Category: News

The Japanese government offers discounts to people to visit the northern island of Hokkaido, in order to reinstate tourism in the region, which was affected by a major earthquake early last month. The program named ‘Hokkaido recovery discount’ is for both Japanese and overseas visitors. Hokkadio during autumn For Japanese people, the government will bear 50 per cent of the accommodation costs for a one night stay, with a maximum subsidy of about USD 180. If the tourists stay at 2 locations, the subsidy will cover 60 per cent of the accommodation costs per night, with a total discount of ... Read more

China to open the world’s longest sea bridge for public on 23rd October 2018. The 55 km long bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao took six years of preparations and eight years for construction. Construction of the bridge began on 15 December 2009 and is expected to reduce travel time from Hong Kong to mainland China from three hours to 30 minutes. Major work on the bridge consisted of a 22.9 km long main bridge, a 6.7 km long tunnel and an artificial island off the bridge, which is considered the most technically demanding part of the whole construction. ... Read more

UAE to have major visa policy changes, which will came in to being from today, 21st October 2018. It is expected that the new visa rules will not just benefit expatriates, but boost the local economy as well. The visa policy changes include the extension of entry permits for visitors and visas for women. The Federal Authority for identity and Citizenship confirmed last week that it will begin extending the residency visa for widows and divorced women and their children for a year without a sponsor. The residency visas of students sponsored by the parents will also be renewed. The ... Read more

Alphons KJ, Union Minister for Tourism has announced Rs 32 crores worth tourism development projects in Kanyakumari. The project envisages different enhancement activities in the tourist center including a bridge between Vivekananda rock and Thiruvalluvar statue. Alphons has visited the site along with Pon Radhakrishnan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Shipping. Later Alphons has explained to the media, the various development activities planned for the coastal areas worth Rs 100 cores, under the ‘Swedeshi Darshan’ scheme of the Union Ministry and said the development activities in Kanyakumari will be part of these works. Kanyakuamri ... Read more

All the private celebrations of Dasara in the Mysore Palace stood suspended following the unexpected demise of two members of the royal family. The unfortunate events were on 19th October 2018. The first person was Puttarathnammanni (98), mother of Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who passed away early in the morning. She died at a private hospital and later her body was brought to the Summer Palace adjoining the Mysuru Zoo, where it was kept for viewing to very close members of the royal family and others close to the family. Puttarathnammanni was ailing for quite ... Read more

(Photo for representative purpose only) China’s presence in the 30th Montreal International Tourism and Travel Show, which kick started on 19th October 2018, was said to be impressive with their theme for the show ‘China beyond imagination’. More than 400 exhibitors from nearly 100 countries and regions have been participating in the three-day show, the largest tourism exhibition in Canada. The Chinese delegation, gathering members from the tourism development commission or bureaux of various local provinces, is among the largest participating teams in the show. Bright and colorful pictures depicting Chinese landscapes and local culture as well as handcrafts like ... Read more

The government of Malaysia is seeking possibilities to reduce the cost of visa for Chinese tourists in order to enhance the inbound tourists from China. “We will have to decide on a visa cost, which is not too high and ways on how to speed up the visa issuance process,” said Mahathir Bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was answering questions in the parliament. Mahathir acknowledged that there was a drop in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia recently. “Drop in Chinese tourists had not only affected Malaysia, but also other countries. During their national holidays between Oct ... Read more

Late night meanderers of Andhra Pradesh need not starve any more. The state government has given approval to extend the last closing time of eateries until midnight. Currently, eateries have to close shop by 10.30 pm Order has been issued by the Labour Department to this effect. It is expected that the move will encourage nigh life in the state and will contribute to tourism development. The extension in closing time is only for eateries and not applicable for bars. It has been a request from the restaurants and hotels of the state to extend the closing time. The request ... Read more

Tents arranged for Adventure Tourists at Netarhat Netarhat, renowned hill station in Letehar district of Jharkand beckons adventure lovers to experience the new amenities in the tourism center, which is popularly known as ‘Queen of Chotanagpur. For the first time, Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) has arranged low-cost, Swiss-style dormitory tents for anyone wish to have a thrilling excursion during Sharad Utsav, an annual carnival that began on October 1 and will continue through winter till February 2019. “This is the second edition of our Netarhat tourism festival. Each of the dorm tents can accommodate 15 persons. The tariff is ... Read more

Tourists thronging to the town of Habaraduwa, in Sri Lanka were welcomed by a signage which warns them not to wear improper swimwear to the beach. The signage, erected by the police, is all set t o be removed by the tourism department. Police has recently erected signs warning tourists against wearing “improper” swimwear to the beach — but the country’s tourism department is taking them down. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said that the signs, which depicted two women wearing bikinis, along with a large red ‘X’ over their photos, were placed at the popular resort destination of Habaraduwa ... Read more

Azerbaijan has its first National Tourism Summit on October 18, 2018. The event is organized by the State Agency for Tourism and the Bureau of Tourism of Azerbaijan. Representatives of government agencies, diplomatic corporations, personalities from tourism sector, local and foreign partner organizations and general public attended the summit. About 1,500 people participate in the event. While speaking on the occasion, Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Agency, reiterated the importance of developing tourism in Azerbaijan as one of the priority areas of the country’s economy. “Today is an important day for the State Agency for Tourism. As a state ... Read more

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts have concluded a three-city roadshow, covering Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi, to strengthen the brand’s ties with the Indian travel-trade fraternity. The roadshow was held to further strengthen their relations with the trade and also to introduce the newly opened properties by the brand – Zabeel House by Jumeirah. Around 18 Jumeirah properties participated in the road show. The event, which was attended by over 140 agents in each city, was a huge success. The guests were entertained with an hour-long performance of some stand-up comedy by popular comedian Atul Khatri. The India market has witnessed a considerable ... Read more

Palaikari Aqua Tourism Center Palaikari Aqua Tourism Center, an undertaking of Matsyafed (Fisheries Department of Kerala) is organizing two new tour packages for the public. The tour packages are connecting the three aqua tourism projects of the Matsyafed – Palaikari, in Vaikkom, Kottayam;  Njaraykkal and Malipuram in Ernakulam. “Inauguration of the tour packages will be held on 20th October 2018 at Palaikari Fish Farm. CK Asha, Vaikom MLA and PP Chitharanjan, Matsyafed Chairman will be the chief guests on the occasion”, said Nisha, Manager of the  Aqua Tourism Centers to Tourism News Live. The two tour packages are named after Bhoomika ... Read more

As part of the government’s anti-corruption drive, Ministry of Interior decided to make its visa extension facility online. With ‘Pakistan Online Visa System’, the ministry is set to launch the project within the next 2 weeks. The ministry has proposed the online visa programme to the Prime Minister’s Office as part of the government’s efforts to curb corruption in the offices dealing with the public. A senior official of the ministry said that with introduction of online visa extension system, the applicant will not need to visit the ministry for getting extension in his/her visa; rather he/she will apply online. When ... Read more

Budget passenger carrier IndiGo announced Hong Kong as its fifteenth international destination. The carrier will operate its daily non-stop flight between Hong Kong and Bengaluru, effective from December 11, 2018 at a starting all-inclusive fare of Rs 11,499. Customers willing to avail the services can book flight tickets via IndiGo’s official website- goindigo.in. The new flights are designed to cater to business and leisure, who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options, the airline said in a statement. “We are delighted to announce Hong Kong as the 15th destination in our international portfolio. One of the world’s ... Read more