Author: Tourism News live

Flying out of Delhi’s IGI Airport to become costlier

With Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) planning to to impose a new charge on passengers to survive the Covid-induced downturn , flying out of the national capital could soon cost more. DIAL has requested regulatory approval to charge Rs 200 and Rs 300 from every domestic and international outbound passenger, respectively till March 2024. DIAL had already petitioned the aviation ministry last week to “direct” AERA to factor in the Covid impact on its revenue while determining the airport’s tariffs, and  had warned of a “serious cash-flow deficit situation”, which would make it “difficult to continue airport operations”. DIAL’s comments ... Read more

Iran’s Kandovan, the only rocky village in the World

Kandovan is located in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran, in the city of Oscu, and is famous for its rocky structure. The village has been registered as a valuable work in national works of Iran, and it has a worldwide reputation and it is the only rocky village in the world. The weather in the Kandovan village is mountainous and bungalow. And in the cold seasons, the heating of the rooms is done through the floor. Kandovan village has 700-year-old rocky houses and a unique view, encouraging tourists to travel to the beautiful weather spot on the slopes of one of the most ... Read more

“Book a Holiday at Home” – Tourism Australia’s Holiday Gifting Campaign to boost domestic tourism

Australians are being encouraged to give the gift of travel this festive season with a new campaign aimed at inspiring travellers to help give back to operators and communities across the country during what is typically their busiest period by booking a tourism experience. With domestic travel restrictions continuing to ease, the latest marketing push from Tourism Australia urges those who have the means to, to take the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones while enjoying one of the many experiences on offer across Australia, from a city staycation to a winery tour, a surf lesson or a wellness retreat. ... Read more

Visit Britain announces flagship travel trade Explore GB Virtual for 2021.

Explore GB Virtual, taking place from the 1 March to the 5 March 2021, will invite international buyers to connect online with travel trade suppliers from across the UK to do business and boost bookings. Attendance is free with registrations set to open from mid-December. Visit Britain Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “Using a tried and tested online platform Explore GB Virtual will give travel industry suppliers and destinations from across the UK the chance to get their products and services in front of top global buyers and forge valuable business connections. “As well as the opportunity to do business, ... Read more

Discover Qatar partner with Ponant to offer  ‘Whale Sharks of Qatar’ expedition cruise

Discover Qatar, the destination management subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has announced the launch of its very first expedition cruise series, which will offer guests an awe-inspiring experience while travelling in luxury and comfort around Qatar’s coastline. The cruises, which are designed for seasoned and adventurous travellers, provide a unique opportunity to observe the largest gathering of the world’s largest living fish – the Whale Shark – in the Al Shaheen marine zone. Whale Sharks often referred to as ‘gentle giants’, are estimated to have existed for 60 million years. They can live up to 100 years and grow up to ... Read more

72 hours Quarantine free journeys would boost International Business Travel – WTTC

International business travel could restart if an agreement is secured to safeguard journeys of up to 72-hours free from quarantines, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The joint recommendation for the short stay exemption comes from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (EASA/ECDC) and is welcomed by WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector. EASA and ECDC have joined forces to call for an exemption on quarantine for people travelling for less than 72 hours, a move which WTTC believes could signal the return of international ... Read more

MOT explores possibilities of Travel Insurance for International Visitors

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is believed to have started preliminary discussions with the major players of the insurance sector as well as the  Ministry of Finance exploring the possibilities of introducing travel Insurance to boost the confidence of international visitors. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General – Tourism while speaking at a webinar organized by the Federation of Associations of Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) said that the government is considering different international models like that of the Singapore government in this regard so that at least a structure can be put in place. Brar said that reassuring ... Read more

Get up close with Mona Lisa at the Louvre

With coronavirus pandemic keeping visitors away, in Paris, the Louvre is offering time close-up with the “Mona Lisa” and a walk along the French museum’s historic rooftop at an auction to help plug a gaping hole in its finances. The Louvre received nearly 10 million visitors in 2019, but has been closed for more than five months this year during two coronavirus lockdowns. While it was open in the summer, numbers through the gate were down by as much as 75% during peak months. The highest bidder at the auction will get the chance to witness the annual examination of ... Read more

Agra Metro Project inaugurated by PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th DEC inaugurated the construction of the Agra metro project via videoconferencing. Present at the occasion were Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. PM while inaugurating the ₹8,379.62-crore project, expressed hope that tourism will rebound after the pandemic situation improves. The Agra Metro project comprises two corridors with a total length of 29.4-km and connects major tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra with railway stations and bus stands. The project will not only benefit the 26 lakh population in ... Read more

World Travel Awards 2020 unveils winners

Winners include the Maldives, which cemented its reputation as the definitive secluded sanctuary to win ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the first time. Portugal also performed strongly, with Madeira voted ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’, Lisbon named ‘World’s Leading City Break Destination’ and The Algarve picking up ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination’. Russia’s imperial splendour was recognised with the award for ‘World’s Leading Cultural Destination’, and its cities emerging with top honours: Moscow was voted ‘World’s Leading City Destination’ and Saint Petersburg collected ‘World’s Leading Cultural City Destination’. Greek Ministry of Tourism/GNTO was voted ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’. In the hospitality sector, Armani ... Read more

Sun, Sand and Sea- It’s Better in the Bahamas this winter

With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly away escape that transports travelers away from there every day. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples, and adventurers In an effort to make planning a safe, much-needed Bahamian getaway more seamless, the Ministry of Tourism introduced an interactive map that provides visitors with an island-by-island guide of the most up-to-date guidelines, including business hours ... Read more

Nepal Tourism shares it’s reopening strategy

Nepal Tourism is planning to have a phased out reopening strategy for tourism activities in the country. Starting with Everest climbing the authorities plan to extend the activities without compromising on the health and safety aspects. Speaking on the re-opening strategy Mr. Dhananjay Regmi, Chief Executive Officer, Nepal Tourism said “If we open whole Nepal at a time, then maybe it will give a wrong message to the world that we are not very much concerned about their health. So what we did, we first started the climbing, and then we opened this with trekking together from October 1st, and ... Read more

Dubai Festivals launches Comprehensive Events Calendar for 2021

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) unveils its comprehensive 2021 Retail Calendar, with citywide events, activations and experiences set to fully support the emirate’s economic and tourist development goals. Created to attract both residents and visitors to the city’s impressive line-up of destinations, attractions and world-class malls, the calendar is packed with 15 festival campaigns spread throughout 2021. With this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge and Diwali currently underway, plus the UAE National Day celebrations poised to begin, the announcement of DFRE’s annual program for 2021 reinforces the city’s status as the premier destination for holidays as well as memorable lifestyle ... Read more

The Parisian way of life reinvented by Tourism Professionals in France

Paris, along with the rest of the world, has faced a health crisis that has had an enormous impact on the tourism industry. The whole sector has demonstrated its resilience and proven, week after week, its ability to reinvent itself and adapt in order to offer visitors to the capital truly unique experiences that comply with the current health and safety measures. To shine the spotlight on Paris’s tourism professionals, the Paris Tourist Office releases a press kit every month that includes the latest openings, new attractions and exclusive interviews. Just to highlight initiatives in the French capital being taken ... Read more

Camping Van dining beats Lockdown in Belgium

Through some innovative moves, a Belgian restaurant has got the orders ticking during lockdown by serving seafood to its customers in camper vans. COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily banned indoor dining. But restaurants were allowed to serve food outside and also do takeaways. At the “Matthias and Sea” restaurant, people can just rent a vehicle or bring their own, park it outside and wait for masked restaurant staff to bring their favorite food over from the kitchens. As per the restaurant Owner Mattia Collu he got the idea while delivering orders to people’s houses in and around his base in the ... Read more