Category: Top Three Stories

Photo Courtesy: scmp Sri Lanka said it has received 707,924 tourists in the first three months of this year, recording an increase of 17.1 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. “Lanka could have attracted more tourists in March if not for the outbreak of communal violence in Galle and the subsequent declaration of the state of Emergency,” said Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga referring to the emergency declared in the island country last month following a communal violence between muslims and Buddhist groups. India, China, Germany, France and the UK are the biggest tourist markets for Sri Lanka. ... Read more

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has launched Naqel Service allowing buses owned by passenger transport companies and licensed in the Emirate to lift passengers arriving in Dubai for returning them to other Emirates. The step is part of RTA’s endeavours to realise its third strategic goal (People Happiness), curb traffic congestion, and avoid returning buses without riders or obliging companies to contract with other firms. “Naqel Service, which is operative through RTA’s website is an initiative allowing buses owned by passenger transport firms to load passengers arriving in Dubai and lift them for returning to other Emirates. Through ... Read more

Qatar Airways is introducing two additional daily flights to Muscat, commencing April 10 and June 15. The additional flights will take the airline’s daily services to Muscat to seven, and will meet the increased demand of tourists visiting Oman, as well as that of transit travellers flying via Doha to the Far East. “We are delighted to offer two more daily frequencies to Muscat, one of our most sought-after destinations. These new services, coinciding perfectly with the arrival of the summer holidays, will provide passengers even greater flexibility and convenience in connecting to one of the many destinations on our ... Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off new bi-weekly all electric Humsafar Express connecting Katihar to New Delhi. The PM has arrived in Bihar to address “Swachchh Bharat Mission” volunteers as part of the concluding celebration of Champaran Satyagraha centenary launched by the Bihar Government in April last year. The country’s first all-electric high speed locomotive is made with the help of a French company under Make-In-India Project at Madhepura Rail Loco factory in Bihar. The first engine to be rolled out from the factory has 12000 HP capacity, more than double of existing locomotives and capable of pulling along ... Read more

Myanmar has introduced a fast-track tourist visa that delivers confirmation within 24 hours of the application, year-round, including public holidays. The Tourist Visa Express Service, launched on a trial basis, has come with a streamlined approval process for all nationalities that are eligible for an e-tourist visa. The application is made online at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population’s website and would cost USD 56. There is a 24-hour turnaround approval via an email confirmation, 365 days of the year.

The Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission is crafting a new web portal which will enable art lovers to make online booking of performances.  Performers will put up their work along with the details of the artists on the site. The portal is aimed at promoting local art forms, including dance, music, via online marketing. Artists who are interested in being part of the initiative can register at the mission’s district offices. “The unique initiative will offer a digital platform for artists to reach out to wider audiences. It will also make it easier for programme organisers to get their favourite artist ... Read more

An earthquake measuring over 6.1 magnitude shook western Japan earlier today. The quake wounded over five people and collapsing buildings and roads. The tremor shook the western Honshu located 96 km north of Hiroshima. Five persons are reported to be injured. No other severe casualties were reported other than damages to properties. Meanwhile, the nuclear power station located nearby the spot, were reported safe by the authorities. Around 150 houses lost regular water supply and electricity. Japan’s unique location at the ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Pacific, is the main reason behind the episodes of volcanos and earthquakes. On 11th March, ... Read more

Flying in and out of Mumbai for the next two days as the main runway will remain closed due to the pre-monsoon maintenance work on the main runway. The routine exercise to remove rubber deposits on the runway will be carried out on April 9 and 10 for six hours each day between 11 AM and 5 PM. Though, the secondary runway will be functional during the maintenance work, several flights are expected to be rescheduled and cancelled. On Sunday, Jet Airways had released a list of rescheduled and cancelled flights on its website. “Due to pre-planned maintenance activities before the ... Read more

Tourist locations in all around the state are turning into nightmares, as risky selfies becomes a common practice among the youngsters. Kottayam, on the other side blessed with most of the scenic attractions reports a wide number of selfie death. Meanwhile, the Centre government has issued strict instructions for the state government to locate no-selfie zones at various dangerous locations. Death incidents are also reported with tourist falling off from the houseboat, selfies with animals during festivals, falling off from slippery rocks, stunt practices on railway tracks. Tourist spots such as Illikkal Kallu in Kottayam needs strict warnings signs to ... Read more

On a mission to curb the increasing emissions and global warming, the Scandinavian nation Norway aims to come up with electric engines in Aviation. “Many people say that we must get rid of air transport because we will never be able to deal with emissions and noise, but this is an outdated approach,” said Ketil Solvik-Olsen, Norwegian Transport Minister. Norway, the expertise in electric vehicles aims to follow zero emission by 2025. Additionally, the government within 20 years, plans to electrify all the short-haul flights using electric propellers. “In my mind, there is no doubt by 2040 Norway will be ... Read more

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has come up with a new innovative cash prize offer for the lucky passengers. To avail the offer the user has to link their respective Indian Railways user ID with a valid Aadhaar number. The offer is limited, as it is valid only from January 2018 to June 2018 ticket bookings. On the other side, users can also benefit the offer via booking tickets using government’s BHIM/UPI app. According to railway, around 5 lucky winners are chosen randomly in the second week of the month to win the cash award. Meanwhile, IRCTC also ... Read more

No matter where in Europe travellers plan to explore, they can travel confidently with its new travel medical insurance, says EuropeTravel Plus. Created by Visitors Coverage, in partnership with global benefits and assistance services leader International Medical Group (IMG), EuropeTravel Plus provides international travel medical insurance coverage for non-US citizens travelling to Europe while also meeting and exceeding the EU’s published insurance requirements for the Schengen visa. The plan offers coverage up to 90 days, a $0 deductible option and minimum coverage of $50,000. In addition, the visa letter confirming coverage can be emailed directly to the customer after purchase. ... Read more

There’s no one who has not complained about the insanely high prices the restaurants and eateries at the multiplexes charge from the customers. But, from now on, you can buy food and water from Mumbai multiplexes at regular prices. Noting that the cost of food and water inside multiplexes was exorbitant, the Bombay High Court observed that it should be sold at regular prices. The Maharashtra government told the court that it would soon frame a policy on the issue. A division bench of justices SM Kemkar and MS Karnik was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mumbai resident ... Read more

Southern railway said it will operate special fare special train between Kochuveli and Kamakhya, via Podanur, Katpadi, Perambur from April 8, to clear the extra rush towards Guwahati sector. Train No.06336 Kochuveli – Kamakhya special fare special train will leave Kochuveli at 2 pm on Sundays from April 8 to May 27 and reach Kamakhya at 8.10 am on Wednesdays. Train No.06335 Kamakhya- Kochuveli special fare special train will leave Kamakhya at 11.05 pm on Wednesdays from April 11 to May 31 and reach Kochuveli at 10.30 pm on Saturdays. The train has one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, seven ... Read more

Saudi Arabia is all set to host its first fashion week from April 10 to 14 at the Ritz Cartlon in Riyadh. The four-day event will feature local Arab designers and European brand names including Roberto Cavalli and Jean Paul Gaultier. “Since the initial announcement made in February, Arab Fashion Week Riyadh has garnered significant interest from international guests wanting to attend,” said Layla Issa Abuzaid, the country director for Saudi Arabia at the Arab Fashion Council. The event, which was scheduled to be held in February, got postponed “to accommodate all the international guests who had applied to attend,” said ... Read more