All posts by Team TravelAndy
Emirates: A380 to connect Amman with Dubai in summer 2019
Dubai (TAN): Emirates has announced it will operate its Airbus A380 between Dubai and Amman during peak summer months this year. The upgraded service, as a remedy to higher seasonal demand, will run from June 1 to October 26, 2019.
Adil Al Ghaith, senior vice president, commercial operations for Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates, said, “Jordan has been a strategically important market in this region for Emirates for a long time. The upgrade to an A380 service to Amman during the peak summer period is in line with our strategy to better serve seasonal peaks, and strengthen our presence in key markets by providing an industry-leading experience for our customers, and offering them a seamless A380 experience via Dubai to major destinations in the world.”
While Emirates will use its A380 for one of its three daily flights on the Dubai-Amman route, it will be the first time the airline will run a scheduled A380 service to Amman since 2016. Continue reading Emirates: A380 to connect Amman with Dubai in summer 2019 →
Indian tourist numbers to Jordan up by 30%
Amman (NITN): Jordan Tourism Board recently announced that it has witnessed 30.40 per cent growth in 2018 from the Indian market.
Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board, elaborated: “The Jordanian-Indian relationship has witnessed a tremendous positive shift throughout 2018. His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein’s visit to India in February 2018 has had a cascading effect on the whole dynamics that connect both countries.”
Granting Indian visitors an upon-arrival visa was one of these changes that helped increase the number of Indian tourists visiting Jordan for its remarkable religious and historic sites, such as the Baptism Site and Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Moreover, close to Petra, one can witness a Mars-like nature-crafted setup called Wadi Rum, which, just like Petra, has been incredibly used by big Hollywood studios to shoot some of its most iconic feature films, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Martian to the upcoming hits Aladdin and Star Wars: Episode IX.
Bollywood has recently discovered the magnificence of Jordan as a filming location to shoot some of its feature films, including Krrish 3, and with the recently facilitated upon-arrival visas, Bollywood’s presence in Jordan is promising to be even more fruitful!
On a marketing level, the Jordan Tourism Board executed a number of marketing campaigns in India in 2018 to promote Jordan, which played a key role in presenting Jordan as a go-to destination in the Middle East.”
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which once captivated ancient travellers, continues to enthral a whole new generation as a modern, vibrant nation. From the haunting, primeval starkness of Wadi Rum, the teeming centre of urban Amman, from the majestic ruins of bygone civilizations to the timeless splendour of the Dead Sea, Jordan is unveiled as a unique destination offering breathtaking and mysterious sights, high standard accommodations, exquisite cuisine and countless activities that can provide visitors with inspiration, motivation, and rejuvenation.
Marveling at herds of gazelles and oryx and migrating birds, camping amidst the grandeur of Wadi Rum or Dana Reserve, trekking the ancient caravan trails from the highlands of Moab and Edom, hiking the wooded hills of biblical Gilead, or experiencing the unique, cleansing mud baths of the Dead Sea are just a few examples of the treasures awaiting visitors to this unique kingdom.
The new stream of luxury hotels emerging in Amman, Petra, Aqaba and the Dead Sea is just adding quality to a refined product that is distinct, accessible and friendly; a product that is home to a new display of modern meeting facilities and unique venues for incentive travel as well.
Whether it is a conference for 5000 people, a lavish dinner in the peerless desert of Wadi Rum, a barbecue at the shores of the Dead Sea, or a reception atop a medieval castle overlooking the Jordan Valley, the amicable and competent people of Jordan will ensure a memorable, once in a lifetime experience.
New Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express hits tracks
New Delhi (TAN): The Indian Railways has introduced another Rajdhani Express between Mumbai and Delhi, which was flagged off by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on January 19 this year.
The third Rajdhani Express on this route, the train will connect Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai twice every week.
Starting its journey from Mumbai, the train will stop at Kalyan, Nasik, Jalgaon, Khandwa, Bhopal, Jhansi, and Agra Cantonment stations before arriving at Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi.
Continue reading New Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express hits tracks →
Madhya Pradesh celebrates folk heritage with ‘Lokrang Samaroh’
Bhopal (TAN): The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, like the past 20 years, is hosting Lokrang Samaroh amid much grandeur this year from January 26 to 30.
Bhopal, the state capital, happens to be the venue of five-day cultural carnival.
Organised by the Directorate of Culture and Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum, Lokrang Samaroh is an annual tribute to the spectacular folk and indigenous traditions of the country through cultural performances spanning from performing arts to art and craft exhibitions. The City of Lakes is all set to host talented artists from across India and the world during the festival. Continue reading Madhya Pradesh celebrates folk heritage with ‘Lokrang Samaroh’ →
Seabourn cruise line to serve premium caviar to guests
Seattle (TAN): Seabourn cruise will serve premium quality caviar on board its five ships, beginning in the next few months.
The cruise line, in culinary partnership with chef Thomas Keller’s caviar company Regiis Ova, plans to offer decadent caviar to luxury travellers. Guests will get a taste of Siberian Reserve caviar, cultivated in a family-owned farm in Uruguay’s San Gregorio de Polanco.
The caviar, says a statement from the cruise company, is known for its delicate taste and texture. It has nutty and fruits hints. Continue reading Seabourn cruise line to serve premium caviar to guests →
Plane-to-plane taxi for BA premium fliers at Heathrow
London (TAN): British Airways has launched a new electric taxi service within London’s Heathrow Airport to shuttle its premium passengers to their connecting flights.
Guests will be transported directly in chauffeur-driven environment-friendly electric cabs, from one aircraft to a connecting flight .
The service, British Airways’ effort to reduce carbon footprint at the airport, features London Electric Vehicle Company cabs. The air-conditioned taxis come with a panoramic roof, gadget charging stations, WiFi, and room for hand luggage, and the rides are free of charge.
Continue reading Plane-to-plane taxi for BA premium fliers at Heathrow →
Thailand: Visa fee waiver extended till April 30
Bangkok (TAN): The government of Thailand has announced extension of the visa-on-arrival fee waiver from January 31 to April 30, 2019. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said the extension will be applicable for citizens of 20 countries.
Under the waiver, citizens from all these 20 countries will be granted stay in Thailand for up to 15 days without having to pay THB2,000 visa-on-arrival fee.
List of countries eligible for the fee waiver
- Andora
- Bulgaria
- Bhutan
- China, including Taiwan
- Cyprus
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Ukraine, and
- Uzbekistan
Continue reading Thailand: Visa fee waiver extended till April 30 →
‘The Sweater Guy’ knits sweaters of holiday spots, takes selfies
New York City (TAN): Travel can do you wonders, or at least bring out your creative best. And that’s what it did to Sam Barsky.
At age 43, Sam knits sweaters of famous global destinations, followed by travelling to the actual sites and clicking photos of himself wearing his creations.
The resident of Baltimore in the US east coast stitched his first sweater with an actual trip in mind about twenty years ago, that of the Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, and has knit 132 sweaters since.
Although the first sweater ‘of a specific landmark was the Tower Bridge in London’. “I was inspired by a picture I saw in a magazine. I had never been there before and did not make it for a specific trip. But, once I started knitting more landmarks, like the Golden Gate Bridge and Venice, I knew I wanted to go there while wearing them,” Forbes quoted him as saying.
Continue reading ‘The Sweater Guy’ knits sweaters of holiday spots, takes selfies →
Ticket policy in Machu Picchu becomes stricter than before
Cusco (TAN): Machu Picchu has introduced new ticketing rules to fight overtourism, starting January 1, and they are stricter than ever before!
Under the new policy, visitors will be able to opt from three hour-specific time slots – early morning (hourly from 6 to 9am), morning (hourly from 9am to 12pm) or afternoon (hourly between 12 and 3pm), media reports said.
The rule requires visitors to choose their favoured time slots, and arrive within an hour of them, failing which they will not be permitted to enter at all.
Continue reading Ticket policy in Machu Picchu becomes stricter than before →
Peter Pan kicks off new bus service for Cape Cod
Springfield, MA (TAN): Peter Pan Bus Lines started a new bus service connecting Cape Cod to multiple destinations in northeastern United States from January 16.
The service will link 15 points on Cape Cod including Provincetown, Hyannis, Barnstable, Sagamore, Orleans, and Harwich to cities such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., among several others.
Talking about the initiative, Peter A. Picknelly, chairman and chief executive officer, Peter Pan Bus Lines, said: “We are very pleased to expand our routes on Cape Cod. Our modern fleet, with free Wi-Fi and charging stations, can now connect passengers from Provincetown (and other major locations) to Hyannis, Boston Logan Airport, NYC and the entire northeast. Passengers can book their seats right up until departure time, or online in advance with guaranteed seating.” Continue reading Peter Pan kicks off new bus service for Cape Cod →
Amtrak to improve facilities at Washington Union Station
Washington D.C. (TAN): Amtrak, the government-owned passenger train services in the US, has announced that in order to enhance customer experience at Washington Union Station, it is looking for a general contractor to modernise the Claytor Concourse.
Claytor Concourse, Union Station’s intercity passenger and commuter rail pathway, was constructed in the 1980s. It consists of the waiting areas for Amtrak passengers, along with retail and food joints, and toilets. Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail, and Virginia Railway passengers too can use it.
After releasing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on January 4 this year, the railroad company and its partners are all set to start a two-stage process to pick a contractor for the concourse’s revival.
Continue reading Amtrak to improve facilities at Washington Union Station →
Japan to trial bullet train at 360kmph
Tokyo (TAN): Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central) has announced that it will carry out test runs of the new N700S Shinkansen at speeds of up to 360kmph this year, ahead of its scheduled commercial running in fiscal 2020.
Presently, the fastest Shinkanshen – Nozomi using N700 equipment – reaches speeds of 300kmph. The new train, all set to debut on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, will transport passengers faster.
Shin Kaneko, president, JR Central, said, “We aim to carry out test runs at 360 kph this year so that we can demonstrate safety when we export the train to such markets as the United States and Taiwan.”