Category: Top Stories

‘Basement tourism’ in Lucknow’s Chhatar Manzil

The Uttar Pradesh’s archaeological department is conducting excavations at Chhatar Manzil and Kothi Farhat Baksh, and said it will be open for tourists once the excavations works are completed. The restoration of the newly excavated storey, which was lying buried under the current structures, would be planned so as to facilitate the movement of tourists thereby giving the visitors a glimpse of the ‘buried’ past of the city. The Chhatar Manzil and Kothi Farhat Baksh is more than 200 years old and the archaeologists are expecting that there would be more such storey’s hidden under the surface. Chhatar Manzil once served ... Read more

Dubai to allow transit passengers to tour emirate

According to a proposal put forward by the Dubai Airports, it would soon allow the transit passengers to Dubai to leave the airport to experience the city in no time. “Dubai Airports proposes “Microcosm of Dubai” as part of @Dubai10X Initiative overseen by Dubai Future Foundation… In Dubai transit time will become tourism as passengers are encouraged to leave the airport to experience the city,” tweeted the Dubai Media Office through their official twitter handle. Around 4.5 million passengers transit through the Dubai International Airport every month, reaching more than 50 million a year. Of these, an estimated 46 million ... Read more

Malaika Arora to lead XYoga Dubai

Malaika Arora is Bollywood actress, performer, fitness, yoga enthusiast, and  what not! She has been making waves in the country and across the globe with her yoga pictures. Malaika is now joining a line-up of over 35 international and local experts at XYoga Dubai on March 16-17, at Dubai’s Kite Beach. More than 60 classes will be conducted at different zones, with the opening day featuring a mass yoga session at 8am. The registration to  over 60 complimentary classes & workshops designed can be accessed at www.xyogadubai.com. With 60 classes, 25 yoga styles and 35 yogis, the organisers are expecting over ... Read more

Air India operates all-women crew flight from Kolkata

Ahead of Women’s Day, Air India has operated a flight on the Kolkata-Dimapur-Kolkata sector today with an all-women cockpit and cabin crew as part of its celebration of International Women’s Day. The flight AI709, an Airbus 319, was operated by Captain Akanksha Verma and Captain Satovisa Banerjee in the cockpit while the cabin crew comprised D Bhutia, MG Mohanraj, T Ghosh and Yatili Kath. The flight was flagged off by Air India’s General Manager, Personnel, Navneet Sidhu along with other senior officials at the city airport — rolling out the events planned by Air India Eastern Region to commemorate the ... Read more

China to spent 1.1 trillion over defence

China is on a new mission to double strengthen their defence system through investing 1.1 trillion Yuan, which marks a budget of over $173 billion dollars. The new weapon lining of the army includes an aircraft carrier, stealth fighter jets, advanced missiles that are hybrid to work in both air and sea. China will also put forward their latest technology over submarines that can launch nuclear missiles. “We will stick to the Chinese path in strengthening our armed forces, advance all aspects of military training and war preparedness, as they guard the Chinese, national sovereignty and integrity, ” said Chinese ... Read more

Australia to introduce new visa to boost economy, jobs

The Australian Government is all set to introduce a new visa for people willing to establish businesses in the country. The visa will not require any mandatory funding outlay and an applicant only must be under 45 years of age and needs to demonstrate ‘vocational English’. With an aim to increase job opportunities, it will start a new visa to foster entrepreneurship and improve the state’s economy before its national roll out next year. The Federal Government has given an undertaking to South Australian Liberals to pilot this visa from South Australia. Under the new visa, foreign entrepreneurs and investors with ... Read more

China excels in Outbound Tourism

China, the most populous country in the world, had around 130 million outbound travellers in 2017, according to reports published by China’s prominent travel expert, Ctrip and China Tourism Academy. Tourists from China had spent around 111.5 billion US dollars for their holidays, that was 5 per cent more while comparing with the data from 2016. According to reports published by Chinese Government, Thailand listed the top where Chinese tourist flew the most. Over 9.48 million tourists arrived in the country in 2017. Japan-listed 2nd with over 7.36 million Chinese influence on their tourism chart, followed by South Korea 4.17 ... Read more

Dubai Airports welcomes inaugural SaudiGulf flight

Dubai Airports welcomed the inaugural flight of SaudiGulf Airlines at Dubai International’s (DXB) Terminal 1 with a traditional water salute followed by a cake cutting ceremony. SaudiGulf will operate double daily flights between the Saudi capital of Riyadh and Dubai. Riyadh is among the top ten city destinations for DXB in terms of traffic with more than 1.85 million passengers flying between the two cities in 2017.  

Dubai Culture launches eighth edition of ‘Live Our Heritage Festival’

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, launched the eight edition of the ‘Live Our Heritage Festival’ in the Global Village under ‘An Eye on Emirati Cultural Heritage’ theme. Running until 7th April 2018, the festival offers Global Village visitors a chance to enjoy an action-packed six-week programme of workshops and events focused on handicraft education in the UAE. The festival programme includes educational workshops focusing on traditional crafts in the UAE, such as: palm fronds braiding, veil making, thread weaving, perfume making, silver crafting and coffee making. Craftsmen will explain ... Read more

Smart pedestrian signals in 15 new locations

  The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has widened the scope of the Smart Pedestrian Signals Project in Dubai to cover 15 new locations after a successful trail debut on Al Saadah Street. The project is part of RTA’s efforts to realize the objectives of the Smart City initiative. The Smart Pedestrian Signals technology is the first of its kind in the region. “Smart Pedestrian Signals had been installed in several hotspots of Dubai including Al Muraqqabat, Al Rigga, Al Mankhoul, Baniyas, 2nd of December Street, Al Maktoum and Sheikh Khalifa Streets. They were also introduced at Al Barsha ... Read more

Multiple accidents hit Dubai-Sharjah traffic

Multiple road accidents occurred on Dubai’s major highways creating heavy traffic jams. Motorists are advised to drive safely and take alternative routes wherever possible. At least two accidents were reported on the Sharjah highway; one accident on E11 near Al Majlis Street and the other before the Dubai Trade centre intersection. Delays are also reported on E44 Al Awir road from Al Warqa to Ras Al Khor, Al Khail Road and on Sheikh Zayed Road near Al Barsha. Drivers can also expect delays along the E66 and E311 intersection near Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City.

Isobar India launches ‘The Blind Faith Upgrade’ as part of accessible tourism

Isobar India, the digital agency from Dentsu Aegis Network, has introduced the Blind Faith Upgrade, a thoughtful and cause-oriented initiative under accessible tourism. A sustainable step towards accessible tourism, this initiative explores the challenges faced by visually-impaired travellers and allows the hotel to transform any of its rooms into a visually-impaired-friendly room. The launch of the initiative was first introduced at Hotel Ramada, Ajmer. The Agency looks at expanding the initiative further to other corners of the tourism industry where accessibility is a major concern across the nation. A successful tourism product requires effective partnerships and cooperation across many sectors ... Read more

Cox and kings celebrates 260 years of service

One of the longest well-established travel companies, Cox and Kings have been a part of travellers across the world for 260 long years. And, today she turned 260, the company celebrated her birthday with much pomp and glory at a special event in New Delhi. The event was attended by Peter Kerkar, CEO Cox & Kings, followed by other dignitaries from the tourism industry. “Tourism sector had a positive aspect this year, Crossing 10 million tourist arrivals gave 27 billion dollar revenue to the country,” said Alphons Kannanthanam, Union Minister for Tourism, who was the chief guest of the evening. He also appreciated Cox ... Read more

Mysore Travel Mart 2018 begins; Min promises 3 new flights

Mysore is going to be well connected by air with Goa, Mumbai and Kochi, under the UDAAN scheme, promised K J Alphons, Union Minister for State for Tourism, while addressing the inaugural function of Mysuru Travel Mart 2018. The minister also said Dussehra, celebrated at the end of Navratri every year in October-November, would be celebrated as a global festival. “Our aim is to double the travel annual economy of India in 3 years. We are capable to rise up to global standards, with much cleaner cities/destinations compared to the ones earlier,” said the minister. “Mysore, which is known for its ... Read more

99-year-old swimmer sets world record

George Corones, a veteran swimmer from Australia sets new world record by completing 50-metre freestyle, in under 56.12 seconds for the 100-104 age category. Georg Corones, hailing from Brisbane, Australia took his career to the next level after attaining the age of 80, with his passion to exercise. George crowned the world record by smashing the previous achievement of a British swimmer, who took around 1.31 minutes to finish the same category spell. George, who is about to turn 100 in April, was overwhelmed by the cheering crowd, at Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. “It was an exemplary swim for me, ... Read more