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. Dubai: Top Global Destination Of 2024
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024 Awards has chosen ‘Dubai’ as its top global destination of 2024. Dubai has achieved this stint consecutively for the third time making it the first city to achieve this remarkable milestone in succession. Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing CEO Issam Kazim said: “Travellers from around the world seeking a safe, secure and easily accessible destination have embraced Dubai’s diverse offerings for all segments, from families and thrill seekers to business visitors and cultural explorers, recognising the unique experiences that can only be found in the city.”
This award is just another feather in the cap of this top global tourist destination. Easy Dubai visa online application process and cheap flights to Dubai are attracting millions of tourists all around the year.
Also Read: Dubai Travel Guide: 18 Things Dubai Is Famous For
2. Visit Bhutan With These New Bengaluru – Paro Charter Flights
The neighbouring country of Bhutan is already a tourist favourite as it provides visa-free entry for Indians. If you are looking for cheap flights to Bhutan from India then you can avail exclusive charter flight services from Bangalore in India to Paro in Bhutan. Now that Bhutan is attracting 25% more tourists than previous years it has opened up a bridge to gap in the travel market. With these easy and direct flights, tourists will also experience a tailored tour of Bhutan.
3. Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023: Indore And Surat Awarded ‘Cleanest Cities’ In India
Indian President Draupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023. This time two cities have been declared as the joint cleanest cities in India- Indore and Surat. Organised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Urban Mission, Indore has gained this award consecutively for the 7th time. Navi Mumbai ranked 3rd on the list of cleanest cities in India.
Saswad in Maharashtra was felicitated with the cleanest city award for urban centres with a population of less than 1 lakh, followed by Chhattisgarh’s Patan and Maharashtra’s Lonavala.
4. Himachal’s Sissu Lake Transforms Into Winter Wonderland As Temperatures Fall To -15°C
With the North-Indian belt gripped under a coldwave, the Sissu Lake in Himachal Pradesh has turned into a winter wonderland. The temperatures here have plummeted to -15°C over the weekend. Due to this, the Sissu Lake, which is usually teeming and crystal-clear, has turned into a mirror-like sheet of ice. The winter wonderland of Sissu has already attracted a lot of tourists with all-inclusive Himachal Pradesh Tour Packages.
Tourists are also racing to Kufri to enjoy ice skating activities and an amazing old climate. “We have been organising ice skating here at Hip Hip Hurray at Kufri for the last ten days in this pond by turning a swimming pool into an ice skating rink. We can conduct ice skating here throughout the day,” said Happy Chauhan, organiser of ice skating.
5. Chhattisgarh To Run Annual Free Travel Train Scheme For Ram Mandir Darshan In Ayodhya
The Chhattisgarh Government has received approval to use state funds to provide annual free train travel to people keen to embark on a pilgrimage to Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Medically fit individuals between the ages of 18 and 75 are eligible to apply for this scheme. The special train will cover a 900 km long journey to Ayodhya.
Pilgrims from other parts of India can opt for cheap flight options to Ayodhya to visit the Hindu pilgrimage of Ram Mandir.
6. 15 ‘Officially’ Most Safest Places To Travel In 2024, One Asian Nation Makes The Cut
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s ‘Safest Places’ report has announced Canada to be the most safest place to travel in 2024 owing to its cold weather, low population density, transportation safety, health measures, lack of violent criminal offences, women and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. BHTP VP Carol Mueller told USA Today, “In our most recent survey, travellers lean in on countries they believe as safe destinations they can move about freely without discrimination or harassment.” the only Asian nation to be included in the list is Japan.
The other 13 countries on the list are Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Portugal, Denmark, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain and Brazil.
7. The Palace Of Agai, Where Alexander Was Crowned, Reopens 2,400 Years Later In Greece
The Palace of Agai also known as the Royal Metropolis of the Macedonians will be reopened in Greece 2,400 years later after undergoing some restoration work. This is one of the most important buildings in Greek history. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, “It is the place where Alexander the Great was crowned king, a short while after his father’s assassination, to start his glorious campaign,” at Friday’s opening ceremony.
This means that one more historic monument can be added to your Greece Tour Packages and you can visit it easily with 25 other countries than Greece with a Schengen Visa for Indians.
8. India’s Longest Sea Bridge, Atal Setu, Inaugurated In Mumbai
The Atal Setu or the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) was inaugurated by PM Modi on Friday. The 21.8 km long sea bridge built with a cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore, connecting South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, will reduce the current travel time of 2 hours to 15-20 mins. A single one-way toll will be charged at Rs. 250 for passenger cars.
9. Dubai’s Ras Al Khaimah Eyeing Its Best Year For Tourism Ever With Sustainable Future
One of Dubai’s seven Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah is celebrating its most successful year of tourism- 2023. The country has seen an 8% surge in overnight arrivals, i.e. a record-breaking 1.22 million tourists. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have pointed out factors like strategic growth initiatives, including investments in tourism infrastructure, targeted promotional campaigns, and a commitment to sustainability have catered to this performance. With these vital accomplishments, Ras Al Khaimah has gained a solid status at a global level in various sectors.
10. Flights To Lakshadweep Sold Out Till March 2024
PM Modi’s photo stint, Maldives fallout with India and in general being a heavenly oceanside paradise, Lakshadweep has attracted several Indians to spend their next beach vacation here. The 36-islands Union Territory recently saw a surge in hotel bookings and bookings for flights to Lakshadweep. Several travel agencies have seen a surge in queries for Lakshadweep Tour Packages.
Since only one airline company, Alliance Air, provides services on Lakshwadeep’s only airstrip in Agatti. This daily single Kochi-Agatti-Kochi flight is now booked until March 2024. “We already make our tours live at least 4 months prior in order to be able to secure the flights timely. But now with the increased attention, these limited seats will get booked off even earlier. says Niyatai Saxena, founder of Migrant Musings & Co.
11. Henley Passport Index 2024: These Are The World’s 6 Most Powerful Passports in 2024
While Japan and Singapore have topped the list of ‘Most Powerful Passports in 2024’ for the past five years, more countries have now joined the list. According to the Henley Passport Index 2024, the World’s 6 Most Powerful Passports in 2024 are Asia’s Japan and Singapore and Europe’s France, Germany, Spain and Italy. These top spot countries now have visa-free access to 194 of 227 destinations.
The joint second spot is occupied by South Korea, Sweden, and Finland with visa-free access to 193 countries. While in third place Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands are allowed to travel to 192 destinations.
12. India’s Rank On The Henley Passport Index 2024 Revealed, Jumps 4 Spots
According to a list by Henley & Partners, the Henley Passport Index 2024 ranks 199 passports from all over the world. The first spot of ‘world’s most powerful passport in 2024’ is grabbed by Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. The Indian Passport is now ranked in the 80th position. It has jumped 4 spots from a previous 84th position with now visa-free access to almost 62 destinations.
13. Indian Passport: Travel To These 62 Countries Visa-free (Full List)
As India ranks 80th on the Henley Passport Index 2024, here are the 62 countries in the world where Indians can travel visa-free.
- Angola
- Barbados
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- British Virgin Islands
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoro Islands
- Cook Islands
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Grenada
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Macao (SAR China)
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Niue
- Oman
- Palau Islands
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
Also Read: Visa-Free: That Have Provided Visa Free Entry For Indians
14. Searches For Ayodhya Travel, Spiritual Destinations On Peak Globally
Looking forward to the Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ on 22nd January, travel agencies are seeing a spike in spiritual destinations around the world, with Ayodhya being searched across the globe. Maximum searches for Ayodhya are coming in from the USA, the Gulf, Canada, Nepal and Australia.
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.