News

Japan to further ease Covid border controls

Japan will further relax its Covid-19 border controls from March 14, increasing the daily cap on overseas entrants to 7,000 from the current 5,000, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced. Addressing the reporters, Kishida revealed a new scheme to give entry priority to foreign students, as business travel demand is not high, reports Xinhua news agency. The decision was made as phased easing of the entry restrictions have been the target of criticism at home and abroad for being too strict, and the demand for Japan to allow more entries was high, especially from foreign students ahead of the start of the Asian country's school year in April. "We will help students come to Japan by giving them (use of) vacant seats, especially on weekdays when there are not many business travellers," Kishida said, calling such students a "treasure" for the country. "Many foreign students are worried if they can enter Japan before school starts in April," he said. About 150,000 foreign students are said to be still waiting for their entry into Japan due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions that have been imposed in the past two years. In November last year, Japan effectively enforced an entry ban on non-resident foreign nationals when the world grappled with the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Currently, up to 5,000 people including Japanese nationals overseas are allowed to enter Japan daily following an increase from the previous cap of 3,500 that took effect on Tuesday. The entry of foreign tourists is still not allowed.

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Singapore allows quarantine-free travelling from all Indian cities

Vaccinated air travellers from all Indian cities and from Penang in Malaysia and Bali in Indonesia will be able to enter Singapore without having to undergo any mandatory quarantine from March 16, a senior minister announced on Friday. Transport Minister S Iswaran said Singapore plans to press on with the safe reopening of its borders and reclaim its position as a global business and aviation hub. The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) for India will be extended beyond Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai to include all cities in India, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said. Likewise, vaccinated air travellers will be able to enter Singapore from more cities in Malaysia and Indonesia without having to serve quarantine. The VTL extension to cities in these countries is from March 16 this year. The VTL for Malaysia will extend beyond Kuala Lumpur to include Penang, starting with four daily flights each way, while the VTL for Indonesia will extend beyond Jakarta to include Bali, starting with two daily flights. “Happy to announce that we will take further steps to expand our VTLs, as part of our plans to press on with the safe reopening of our borders and reclaim Singapore’s position as a global business and aviation hub,” minister Iswaran said in a Facebook post. “Airlines that plan to operate from these points under the VTL may submit their plans for designated flights to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) for approval,” the Channel News Asia quoted CAAS as saying. Travellers from Vietnam and Greece are also being allowed to enter Singapore under the VTL on or after March 16. Since September 8 last year, Singapore has established VTLs with 30 countries and regions. As of Thursday, CAAS has issued 348,518 vaccinated travel passes to travellers from these countries and regions to enter Singapore between September 8, 2021, and Mar 16.A total of 456,215 VTL travellers have entered Singapore. CAAS said the extension of the VTLs will help facilitate travel and “densify” Singapore air hub’s connectivity with “key markets”.

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Saudi Crown Prince announces a global mountain tourism destination ‘TROJENA’

Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors, announced the establishment of TROJENA, the new global destination for mountain tourism, part of NEOM’s plan and strategy to contribute to supporting and developing the tourism sector in the region. “TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism will be another revenue stream to support the Kingdom’s economic diversification while still preserving its natural resources for future generations,” said the Crown Prince announcing the project. TROJENA features a unique and innovative architecture, unlike any other in the world, where the captivating landscapes of NEOM mountains coexist in harmony with the tourist sites developed within them, offering a new and unprecedented tourism experience that reflects the future of living, working and entertainment in NEOM. Outdoor skiing is a unique feature of TROJENA that will provide a unique experience never before witnessed in the region, especially in Gulf countries known for their desertclimates. Amateurs and professionals alike will be able to enjoy the many ski runs of various difficulties with an array of contrasting and breathtaking views. The blue waters of the Red Sea, beauty of the NEOM mountain ranges and the golden desert sand dunes will provide skiers a first-of-its kind experience that combines these diverse environments with fun-filled and adventurous moments. The new year-round tourist destination will consist of a series of facilities such as the ski village, ultra-luxury family and wellness resorts, a wide range of retail stores and restaurants, in addition to sports activities, including a ski slope, watersports and mountain biking, as well as an interactive nature reserve. The project is set for completion by 2026. TROJENA will act as a major catalyst for economic growth and diversification in Saudi Arabia. In line with Vision 2030’s goals, it will create more than 10,000 jobs and add SAR 3 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030. NEOM's latest development is vital to achieve what Saudi Arabia has envisioned for the future of the Kingdom by unlocking new sectors, building a vibrant society full of innovation and promoting economic prosperity.

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Now tourists can recharge metro cards through Delhi Tourism App

Tourists can now recharge their metro smart cards from Delhi Tourism App which also contain fare and route details, officials said on Thursday. Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) officials said that the mobile application will also be useful for foreign tourists and for those who are not well versed with the online modes of Delhi metro recharge options or fare and route details. "We strive to give tourists from all over the world the best experience in Delhi. So with the help of Delhi Tourism App's metro recharge feature now tourists can plan their complete journey with one app. This feature enables users to enhance their tourism experience by providing them hassle free facility of recharging their metro cards through the app while exploring Delhi's tourist hotspots," a senior DTTDC official told PTI, requesting anonymity. To avail the facility, the user will have to visit 'Travel within Delhi' section of the app and then select 'Metro' and then click on the recharge tab. The app will then redirect the user to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation website for smart card recharge. Officials said that the new feature is a very useful for the foreign tourists and for those who aren't well-versed with the online modes of Delhi metro recharge options or fare and route details. Indian tourists from other cities are not aware of Delhi's public transport system and its ticketing and recharge facility. "So if they download Delhi Tourism App they will not have to stand in queue or go through the hassle of searching other online recharge options," the official added. Delhi Tourism Department's mobile application was launched by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on World Tourism Day on September 27 last year. 'Dekho Meri Dilli' is the tagline of the app. The app provides many user friendly features to make tourism and travel experience in Delhi a bliss as it provides all the information ranging from tourist hotspots, popular local cuisines and market places to heritage walks through a single click, the officials said. They said the app is unique in nature as small audio and video files of a particular tourist destination have also been embedded to give the traveller a sneak peek into the tourist spot. It allows tourists to see key highlights of any moment or tourist destination without even going there.

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3-day 'Braj Holi Mahotsav' in Rajasthan from March 12 to 14

Rajasthan Tourism Department is set to host a three day Holi festival "Braj Holi Mahotsav" from March 12 to 14 in the cities of Bharatpur, Deeg and Kaman. Talking about the event, Nishant Jain, Director of the Department of Tourism said, "The East of Rajasthan is imbued with the essence of Braj and the annual Braj Holi festival of Rajasthan tourism department is a celebration of the rich traditions. From local sports to folk dance and music, it is set to enthral visitors of all ages with colours of Braj." The traditional region of Braj spreads from east of Rajasthan to the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh and is known for its unique culture inspired and immersed in the devotion of Shri Krishna and his "Leelas" of adolescence age. The festival of Holi thus becomes even more auspicious and enchanting at Braj and hence, visitors from the country and abroad visit the region every year to be part of the Holi celebrations. The department has planned a list of activities to make the festival memorable for the visitors, Jain added. Jain further added that the Braj Mahotsav will commence from Bharatpur with popular local sports competitions such as kabaddi and kho-kho at the Lohagarh Stadium, followed by 'Mehendi' & 'rangoli making', turban tying and moustache competitions events. On the same day, 'Mega Night-Cultural Evening' will be organised where the renowned singer Vidya Shah is set to mesmerise the audiences with her melodious voice. The second day of the festival will be celebrated at Deeg, with popular local sports activities like kabaddi, rope pulling etc., at the city's Mela Maidan along with 'Mehendi' art and rangoli making competitions, turban tying and moustache events, Jain stated. He also said that the visitors during the evening will have an opportunity to witness a glorious colourful fountain show, performances by Rajasthani folk artists, and 'Radha Raas' by well-known classical Indian Kathak dancer Manjari Chaturvedi at the iconic Palace of Deeg. Jain also stated, "On the closing day, Kaman will host the various forms of Holi including Gulal Holi, Dudh-Dahi Holi, Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi in the various prominent temples of the city, followed by 'Shobhayatra' of Rajasthani folk artists from Gopinath Temple to Vallabh Ji Temple. 'Krishna Bhajan Sandhya' and 'Braj Rasiya Gaayan' shall mark the conclusion of the Mahotsav."

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Singature Tours is now Away&Co

Since 1977, the Creative Travel family of brands has been at the forefront of service led experiential travel. Within that philosophy, the company has announced an exciting transformation of their luxury outbound brand, Signature Tours to its new avatar, Away&Co. Rohit Kohli, Jt. Managing Director, says, “We are taking our deep knowledge, and the great partnerships across the world, to rewrite the idea of experiential travel in an ever-changing world. “It will not be a trip, it will be a journey. It will not be just a destination, but an experience. Away&Co is for a highly cultivated traveller with an appetite for the unusual, who are looking for something enriching and authentic, who like to wander, discover new secrets, and find new stories across the world.” Supported by a global network of the finest curators of travel experience in every destination, and as a part of one of India’s oldest tourism companies, Away&Co will deliver the world in the most unique ways. Kohli adds, “The Indian outbound market has matured exponentially over the years. Indians are more aware than ever before, and want to explore the world, but not as tourists. Our legacy of 45 years is built on creating amazing experiences, and that’s what we’re doing at Away&Co as well. The world is ready to welcome a new kind of Indian traveller, one who is immersed in the culture and the people, not just the monuments and sights.” Away&Co intends to take travel beyond most people’s imagination. Away to get closer, away to live a dream. Be the one that got away™

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