Travel News
Thai Smile Airways to join Star Alliance as ‘connecting partner’
Frankfurt (TAN): Thai Airways’ regional subsidiary Thai Smile Airways has become Germany-based global airline alliance Star Alliance’s Connecting Partner in its global network.
The announcement was made at the 75th IATA Annual General Meeting in Seoul, South Korea.
The Connecting Partner concept, started in 2016, allows airline to link to Star Alliance without becoming a member. Connecting Partners are usually regional airlines or subsidiaries of member airlines with complete commercial links with three or more member airlines so that they can cover any network lags that may exist on a regional basis. Continue reading Thai Smile Airways to join Star Alliance as ‘connecting partner’
India: SpiceJet introduces 20 new domestic flights
New Delhi (TAN): India-based budget carrier SpiceJet has introduced 20 new domestic flights, 18 of which will connect Mumbai to several cities across the country.
For the first time, the airline launched daily flights to connect Mumbai with Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada and Tirupati.
Frequencies on various routes from Mumbai to cities including Kolkata, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kanpur, and Patna will be increased. While Hyderabad will get a sixth frequency, Kolkata will be given a fifth frequency. Continue reading India: SpiceJet introduces 20 new domestic flights
After 5-year gap, Biman resumes Dhaka-Delhi direct flight
Dhaka (TAN): Bangladesh’s flagship airline Biman resumed its nonstop flight services between Dhaka and India’s capital Delhi on Tuesday.
State minister for civil aviation and tourism Md. Mahbub Ali inaugurated the service in Dhaka before the maiden flight departed Hajrat Shahjalal International Airport for Delhi with 152 passengers.
He said in Bengali: “I’m happy that flights between Dhaka and Delhi have resumed after being unavailable for the past few years. The direct service will now make business, tourism, and access to education and medical facilities between the two neighbouring countries easier and more comfortable.” Continue reading After 5-year gap, Biman resumes Dhaka-Delhi direct flight
Scotland: Historic Dunoon Burgh Hall is now a tourist info centre
Dunoon (TAN): A historic building in this small town has been turned into a tourist information centre.
Dunoon Burgh Hall, an Historic Environment Scotland Category B listed building, has joined the group of over 140 VisitScotland iKnow Partners across Argyll & the Isles, the country’s national tourism organisation said in a statement.
The iKnow Partner programme harnesses the local knowledge to make varied choices available to visitors so that they can make the most of their trip to Scotland. Continue reading Scotland: Historic Dunoon Burgh Hall is now a tourist info centre
Take an Australian Aboriginal culture tour on Rottnest Island
Perth (TAN): Rottnest Island off the Western Australia coast has more to offer to visitors than just quokka selfies.
Visitors to the island can also experience traditional Aboriginal culture as part of new cultural tours made available on the island.
A company called Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences offers visitors a walking tour to learn about Rottnest’s past and its spiritual significance to Noongar people. Continue reading Take an Australian Aboriginal culture tour on Rottnest Island
Western Australia eyes Indian tourists through MasterChef
Perth (TAN): Western Australia is set to promote itself as a tourism destination on top-rating cooking TV show MasterChef Australia. The state government is especially excited about the exposure they will get in India through the show.
Optus Stadium, Perth, the Swan Valley, Margaret River and Rottnest Island will feature in the show, a government statement said.
Western Australia’s tourism minister Paul Papalia said a major reason why they were excited about this partnership was the show’s popularity in India, a “key tourism target market for WA”. Continue reading Western Australia eyes Indian tourists through MasterChef
SAS strikes deal with pilots’ union, week-long strike ends
Stockholm (TAN): Good news for travellers flying across northern Europe. The Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) pilot strike has come to an end following an agreement on Thursday.
All flights in Denmark, Norway and Sweden will resume ‘as soon as possible’, SAS said.
The seven-day strike that affected approximately 360,000 passengers, led to cancellation of 4,015 flights after the pilots stopped work on April 26. Continue reading SAS strikes deal with pilots’ union, week-long strike ends
23-year-old set for 4000-km walking adventure across India
(TAN): A 23-year-old man from Madurai will on Friday — May 3 — embark on an incredible journey from South India’s Kanyakumari to Kashmir in the country’s extreme north. On foot and on his own.
Speaking to TAN, S. Vikram, who left his job of 1.5 years at a car service station to go on this odyssey, said he has not done many adventurous things in his life yet. But he felt he couldn’t let life just go by.
“I have been inspired by several people, especially Shubham Dharmsktu, who is just about the complete his Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari solo walking expedition,” Vikram said. Continue reading 23-year-old set for 4000-km walking adventure across India
Thailand sits up and takes action as tourist numbers fall
Bangkok (TAN): Thailand experienced a rare drop in the number of tourist arrivals and spending in March.
Data collected by data and media firm Bloomberg show visitor numbers fell by 0.7 per cent from a year ago to 3.5 million. Spending by visitors was THB 184.5 billion, a drop of 1.3 per cent.
The tourism industry is a major contributor to the country’s economy and the government has already taken notice and initiated action to woo tourists. Continue reading Thailand sits up and takes action as tourist numbers fall
Don’t go to Sri Lanka unless essential, India advises its citizens
New Delhi (TAN): The Indian government has advised citizens “not to undertake non-essential travel” to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the April 21 terror attacks that left hundreds dead on the island nation.
India is a huge tourism market for Sri Lanka.
“The government of Sri Lanka has beefed up the security in the country. A nation-wide emergency including night-time curfew is in place at present which may also affect travel within Sri Lanka,” a statement by India’s ministry of external affairs said on Saturday. Continue reading Don’t go to Sri Lanka unless essential, India advises its citizens
Glasgow from Edinburgh on an electric ScotRail train
Edinburgh (TAN): Scottish railway company ScotRail has launched the first-ever Hitachi class 385 electric train on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route that runs through the town of Shotts.
The electric train was introduced on the route after electrification of the line that cost Network Rail GBP 160 million to complete.
“We are delighted to be introducing the first Hitachi class 385 electric train on the Shotts line and we thank customers for their patience during the improvement works,” ScotRail Chief Operating Officer Angus Thom said. Continue reading Glasgow from Edinburgh on an electric ScotRail train
Thailand visa is now free till October 31, 2019
Bangkok (TAN): The Thailand government has given its nod to extending the ongoing waiver on visa-on-arrival fees for 21 countries, including India, till October 31.
The ongoing visa-fee waiver was scheduled to end on April 30.
Government figures reveal foreign tourist arrivals between November 15, 2018 and March 31, 2019 – during which time the visa fee waiver has been in place – had seen an 83 per cent spike as compared to the previous year. Continue reading Thailand visa is now free till October 31, 2019