Top Travel News Of The Week

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. World’s first-ever 3D-printed mosque unveiled in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has unveiled the world’s first-ever 3D mosque constructed with the help of 3D printing technology in Jeddah’s Al-Jawhara suburb. The mosque is a heartfelt tribute to the late Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly and also named after him. The project was headed by his wife Wajnat Abdulwahed and used cutting-edge 3D printers sourced from Guanli, a Chinese manufacturer. The 5,600 sq.m. huge structure is a great mix of architectural elegance, tradition and innovation. Do not forget to add this latest attraction to your Saudi Arabia Tour Packages

2. Singapore Travel made easy, replaces passports with QR Codes for smooth border crossings

Starting March 19, Singapore is implementing a novel QR code system that will eliminate the need for a physical passport for smooth border crossings. Travellers arriving and departing Singapore via Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints will simply have to get their QR scanned electronically by immigration officers. After making Singapore travel easy with a quick Singapore visa online, this QR code process reduces the processing times and traffic. 

3. Goa to soon have co-working spaces on the beach

Now work won’t be an excuse to miss out on your Goa trip. Recently, the Goa Tourism Department announced that it is looking to develop co-working spaces on Morjim and Ashwem Beach. The higher aim is to position Goa’s tourism beyond beaches and parties. They are also working to grant nomad visas for foreign individuals looking to introduce nomad visas for foreign individuals. 

Additionally, they are also looking to promote the other side of Goa, i.e. Goa’s expansive temples and churches, farm life (spice and cashew plantations) and spiritual tourism. With the introduction of the new Manohar International Airport, cheap flights to Goa and affordable Goa Tour Packages, tourism is likely to be boosted in this party state. 

4. BCD Travel’s Top Business Travel Destinations of 2023: Amsterdam and New York Grab Top Spots

BCD Travel’s 2023 edition has crowned Amsterdam and New York as top destinations for European business travellers. The analysis is based on flight and car rental data from European markets. 

Top Intra-European Cities for Top Business Travel Destinations of 2023:

1. Amsterdam
2. London
3. Frankfurt
4. Munich
5. Paris
6. Copenhagen
7. Zurich
8. Vienna
9. Brussels 
10. Stockholm

Top Intercontinental Cities for Top Business Travel Destinations of 2023:

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Dubai
4. Washington DC
5. San Francisco
6. Boston
7. Atlanta
8. Los Angeles
9. Singapore
10. Shanghai

5. World Travel Awards 2024 laud Dubrovnik with Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination Award

Croatia’s Dubrovnik earned its recognition as Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination at the World Travel Awards 2024. The city won the same award back in 2021 also and even won several awards at the 2022 World Travel Awards. The award further strengthens Dubrovnik’s position as a globally recognised promoter of responsible destination management and sustainable development. The prestigious World Travel Awards are a testament to the best in the travel and tourism business and are also recognised as the gold standard worldwide. 

6. Global Business Travel Industry gearing up for a 9.5% surge worth $2.1 Trillion by 2031

Business travel or business tourism around the globe is projected to increase at a CAGR of 9.5% in the span of 2022 to 2031. The total amounted growth will be around US $2.1 trillion. Driving the worldwide business travel segment are factors like growth of online travel agencies like Akbar Travels Online, growth of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) division and SME segment and surge in business globalisation.

Other than these the trending features that account for pushing the travel business segment are bleisure (business+leisure), IoT (internet of things), growth of smart hotels, virtual reality for hotel reservations and customization.

7. Ramadan Special: Qatar Airways to allow an extra 15 KG baggage on Doha-Jeddah Flights

In a bid to boost travel during Ramadan Month, i.e. from 15th March to 10th April, Qatar Airways will allow an extra 15 KG baggage on its Doha-Jeddah flights at no extra cost. This gesture by Qatar is an embodiment of Ramadan’s spirit of giving and generosity. It aims to support those making the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on an Umrah Visa and ease the journey for them. Qatar will be operating 35 cheap flights to Jeddah weekly to facilitate this journey. 

8. KLM announces 2024 summer schedule to 155 destinations starting March 31

Air carrier KLM has announced its 2024 summer schedule and it starts from 31st March 2024 to 26th October 2024. This year, the air carrier is looking to increase its seat capacity by almost 7% as compared to the summer of 2023. KLM will serve a total of 155 destinations this summer; 92 in Europe and 63 intercontinental. Some of KLM’s destinations with increased frequency are connecting flights to Singapore’s multiple destinations, direct flights to Japan’s Osaka and Tokyo, daily flights to Israel’s Tel Aviv and increased flight frequency to various Scandinavian countries. 

9. Bengaluru’s ‘Kempegowda International Airport’ impresses Youtuber Karl Rock, calling it ‘World’s Most Beautiful Airport’. 

In his recent video, Youtuber Karl Rock was seen being visibly impressed by Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. He even appreciated it as the ‘world’s most beautiful airport’. Sharing the video he also wrote, “Is this the world’s most beautiful airport? This is the New Bengaluru Terminal 2 in India’s state of Karnataka.” This Bengaluru Airport spans across 2,55,661 sq. mts. of land and is a beautiful amalgamation of architecture and nature, representing Karnataka’s culture. 

10. Need to visit Schengen countries again and again? The 5-Year Multiple Entry Schengen Visa is all you need 

A Schengen Visa permits you to enter, exit and move between the 27 member countries of the Schengen Zone. The 5-Year multiple-entry Schengen Visa for Indians holds five years of validity with multiple entries. One can be eligible for this visa type if the applicant has previously held and correctly used a multiple-entry visa for at least two years within the last three years. However, they still will be permitted to stay for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days. The fees for the same would be around 80 Euros. 

11. Goa, Patna, Varanasi and more popular travel destinations among Indians

UK-based travel platform, Wowtickets.com has conducted a survey that has revealed the most popular or favourite destinations where Indians are travelling. The top 15 most searched Indians destinations that Indians want to travel nationally are:

• Goa
• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Bengaluru
• Srinagar
• Pune
• Kolkata
• Leh
• Chennai
• Ahmedabad
• Lucknow
• Varanasi
• Guwahati
• Bagdogra

Dmitrijus Konovalovas, Director & CEO of wowtickets.com, said “Predictions indicate that by 2023, the global tourism market will reach a value of $16.9 trillion, with India’s tourism sector making substantial contributions. This is largely driven by the enthusiastic travel aspirations of India’s youth, who prioritise exploration and adventure. “

12. South Western Railway to introduce two more Vande Bharat trains in Karnataka

Karnataka is likely to get two new Vande Bharat trains as announced by the South Western Railway, expanding the state’s Vande Bharat train count to seven. One service will run between Kalaburagi and SMVT Bengaluru while the other service will be between Mysurur and MGR Chennai. With these additions, commuters can expect a significant reduction in their travel time. 

13. Research labels the UK as the world’s second-most miserable country to live

A recent mental well-being report surveying 71 countries for their overall mental well-being has positioned the UK on the 70th spot. The country holds a concerning average of 49 while the global average is 65. The aftermath of COVID-19, political instability and the strain of the cost-of-living crisis are reasons for the UK being the world’s second-most miserable country to live in. According to the report, Uzbekistan is the most miserable country to live in. 

14. Mcleodganj to Gokarna, 5 Sleepcations in India ideal for World Sleep Day

Booking.com’s Travel predictions 2024 suggest that nearly 68% of Indians want to book a sleep retreat this year. Celebrate World Sleep Day and one of 2024’s biggest travel trends ‘Sleep Tourism’ with a sleep-focused travel experience to these Indian destinations with all-inclusive India Tour Packages:

• Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
• Varkala, Kerala
• Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh
• Tarkarli, Maharashtra
• Gokarna, Karnataka

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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