Category: Top Stories

Etihad Airways has begun a month-long trial to test the SkyLights Aero Virtual Reality (VR) entertainment technology in order to gather customer feedback before introducing the offering at the Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi International Airport. The trial takes place at its First Class Lounge and Spa and Business Class Premium Lounge. “By conducting trials such as this, we already understand that modern travellers expect more information and seek increasingly connected and immersive experiences which engage and entertain them on every level. Gone are the days when a premium lounge experience just meant comfortable design, luxurious amenities and fine dining,” ... Read more

The first train between India and Bangladesh, dedicated to transport containers was flagged off from Kolkata. The new project would run on a trial basis and would pass through Sealdah, Naihati, Ranaghat and Gede in India, followed by entering Darsana and Ishurdi in Bangladesh. The train left for Bangladesh with 60 containers (1,200 tonnes) of animal feed. “The customs clearance for the train would be done easier, delivering the materials on time. Exporters forums had been lobbying for container trains to help them save time and significantly cutting costs,” said Harindra Rao, General Manager of Eastern Railway Zone. Meanwhile, the ... Read more

Beppu in western Japan, is famous for its natural hot springs, in which hoteliers are in competition with one another to draw tourist attention. Since the past five years, the city is showing good number of tourist arrivals with the continuous efforts from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ministry. The occupancy chart of the hotels and resort show the growth of tourism in the area. “Beppu is one of the world’s most famous hot springs resorts, but it didn’t have a luxury hotel of international fame. The wealthy Japanese market is very attractive, and inbound tourism is also booming.”, said ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: nytimes With an aim to boost tourism in the state, Karnataka government has decided to replicate New York’s famous Times Square in Bengaluru. The government is planning to build Bengaluru’s Times Sqauare at the Residency Road and Brigade Road intersection in central business district (CBD) where currently a war memorial is situated. “We want the city to have a Bengaluru Square similar to Times Square. We are planning it at the entrance of Brigade Road. Bengaluru is fast becoming a global city, and there should be something to celebrate that. We have asked Swati Ramanathan, the brain behind ... Read more

Emirates, the title sponsor of the US$10 million Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest day in racing, entertained guests off the track at the airline’s hospitality suite located in the Meydan Grandstand. Celebrating the airline’s upcoming launch to Santiago de Chile– the suite brought to life all of the country’s best-known elements including its historic beauty, local charm and delectable foods. Inspiring guests to get a glimpse of Chile’s food culture, Emirates’ hospitality offered a taste of the country’s distinct regions through a selection of live food stations showcasing some popular Chilean culinary delights. Emirates will start a five times ... Read more

India’s fastest train Gatimaan Express has been extended up to Bundelkhand Region w.e.f 1st April, 2018. The Train no 12049/50 Nizammuddin-Agra Cantt Gatimaan Exp. has been extended upto Gwalior/Jhansi for facilitating passengers. “The extension of this prestigious premium train will facilitate movement of tourists to various tourist attractions in and around Gwalior and Jhansi of Bundelkhand region. It will boost the tourism in the region,” said the Railway Ministry in a statement. Gatimaan Express was flagged off in April 2016. It runs at the maximum speed of 160 kmph. However, the stretch after Agra Cantt will allow Gatimaan Express to ... Read more

Royal Jordanian Airlines, the flag carrier of Jordan listed as the third most punctual airlines operating in the Middle East and African region. The airlines showed about 84.53 per cent on-time arrival, according to a report by FlightStats. In December 2017 the airline ranked 10th among other global carriers. “This is another achievement that adds to the compelling services and promotions, that we are offering in the Jordanian and global markets,” said Stefan Pichler, President and CEO, Royal Jordanian airlines. “Tracking our on-time performance helps us improve our operations, as we always aim for providing the best travel experience to ... Read more

As part of reducing the atmospheric pollution, Sweden, the Scandinavia country in Northern Europe, introduces aviation tax to all passenger flights operating from the country. “The objective of the tax is to minimise the carbon footprint of flights following a sharp increase in air travel,” said Isabella Lovin, Minister for climate and Greens spokeswoman. The added charges for the flights include 60 to 400 kronas ($7 to $49), with respect to the length of the flight. Meanwhile, babies in arms, flight crew and long-haul passengers were exempted from the tax. A mixed reaction has been raised in Sweden, as part ... Read more

A tourism delegation led by the Department of Culture and Tourism– Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has successfully concluded three-day, three city roadshow in China. The DCT Abu Dhabi conducted the roadshow to help raise awareness about the emirate as a holiday destination for Chinese travellers. The delegation, which included Etihad Airways, hotels, tour operators and attractions, visited Beijing on 19th March, followed by Nanjing on the 21st and Guangzhou on the 23rd. The latest tourism statistics reveal a 40.9 per cent increase, year-to-date, from visitors from China compared to 2017. In the first two months of 2018, 86,400 Chinese ... Read more

Norwegian international architecture company ‘Snohetta’ is about to launch, so-called world’s first energy-positive hotel at Artic Circle in around 2021. The main motto behind the architecture is to produce more renewable energy than it produce. To achieve this goal engineers will detail over 4800 sq metres of solar panels on its roof tops. “Nature in the Arctic is fragile and pristine. We have to respect the natural beauty of the site and not ruin what makes Svartisen an attraction in the first place,” said, Zenul Khan, Snohetta’s project manager. “The project further aims to create sustainable approach to tourism by ... Read more

Flydubai launched new mobile application for iOs with an aim to make your online experience easier and much more personalised. Customers can choose from more than 90 flydubai destinations, pay online or choose t pay later. You can also check in online, download your boarding pass and save it to your mobile wallet to save time at the airport. The app lets you add passengers, change travel dates, cancel or upgrade a booking, add optional extras or simply check a flight status. If you are an OPEN member, simply log in to your account and the app will save your ... Read more

Ginger Hotels opened their second hotel in Goa, the Ginger Goa at Dona Paula. Located on a hillock overlooking the Arabian Sea, Ginger Goa, enjoys a prime location and is situated between the Dona Paula beach and the Vainguinim beach. The hotel houses 24 beautifully designed rooms with a choice of a private terrace or a balcony. Ginger Goa, Dona Paula has a multi-cuisine restaurant, fitness center, swimming pool, efficient meeting facilities and seamless complimentary Wi-Fi. “We are extremely delighted to expand brand Ginger in Goa with the opening of Ginger Goa, Dona Paula; our second hotel in Goa and 17th hotel ... Read more

McDonald’s has decided to ban plastic straws in UK restaurants as a means to cut down on waste. McDonald’s UK announced that a small chunk of its 1,300 locations in Britain will be switching over to biodegradable paper straws in May, as part of a trial run. In the meantime, plastic straws will be available behind the counter and will be offered to customers upon request. “Customers have told us that they don’t want to be given a straw and that they want to have to ask for one, so we’re acting on that. Straws are one of those things that people ... Read more

The first nude beach on the island of Ireland will officially open at Hawk Cliff in Dalkey, south Dublin in April. Public notices are being posted in the area to warn fellow sunbathers not to be shocked at the sight of naked people roaming freely on the beach. Irish Naturist Association has been campaigning for a nudist beach for a while and finally got its wish when Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council agreed to display signs at Hawk Cliff warning people of nude sunbathers, a first for Ireland. According to Irish Naturist Association chief Pat Gallagher, Hawk Cliff is already popular with ... Read more

Cathay Pacific has decided to end its 70-year-old skirts-only rule for female uniformed staff after the flight attendants’ union won the right to wear trousers. The change would take place during the next uniform refresh, which is expected to be in three year’s time at the soonest. “We welcome and appreciate the company’s decision on giving us an option in choosing uniforms,” said Pauline Mak, vice chair of the Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Flight Attendants Association. She said many female colleagues had expressed concern over wearing short shirts while working, especially when putting passengers’ luggage into overhead compartments and also when ... Read more