Category: News

The American National Travel and Tourism office announced that they will not discharge the data regarding international arrivals to the country. According to a statement issued by the department of tourism, the matter has been raised as part of a technical glitch. Meanwhile, the US Customs and Border Protection has also raised similar statement, as they won’t release new records until the records in question are properly counted, identified and categorized. The citizens of US weren’t counted correctly, while transiting through the checkpoints. “Therefore, those travellers were removed from the visitor count of overseas travellers arriving into the United States, ... Read more

Chile is planning to ease visa regulations for Venezuelans fleeing Maduro. In light of the “grave democratic crisis” gripping Venezuela, President Sebastian Pinera said he was creating a so-called visa of “democratic responsibility” which Venezuelan citizens could obtain through the Chilean embassy in Caracas. The move seeks to streamline the process of getting a visa for all Venezuelan nationals. Before, Venezuelans had visa-on-arrival access to Chile as tourists where those with a specific need could then apply for a student visa, a work permit or for permanent residency. But under the new system, such visas will be available to all Venezuelans, regardless of ... Read more

Indian Railways is planning to promote heritage tourism by conserving the existing 5m gauge railway tracks. The tracks proposed for the conservation project includes the Visavadar-Talala line in Gujarat (42.27 km) that passes through the Gir forest in Gujarat. Mhow-Patalpani-Kalakand line in Madhya Pradesh (16 km). Mavli Junction-Marwar Junction line in Rajasthan (162 km), Mahur-Harangjao line in Assam (47 km) and the Nanpur-Mailani metre-gauge line in Uttar Pradesh (171 km), that passes inside the Dudhwa Tiger reserve. The tracks were built during the British ruling period. Meanwhile, the Railways currently focus on building and preserving the existing railway networks, on ... Read more

If the Gulf investors are moving ahead with their plans to dig a 60 kilometre-long water canal alongside the border with Qatar, chances are high that Qatar could be turned into an island. The canal would be 60 kms long, 200 meters wide and 15 to 20 meters deep, enabling it to receive all kinds of ships from tankers and passenger ships, with a maximum length of 300 meters and a width of 33 meters. The planned canal would stretch from Salwa to Khor Al Adeed and is expected to cost around 2.8 billion Saudi riyals. This, however, depends on the approval ... Read more

Lexus, the luxury division of Japanese automobile company Toyota, has started delivering Lexus NX 300h. Launched back in December last year, the model is a Hybrid SUV that comes with all modern amenities a car can offer. Lexus NX 300h is unique in terms of its design philosophy, that uses futuristic approaches to get instant attention in the streets. The interior houses a spacious cabin with reclining seats, along with leather finish, that adds a true luxurious element to the car. The new features include a panoramic sunroof, 10.3-inch infotainment display, wireless charging facility, rear folding seats that can be ... Read more

Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) Tour Guide Training and Licensing programme has now been extended to include desert safari guides in Qatar. The programme, which will begin on April 15, 2018, will involve training all drivers of 4×4 tourism vehicles. The training will be provided by Doha Off-road Training Centre and will see guides hone their skills across all aspects of off-road driving including safety, navigation, convoy driving and emergency handling. Safari drivers will also be provided with tour guide training to enhance their communication with tourists, and provide them with information on the nature and history of Qatar’s desert. Guides ... Read more

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has found out that the commercial seaplane service to connect smaller townships is feasible, and is about to become a reality. According to R N Chaubey, Civil Aviation Secretary, twin pilot operated single-engine plane is an appropriate choice for safe commutation. “Single engine twin pilot service would be possible, but there would be certain requirements and we are examining the committee’s suggestions in this regard,” added R N Chaubey. Prime Minister, upon the Gujarat Assembly elections, has utilised seaplane (Sabarmati River to Dharoi Dam) for effective campaign programmes. In which he promised all necessary ... 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

Houston-based technological innovation company Orion Span, headed by CEO Frank Bunger is about to install world’s first luxury space hotel into orbit by 2021. The hotel named Aurora Station upon completion can accommodate 4 tourists for over 12 days. The hotel structure would be 43.5ft long similar to that of a private jet cabin, that revolves around the earth’s orbit. “Upon launch, Aurora Station goes into service immediately, bringing travellers into space quicker and at a lower price point than ever seen before. Our goal is to make space accessible to all, by continuing to drive greater value at a ... 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.

Emirates said to reduce the frequency of services on a number of routes to Europe, Asia and US in the coming months. As reported by Routesonline.com, a schedule update showed the carrier was reducing its Dubai to Fort Lauderdale and Dubai to Orlando services from once a day to five times a week, after July 2 and 3 respectively. The change represents a return to the previous schedule after the carrier said in January it would be restoring daily services to both locations from March 25 following a “steady rebound in customer demand”. Other reductions include a decrease in frequency from ... Read more

Motorola, the American multinational telecommunication company, had launched Polaroid Insta-Share Printer exclusively at the US market. The instant printer is dedicated to print pictures with a press of a single button. The device comes with Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod, that can be docked to a mobile for printing. The compatibility of Moto Mod is made for Moto Z series smartphones. Meanwhile, Motorola hasn’t added any kind of Bluetooth connectivity or cable to attach the printer to other Mobile smartphones. The printer uses zero-ink paper to print photos at a size of (2×3-inches). The printer works best with the Polaroid app in ... Read more

American space agency, NASA is about to build experimental supersonic aircraft called the X-plane for a budget of over $247.5 million. The aircraft, in reality, would generate a cruise speed of over 990 mph, which is faster than sound and can fly at an altitude of above 55,000 feet. According to reports released by NASA, the project would be a reality to put supersonic travel to commercial flights, which becomes a reality by the end of 2021. “Our long tradition of solving the technical barriers of supersonic flight to benefit everyone continues,” said Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator, NASA. The aircraft’s ... Read more

The Haryana government said it is planning to strengthen its infrastructure to promote religious tourism related to Kurukshetra. The Haryana Tourism Department is reported to have decided to spend Rs 38.31 crore on the beautification of ‘Brahm Sarover’ and Rs 32.33 crore on ‘Jyotisar’ under various schemes. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the central government, an amount of Rs 97.34 crore had been allocated for the ‘Sri Krishna Circuit’ out of which Rs 32 crore had been spent on the development of Brahma Sarovar, Jyotisar, Narkaataari, Sanniihit Sarovar and beautification of the Kurukshetra city. Apart from the said works, ... Read more