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Here’s your weekly dose of travel updates!

Check out the latest news and updates about the travel and tourism industry from around the world.

1. Union Budget 2024: What’s In Store For Travel And Tourism

The interim Union Budget 2024, announced on 1st February had some interesting takes for the travel and tourism sector. Improving India’s railway infrastructure, the budget will transform 4000 regular train bogies into Vande Bharat coaches to reduce travel time, enhance passenger experience, and accelerate tourism growth throughout the nation. States will be offered long-term interest-free loans to develop and promote tourism centres for local and foreign visitors as well as employment opportunities for local communities. A chunk of the budget will also be allocated to improve the overall tourist experience in Lakshadweep.

This budget aims to unleash the full potential of these sectors, driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens across the country.

2. Tourism Projects And Island Connectivity For Lakshadweep Prioritised In Union Budget 2024

FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday in the Union Budget announced a special focus on tapping in on India’s tourism potential. “To address the emerging fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure and amenities will be taken up on our islands, including Lakshadweep. This will help in generating employment also,” the Union minister said. Special budgets will be dedicated to improving the tourism projects and the island connectivity to this island UT, Lakshadweep. Even all-inclusive, affordable Lakshadweep Tour Packages will help promote tourism further in the region.

3. Tourist Spots of J&K Finally Receives The First Snowfall Of Peak Season

The higher latitudes of the Kashmir Valley including popular tourist spots of Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Tangmarg, Gurez Valley, Tragbal in Bandipora, and Kernah in Kupwara experienced the peak season’s first snowfall in the last week. Much to tourists’ delight, the first week of February will experience light to moderate rains or snowfall.

This is the best time to book all-inclusive Kashmir Tour Packages if you are looking forward to witnessing a snowy paradise.

4. Vistara: winner Of ‘ch-avaition Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024’

India’s finest full-service carrier, Vistara, won two recognitions at the coveted ‘ch-aviation Youngest Aircraft Fleet Awards 2024’, including “ch-aviation World’s 4th Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024” and “ch-aviation Asia’s 2nd Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024”.

In response, Vistara CEO, Mr. Vinod Kannan said, “We are delighted to receive these accolades at the ch-aviation Youngest Aircraft Fleet Awards 2024 – securing a position in the World’s Top Five for the first time and advancing to the second position in Asia. They are an acknowledgement of our continued investment in maintaining a young and modern fleet with the objective of keeping our CO2 emissions at their lowest. We thank ch-aviation for recognizing our efforts.

Being India’s highest-rated airline, Vistara also offers flight bookings at the lowest airfare.

5. Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities In The World: 2024 Edition, India’s Jaisalmer Makes It To The List

The Traveller Review Awards has released its list of the world’s most welcoming cities in 2024. Based on their hospitality, these are the top ten most welcoming cities in the world in 2024:

Arraial d’Ajuda, Brazil
Ermoupoli, Greece
Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Daylesford, Australia
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Moab, United States
Uzès, France
Mazatlán, Mexico
Jaisalmer, India
Fujikawaguchiko, Japan

6. US H1-B Visa: What Does The New Selection Criteria Mean for Indians

Owing to the increased demand for US Visa, especially the US H1-B Visa, the USCIS has introduced a final rule for the fiscal year 2025 (FY 2025) H-1B visa. They will be focusing on implementing a beneficiary-centric selection process to ensure fair and equal opportunities for all beneficiaries. The new rule will aim to reduce potential fraud, provide equal selection chances and also offer clarity on the requirements related to the requested employment start date for specific petitions falling under the H-1B cap.

The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap will open on March 6, 2024, and will run through March 22, 2024.

7. UNESCO World Heritage List: India Nominates ‘Maratha Military Landscape’ For UNESCO Tag

The Ministry of Culture has nominated the ‘Maratha Military Landscape’ for consideration in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2024-25 cycle. It encompasses 12 components including iconic forts such as Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohagad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. A testament to Maratha rule’s exceptional fortification and military system these sites have been included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

8. India’s First Mountain Flight Between Kailash Mansarovar And Nepalgunj

Offering a breathtaking view, the first inaugural mountain flight took off from Nepalgunj to the sacred Kailash Mansarovar on Monday, 29th January. The chartered flight with 38 pilgrims on board soared to an elevation of 27,000 ft and also offered a magnificent view of revered holy pilgrimage sites. Siddhartha Business Group’s regional director said, “This chartered flight of Shri Airlines, carrying 38 Indian tourists, completed the trip in approximately one and a half hours.”

9. Flight Operations To Resume At Uttarakhand’s Naini-Saini Airport

Flight operations have resumed at Uttarakhand’s Naini-Saini Airport in Pithoragarh after a 3-year hiatus. This revival is spearheaded by aviation firm Flybig with flights scheduled three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, which will usher in a new era of connectivity for the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. The aviation services will be further expanded later on, reaching Pantnagar and further to Ghaziabad.

With this aerial connectivity, the initial travel distance of 11 hours by road can now be covered in just 1 hour by flight. This will make it easier to access these regions quickly and save time for more tourist destinations in your Uttarakhand Tour Packages.

10. Hong Kong Looking To Boost Tourism, Extends Downtown Airport Check-In Hours

Ramping up its efforts to improve and revive its tourism sector and reputation as a travel destination, Hong Kong will extend operating hours for its downtown airport check-in services. The station’s check-in counters will now be open till 11 PM rather than the previous 3 PM closing time.

Hong Kong is trying its best to bridge the city’s struggle to get back visitors after being isolated for about three years due to the pandemic by also offering an easy Hong Kong Visa (Hong Kong PAR) application process.

11. Emirates Airlines To Offer Dubai’s Visa On Arrival To Certain Indian Passport Holders

Teaming up with VFS Global, Emirates Airlines will be launching a pre-approved Dubai visa-on-arrival initiative for specific Indian passport holders flying with them. However, this service will be exclusive to Indian passport holders who have a valid six-month visa for the US, a US Green Card, an EU Residency or a UK Residency. This will be a single-entry 14-day visa that will help simplify the arrival process by skipping immigration queues.

Nonetheless, other Indian tourists who don’t fit the criteria will still need to apply for a Dubai Visa online.

With so much to see and experience in the world, who wouldn’t be excited to travel? Head over to Akbartravels.com and find solutions to all your worries related to visa applications, flight tickets, and hotel bookings. What else? We have the best budget holiday packages available to make your holiday truly peaceful.

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