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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. With 1,032 air traffic movements on Diwali weekend, Mumbai Airport sets a new record!

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) created a new record with 1,032 air traffic movements on November 11, 2023. The airport handled 2,894 ATMs (Air Traffic Movements) during this period, including 2,137 domestic and 757 international flights. Popular domestic destinations included Delhi, Bengaluru, whereas Dubai, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore were the top international destinations. During this period, the airport witnessed a substantial surge in passenger traffic, recording a remarkable 5,16,000 passengers between November 11 and 13, 2023.

2. Bangkok is the ‘Most Popular City for Solo Indian Travellers’ – a survey by Agoda

According to a report by Agoda, Bangkok is the most popular city for solo travellers from India, followed by Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. The report looked at popular destinations for solo travellers across a wide range of hotel stays and found that Bangkok was the top choice for Indian travellers. The main attraction of any Thailand tour packages, Bangkok is the ideal choice for all, be it backpackers or budget and solo travellers. And since Indians don’t require a Thailand visa to visit the country, and holiday season coming up, now is the best time to book your flight tickets to Thailand and jet off to check out this happening city.

3. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to take place between 20th to 26th November, 2023

The Ferrari World Yas Island, which is often a part of the Abu Dhabi tour package or Dubai tour package, is hosting a racing-themed experience in this year’s Fanzone from November 20 to 26, 2023. Guests can enjoy the ultimate race build-up while watching highlights of the 2023 season ahead of the live broadcast of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be held at the Yas Marina Circuit. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will also host a variety of entertaining activities including a live DJ, break dancers, themed merchandise, designated chill-out sections with large LED screens and more!

4. Soon you can travel from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link in just 20 minutes

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), India’s longest sea bridge, is expected to open on December 25, 2023, connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The 21.8 km-long bridge comprises six lanes and will reduce the travel time between Sewri in Central Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai by nearly 40 minutes. Currently, the travel time between Mumbai and Navi is more than 1 hour but with the MTHL, it will reduce to just 20 minutes! The sea bridge is expected to enhance connectivity to the Mumbai-Goa Highway, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the JNPT Port.

5. New Island emerges in Japan after an underwater volcano eruption

A new island has emerged in the Ogasawara Island chain, Japan, after an underwater volcano erupted in late October 2023. The island is approximately 100 meters in diameter and was formed through phreatomagmatic eruptions. The eruption started on October 21, 2023,and was around 1 km off the coast of Iwoto Island, which was formerly known as Iwo Jima. The Ogasawara Island chain constitutes a volcanic arc comprising over 30 islands and islets, some of which remain volcanically active.

6. Shipwreck site off Panambur Beach in Karnataka to be developed as a Scuba diving point

A shipwreck site off Panambur Beach in Karnataka is being developed as a scuba diving point in the upcoming 20 days. The district administration of Dakshina Kannada has signed a 10-year agreement with LRS Beach Tourism to develop and maintain the beach. The company plans to focus on water sports by introducing parasailing, speed boating, jet ski rides, banana ride, bumper ride, traditional boating, and dolphin sighting. A feasibility study is being conducted to introduce scuba diving.

7. Digital Schengen Visa proposal finally gets approval! No more sticker visa, no more visiting the consulates!

The European Union has announced that the Schengen visa application process will be digitalized. The new Schengen visa application process will remove the need for applicants to get a sticker in their passport and streamline the process. Applicants will be required to upload all the documents, data, and electronic copies of their travel documents with biometric information. If approved, applicants will get a cryptographically signed barcode to print or store. However, first-time applicants or those with new passports or changed biometric data may still need an in-person appointment.

8. Electric Cable Highways to reduce travel time between Delhi to Jaipur to just 2 hours!

According to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the distance between Delhi and Jaipur will soon be covered in just 2 hours. The project is part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which is 1,350 km long and is being built under the Bharat Mala project at a cost of Rs 90,000 crore. The expressway will pass through 5 states of the country – Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The distance between Jaipur and Delhi will be covered by an Electric Cable Highway, which will be equipped with electric charging facilities and will run electric vehicles.

9. Centuries old Copper Coins found in Goa

A farmer in North Goa discovered a pot containing 826 copper coins believed to have been minted in the 16th or 17th Century. The coins are now part of a study that will be undertaken by the state’s department of archaeology, which could offer insights into trade relations, commerce and the economic history of Goa during the early years of Portuguese rule. The alphabets and symbols on the coins suggest that they were issued during the early years of Portuguese rule.

10. Futuristic ‘Airport Village’ Project coming up at the Mangaluru International Airport

The Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has launched the ‘Airport Village’ Project, which will offer a comprehensive range of food and beverage options, retail, and gaming opportunities to all visitors. The project is aimed at transforming the airport’s forecourt and providing an elevated travel experience. The first phase of the project is coming up in the forecourt of the airport on the lower ground floor. The airport village will cater to the needs of not just the thousands of travellers who use the airport daily, but also their friends and family who come to receive and see them off.

11. Kaziranga National Park now has Boat Safari

A new boat safari has been launched in the Eastern Range of Kaziranga National Park. The Dhansari Mukh Boat Safari offers a 2-3 hour boat ride through the mingling waters of the Dhansari and Brahmaputra River, with plenty of fresh water dolphin sightings. The safari is expected to offer sightings of swimming elephants, wild buffaloes, tigers, deer, occasionally rhinos, water monitor lizards, beavers, monkeys, turtles, eagles, vultures, storks, kingfishers and more. The newest addition to Assam tour packages, this safari can be enjoyed on both speedboats and country boats.

12. In 4-5 years, there will be no waiting list tickets in Indian Railways

The Indian Railways has set an ambitious goal of eliminating waiting lists entirely in 4-5 years. The Ministry of Railways has announced this bold move to improve passenger experience. The national transporter aims to achieve this by increasing the number of trains, improving the infrastructure, and leveraging technology. The waiting list is a common issue faced by passengers, and this move is expected to provide relief to millions of travellers.

13. After being scrapped in 2017, Hungary Golden Visa Programme to be relaunched soon

The Government of Hungaryhas proposed a new ‘Golden Visa’ programme for third-country immigrants. The draft bill introduces a ‘Guest-investor Visa’ category for people affiliated with projects labelled as ‘strategically important investments.’ The visa is a prerequisite for a 10-year residence permit, extendable by another 10 years. The previous ‘Golden Visa Scheme’ was scrapped in 2017 after a Syrian man under US sanctions received residency status.

14. Gulmarg receives early snowfall, attracts tourists like a moth to a flame

Early snowfall in Gulmarg and other areas of Kashmir has boosted tourism as tourists flock to the valley to experience the scenic views. Several tourists who had booked their Jammu and Kashmir tour packages had come to witness the crimson Chinar leaves falling in Autumn, which makes for a magical scenery. But they were in for a pleasant surprise as they got to witness the white winter wonderland of Gulmarg due to early snowfall.

15. Most awaited Navi-Mumbai Metro Rail Line 1 now open for Passengers

The 11 km-long elevated Metro Rail Line 1 connecting Belapur and Pendhar was inaugurated on November 17, 2023. The first service between Pendhar to Belapur Terminal and Belapur Terminal to Pendhar will be at 6 am, while the last will be at 10 pm from November 18. The frequency will be of 15 minutes. The metro route between Belapur and Pendhar has 11 stations, with the depot located at Taloja Panchanand.

16. Central Railway announced Special Train to Ahmedabad from Mumbai for Cricket World Cup 2023 as Flights to Ahmedabad cost sky high!

Good news for fans travelling from Mumbai to Ahmedabad to watch the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Final between India and Australia on November 19, 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Considering the high cost of flights to Ahmedabad, the Central Railway decided to operate a special train between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Ahmedabad on November 18, 2023. If you do not wish to travel by train, you can book your Ahmedabad flights with Akbartravels.com, without having to worry about paying high prices. Simply visit our website and book your flight to Ahmedabad by availing our special deals and discounts and enjoy the match live in Ahmedabad!

17. Airline Updates:

IndiGo and Qantas sign a Codeshare Agreement – In a bid to enhance connectivity between India and Australia, IndiGo and Qantas have signed a codeshare agreement under which IndiGo customers will be able to fly to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane via Qantas.
SriLankan Airlines announces self check-in and self bag-drop facility at Colombo Airport – With the introduction of the self check-in and self bag-drop facility at the Colombo Airport by SriLankan Airlines, passengers will be able to independently complete their entire check-in process and proceed to boarding gates after completing immigration.
IndiGo expands codeshare connections to Nordic cities via Turkish Airlines – IndiGo passengers will be able to fly to Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo from November 23, 2023 as per the codeshare agreement with the Turkish Airlines.

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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