Category: Top Stories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

More than a century old and Japan’s oldest zoo, unveiled the first baby elephant to be born there since its founding, and have sought help from the public for naming it. The choices are Arun, which means “dawn” in Thai, Atsadong (sunset), or Tawan (sun). The winning name will be announced on Dec. 15. The male calf was shown to the public for the first time this week since his birth at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens on the 31st of OCT. The baby was about 100 centimeters tall and 120 kg at birth, but he has grown considerably since. His ... Read more

Fondly caressing the back of a large Burmese python resting on his lap, 69-year-old Buddhist monk Wilatha is trying to play a part in saving hundreds of snakes that might otherwise be killed or destined for the black market. Wilatha has created a refuge for snakes ranging from vipers to cobras to pythons at the Seikta Thukha TetOo monastery in the commercial city of Yangon. Government agencies and residents of the city including the fire department, have been bringing captured snakes to the monk since the launch of the snake refuge, five years back. “Once people catch snakes, they will ... Read more

Ramayan Cruise Tour’ on the Saryu river in Ayodhya will be launched soon. Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways today chaired a review meeting for the implementation of cruise service. It will be the first-ever luxury Cruise service on the Saryu river (Ghagra/National Waterways-40) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It aims to give a mesmerizing experience to devotees with one-of-its-kind spiritual journeys while cruising through the famous ghats of the holy river Saryu. The cruise will be equipped with all luxury comfort and facilities along with all essential safety and security features at par with the global standard. ... Read more

Oman will resume issuing tourist visas to select categories of individuals, the country’s Supreme Committee dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic ruled on Monday, November 30. In June, it decided to extend the validity of tourist visas until March 2021. All tourist visas issued from March 1, 2020, until August 31, 2020, were eligible for the extension. A statement issued online by Oman News Agency (ONA) said, “The Supreme committee decided to allow the issuance of tourist visas to enter the Sultanate, provided that the arrival of tourists is within the framework of tourist groups organized by hotels and tourism companies.” ... Read more

With the pandemic changing the way we work, live, and travel, creative people like artists, musicians, and writers seeking a much-needed change of scenery from their homes and daily routines to recharge creatively and tap into their own pursuits and passions and Airbnb is right up there paving a way for their creative escapes. Fine artist and photographer Hilary Archer hit the road this summer to reignite her creativity after completing a certificate in Natural Science Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design this past May. In search of a way to launch her career as a wildlife artist, Hilary found ... Read more