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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. Ganganyaan Project – India’s Planned Human Space Flight Mission! ISRO tests its Crew Escape System

In just less than 2 months of successful landing of the Chandrayaan 3 on the Southern Pole of the Moon, ISRO successfully conducted the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) for the Ganganyaan Project which will allow the crew to escape the spacecraft incase of an emergency. . Expected to be launched in 2025, the goal behind the Ganganyaan Project is to take an Indian Astronaut in space.

2.Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival to be held between November 17 and 19, 2023

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is happening in Meghalaya from November 17-19. Headlined by global stars Ne-Yo and Ronan Keating, the festival will also feature Sanam, Jonas Blue, and regional talents like Meba Ofilia, Lou Majaw, and more. The festival will also have cosplay contests and the Miss and Mister Cherry Blossom Pageant. Thrill-seekers can enjoy a Ferris wheel and an exhilarating zipline. Planning a holiday in Meghalaya? We’ve got you covered!

3. Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport named the ‘Most Punctual Airport in the World’, Hyderabad ranked 3rd as per Aviation Analytics Firm Cirium

A proud moment for us Indians as 2 Indian airports made it to the list of the ‘Most Punctual Airport in the World’. As per the report published by an aviation analytics firm – Cirium, Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport and Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Aiport secured the 1st and the 3rd places respectively, while the Salt Lake City International Airport in the USA secured the 2nd place. The ranking is based on the percentage of flights that departed within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.

4. Dhordo in Gujarat among the 54 ‘Best Tourism Villages in 2023’ by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation

The home of the Rann of Kutch, Dhordo has been recognised as one of the 54 ‘Best Tourism Villages in 2023’ by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Out of the nearly 260 applications received, 54 applications were approved by the UNWTO. Another 20 villages were shortlisted for the ‘Upgrade Programme’ which includes the Madla village in Madhya Pradesh. Overall these 74 villages will now be a part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network.

5. Lazy Olympics – Win INR 90,000 for just being lazy at the ‘Festival of Laziness’ in Montenegro, Europe

Yes! At the annual ‘Festival of Laziness’ in the Montenegrin village of Brezna participants compete for the title of the ‘laziest citizen’ and a €1,000 (INR 90,000) cash prize. All they have to do is lounge on mattresses, and minimize physical activity. That’s it! This unique ‘Lazy Olympics’ attracting crowds from around the world, was started as a reminder that amidst our hectic lives, there’s a place for leisure, humour, and the simple joy of taking it easy.

Want to compete with other lazy folks out there? Then don’t be lazy in getting your Schengen visa and book your Europe tour package to Montenegro now!

6. Singapore becomes the 6th Country to enter the ‘Blue Zone’ – Regions where People Live Healthier and Longer Lives

An all-time favourite holiday destination of travellers worldwide due to the seamless Singapore visa process and all-inclusive Singapore tour packages easily available online, Singapore now has another feather in its cap! After Okinawa in Japan, Sardina in Italy, Ikaria in Greece, Nicoya in Costa Rica, and Loma Linda in California, Singapore is now the newest member of the Blue Zone. Blue Zones are regions where people generally live a healthy and long life due to their active lifestyle and plant-based diet.

7. First of its kind in Maharashtra – Grassland Safari started in Pune and Solapur Districts

To promote grassland conservation and create awareness, the Pune Forest Department started Grassland Safaris in Maharashtra’s Pune and Solapur districts. The online booking for this unique experience covering an area of approximately 12.3 million hectares, was started on October 18, 2023. Located in Kadbanwadi and Shirsufal, these safaris showcase diverse wildlife, including hyenas, wolves, and various bird species.

8. Indian Institute of Astrophysics Planning to Host ‘Star Party’ at Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh to Promote Astro Tourism

In order to promote Astro Tourism in the country, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) plans to make ‘Star Party’ an annual event at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh. Recently, a ‘Star Party’ was organised for 30 experienced astronomers between October 12 and 15, 2023. Considering the positive response the event received, the IIA now plans to organise more such events for all astronomy enthusiasts in India irrespective of their level of expertise.

9. Sydney Opera House completes Half Century – turned 50 on October 20, 2023!

An iconic attraction of our Australia tour packages, the Sydney Opera House marked its golden jubilee on October 20, 2023, with a stunning laser show that illuminated this masterpiece. Back in 1973, the late Queen Elizabeth II officially inaugurated the Opera House. It’s globally celebrated as one of the most exceptional architectural creations of the 20th century, attracting an impressive 10.9 million visitors annually.

10. Ras Al Khaimah – Officially a Sustainable Destination after receiving Silver Certification in EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destinations Program

Making it the first Middle Eastern destination to reach this level of sustainability certification despite its challenging climate, Ras Al Khaimah has achieved Silver Certification in EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destinations program. EarthCheck’s rigorous evaluation process covers ten sustainability indicators, including energy and water consumption, waste management, carbon footprint analysis, and community engagement.

11. Cambodia inaugurates the Newest and the Biggest Airport in Siem Reap

Get your Cambodia visa and your flight tickets to Cambodia sorted now because the newest and the biggest airport in Cambodia – Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport has begun operations. Located near Angkor Wat, the star of our Cambodia tour packages, the airport has so far received flights from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore. Currently, the airport can handle 7 million passengers annually but will expand to handle 12 million passengers annually by 2040.

12. Dudhsagar Waterfalls now accessible to Tourists after being temporarily closed for safety reasons in the Monsoon

The Dudhsagar Waterfalls, a must-see attraction in your Goa tour package is all set to welcome back tourists. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is offering jeep safaris for this renowned spot, which was temporarily closed during the monsoon season due to safety precautions. GTDC Chairman Ganesh Gaonkar, stressed the commitment to enhancing facilities for visitors and drivers, urging jeep operators to provide a memorable and respectful experience.

13. Gujarat – Diu Border to get a Lion Safari Park similar to Sasan Gir soon!

Soon, there will be a new addition to our Gujarat tour packages as the Gujarat Forest Department plans to establish a Lion Safari Park near the Gujarat – Diu border. This project aims to draw travellers along the coastal highway to Diu. Located just 7.7 km from Diu, the park will house two pairs of zoo-bred lions, four cubs, and other hooved animals, and will be similar to Sasan Gir. Additionally, there are also plans for an open safari park in Kevadiya, which is set to be twice the size of the current one nearby.

14. After the Annual Closure in Monsoon, Jim Corbett Park now open for Winter Tourism

Winter tourism has officially begun at Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR)! The park witnessed around 400 visitors on the opening day of the season. Currently, 4 zones – Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, and Garjia – are open to tourists, while the remaining zones will open for day safaris next month. Corbett Tiger Reserve typically opens from November 15 to mid-June, attracting about 3,00,000 tourists yearly. It’s closed during the monsoon season due to road washouts and safety concerns.

15. Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (DAK) Greenfield Expressway will soon reduce travel time from Delhi to Katra to just 6 hours instead of 11 hours!

The upcoming Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (DAK) Greenfield Expressway will be cutting the journey time between Amritsar and Delhi to a mere 4 hours and between Delhi and Katra to just 6 hours. It will not only reduce the distance between Delhi and Katra by 58 kilometers but will also serve as a vital link connecting major religious sites for the Sikh community. Featuring Asia’s longest cable-stayed bridge, across the Beas River the project is currently underway in the states of Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.

16. Sikkim Government initiates process to grant Tourist Permits for visiting Nathula and Tsomgo Lake

The Sikkim Government has initiated the process of granting permits to tourists, allowing them to explore the stunning Nathula and Tsomgo Lake. The permit issuance for these iconic destinations started recently, with other popular spots like Pelling, Namchi, Ravangla, Dara, and South Sikkim. Additionally, snowfall graced areas like Tsomgo Lake and Kupup on October 17, 2023, making it a perfect time to plan a trip to Sikkim.

17. To promote Sustainable Travel, Himachal Pradesh announces setting up 11 Eco-Tourism Sites along with Helicopter Services connecting remote Locations

In a bid to promote eco-tourism, the Government of Himachal Pradesh has selected 11 eco-tourism sites nestled deep within the forests. The selected sites include Bir Billing, Neugal Park, Kasol, Potter Hill, etc. As per the reports, the state government is already undertaking development initiatives to boost this cause. Along with this, to increase connectivity of the remote locations, the government plans to start helicopter services in Palampur, Chamba, Kangra etc.

18. Northern Railways has announced 34 special Trains for the upcoming Festival Season

To manage the festival rush and to provide better connectivity services to passengers, the Northern Railways has announced the operation of 34 special trains. These special trains will operate from October 18, 2023, to December 11, 2023, connecting the Northern and Eastern parts of the country. In addition to this, the existing 69 trains on these routes will be incorporated with extra coaches which will add a whopping 5.5 lakh extra seats.

19. Airline Updates:

Star Air announces Flights from Shivamogga to Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Goa – From November 21, 2023, Star Air will be operating daily flights to Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Goa from the Shivamogga Airport. The airline will offer services on these routes in the new Embraer E175 aircraft.
Maldivian announces Bi-weekly Direct Flights between Bangalore and Male from October 30, 2023 – The national airlines of Maldives, the Maldivian have announced to operate direct flights between Bangalore and Male. The flights will start service from October 30, 2023, and will operate twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

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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Next Read: Celebrating Dussehra in India: How Different Indian States Celebrate Dussehra »

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