Category: Top Stories

New York City, as part of initialising the green protocol, is about to ban cars from entering to their most esteemed Manhattan Central Park. The 843 acre Central Park was established in 1857 and was designed by architect Frederick Law Olmsted and landscape designer Calvert Vaux. However, vehicles can encircle the nearby pathway of the park within the specific lanes in West Drive, Terrace Drive and Center Drive. The new law is as part of reducing air pollution and traffic accidents, that will come into effect on 27th June. “This was not the purpose of this park, to be built ... Read more

The Etihad Airways stand at the Arabian Travel Market 2018 in Dubai hosts humanoid robot Sophia, the AI-powered robot who is famous for its speech at the UN and interviewing celebrities and world leaders alike. Sophia was named the United Nations Development Programme’s first ever Innovation Champion for Asia and the Pacific, and is also the first robot in the world to have a nationality, after being granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. Sophia will take part in a one-on-one interview with host Damian Watson, head of station at Abu Dhabi Media Company, to discuss the future of innovation and technology in ... Read more

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has launched Tourism 2.0, a blockchain-enabled marketplace that connects potential buyers directly to hotels and tour operators. The initiative, which is DTCM’s contribution to Dubai 10X, will further the department’s mission to establish Dubai as the leading destination for global travel, business and events by 2020. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of Dubai Future Foundation’s Board of Trustees, launched the bold plan, among a host of innovative proposals for Dubai 10X at the 6th World ... Read more

Thiruvananthapuram-based Vowstay Specialty Stays, has launched VowStay app, an exclusive platform that facilitates hotel booking anywhere in Kerala. The app enables customers to book budget, comfort, premium, and luxury hotel rooms at the best competitive rates, the VowStay app provides an option to choose hotels, resorts, home stays etc, as per the travelers’ choice. The new app lists out all specialty stays available across Kerala and travellers will be able to choose their hotels of choice as per their interest. “The foremost advantage of the VowStay app is that it helps in exploring destinations. “A traveler can explore all destinations ... Read more

The II UNWTO World Conference on Smart Destinations, promoted by the UNWTO together with the Kingdom of Spain and the Government of the Principality of Asturias, call for creative videos from entrepreneurs and companies in line with the themes of innovation, technology and sustainability in tourism. The last date for the submission is April 30, 2018. The Conference will serve as a forum to debate academically research work on future tourism models, based on Innovation and Technology, which allow Accessibility and Sustainable Development of tourism and the territories in the 21st century. “The Conference recognizes the key role of entrepreneurs and ... Read more

Mount Rinjani, an active volcanic mountain located at Lombok Island in Indonesia has been recognised as National Geopark by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “Alhamdulillah (Praise to Allah) I just received the news that the Unesco executive board had recognized Geopark Rinjani as the latest member of its Unesco Global Geopark,” said Chairul Mahsul, Rinjani Geopark General Manager. The mountain has a length of over 3,726 metre which ranks 38th in terms of its height. The top end part of the mountain consist of a lake named Segara Anak Lake with hot springs. As per certain religion, ... Read more

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched Tourism Information and Service Hub, an online platform that allows businesses to contribute and access content, including travel software services for use on digital channels. The new platform, which was announced last year, is the first of its kind and acts as a one-stop tourism resource for businesses. Businesses can upload their operating hours and events to gain exposure, while businesses here and abroad may download such information and have updates automatically reflected on their linked websites and mobile applications. ‘The platform addresses an industry need to have more up-to-date information about tourism offerings and to ... Read more

Around three lakh tourists arrived by air to Nepal in the first three months of 2018. The latest figures on tourist arrivals by air route were released by the Department of Immigration. As per the data, 286,882 tourists arrived in Nepal via air route in January, February and March. The highest number of tourists arrived from China with forty thousand Chinese tourists arriving in Nepal via air in these three months. Similarly, 34 thousand Indian tourists have arrived by air over this period. The first three months of 2018 posts a 11.4 per cent increase compared to the number of ... Read more

Darjeeling’s much-famed toy train will soon be taking tourists to the many tea gardens across the hill stations. It has entered into an agreement with the West Bengal Tourism for offering the new rides. The main objective of this initiative is to offer tourists with an immersive experience of Darjeeling’s tea gardens through toy train tours, in style as that of the Palace on Wheels of the Indian Railways. The trains will also halt at tea gardens and let tourists stay a day or two at tea estates of their choice, which will help interested travellers to learn about tea ... Read more

The international tourist arrivals recorded a growth of 14.1 per cent last year in Bhutan whereas the number of regional tourists visiting the country in terms of percentage saw a dip by more than 50 per cent in 2017 compared to the previous year. A total of 183, 287 regional visitors visited Bhutan in 2017, recording an increase of 24.9 per cent as compared to 2016, which saw a total of 146,797 visitors. The percentage increase of regional tourist decreased in 2017 by more than 50 per cent. Bhutan saw an increase of 50.43 per cent in 2016 compared to ... Read more

China becomes an integral part of Turkish tourism, as around 2,50,000 Chinese tourists came to Turkey back in 2017. “China will become one of the most important tourism partners of Turkey in the very near future,” said Numan Kurtulmus, Culture and Tourism Minister at 14th China International Tourism and Travel Fair held in Beijing. Various tourism promotional activities are planned among the Asian countries namely China, India, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia, added the minister. About 38 million active international tourist arrivals are expected by the authorities in 2018. Meanwhile, a bilateral talk between Chinese Culture Minister Luo Shugang and Numan Kurtulmus ... Read more

It was a revolution in the SUV segment when Mahindra launched its first SUV 500 back in 2012. The car was recognized with its stylish aggressive design inspired by a wild cheetah, with affordable pricing and quality output, the car within no time was able to attract a huge fan base among car lovers. The new XUV 500 facelift comes with a newly refined four-cylinder (electronically controlled variable geometry turbocharged) 2.2-litre, (mHawk155) diesel engine that creates 155 Bhp, while the petrol engine remains same with 153 Bhp output. The new model also comes with 6-speed manual, as well as, automatic unit. The ... Read more

The 33rd IATO convention held in Odisha The four-day 34th annual convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) will be held at Hotel Novotel in Visakhapatnam from September 6 to 9. Tourism Minister KJ Alphons would inaugurate the convention on September 6.  The association will also organize  ‘IATO Run for Responsible Tourism’ on September 7 at 6 AM, starting from Beach Road, followed by panel discussions regarding tourism promotion in the State and domestic markets. “IATO meet was being organised for the first time in the State. About 1,100 tour operators would take part in the convention wherein latest developments ... Read more

We have heard of all kinds of tourism by now. And, this time its not just a fancy affair, tourism for some of the most brilliant minds across the world. Kozhikode is all set to tap the potential of becoming a quiz tourism centre as it is about to host one of the biggest quiz festivals in the world in June. The eight-day festival organised by Quiz Kerala, the first registered quiz society in Kerala, as part of the 16th edition of the annual World Quizzing Championship organised by the London-based International Quizzing Association (IQA) would commence on June 2. ... Read more

The long-haul flights have been a headache for travellers, as it is tiring and time-consuming for international business travellers. Space X, the American aerospace manufacturer, owned and operated by Elon Musk has found a solution. The company would introduce rocket technology in long-haul flights within the next 10 years. Gwynne Shotwell, the company’s chief operating officer spoke at the TED show in Vancouver, stating that the company also aims to fly to Mars within 10 years. About 100 passengers in one stretch can be filled inside a Big Falcon Rocket, that can commute travellers from London to Shanghai within half ... Read more