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Top Travel News of the Week

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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. Implementation of 20% TCS on Foreign Travel Bookings Postponed till October 1, 2023

According to the Ministry of Finance, the implementation of a higher rate of tax collected at source (TCS) of 20% on foreign travel bookings under Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) has been postponed by three months and will begin on October 1, 2023, instead of July 1, 2023. Additionally, international credit card purchases made abroad will not qualify for TCS under the LRS and will therefore not be taxed.

2. Coming soon: Surf Abu Dhabi, World’s Largest Man-Made Wave Pool

Abu Dhabi’s Hudayriyat Island will soon be the home to Surf Abu Dhabi – The World’s Largest Wave Pool. The project was announced in a press release held in June 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The wave pool, which will soon be a part of your Abu Dhabi holiday itinerary promises a surfing experience like no other place in the world.

3. Japan Airlines will Rent Clothes to Passengers to cut down carbon emissions and reduce fuel usage under its ‘Any Wear, Anywhere’ Service

Japan Airlines has started a ground-breaking method to cut its carbon emissions. The airline will provide travellers with a clothing rental service. The Any Wear, Anywhere service was started to encourage travellers to travel light, which will lower the airline’s fuel use and carbon emissions. The rental service can be reserved in advance by customers using the Any Wear, Anywhere website.

4. Deep Sleep – the World’s Deepest Hotel at the bottom of a Victorian Mine in Wales now open

Opened 1,375 feet below the ground, Deep Sleep is officially the world’s deepest hotel. Located at the bottom of the Victorian slate mines in the Snowdonia National Park, Wales, the hotel, a self-described ‘remote-camp adventure experience’ will operate only once a week, i.e., Saturdays. The guests will be able to reach their room after a 45-minute trek into the mountains followed by a descent into the mine and later crossing decaying bridges and ancient stairways.

5. Self-Baggage Drop Facility introduced at Hyderabad Airport

The GMR Hyderabad International Airport recently introduced a self-baggage drop facility that will allow passengers to complete their baggage check-in process in under a minute. There are 8 machines equipped with scanners, scales, and sensors located near gate number 9 for the self-baggage drop facility.

6. India’s First Hydrogen Train will Start Operations in 2024

In a recent announcement made by the General Manager of Northern Railway, India’s first hydrogen train could start running on tracks as soon as 2024. The environmentally friendly hydrogen train will operate between Sonipat and Jind and will run on hydrogen fuel cells. So far hydrogen trains are operating only in Germany.

7. Bengaluru Airport Launches “BLR Pulse” – a New APP providing Real-Time Airport Information to Passengers

In order to aid travellers to navigate within the airport terminals and provide real-time information to keep track of their arrivals and departures Bengaluru International Airport has launched the “BLR Pulse” app. This omnichannel platform is equipped with an interactive chatbot that answers frequently asked questions along with easing pre-travel worries like long wait times, security queues, etc.

8. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra now possible from Uttarakhand. No need to visit Nepal or China

Gone are the days when you had to plan a trip to Nepal or China to visit the home of Lord Shiva, Kailash Mansarovar. If all goes well, then you will be able to easily plan a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar with our Uttarakhand tour packages. The Uttarakhand Tourism Department has appointed a special team to inspect the Lipulekh Peak in Dharchula, Pithoragarh, and explore alternate routes for the sacred mountain.

9. Now Travel to Italy from Switzerland in just 2 Hours on Europe’s Highest Cable Car – Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing in Switzerland, which connects Switzerland and Italy in under 2 hours, opened on July 1, 2023. It is the highest three-string cable car in the Alps and the highest border crossing in all of Europe (3,480 m). Passengers aboard this cable car will go straight from Breuil-Cervinia, Italy, to the Matterhorn village of Zermatt, Switzerland. Passengers can stand with one foot in Italy and the other in Switzerland at the Testa Grigia station.

10. Himachal Pradesh to develop Artificial Lakes in the Region to Promote Water-Based Attractions

As per a recent announcement by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, the state government is planning to develop artificial lakes to attract more tourists. These lakes will offer the visitors many water-based activities such as angling, water sports, birdwatching, etc., and aid in promoting restaurants, street-food corners, homestays, restaurants, hotels, etc. located in the vicinity of the lakes.

11. Iceland is the World’s Most Peaceful Country – 2023 Global Peace Index

The 2023 Global Peace Index was recently revealed and to nobody’s surprise, Iceland – who has been holding on to the top spot since 2008 has once again topped the list. Among the top 5 countries, Iceland is followed by Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, and Austria. On the other hand, compared to the previous year India jumped 2 positions and landed at the 126^th position with a 3.5% increase in overall peacefulness.

12. New Vande Bharat Express Train Routes Flagged Off

On July 7, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 2 New Vande Bharat Trains from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier on June 27, 2023, 5 new Vande Bharat Trains were flagged off in Bhopal. With these new trains, the total number of Vande Bharat Trains in India has now reached 25. The new routes are:

Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal – Indore, Bhopal – Jabalpur.
Maharashtra: Mumbai – Goa.
Uttar Pradesh: Patna – Ranchi, Gorakhpur – Lucknow.
Rajasthan/Gujarat: Jodhpur – Sabarmati.
Karnataka: Bengaluru – Hubli – Dharwad.

13. Visa Updates:

Vietnam extends e-Visa validity from 30 to 90 days – On June 24, 2023, Vietnam’s Parliament agreed to extend the validity of the Vietnam e-visa from 30 to 90 days. With effect from the first week of August 2023, the Vietnam e-visa will be valid for 90 days and allow multiple entries.
EgyptAir announces free 96-hour Transit Visa – Passengers arriving at Cairo International Airport can now get a free transit visa thanks to EgyptAir. Eligible passengers can get their free transit visa by simply filling out a form at the EgyptAir transit office at the airport. They can visit Egypt’s top tourist attractions during their 8 to 96-hour layover with the transit visa. In other news, the airline will operate direct flights between Cairo and Delhi four times a week from August 4, 2023.
Dubai reintroduces 90-day Visa – The 90-day Dubai visa which was discontinued last year has now been reinstated in Dubai. It was primarily used by job-seekers and visitors who are friends and family members of people residing in Dubai. And the best part? Visitors will be to renew their 90 days Dubai visa for the same period of time without leaving the country.

14. Airline Updates:

IndiGo to operate Delhi – Baku Flights from August 11, 2023 – Announced on July 6, 2023, IndiGo’s Delhi – Baku flight will start operations on August 11, 2023. With this announcement, Baku became the 30^th International and 108^th Overall Destination of IndiGo’s network.
Vietjet launches direct Flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Kochi – On July 6, 2023, Vietjet officially launched direct flights between Kochi and Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first direct route between Kerala and Vietnam and will start operations on August 12, 2023.

15. DMRC launches APP to generate QR Tickets for Seamless Travel in Delhi Metro

On June 30, 2023, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) launched a mobile app for passengers travelling on Delhi Metro. The app will allow the passengers to generate QR tickets which can be scanned at the Delhi Metro stations by purchasing metro tickets 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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