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. Buses, Trains In Chennai To Soon Have QR Codes for Cashless Travel
The Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board (TNIDB) is preparing a detailed report and tender to introduce a QR-based ticketing system for cashless travel via buses and trains in Chennai. Using a mobile app and QR code, commuters can easily travel in MTC buses, metro trains and suburban buses. Introducing UPI payment, travellers can pay using GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.
2. Schengen Visa Holders Can Now Add Romania And Bulgaria To Their Europe Itinerary
The European Union Member States reached an agreement last Saturday, allowing Romania and Bulgaria to join the passport-free movement. Extending its Schengen Visa system rules for entering ports and airports, visitors will be able to enter Romania and Bulgaria with a Schengen Visa from the end of March.
While maritime and air travel is eased, relaxation of rules for land borders may follow soon. The inclusive step by Schengen marks a positive development for Bulgaria and Romania, signifying progress in their ongoing efforts to align with EU standards and enhance regional cooperation.
3. Gujarat: India’s First Submarine Tourism To Be Launched In Dwarka
Add one more exciting activity to your Gujarat Tour Packages now! The Gujarat government has signed a different kind of project- a submarine service for tourists to explore the marine life of the city lost under the sea in Dwarka. This will be a first-of-a-kind underwater submarine sea project in India and will be operational in late 2024. Each submarine can go up to 100 metres under the sea, carrying 24 passengers led by two pilots and one professional crew. The project aims to promote tourism in Gujarat, especially Dwarka.
4. Kerala’s Heli-Tourism To Connect 11 Key Destinations Across The State
Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas has officially launched a significant tourism initiative with a pioneering heli-tourism project in Kerala. This pilot project aims to connect 11 key destinations across the state, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Jadayu Para, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod with Kochi as its central hub.
The initiative aims to enhance Kerala Tourism with three types of services: City Rides, Destination-to-Destination Connect and Tourism Packages. This Heli-tourism activity is a must-add to your Kerala Tour Packages to explore the state from a different point of view.
5. Karnataka’s Kodagu Secures 7th Place Among the World’s Top 10 Tourist Destinations
The captivating landscapes of Karnataka’s Kodagu district have captured the hearts of tourists globally. The Kodagu district has secured a commendable 7th position among the World’s top 10 tourist destinations. Kodagu is known for being a natural haven filled with enchanting scenery, mystic waterfalls, verdant hills and lush green forests. Kodagu’s top tourist spots are Abbi Falls, Madikeri Raja Seat, Cauvery Nisarga Dhama, Dubare Elephant Camp and Irpu Falls. To cater to the high tourist influx, Kodagu has several cheap stay options you can book in advance.
6. Time To Add These Activities To Your Lakshadweep Itinerary Inspired By PM Modi
Pictures of PM Modi from his vacation in Lakshadweep will inspire you to add activities like snorkelling to your next Lakshadweep vacation. The PM took to social media platform X to describe his ‘exhilarating’ experience on the island. Some other thrilling activities you can try here include parasailing, scuba diving and kayaking.
7. Dubai’s Ras Al Khaimah Sets Two New Guinness World Records
Ras Al Khaimah rang in the New Year by setting two new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ by lighting up the skies along the 4.5km long waterfront. The fireworks at the NYE show were a jaw-dropping spectacle. The two GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ by Ras Al Khaimah are for the ‘Longest chain of aquatic floating fireworks’ for a grand total of 5.8km and the ‘Longest straight-line drones display’ for a total length of 2km.
Get a Dubai Visa online to visit the ‘land of superlatives’ which is known to hold many such records to its name.
8. Oman Air Ranks At Top In On-Time Performance In The World
According to Cirium Charts, Oman Air has appeared as the World’s best-performing airline with an on-time performance of 92.53%. South African Airlines Safair has been knocked to second place with a 92.36% performance rating. Safair is a top low-cost carrier to book cheap flight tickets online. Topping the list in the category of Global Airports is USA’s Minneapolis St. Paul followed by Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
The full top 10 for the region’s airlines are:
- Oman Air (WY) 92.53%
- Safair (FA) 92.36%
- Royal Jordanian (RJ) 87.51%
- Qatar Airways (QR) 85.11%
- Etihad Airways (EY) 82.90%
- Saudia (SV) 81.29%
- Middle East Airlines (ME) 79.15%
- Emirates (EK) 78.48%
- Kuwait Airways (KU) 73.18%
- Kenya Airways (KQ) 71.86%
9. South Korea’s ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ Will Permit Foreigners To Stay There For 2 Years
Owing to South Korea’s rising popularity among tourists, the latest South Korean Digital Nomad Visa will allow travellers to ease remote work and extended vacations. The regular South Korea Visa for tourists is limited to a stay of up to 90 days. However, this workation visa will allow travellers to stay in Korea for 1 year, with a possibility of an extension for another year. Applicants will be required to submit additional documents for employment proof and meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa.
10. Finland And Sweden Freeze At -40° Celsius As Cold Wave Sweeps The Nordic Region
This Tuesday, 4th Jan, the Nordic countries of Finland and Sweden recorded their lowest temperatures at as low as -40° Celsius. Cold and snow have disrupted major transportation throughout the region, including train routes, highways and ferry lines. Forecasters have estimated temperatures to drop lower than -40° Celsius in parts of the nation throughout the week.
11. Venice To Curb Large Tourist Groups And Loud Speakers To Ease Mass Tourism
The most popular place in any Europe Tour Package, the canal city of Venice is facing an urgent issue of over-tourism. To ease the impact of mass tourism, authorities in Venice are looking to ban tourist groups of more than 25 people and loudspeakers as they can ‘generate confusion and disturbances’. Last September, Venice also approved the trial of a 5 Euro fee for daily visitors. City security official, Elisabetta Pesce said that the latest policies are “aimed at improving the management of groups organised in the historic centre”. City officials are also citing the dangerous impact of climate change and mass tourism threatens to cause irreversible changes.
12. China’s 4,300-year-old secret ‘Tactical Defence’ tunnels unearthed
Archaeologists were left stunned to unearth a sophisticated triple-defence system and an intricate network of tunnels at the ancient Houchengzui Stone City in Inner Mongolia, China. The complex excavated consisted of the main city wall, terraces, gatehouse walls, moats, and trenches. This recent discovery by the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) has brought to light a new layer of defence cities.
China is a trove of historical and archaeological sites. From the Great Wall of China to Piluo, explore glimpses of Chinese history with a China Visa for Indians in just 4 to 6 days.
13. The World’s Largest Iceberg, A23a, Is Drifting Towards This Island
In latest news, the largest iceberg A23a had detached from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 2018. Since then, the iceberg has set out on a slow journey through the Southern Ocean towards the land. Drawing the interest of several scientists, the iceberg is seen to be approaching South Georgia, an island in the sub-Antarctic region. This has led to apprehensions of some disastrous outcomes for the region. Scientists are inquisitive to learn more about this natural phenomenon.
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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