Category: Top Stories

Qianqing Palace There’s one more reason to visit the forbidden city in Beijing. The corridors of Qianqing Palace, also known as the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the largest hall of the inner court of Beijing’s Forbidden City, was brightly decorated by the Palace lanterns were hung up after 200 long years. The palace lanterns, a must-have decoration for the traditional Spring Festival during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1369-1912), finally returned to restore a cultural atmosphere to the former imperial palace complex. The lanterns will form part of an exhibition which is scheduled to open on January 6. Dubbed “Celebrating the ... Read more

One of the coldest times of the season, the temperature of Ladkh has not been going above the freezing point from the beginning of December. The nights are chilling and temperatures hover around -20°C. Days are still bearable with 2°C as average temperature. Today, 29th December, the temperature is -17 °C Most highways are closed and Ladakh remains practically inaccessible during these months. Frostbites are common and most locals develop scales and cracks on their skins. The freezing temperature is making favourable environment to promote winter sports as well as winter tourism in the region. Ice Hockey has been played commonly ... Read more

One of most anticipated films of the year, Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Zero’, has been making fans go awestruck looking at the shooting locations of the movie. Six of the movie’s locations were shot in Alabama and they are now open to fans. Alabama is preparing for a ‘Zero’ rush, said the Deputy director of Alabama Tourism Department. Here’s a list of six ‘Zero’ locations for you to visit when you plan your holidays next time. The US Space and Rocket Centre The US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is a museum operated by the government of Alabama, showcasing rockets, ... Read more

Severe winter storm in the central US has killed more than 3 people and lead to 500 flight cancellations. Around 5,700 delays were also reported on December 28. The north central plains and the Midwest of US were reported to be covered with eight to 12 inches (20-30 centimeters) of snow. The heavy snow and high winds snarled air and ground transportation during this busy holiday travel period. The condition is expected to be worsen in the coming days in the southwestern state of New Mexico, along with a deluge of rain in some southern and eastern states — ruining New Year travel plans ... Read more

Antartica is often treated as a not-so approachable destination, though it is one of the most interesting destination a traveller ever want to go. Those who make it to the frozen continent, always take guided tours with preparations starting months before. Everyone who had tried to go on themselves gave up or died. Colin O’Brady, a 33-year-old American adventurer, just changed the whole concept of travelling to Antartica, and became the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided. O’Brady finished his 932-mile, 54-day journey on December 26, 2018 at the Ross Ice Shelf. He carried everything he had needed throughout the journey ... Read more

In a bid to offer aesthetic beauty, comfortable stay and entertainment to the visitors, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said it will celebrate first of its kind festival, Purnima Mahotsav. MTDC will organise cultural programmes and literature festival at 23 of its resorts. Every month on ‘purnima’ or full moon day, visitors can enjoy the cultural programme and literature festival at MTDC resorts. This initiative will not only provide a platform to the artists but will also help in conserving the rich heritage and culture. Tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal inaugurated the Purnima Mahotsav at Tadoba resort.

Gua Damai Xtream Park Selangor, the state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, has enlisted the top destinations of the state those would attract travellers in 2019. The venues range from a water theme park to a fruit farm and an outlet mall. According to the state’s tourism agency, these places and experiences have all emerged as coveted tourism destinations only recently. The Royal Klang Heritage Walk, Sky Mirror, Gua Damai Extreme Park, Bangi Wonderland, Tanjung Sepat, Selangor Fruits Valley and Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA are among the favourite list. The tourism department also envisages making the state’s ecotourism ... Read more

Kasargod, the northern district of Kerala, bordering Karnataka, is known to be the land of seven languages and several cultures. The district has famous tourist centers, including the international fame Bekal Fort and beach. Kasaragod is known for its forts, rivers, beautiful hills and pristine sandy beaches. Apart for high class accommodations for tourists, Kasargod is blessed with lots home-stays and farm houses, who host visitors in the traditional indigenous manner. Those who wish to be away from the hassles of city life can escape to one of the farm houses to have a peaceful and enjoyable home-stay. A farm ... Read more

Ghanaian radio and TV presenter, Abeiku Aggrey Santana, who in 2016 was announced as a Tourism Ambassador for Ghana, suggest promoting sex as a tourism booster in the country. Santana says most tourists come to Ghana not only for the tourist sites, rich culture and history but to also to experience Ghana’s men and women. “Sex tourism is not a promotion of promiscuity, what we are saying is, let’s have interracial marriage or relationships. When foreigners come let them like you as a man or woman and when that happens they will tend to continue the relationship with you,” said ... Read more

from the film Munguru Male Karnataka government is planning to provide incentive for filmmakers who showcase the state’s tourist spots in their films. A ‘Film Tourism Policy’ will be framed in this regard. Recently Kannada film Mungaru Male, which captured the beauty of the Fog falls, has induced tourists to visit the falls in large groups. Authorities say the inflow of tourists to the waterfall has increased dramatically after the release of the film Jogg Falls “The main intention is to encourage filmmakers to shoot in Karnataka’s famous tourism destinations so that those destinations get publicity in different parts of ... Read more

Doha Festival City (DHFC), participating in Shop Qatar 2018, is preparing to host the closing ceremony raffle draw for the third consecutive year, it was announced yesterday. Shop Qatar organised by the Qatar National Tourism Council is an annual event that brings shoppers in Qatar massive discounts across various retailers and the opportunity to win extravagant prizes. This year, DHFC has been chosen to host the closing ceremony raffle to conclude the Shop Qatar festivities on January 20, 2019. according to a statement. “We are honoured to be chosen to host the Shop Qatar closing ceremony for the third year ... Read more

Travel Leaders Corporate, an award-winning leader in business travel, has released an analysis of its clients’ aggregate business travel bookings from the third quarter of 2018. Data shows that the cost of business trips are continuing to rise, however, Travel Leaders Corporate clients show no slowdown in travel. Domestically, the total cost of a business trip is at a record high of $1,073, a four per cent increase from Q2 and an eight per cent increase from Q3 2017. Looking at trip components, the data shows that rising hotel costs are driving this increase. Quarter over quarter, there is a ... Read more

Adventure seekers of Jharkhand and the neighbouring states are going to have fun and adventure filled trips in various parts of the state next month. The state tourism department is all set to conduct adventure tourism events in various districts of Jharkhand from January 11 to 20. Ranchi, Betla, Netarhat and Chandil Dam are the locations identified for the events,; where over 20 types of adventure activities will be organized. Various events which people can enjoy includes cycling, bullock cart ride, trekking, stargazing, paragliding, paddle boating, rock climbing, kayaking, rope course, fishing, bungee jumping, cliff jumping, banana boat ride, barefoot ... Read more

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will organise the longest fireworks display ever staged along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River as part of celebrations to mark the arrival of the New Year at midnight on 31st December 2018. Called the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019”, the spectacular display will last a full five minutes and is expected to be witnessed by more than a million people in the proximity of the river and beyond. The Countdown festivities are jointly organised by the largest coalition of public and private sector organisations which are collaborating to stage a single, synchronized show that can become a ... Read more

The start of the year marks our declarations of healthy living and losing those newly gained holiday pounds. One of the perks of lovely year-round weather is the opportunity to get outside and participate in activities so enjoyable, you won’t even realize they’re technically exercise. Many of Sarasota’s most popular yoga studios feature indoor and outdoor classes, and Siesta Key Beach makes the perfect setting for restorative yoga on one’s own. Yoga Nights at the Ringling Art Museum merges sun salutations with historic art for a unique, memorable evening. Stand Up Paddleboarding is a fun adventure and a phenomenal workout. ... Read more