News

Indonesia expects to attract European tourists.

Indonesia expects to attract more European tourists as there is a decline of Chinese tourists. Following a decline in the number of Chinese tourists caused by the increased tension of China’s trade war with the United States, the government is now seeking to lure more visitors from European countries. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said that they don’t have to Chinese tourists all the time. They will shift their target to European countries such as the United Kingdom, which we haven’t really tapped into. According to Wishnutama, the characteristics of Indonesia’s tourist destinations, which mostly boast natural wonders, suit the European market, which largely prefers outdoor activities such as sailing in Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara and Tanjung Puting in Central Kalimantan. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia welcomed 1,565,200 tourists from Europe between January and September 2019. The number is slightly less than the 1,566,900 people of the year before. During the same period, Indonesia reportedly welcomed 482,500 American tourists, which was an increase of 12.93 percent compared to last year. Despite the new strategy, Wishnutama said that the government would continue to boost the growth of Chinese tourist visits to the archipelago, with Likupang and Manado in North Sulawesi being prepared as the main destinations to attract them. In early December, Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Industry Association chairman Haryadi Sukamdani predicted that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia might drop by 15 to 20 percent.

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Lift ban on internet services in Kashmir, J&K students association urge PM Modi, Amit Shah

J&K Students Association, a body of Kashmiri students here, on Sunday, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah requesting them to restore the Internet Services in Kashmir Valley. He added that research scholars are unable to access research literature, download papers, or communicate with researchers outside the state due to the unprecedented internet ban from past five months. He also said that many research scholars were forced to travel outside the Valley and even to places like Drass and Ladakh, covering long distances on road, just to access their emails and send out important emails, apply for conferences online and email papers to research journals in India and other countries. Khuehami emphasised that students and Research Scholars have to travel to Ladakh, which is 400 kilometres away, just to check their emails. He added that the right to internet is a part of right to life and right to education. Abnormal conditions have been induced in Kashmir through restrictions on the internet. The education sector has been the worst victim of the prevailing uncertainty, and with internet services snapped, the students have no source to study at home and clear their concepts. The government has put the careers of these students at stake, by suspending internet services. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate steps to restore Internet Services in Kashmir valley on humanitarian grounds so that students won't face any inconvenience and would be able to fill application forms, prepare for competitive exams and research scholars would be able to access research literature and communicate with researchers outside the state.

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Air, road and rail traffic in North India affected due to exceptional winter prevailing in the region.

Due to the bone-chilling cold and heavy fog across much of north India, traffic movement has gone for a toss in a lot of areas of the region. According to the news reports, road-air-rail traffic has been affected severely due to the low visibility in the National Capital Region (NCR). News has it more than a dozen flights had to land at different airports and half a dozen flights were cancelled due to low visibility in Delhi. Passengers have been asked by airport authorities to check about the departure scheduled of their airlines beforehand to avoid any discomfort. Train services are also severely affected, with several trains running behind their scheduled departure time. With temperatures in Delhi touching the 2 degree mark, minus 3 degree mark in parts of Rajasthan, and declining further in Himachal, Uttarakhand, Jammu, Kashmir, the unforeseen and unrivalled cold climate since mid-December has been causing a lot of problems for the people in going about their day to day life. People are trying to keep themselves warm by taking recourse to hot beverages, lighting bonfires at night and wearing three to four layers of woollen clothes.

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Burj Khalifa’s spectacular New Year’s Eve Show attracts more than 2 billion global tourists.

Emaar, the master developer of the Burj Khalifa, wowed over 2 billion people across the globe with a breathtaking pyrotechnic show on the world’s tallest building to ring in 2020. Following the traditional 10 second digital countdown on the lit façade of Burj Khalifa, the clock struck midnight, signalingthe Downtown Dubai skyline to be filled with a flurry of fireworks and color for a record-breaking eight-minute and forty-three-second-long show. Every second of the show was as enchanting as previously billed and incorporated fireworks, animations on the Burj Khalifa LED façade, music compositions and a beautiful fountain show. The highly anticipated event welcomed over one million onlookers in Downtown Dubai, Emaar’s flagship mega-development, to witness 15,000 perfectly choregraphed fireworks showcasing 48 pyrotechnic patterns, signaling the start of a new decade. All pyrotechnic effects were specially selected and manufactured for the show, ensuring the unique fireworks designs and effects were truly one-of-a-kind. Select aspects of the show referenced regional culture, art and music. Before the clock struck twelve, animations on the Burj Khalifa transformed the tower into the traditional Oud instrument and strummed to the beat of an arabesque melody, thereafter,was a beautiful ensembleof blossoming flowers, added further finesse and beauty to the show. Mr. Ahmad Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said that they at Emaar are extremely proud to host and produce this event for the world to enjoy. As they enter a new decade, their vision is to continue driving innovation, progression and a prosperous future, here in Dubai, the UAE – and the world.

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New Year to bring more snowfall to Himachal Pradesh, plan a getaway soon

Those seeking a snowy New Year’s to ring in 2020 should definitely book a trip to Himachal Pradesh, as the weather reports are promising a white new year this time. While intense cold has most of the northern plains shivering, Himachal Pradesh, as well as the upper reaches of Uttarakhand, are taking the winter game a notch up. As per the predictions made by the meteorological department, Himachal Pradesh is all set to receive more snowfall on December 31 as well as January 1 and 2. There is a chance of rainfall as well at a number of places in the lower areas of the state. Keylong in Himachal recorded a temperature reading of minus 11 degree Celsius on Sunday, while places including Kalpa, Manali, Solan, Bhuntar and Sundernagar shuddered at sub-zero temperatures. Kalpa recorded a low of minus 1.6 degree Celsius, Manali shivered at minus 2.6 and Sundernagar recorded minus 1 degree Celsius. There is also a prediction of dense fog in most parts of the state, thus those planning a road trip to the hills need to stay cautious. Uttarakhand, on the other hand, has left travellers surprised as the upper reaches are basking under sunlight even with the snowfall! Its plains are, in fact, colder than the hilly places.

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Etihad Airways and Kuwait Airways Launch New Codeshare Partnership.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Etihad will place its ‘EY’ code on Kuwait Airways operated flights from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait, Najaf and Dhaka. In turn, Kuwait Airways will place its ‘KU’ code on Etihad flights from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi, Belgrade, Casablanca, Rabat, Khartoum, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Male in the Maldives, and Mahe in the Seychelles. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “This is a great first step in what we hope will be a mutually beneficial and growing relationship between Kuwait Airways, one of the region’s oldest and most experienced airlines, and Etihad, one of its youngest and most acclaimed. The joint network and product advantages of our codeshare collaboration with Kuwait Airways will create tangible benefits for our customers, building on the strong relationship between our two nations, while providing greater convenience and superior in-flight service and hospitality. Kamel Al-Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Airways, said: “We welcome Etihad as a codeshare partner. This new partnership will bring enhanced connectivity and increased convenience to our customers, who can expect the same level of impeccable service that they receive from our airline when they travel on codeshare flights to and from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi and beyond. Etihad Airways currently operates five return daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, and Kuwait Airways serves Abu Dhabi with a daily service.

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