All posts by Team TravelAndy
Air India to operate new flights for Kumbh Mela
New Delhi (TAN): Air India has announced that it will operate new flights to Allahabad (Prayagraj) from several Indian cities in order to ease the rush of devotees during Kumbh Mela.
The new flights will be scheduled from Kolkata, Delhi, and Ahmedabad from January 13 to March 30 this year.
Continue reading Air India to operate new flights for Kumbh Mela →
Uzbekistan to waive visa for citizens of 45 countries
Tashkent (NITN): Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced that tourists from 45 countries will be able to visit Uzbekistan visa free, effective from February 1, 2019.
This is the latest in a series of reforms designed to stimulate the Central Asian country’s tourism development, as Mirziyoyev identified tourism and foreign investment as the two priorities for his term when he came to power in December 2016.
Initiatives including the introduction of e-visas in June 2018 have already resulted in an increase in foreign tourist numbers from 2.6 million in 2017 to 5.3 million in 2018. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates significant further growth in 2019.
National carrier Uzbekistan Airways will take delivery of two new Airbus A320neos and three new Boeing 787 Dreamliners in spring 2019, increasing its capacity on long haul international routes and enabling it to add new destinations. The airline already provides direct flights between London Heathrow and Tashkent, and expects to add a second UK airport to its network this summer.
From February 1, 2019, the following countries will be able to enter Uzbekistan visa free for up to 30 days:
Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Mongolia, San Marino, Argentina, Chile, Ireland, Montenegro, Serbia, Australia, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria, Czech Republic, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Belgium, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Norway, Spain, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Malta, Republic of Cyprus, United Kingdom Bulgaria Hungary Monaco Romania, and Vatican City.
Nationals of France, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Turkey were granted visa free access in 2018. Germans will have visa free access from January 15, 2019.
President Mirziyoyev’s 5 January decrees also stated that:
- The existing e-visa scheme will be extended to cover the nationals of 76 countries, and will allow for double and multiple entries;
- New visa categories will be created for pilgrims, students, academics, and for medical tourism, and will be available within one month;
- Hotels must offer accommodation “regardless of the place of residence, citizenship, kinship and marital relations of individuals, as well as other factors that restrict the right to privacy.” This removes restrictions on unmarried couples;
- A list of prohibited sites (i.e. those of security concern) will be published on or before February 1, and clearly marked with signs. Tourists may photograph and film all unmarked sites without restriction.
Free room service ends for Carnival Cruise Line guests
Miami (TAN): We all pretty much know there’s no free lunch, but no free room service? Now, that’s heartbreaking! Carnival Cruise Line has recently announced it will end complimentary room service on its ships, from mid-January this year.
The company’s senior cruise director and brand ambassador John Heald revealed on his Facebook page that they would shift to a fleetwide a la carte stateroom service menu, while keeping prices nominal at USD2 to USD5 per item.
Guests will be charged for lunch, dinner and late-night menus. However, there will be one exception — the continental breakfast, which will be the only room service that will ‘continue to be offered free of charge’. Continue reading Free room service ends for Carnival Cruise Line guests →
Edinburgh to charge tourists GBP2 per night
Edinburgh (TAN): Visiting Edinburgh could burn a deeper hole in tourists’ pockets very soon, as plans of introducing a tourist tax has won huge support. If implemented, visitors may have to shell out GBP2 per person per night.
In a research conducted by the City of Edinburgh Council, 85 per cent of 2,500 respondents, including over half of accommodation owners, supported the move, media reports said.
The public consultation on Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) proposed a GBP2 or a 2 per cent charge per room, per night on all types of accommodation, on short stays up to seven nights.
Continue reading Edinburgh to charge tourists GBP2 per night →
Fans flock to ‘Bird Box’ house in California
Los Angeles (TAN): Bird Box, Netflix’s latest hit, has left the Internet gushing over it so much that fans are flocking to a Los Angeles suburb where parts of it were shot.
The Sandra Bullock-starrer psychological thriller featured a house in which she and her two young co-stars hid from an unseen evil force. According to media reports, the house has turned into a tourist attraction.
The house, located in the small suburb of Monrovia, near California’s Los Angeles, has been attracting visitors. A handful of admirers have been dropping by to take photos every day, even on Christmas Day, the owner of the house told tmz.com.
Continue reading Fans flock to ‘Bird Box’ house in California →
Aged elephant free after 50 years in tourist slavery
New Delhi (TAN): Gajraj, a 70-year-old elephant who served half a century as a tourist attraction, has finally retired.
After spending most of his life in chains at an Indian temple, Gajraj was rescued and later admitted to a recently-opened elephant hospital as its first ever patient. The hospital, by Wildlife SOS, is India’s first, and one of the few elephant hospitals on the planet.
Working in poor conditions took a serious toll on Gajraj’s health – he developed abscesses and wounds on his feet from standing for long hours, walking on paved roads, and giving rides to people. Reports said he was malnourished and dehydrated.
Continue reading Aged elephant free after 50 years in tourist slavery →
Brussels Airlines plans multiple services for summer 2019
Brussels (TAN): Brussels Airlines has quite a few offerings up its sleeve for the upcoming summer. While it has announced an increase in flight frequencies to multiple African destinations, the airline will not just add frequencies to its existing flights but also introduce new ones to various European destinations.
The services constitute the airline’s effort to connect its flyers with its extensive continental and intercontinental network via Brussels. Continue reading Brussels Airlines plans multiple services for summer 2019 →
Venice to levy tourism tax on daytrippers
Venice (TAN): Vacationing in Venice is all set to turn dearer, even if you have just a day trip in mind. City officials have plans to charge tourists up to EUR10 for visiting the Mediterranean destination.
The move was announced as part of a new budget policy in Italy, in order to curb overtourism and push the local economy.
Many travellers including cruise ship passengers come to the city for a day or less. While they usually choose not to book accommodations for this tiny window, they definitely end up adding to problems of crowding and overtourism.
Continue reading Venice to levy tourism tax on daytrippers →
Munnar turns winter wonderland as mercury dips below zero
Kochi (TAN): Sub-zero temperatures and South India do not often go hand in hand. Yet, the mercury in Munnar, one of Kerala’s most favourite tourist getaways, dropped below zero degrees last week, covering the hill station in thick layers of frost.
Places such as Chittuvara, Lakkad, and Chendura in Munnar saw temperatures fall up to -3 degree Celsius.
Tourism benefited as travellers flocked to Munnar to witness the unusual weather conditions first hand. Hotel and business owners were hopeful further fall in temperatures would boost business in the area.
Not just Munnar, other places in Kerala including Wayanad, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kannur too recorded dip in minimum temperatures. The cold and dry weather in South India has been attributed to the cold wave sweeping across the subcontinent. Ooty, Tamil Nadu’s popular tourist destination, was hit by the cold wave and experienced a chilly weather. Continue reading Munnar turns winter wonderland as mercury dips below zero →
England’s oldest hotel on sale for GBP 1.4 million
London (TAN): England’s oldest hotel, a historic Grade II listed accommodation, has been put up for sale for GBP 1.4 million. Drake pub, located on the same street, also forms part of the sale, reports said.
Located in Goole, East Yorkshire, the property overlooks the River Ouse. It was constructed in 1824 by Sir Edward Banks, a bridge maker.
The Drake, which now serves as a pub and sports bar, and a lodging with ten rooms, was originally owned by Barclays and served as a bank in the 1880s. It was known as ‘the most prestigious banking hall in all of England’.
The Lowther Hotel became the oldest hotel in England after Exeter’s Royal Clarence Hotel was consumed by a fire in 2016.
Continue reading England’s oldest hotel on sale for GBP 1.4 million →
Delta to fly Minneapolis-Mexico City direct from June 8
Minneapolis (TAN): Delta, in partnership with Aeromexico, will offer a new nonstop service between the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Mexico City, from June this year, subject to government approval.
Steve Sear, President – International and EVP – Global Sales, Delta, said according to the feedback they got from the passengers of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Mexico City Mexico City happens to be the most requested destination, and that the new service will give them that.
“At the same time, it allows for more choice and options for customers in many US and Canadian cities through one convenient, easy connection as well as easy connections to dozens of destinations in Mexico thanks to our partnership with Aeromexico,” he added.
Continue reading Delta to fly Minneapolis-Mexico City direct from June 8 →
Make a booking at the world’s tiniest bed & breakfast
Hamburg (TAN): How tall are you? If the answer is two centimeters or less, you are in for a treat.
Airbnb and Miniatur Wunderland welcome guests who are two centimeters and under, to stay at the world’s tiniest bed and breakfast in a small German town.
The classic two-storied redbrick German house, as tall as a lunchbox, is located in the tiny town of Knuffingen, right in the middle of Miniatur Wunderland. Miniatur Wunderland is a model railway attraction in Germany’s Hamburg.
Continue reading Make a booking at the world’s tiniest bed & breakfast →