Check out the latest news and updates about the travel and tourism industry from around the world.
1. Bhutan to lift mandatory Travel Insurance requirement for Tourists
With recent changes, Bhutan’s Department of Tourism has announced the removal of compulsory travel insurance requirements for tourists, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. With eased pandemic restrictions and efforts made to streamline the travel procedures the mandate has been lifted.
For Indian passport holders, they can continue to enjoy Bhutan visa-free liberties. It encourages more visitors to explore its unique culture, landscapes, and heritage with affordable Bhutan Tour Packages. Indians entering Bhutan by road will require an entry permit from the Immigration Office in Phuentsholing which will be valid for 7 days.
2. ‘Cascade’: New Schengen Visa Rules eases Europe access for Indian Nationals
On April 18th, the European Commission marked its shift from Traditional Visa Code regulations to a new ‘Cascade’ regime for obtaining a Schengen Visa. Eligible Indian nationals can apply for long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas with 2 or 5 years of validity. One can enjoy visa rights similar to visa-free nationals, like entering and exiting Schengen countries multiple times without having to reapply.
For those not eligible for the ‘Cascade’ programme, the general Schengen Visa online grants you access to 29 European countries. This is a single-entry visa and allows a stay of up to 3 months with a validity of 6 months.
3. Border Roads Organisation Reopens Leh – Manali National Highway, a vital route for vehicular movement
Officials from the Border Roads Organisation have announced the successful reopening of the vital alternate route of the 428 km long Leh Manali highway for vehicular movement. Under Project Deepak, the heavy snow has been cleared on the route to connect Ladakh to the rest of the country through Himachal Pradesh. The highway is a preferred route for those looking for a Himalayan escape with all-inclusive Ladakh Tour Packages. It will also facilitate military connectivity and economic development.
4. Election season: Surge in Travel Demands across India owing to General Elections 2024
The travel industry has started noticing a boom in travel activities like booking transportation and cheap accommodations online. There has been a spike in demand across air, rail and bus travel, especially from metro cities to tier 1 and 2 cities like Patna, Jaipur, Kochi, Assam, etc. resulting in a surge in fares. Abhibus COO, Rohit Sharma commented, “Election tourism is a fascinating phenomenon that reflects the deep-rooted commitment of citizens towards democratic participation.” Similarly, even hotel bookings in several cities including Bengaluru, Mysore, Trivandrum, Kochi, Darjeeling, Udaipur, and Jodhpur are high.
5. World’s Most Expensive Passport List is out, Indian Passport Fairs as Second Cheapest Passport to Obtain
Australian Firm, Compare the AU, has revealed the list for the ‘World’s Most Expensive Passport’. The Mexican passport is the costliest at $231.05 for 10 years, followed by the Australian passport at $225.78.
While the UAE has the cheapest passport in the world, with high visa-free access, the Indian passport is the cheapest in terms of cost per year of validity amounting to $1.81 per year. However, the Indian passport power is limited as it has limited access to via-free countries. Along with being cheap, the Indian passport application online process is quite swift.
6. Goa CM advocates for an urgent need for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
In a recent statement, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed the urgent need to build sustainable tourism initiatives in the state. He stated, “We have launched GoaMiles and other apps. We have to educate the taxi owners. For sustainable tourism, we have to resolve tourism-related issues. Other countries have started boosting their tourism and tourists may go elsewhere. The Government is making 100% efforts and 50% issues have been resolved.”
With incentives like cheap flights to Goa and affordable hotels in Goa, there has been a high rush of tourists in the state. Accessible public state transport should be made available in Goa to support sustainable tourism.
7. Newly Launched Lufthansa City Airlines to commence operations on 26th June
Lufthansa’s short-haul subsidiary City Airlines, first announced last year will commence operations with its inaugural flight from Munich to Birmingham on 26th June. 2024. Lufthansa City Airlines will be offering cheap flight tickets online from Munich to the domestic destinations of Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Hannover, as well as international services to Birmingham, Manchester and Bordeaux.
Lufthansa City Airlines managing director of operations, Jens Fehlinger, said, “We are looking forward to new modern Airbus A220 and A320neo deliveries in the coming years. “For our guests and employees, we are driving forward our renewal and thus strengthening Lufthansa’s planned growth in long-haul traffic.”
8. Indian Railways: Operating 9,000+ extra train trips to cater to massive summer travel rush
To facilitate the summer holiday travel surge, Indian Railways has announced a record 9,111 train trips, a remarkable 43% increase compared to last year with strategic planning to connect key destinations. All zonal railways have geared up to operate these additional trips with Western Railways operating the highest number of trips at 1,878. The tickets for these additional trains will be available at railway ticket windows and on IRCTC.
9. London & Paris named as Europe’s Top Premier Travel Destinations for Art Lovers
Ubuy’s recent study identifies European capitals that are most accommodating for art enthusiasts supporting ‘art tourism’ or ‘creative tourism’. It ranked top 20 European cities based on ‘the availability of art galleries, including those offering free admission, as well as the presence of statues, monuments, and street art.’ Art lovers can visit most of these destinations with a single Schengen Visa online.
Europe’s Top 20 Premier Travel Destinations for Art Lovers:
- Paris & London
- Prague
- Berlin
- Amsterdam
- Lisbon
- Rome
- Athens
- Vienna
- Budapest
- Oslo & Madrid
- Dublin
- Copenhagen
- Helsinki
- Belgrade & Sofia
- Tallinn
- Brussels
- Bucharest
- Ljubljana
- Minsk
- Reykjavik
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.
Apply Visa Online
Dubai Visa Online | 14 days Dubai Visa | 30 days Dubai Visa | 90 days Dubai Visa | Dubai Transit Visa | UAE Visa | Singapore Visa | Malaysia Visa | Thailand Visa | Sri Lanka Visa | US Visa | UK Visa | Schengen Visa | Canada Visa | Australia Visa | New Zealand Visa | France Visa | Italy Visa | Turkey Visa Online | Philippines Visa | Cambodia Visa Online | Vietnam Visa Online | Oman Visa
International Holiday Packages
Dubai Tour Packages | Singapore Tour Packages | Thailand Tour Packages | Malaysia Tour Packages | Sri Lanka Tour Packages | US Tour Packages | United Kingdom Tour Packages | South Africa Tour Packages | Europe Tour Packages | Bali Tour Packages | Mauritius Tour Packages | Maldives Tour Packages | Cordelia Cruise Packages |
Domestic Holiday Packages
India Tour Packages | Goa Tour Packages | Kerala Tour Packages | Leh Ladakh Tour Packages | Himachal Tour Packages | Andaman Tour Packages | Rajasthan Tour Packages | Uttarakhand Tour Packages | Jammu and Kashmir Tour Packages
Packages by Themes
Honeymoon Packages | Adventure Packages | Visa on Arrival Packages | Family Packages | Romantic Packages | Weekend Getaways Packages
Domestic Flights
Pune Bangalore Flights | Chennai Delhi Flights | Bangalore Chennai Flights | Mumbai Delhi Flights | Bangalore Hyderabad Flights | Ahmedabad Goa Flights | Mumbai Kolkata Flights | Hyderabad Delhi Flights | Bangalore Goa Flights | Mumbai Goa Flights
International Flights
Delhi Dubai Flights | Delhi Bangkok Flights | Delhi Toronto Flights | Mumbai Dubai Flights | Delhi Singapore Flights |Delhi London Flights | Delhi Kathmandu Flights | Mumbai London Flights | Chennai Singapore Flights | Mumbai Singapore Flights | Delhi New York Flights |Kolkata Bangkok Flights
