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. Mumbai Trans Harbour Link – India’s longest sea bridge to open soon
India’s longest sea bridge, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), is anticipated to open to traffic in November of this year. Wednesday marked the completion of the installation of the deck slab, which is being considered a key milestone in the construction of the bridge. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis inspected the bridge and flagged off the first bus to cross the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.
2. Rambagh Palace in Jaipur voted the ‘Best Hotel in the World’
According to TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice, the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur is the ‘Best Hotel in the World’. The travel advice website published a list of the Traveller’s Choice Best of Best Hotels in the World 2023 recently and out of the 1.5 million hotels across the world, Rambagh Palace bagged the top position in the list. The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi in the Maldives and Hotel Colline de France in Brazil grabbed the 2nd and the 3rd places respectively.
3. UAE work permit validity now extended to 3 years
The Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has authorized a three-year extension of UAE work permits. The UAE work permit is currently issued for 2 years and it is prohibited to work in the UAE without a valid work permit. The FNC Committee on Financial, Economic, and Industrial Affairs recommended extending the deadline to three years in order to expedite the procedure and lower costs for individuals and companies.
4. SeaWorld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi officially open for public
The first Marine Life Theme Park in the area, Sea World Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, opened its doors to the general public on May 22, 2023. It offers unforgettable experiences and immersive adventures to visitors of all ages and you must definitely check it out during your holiday in Abu Dhabi. Attractive immersive sound and light shows were part of the event’s opening ceremony, which celebrated the opening of the next-generation Marine Life Theme Park and awed the audience.
5. Mumbai Airport receives Platinum Rating at ACI’s Green Airport Recognition Programme
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) received the prestigious Platinum Rating in the prestigious Green Airports Recognition (GAR) Programme 2023 in the ‘over 35 million passengers per annum’ category. Awarded by the prestigious Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific this recognition confirms the airport’s position as a global leader in environmental stewardship and establishes new standards for sustainable airport operations in India. It also serves as a testament to the airport’s unwavering dedication and outstanding achievements in sustainability initiatives. This recognition of CSMIA’s ambitious goal to become one of the first airports to ban single-use plastic is in line with that goal.
6. Hottest upcoming wedding destination – Space!
Announced by a company called Space Perspective, this initiative will allow couples to tie the knot while being launched into space in a carbon-neutral balloon with huge windows that will provide the best possible view of Earth. Guests will reportedly be transported on a six-hour Spaceship Neptune flight that can lift them 100,000 feet above Earth and then bring them back. This project is scheduled to begin in 2024. According to reports, 1,000 tickets have already been sold.
7. Mumbai International Airport becomes the first airport in Asia to launch ‘Taxiway Z’
In an effort to improve sustainable airport operations, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai has unveiled the first-of-its-kind ‘Taxiway Z’, a carefully thought-out project that extends the current taxiway P and significantly reduces carbon emissions. According to the airport, the new taxiway drastically reduces taxi time, which is advantageous for both the airlines and the passengers.
8. France bans flights shorter than 2 and a half hours, encourages to travel by train for short distances
On May 23, 2023, France approved the law that prohibits domestic short flights for distances that can be covered in 2 and a half hours by train. The decree was announced by France’s transport minister, Clement Beaune. “This is an essential step and a strong symbol in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Beaune said in a statement. “As we fight relentlessly to decarbonize our lifestyles, how can we justify the use of the plane between the big cities which benefit from regular, fast and efficient connections by train,” he added.
9. Ramgarh Crater in Rajasthan to be developed as a Geo Tourism Destination
Located near the town of Ramgarh in the Baran district, the Ramgarh Astrobleme, famously known as the Ramgarh Crater, is a meteor impact site with a diameter of about 3.5 km and was formed more than 600 million years. A tourist attraction will be built on the site of Ramgarh Crater, which the tourists would be to visit while enjoying their holiday in Rajasthan. The crater is one of three such meteor impact sites in India, the other 2 being Dhala Crater and Lonar Lake.
10. Kanpur Airport’s New Terminal 16 times Larger than the Current Facility inaugurated on May 26, 2023
On May 26, 2023, Kanpur’s new airport terminal was inaugurated. With a capacity to hold 400 passengers the new Kanpur Airport terminal is 16 times larger than the old airport of the city. The terminal will increase the connectivity of Kanpur to other major cities of Uttar Pradesh along with top cities in the country such as Mumbai and Bangalore. Inaugurated by CM Yogi, the airport terminal has 8 check-in points and 3 conveyor belts for a smooth travel experience.
11. Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal is all set to go green
With the introduction of electric vehicles, the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal is prepared to go green. By doing this, the airport will contribute to the campus’s carbon emission-free goal. Apparently, airports are one of the major sources of carbon emissions. The Airport Authority of India is also introducing electric vehicles at its offices and airports in an effort to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and control vehicular emissions.
12. Delhi International Airport may get 2 International Terminals soon
If all goes well, there may soon be 2 international terminals at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). Currently, all international flights are being operated at the Terminal 3 of IGI. On the other hand, Terminal 1 at IGI is undergoing significant renovations, which are scheduled to be finished by September 2023. As soon as T1 receives government approval after renovations, it will begin operating international and domestic flights.
13. Delhi Tourism Board to start the ‘Delhi by Evening’ initiative to explore the capital city after sundown
After the success of ‘Haunted Walk’ across haunted monuments of Delhi, the Delhi Tourism Board plans to launch the ‘Delhi by Evening’ initiative. Under this initiative, tourists will be taken across top tourist spots of the city like the National War Memorial, India Gate, Kartavya Path, Qutub Minar, Safdarjang Tomb, and Dilli Haat from 5 pm in the evening till 10 pm in the night on the weekends.
14. Indians can Now Travel to Kazakhstan Without a Visa
Kazakhstan becomes the latest country to join the list of visa free countries for Indians. As per the reports, Indian nationals can now visit the Republic of Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 14 days on each entry and for a total of 42 days within 6 months. Since you no longer need a Kazakhstan visa, how about getting a Kazakhstan tour package and flights to Kazakhstan to explore one of the underrated and least explored countries in Central Asia?
15. To ‘ensure ease of travel’ Delhi – Dehradun Vande Bharat Express flagged off by PM Modi
The first Vande Bharat Express train in Uttarakhand, which runs between Dehradun and New Delhi, was flagged off by PM Modi on May 25, 2023. He praised the people of Uttarakhand and said they would now be able to travel more quickly while launching the train. In addition, the trains provide a variety of amenities to make travel more comfortable.
16. 7 Historic and Religious sites across Guwahati to be connected by a hop on hop off Ferry Service
Visitors will soon have access to 7 historic and religious sites that are connected by waterways and located throughout Guwahati. As per the reports, an MoU on the subject was recently signed in Guwahati. The project will enable hop on hop off ferry service and connect the historic and religious sites of Kamakhya, Doul Govinda, Pandunath, Aswaklanta, Chakreshwar, Umananda, and Auniati Satra in Guwahati.
17. Harshil Valley – The newest destination for White Water Rafting in Uttarakhand
The Harsil Valley’s Bhagirathi River is now open for white water rafting as per the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board’s (UTDB) recent announcement. The initiative to develop the stretch between Jangla and Jhala bridges on the Bhagirathi River for white water rafting was taken under the Vibrant Village Programme. The valley is well-known for its significance in the Char Dham Yatra and its beautiful trekking routes, which many tourists visit as part of our Uttarakhand tour packages.
18. Yoga Mahotsav to be held in Hyderabad on May 27, 2023
On May 27, 2023, the Yoga Mahotsav will be held in Hyderabad at Parade Ground by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), which is a division of the Ministry of Ayush. According to the Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, several events have been planned in advance of the International Day of Yoga on June 21 to inspire people to not only incorporate yoga into their personal lives but also to share yoga’s rich cultural heritage with the rest of the world.
19. IndiGo announces direct flights between several Indian and Middle Eastern cities
As per the latest announcement, IndiGo will soon be operating direct flights between major Indin and Middle Eastern cities. The new routes and their date of operation are, Bangalore – Dubai, Lucknow – Dammam, and Kochi – Bahrain starting from June 1, 2023, and Ahmedabad – Jeddah from August 11, 2023. Along with these, seasonal flights between Chennai – Dammam and Kochi – Dammam were also announced.
20. Vietnam Airlines starts operations on Hanoi – Mumbai route
On May 20, 2023, Vietnam Airlines started operations on the Mumbai – Hanoi route. The Hanoi to Mumbai flight will operate 4 times a week. After Delhi, this is the second route of the airline connecting Vietnam and India.
21. IndiGo announces new domestic and international routes from Kolkata
Recently, IndiGo announced 5 new international and domestic flight routes to and from Kolkata. The routes include flights to Bangkok, Surat, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Goa. The services on the Bangkok route will start on June 3, 2023, Surat and Hyderabad routes will start on July 3, 2023, and Bangalore and Goa routes will start on June 26, 2023.
22. VietJet announces direct flights from Kochi to Ho Chi Minh City
In a bid to expand its network, VietJet has announced direct flights from Kochi to Ho Chi Minh City. Starting from August 12, 2023, the flight will be operating 4 times a week.
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 | 60 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
