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. Agra’s ‘Priority Corridor’ will now take you to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort via Metro!
The eagerly anticipated segment of the Agra Metro, the ‘priority corridor’ was unveiled on 6th March. The metro aims to cover key tourist attractions of Agra like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Five trains, each with a capacity of 700 passengers will run daily on the route from 6 AM to 10 PM. Stretching between Taj East Gate and Mankameshwar Temple, it will cover other stations such as Shaheed Captain Shubham Gupta Metro Station, Fatehabad Road MS, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Rs. 8, 379.6 crore project will benefit the locals as well as 60 lakh annual tourists coming to explore Agra. The base fare for the metro ticket is INR 10.
2. Germany Union Workers strike leads to travel chaos, up to 1000 Lufthansa flights cancelled
Germany and most of Europe is now facing travel chaos as 80% of trains and about several flights cancelled as two unions called for two-day walkouts over wages and work conditions. German Airline Lufthansa is cancelling up to 1000 flights daily affecting about 200k passengers. These strikes have left travellers looking for alternatives to travel around Germany and in Europe. The Union has also warned of possible future strikes so it is vital to book your flights to Germany keeping it in mind.
3. Unveiling a new way to travel in Kolkata! Look out for India’s first Underwater Metro Line
Kolkata takes a leap in infrastructural feats with India’s first underwater metro line spanning a length of 16.6 kms as part of Kolkata Metro’s East- West Corridor. It will connect the twin cities of Salt Lake and Howrah, while passing beneath the Hooghly River. The underwater metro can cover the 520-metre river expanse in just 45 seconds. Three of the metro stations will be underground and three will be elevated on a viaduct. The underwater metro fare will start at Rs. 5 and will go up to Rs. 50.
4. Air Travel boost in Madhya Pradesh with two new airports in Guna and Shivpuri
Recently, civil aviation ministry has revealed plans to construct two new airports in Madhya Pradesh. The cities of Guna and Shivpuri will each receive funds of INR 45 crore for these airports. Both these cities have been slated for development under the UDAN 5.2 scheme. This will not only improve Madhya Pradesh’s air travel but also stimulate overall tourism, trade and commerce in the region.
5. Skyscanner reveals UK’s Castleton as the Top Travel Destination Inspired by TV and Movies in 2024
It is very much possible that your favourite TV show or movie will inspire your next travel destination. Travel search engine, Skyscanner has put together a list of top travel destinations that US Travellers are inspired to visit in 2024 after watching them on TV and movies. The top 10 destinations along with the movie or TV show they belong to are:
- Castleton, Derbyshire, UK (House of Dragons)
- Bowen Island, British Columbia (Virgin River)
- London (The Crown)
- New York (Only Murders in the Building)
- Fiji (Love Island, US)
- Chicago (The Bear)
- Sardinia, Italy (The Little Mermaid)
- Mallorca, Spain (Love Island UK)
- Barbados (Outer Banks)
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico (Love is Blind)
6. ‘India by the Creek’: Explore a three-day cultural extravaganza in Dubai from March 8-10
Dubai is all set to host the inaugural season of ‘India by the Creek’, a promising event that celebrates the longstanding historical ties between India and Dubai. Held from March 8-10 in Al Seef Park in Dubai, the festival represents the rich cultural heritage and shared values of culture, diversity, and tolerance. The cultural extravaganza lit up Dubai with a number of artistic performances from the UAE and India. Event organisers have expressed their vision for this festival to be an annual highlight in Dubai. It will be an added incentive to other perks like easy online Dubai Visa for Indians and affordable Dubai Tour Packages with tourists.
7. Mexico and Texas, your best bids to watch the total solar eclipse on 8th April 2024
The solar eclipse will likely be experienced on 8th April 2024 around the world. If you are in North America and trying to experience the solar eclipse, while most of the continent will see a partial eclipse, Mexico and Texas will be your best bids to watch the total solar eclipse. If you are an eclipse chaser simply look out for the weather and join a watch party. There are also special flights that fly along or near the eclipse path.
8. Delhi: Now commuters can use multiple modes of travel with a single ticket!
To ease the travel load on daily commuters who use multiple modes of transportation like autos, buses, metro and cabs, the Delhi Transport Department is looking to initiate a ‘single journey ticketing’ system. On this hassle-free initiative, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, “It will be an all-in-one trip. The transport department is working to ensure that the people of Delhi get better and safer transportation. Through this single journey ticketing system, people can have a planned journey, starting from the first mile to the last mile, without any hassle.” All the facilities will be integrated into a single app- Tummoc.
9. PATWA crowns Jamaica as Global Destination of the Year for honeymoons and romantic getaways
The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) has named Jamaica as the Global Destination of the Year, especially for honeymoons and romantic getaways. Accepting the award, Hon Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, said, “Jamaica is known for its food, music and indeed love so we are humbled to be recognized for these experiential offerings to our visitors that provide meaningful memories…Jamaica continues to punch above its weight to excel in its products and services. It is truly the perfect backdrop for all things romance – engagements, weddings, honeymoons – you name it.”
With cheap flights to Jamaica and affordable Jamaica Tour Packages, the destination has welcomed over 4 million international visitors and earned US 4.2 billion.
10. ITB Berlin 2024: Showcase of Global Tourism Resilience and more
As the curtains close on yet another edition of the ITB Berlin 2024 trade show, the event has again surpassed expectations, setting a brighter stage for the travel industry. Showcasing unwavering spirit and great resilience for the global tourism industry, various factors that contributed to ITB Berlin’s success included:
- Innovation in Adaptation
- Global Participation
- Empowering Sustainability
- Business Resurgence
- Digital Integration
At the end of the event, Albania was named as the official host country of ITB Berlin 2025.
11. Manipur to Lakshadweep, 7 Indian destinations that require travel permit, even for Indians
It is not possible to move freely around all parts of India. To visit certain sensitive places, not only foreigners but also Indians might require to obtain an Inner Line Permit and all-inclusive India Tour Packages. Here are 7 Indian places that require travel permits:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Meghalaya
- Nagaland
- Mizoram
- Protected areas of Sikkim
- Lakshadweep
- Manipur
12. Now fly from Bengaluru to Bhutan via charter flights from April
Thomas Cook (India) Limited & SOTC is looking to start charter flights connecting Bengaluru to Paro in Bhutan from April 2024. This crucial move will contribute over 45% to their business to Bhutan. It will be a solution to problems of direct air connectivity, increased costs and inconvenience due to multiple flights, changing airports/terminals, and multiple check-ins. The eight-day tour duration will cover Bhutan’s destinations like Thimpu, Punakha and Paro.
13. Japan’s Kyoto imposes tourist ban into private alleys of Geisha district
In a response to fight the challenges of over-tourism post-pandemic in Kyoto’s renowned geisha district, Gion, the government has imposed visitor restrictions, particularly in the private alleys to prevent resident frustration and safeguard its cultural integrity. A popular attraction in Japan Tour Packages, ‘Hanamikoji street’ will still be accessible to tourists visiting the country with a Japan Visa.
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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