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. Thiruvananthapuram Inaugurates First-ever Floating Bridge For Tourists
Under Kerala’s tourism ministry’s plan to boost tourism, Thiruvananthapuram recently inaugurated the first floating bridge at Papanasam beach in Varkala. Kerala’s tourism minister PA Mohammed Riyas has shared the government’s plan to construct floating bridges across districts with beaches, aiming to tap into the potential of water sports in Kerala. The Ministry is planning to elevate Varkala as an international tourist destination in the Kerala Tour Packages.
2. Study Reveals India To Be Fourth Largest Global Travel Spender By 2030
Projections are suggesting that India is witnessing one of the most rapid increases in travel expenditures among the world’s top 10 countries, with projections suggesting it will become the fourth-largest global spender on travel by 2030. Examining travel patterns for Indians, there has been a significant increase in the number of trips Indians are taking each year. From a travel spending of US$150 billion in 2019 travel expenditures are aiming to reach US$410 by 2030.
Several driving factors for global travel are cheap flights to select cities, social media or movies/ TV show influence or culinary experiences.
3. Himachal Pradesh ‘Jam-Packed’: Heavy Congestion, Traffic Leave The Hills Gasping For Air
With the whole country grappling with some year-end holiday spirit, tens of thousands of tourists have rushed for a Himachal Pradesh holiday. “On December 23, around 13,000 vehicles crossed ATR and on December 24, around 16,000 vehicles crossed ATR,” stated a police release. Huge crows are attracted towards Himachal at this time of the year to celebrate ‘White Christmas’ and peak snowfall.
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also appreciated the state’s police force for managing this massive influx in such low temperatures.
4. Welcome To Andaman Islands 5-Day ‘Island Tourism Festival’
The 5-Day ‘Island Tourism Festival’ is underway on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after a four-year hiatus. The festival started on December 27 and will go on till 31st December with performances of popular artists from around the world. Speaking to PTI, Nandini Maharaj, Special Secretary, Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said, “We are truly excited about hosting the Island Tourism Festival after four years. This year, we have tried to curate performances that appeal to a wide range of audiences.
5. IndiGo Announces Daily Mumbai – Ayodhya Direct Flights From Jan 15, 2024
Following the inauguration of the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya, IndiGo has also announced inaugural flights from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai from Jan 6, Jan 11 and Jan 15, 2024 respectively. Speaking on this, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to announce direct connectivity between Ayodhya & Mumbai, in addition to Delhi and Ahmedabad. These new routes will significantly promote travel, tourism, and trade in the region, contributing to economic growth and providing tourists direct access to Ayodhya…’
6. Visa Updates:
- Indonesia Now Offering 5-year Multiple Entry Visas, Aiming To Boost Tourism
In a bid to enhance tourism and business activities in Indonesia, the country’s visa strategy includes a new 5-year multiple entry visa policy that will allow visitors to stay in the country for a maximum of 6 months on each entry. The visa can be further extended for the next 5 years. The new policy, issued on December 20, 2023, has an added facility for online applications and payments.
With this upgraded policy for Indonesia Visa, the country is aiming to foster economic growth and reposition itself as a more accessible and attractive destination on the global tourism map.
- Innovative Visas: South Korea’s New Bid To Boost Tourism In 2024
Owing to the country’s immense cultural popularity, South Korea trips are a hot favourite among netizens. To capitalise on this popularity, South Korea is all set to invite 20 million foreign tourists with two new South Korea Visa categories- the digital nomad visa and the K-culture training visa. These visas will promote ‘workcation culture’ and Korean content training. More details regarding these South Korea visas will be out soon.
- Saudi Arabia Launches Unified Visa Application Platform For Hajj Pilgrims!
KSA Visa – This unified visa application platform was launched on 26th November 2023 by Saudi Arabia to streamline the process of applying for visas for Hajj, Umrah, tourism, business-related visits, and employment. The AI-based centralised system will help provide detailed guidance on Saudi Arabia visa requirements and application procedures.
Saudi is looking forward to raising the number of tourists visiting the country to 150 million visits annually by 2030.
7. Red Alert For Dense Fog In North India, Red Alert Issued Till 31st December
Owing to the dense fog which has blanketed parts of North India including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the same. “Dense Fog Advisory for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan and north Madhya Pradesh: Be careful while driving or outing through any transport. Use fog lights while driving. Be in touch with airlines, railways, and state transport for your journey schedule,” wrote the IMD on X.
Not only flights but trains are also facing delays due to dense fog. Advisory is also issued to discourage the public from taking their private vehicles or public buses during the least visibility time, i.e. from 4 AM to 10 AM. Extending its warning, the IMD predicted dense fog over Punjab and Haryana for the next five days.
8. Israel Gov Issues Warning To Israeli Citizens Travelling To India
Following an explosion near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday, what was possibly a quote-unquote ‘a possible terror attack’, the Israeli Government has issued a travel warning for its citizens travelling to or living in India. Israeli nationals have been warned to avoid crowded places and also be alert in public spaces. No casualties were recorded in the explosion, however, an investigation is underway by local authorities.
9. Karnataka Brings Back 7-Day Mandatory Isolation For Covid Patients
With positive covid cases rising in Karnataka, the state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that ‘individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in the state would have to undergo a mandatory week-long home quarantine’. People testing positive have been urged to isolate at home and workplaces have been asked to grant leaves to sick individuals. Currently, the toll of Covid positive cases in Karnataka is 430+. There are no restrictions regarding New Year celebrations or travel in Karnataka yet. However, the public is expected to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
10. 2023’s Busiest Flight Routes And Airports Revealed
Keeping up with the travel surge post-pandemic, global travel data provider OAG reveals the busiest flight routes and airports of 2023.
World’s Busiest Flight Routes
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport – Singapore Changi International Airport
- Cairo International Airport – King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah)
- Hong Kong International Airport – Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei)
- Incheon International Airport (Seoul) – Kansai International Airport (Osaka)
- Incheon International Airport (Seoul) – Narita International Airport (Tokyo)
- Dubai International Airport – King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh)
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta) – Singapore Changi International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York) – Heathrow Airport (London)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) – Singapore Changi International Airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) – Incheon International Airport (Seoul)
World’s Busiest Airports
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
- Dubai International Airport
- Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport
- Heathrow Airport (London)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Istanbul Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
11. Assam To Host ‘Kaziranga Bird Conservation Festival’ In January
Begin 2024, with an Assam trip as the Kaziranga National Park is all set to host the ‘Kaziranga Bird Conservation Festival’ on January 9-10, 2024. The festival’s theme for 2024 is ‘Conserving Birds using Citizen Science’. Its aim is to celebrate and safeguard the diverse bird species inhabiting Kaziranga National Park. The festival also extends an invitation to bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, college students, and members of civil society to actively participate in this event.
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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