News

South Korea to get world’s first floating city by 2025

South Korea to get the world's first floating city by 2025! As per the reports, it will be built off the coast of South Korea, and work on it will likely be completed as early as 2025. Reports have it that the project has been backed by the United Nations, and the city will be built off the coast of Busan to deal with the problem of rising sea levels. Referring to this, project leaders added that it will be a 'flood-proof infrastructure' that will comprise several man-made islands, aiming to eliminate the risk of flooding by rising with the sea. Reportedly, the floating city will be a self-sufficient city, which is a joint effort by the UN Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habit) and OCEANIX. The city will be able to generate its own electricity from solar panels, ferry tourists and inhabitants between the island on specially-made boats, and produce its own food and fresh water. Further, reports suggest that the said city will be spread across an area of more than 75 hectares, and will be able to accommodate 10000 residents. The neighbourhoods will be grouped in clusters of six around a protected central harbour, which means each village will be able to accommodate up to 1650 residents. Further, the city will be specifically designed to withstand natural disasters like tsunamis, floods, and Category 5 hurricanes.

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Israel to accept Covid-19 antigen tests for travel

Israel has further relaxed Covid-19 health requirements for both returning citizens and foreign tourists looking to enter the country. From today, passengers arriving in the destination can present a negative antigen test from the previous 24 hours. This is instead of the previous requirement of a negative PCR test from the previous 72 hours. Passengers landing at Ben Gurion airport and Israel’s other border entry points will still be required to undergo a PCR test at the airport and remain in isolation until the results are received (within 24 hours). This decision has been taken, even though Covid-19 infections are on the rise in Europe, to ease the way for travellers because antigen tests are significantly cheaper than PCR tests. Sharon Bershadsky, director of the UK & Ireland Tourist Office, commented: “The easing of the process is an encouraging step from the cabinet to help ease the international travel process, which has been stringent for the health and safety of all and continues to be the number one priority. “By introducing antigen tests, we are hopeful these will ease the way for everyone travelling to Israel or considering making it their next holiday destination.”

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Philippines to reopen borders to some foreign tourists from next week

The Philippines will reopen its borders to tourists from some countries on a trial basis from Dec. 1, its government said on Friday, as part of efforts to rebuild an economy hit hard by the pandemic. Foreigners vaccinated against Covid-19 from countries designated low risk by the Philippines will be allowed entry over an initial 15-day period, Karlo Nograles, acting presidential spokesperson, told a regular news conference. "This is something we are doing step by step," Nograles said, adding that the two-week window could be extended. The Philippines, popular for its white-sand beaches and rich marine life, shut its doors to foreign tourists at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. Its tourism arrivals from top markets Japan, South Korea and China slumped 83% drop to 1.4 million last year. In Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have reopened borders to foreign tourists.

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Radisson Hotel Gorizont Rostov-on-Don opens in Russia

Radisson Hotel Group has welcomed the opening of the new 169-room Radisson Hotel Gorizont Rostov-on-Don. The company now has 43 hotels and 10,917 rooms in operation and under development in the country. Rooms at the hotel come in various categories, ranging from standard rooms to two-bedroom suites located on the upper floors with panoramic views. All rooms are equipped with work areas, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and a wide range of amenities such as a coffee machine and bathrobes to make the guest stay as comfortable as possible. The hotel has been decorated in a modern, crisp Scandinavian style using natural colours and materials such as wood and stone in light, soothing tones. The team of architects have incorporated the stylistic standards of the Radisson brand, in harmony with the rest of the Gorizont mixed-use complex. The restaurant on the second floor serves breakfast with an array of local, seasonal products, as well as refined European cuisine and local dishes for lunch and dinner. To add a touch of theatre to the restaurant, the chef and his team will interact with guests in the dining room and prepare food in front of them. Radisson Hotel Gorizont Rostov-on-Don is located close to the historic city centre and offers easy access to the main sights of Rostov-on-Don: Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, Chernova Mansion, Paramonov warehouses, the Regional Museum of Fine Arts and Gorky Central Park. David Jenkins, vice president of business development, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We are delighted to add a second hotel to our portfolio in Rostov-on-Don which has become one of Russia’s most popular holiday and business destinations over the past few years. “Radisson Hotel Gorizont Rostov-on-Don is our third hotel in Russia under the upscale Radisson brand and it fits to all of the brand’s standards.”

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SriLankan Airlines committed to serve India as the Airline continues to consolidate operations to pre-COVID-19 levels

SriLankan Airlines, today, assured Indian travellers that the Airline is committed to increasing the flights to destinations that were temporarily halted due to the pandemic, restoring operations to pre-COVID-19 levels, and offering Indian travellers a wide range of connections to Sri Lanka. Ashok Pathirage, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines, said, “India is our biggest market, and we are dedicated to re-establish operations to full scale where the Indian market is concerned. We continued to operate both passenger and cargo flights to and from India even during periods of lockdown and despite many global travel restrictions. “It is an ideal time to create awareness about SriLankan Airlines’ operations in the Indian market and build confidence among travellers to book with the Airline as lockdowns are being lifted and global travel restrictions are eased. “The inflow of tourists from India to Sri Lanka has increased considerably in the last few months, with Sri Lanka being one of the first few countries to open borders and welcome fully vaccinated Indian travellers including those who have taken Covaxin. India continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s most significant source markets for international travellers.” “The Airline was able to adapt to meet the changing needs of the industry as the pandemic raged on and played a key role in bridging countries and facilitating the movement of people and critical supplies, including between India and Sri Lanka,” stated Richard Nuttall, Chief Commercial Officer, SriLankan Airlines.

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Fiji's main int'l airport ready to reopen

Fiji is ready to reopen Nadi International Airport as more than 90 per cent of adults in the island nation have been fully vaccinated against Covid and amid a careful reopening strategy in place, Minister for Economy Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum said on Wednesday. According to Fijivillage news website on Wednesday, the opening on December 1 means Nadi will now be the gateway of Covid-safe tourism in a postpandemic Pacific, reports Xinhua news agency. Khaiyum's remark came as the Nadi International Airport has achieved Airports Council International's airport health re-accreditation for its Covid-19 health and safety measures. The airport is located in Nadi, the third largest city on the western side of Viti Levu, the main island in Fiji. Khaiyum has thanked Fiji Airports management and staff for their consistent commitment towards a safe and sustainable restart for the aviation sector and the tourism industry. Airports Council International Asia-Pacific Director-General Stefano Baronci said this re-accreditation serves to reassure passengers that internationallyrecognised safety measures remain in place for the resumption of travel to Fiji. Fiji Airports Chairman Geoffrey Shaw said that the re-accreditation is a significant announcement ahead of next week's official opening of the country's international border. Shaw said they are looking forward to next Wednesday with great excitement and to welcome their first Fiji Airways flight, marking the resumption of tourism in the island nation.

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