegyal; International zoo expert Bernard Harrison; Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels, Hiran Cookay; herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Snake Park, The Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust (ANET), the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Romulus Whittaker and renowned travel journalist and author, Yeoh Siew Hoon.
Representing the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India will be the Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni, Secretary S Bannerjee and Joint Secretary Leela Nandan.
Turner International India VP, ad sales India and South Asia Monica Tata said, “With the rapid growth of the Indian Tourism industry over the last few years, this is the right time to plan future strategies that will balance tourism growth and environment conservation. The Task Group has brought together an experienced panel to debate, discuss and deliberate on effective solutions, necessary to successfully implement eco tourism and sustainable tourism in India.”
Leveraging the expertise of the panellists, the forum will dwell on how responsible and strategic tourism initiatives will offer benefits to future generations. Some of the key sessions on the agenda include a case study on a country that has implemented a successful ecotourism model; eco labelling and the importance of marketing and a peek into the evolved, ecologically sensitive traveller of tomorrow. A white paper will be formulated from the deliberations and policy discussions of the conference that will then be shared with the Ministry of Tourism for implementation.
The Task Group is a fully complimentary client service comprising a team of external experts working closely with CNN, who focus on building partnerships with clients to create impactful solutions for their tourism strategies. The Group offers clients best of breed advice, information and intelligence to significantly enhance their nation and brand building efforts. The Group is the first service of its kind in the international television marketplace.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
