Tag: India
Make a conscious effort to be a pleasant co-passenger
Indians are not known as the best co-passengers. They tend to be loud, have little or no sense of personal space and generally don’t care if something they do could inconvenience a fellow-traveller.
As an Indian, I of course do not like to be perceived this way. But the fact is, a large number of Indian tourists outside of the country or just co-passengers in public transport whether in India or elsewhere exhibit the above-mentioned traits all the time.
This is the story of the day I undertook the journey from Gangtok in India’s Sikkim state to Kolkata and how the journey could have been much more comfortable had I been lucky enough to not have the two co-passengers that I did. Continue reading Make a conscious effort to be a pleasant co-passenger
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
A Japanese Diwali: How it’s different from India
Among the many things travel teaches you is how things you take for granted back home don’t come easily to everyone else. A fine example of this is fireworks.
Back home in India, even if it’s not Diwali, it’s easy for anyone to go to a store or order fireworks online. And then, unless there is a specific ban at a certain place/time, you are free to light them up at weddings, birthdays or for no reason at all.
Not so in many countries. Certainly not in Japan, where a fireworks show conducted by the government is an occasion for hundreds of people to dress up and go witness. Continue reading A Japanese Diwali: How it’s different from India
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
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
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
India: Dal Lake in Kashmir gets a revamp to attract more tourists
Srinagar, India (TAN): The tourism authorities of north India’s Jammu and Kashmir state have decided to restore the beauty of Char Chinari Island in the famous Dal Lake here to attract more tourists.
The authorities are planting two chinar (also known as Oriental plane) trees on the island, once a favourite spot for the shooting of Bollywood films. Chinar trees are synonymous with Kashmir tourism.
The small island located in the Dal Lake has always attracted tourists, along with riding “shikaras”, narrow boats indigenous to this beautiful mountainous state. Two of the chinar trees on the island had been damaged over time, especially after the 2014 September floods, much to the dismay of photographers, for whom Kashmir, Dal Lake and Char Chinari Island have always spelt “paradise”. Continue reading India: Dal Lake in Kashmir gets a revamp to attract more tourists
India’s election is now a major tourist attraction
New Delhi (TAN): An increasing number of foreign tourists are developing an interest in experiencing the carnival that is Indian elections scheduled to be held in April-May 2019 as much as traditional tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal.
The Indian tourism service providers are catering to the demand at a time the world is looking at its largest democracy to find out whether the sitting Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins another term or the Opposition registers a win.
Indian tour operators such as Akshar Travels, Sita Travels, Travel Corporation India and the like are ready with election package for potential international clients. On the offing are seven-day election tourism packages that would include regular tours apart from experiencing political rallies. Continue reading India’s election is now a major tourist attraction
India e-tourist visa now valid for 1 yr; continuous stay for 90/180 days
New Delhi (TAN): India has decided to increase the validity of electronic tourist and electronic business visas from 60 days to one year with multiple entries in an effort to attract more international tourists.
The country’s ministry of home affairs, in a recent statement, said the decision had been taken because of the immense popularity of the e-visa.
[ALSO READ: HDFC Bank ruins Regalia card travel privilege by overcomplicating rules] Continue reading India e-tourist visa now valid for 1 yr; continuous stay for 90/180 days
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.
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’
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