News

North Korea opens a mountain resort to boost tourism.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened a new mountain spa and ski resort that’s intended for people to enjoy “high civilization under socialism” in another example of the country using tourism exemptions in sanctions to build revenue for its broken economy. Kim cut the ribbon during the ceremonial opening of the Yangdok Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Center and praised his soldiers for creating a “miracle and prefect edifice” that serves the ruling party’s efforts to guide people to modern civilization, a state media report said. North Korea’s state TV showed aerial footage of the resort, including its red-roofed hotels, hot spring spas, ski slope and horse-riding park. The Yangdok resort, which the North began building last year, has been one of Kim’s major development projects along with another mountain resort recently completed in the northern town of Samjiyon and a summer resort being built in the coastal town of Wonsan. North Korea has also demanded South Korea tear down its hotels and other facilities at the North’s Diamond Mountain resort.

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Sangam walk circuit: Magh Mela tourism gets a boost.

Allahabad: An exclusive corridor — Sangam Walk Circuit — connecting six pilgrimage sites will be set up in the city to draw more tourists to Allahabad’s cultural and religious heritage during the upcoming Magh Mela. The circuit will span across four kilometres and will start from Ramgarh and end at Vimanmandapam. It would also include the Sangam nose, Lete HanumanTemple and the shrine at Akshayvat. “We expect more than five crore devotees to visit the Magh Mela this year and are working to offer several new facilities for them. The Sangam walk circuit is one of the new attractions,” said Mela Adhikari Rajnish Mishra. Barricades would be put up at the start and ending point of the passage to keep away vehicles and allow pedestrians to walk freely, he added. The barricades would also feature colourful flags, while the PWD has will light up the stretch with colourful LED lights. “As the six religious sites are some of most visited by devotees, we would try to ensure that the visitors do not face any problems,” said DIG (Allahabad range) KP Singh. However, the walk circuit will be closed for public on all snan days. “Because of the heavy rush of devotees, the gates for Akshayvat would be closed for visitors and so would be this circuit,” said Mishra.

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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Offering Voyages for as Low as $99.

Travelers looking to save money when booking a vacation this holiday season should consider Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and their discounts on select sailings. The cruise line is offering savings on two-night cruises to the Bahamas, with prices starting at just $99 per person for sailings through May 31, 2020. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line wants travelers to experience the magic of Grand Bahama Island or Nassau while enjoying Nauti Perks, which include five drinks, $10 casino play, 15 percent off spa or shore excursions and children ages 12 and under sail free. The savings are available for interior staterooms, ocean-view staterooms and suites. The limited-time offer is available on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s MV Grand Classica and MV Grand Celebration, which depart from the Port of Palm Beach in Florida. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has also been an advocate for the rejuvenation of the island chain following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. The company has completed several humanitarian sailings to help those impacted by the storms.

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Ayamkadavu: Kerala’s highest bridge inaugurated; to be developed into a tourist spot.

Kerala’s highest bridge, which was recently inaugurated by state CM Pinarayi Vijayan, will now be developed into a tourist destination. The 120 m long bridge has been built across Vavadukkam river, which is a tributary of Chandragiri, at Ayamkadavu, and will be connecting Pullur-Periya gram panchayat and Badiadka panchayat. Till date, locals from both sides relied on boats to cross the river. As per the reports, there is also a proposal to build a glass bridge so that people can enjoy views of the river, boats and the hills around the bridge. Referring to this, an official stated that during the first phase, a food court, an open-air stage, and a toilet block would be built at Ayamkadavu. Further, the bridge and the 3.8 km Perladukam-Ayampara-Periya road would also help improve connectivity to places, such as Sullia and Madikeri in Karnataka, apart from the other places in the district like Kanhangad and the Central University of Kerala in Periya. The bridge was proposed by the P Prabhakaran Commission, which was appointed by the then government to draw up a comprehensive development package for Kasaragod district in 2012; the foundation stone for the bridge was laid in December 2016.

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This winter be ready for some pretty ice castles in the US and Canada.

Soon there will be gorgeous ice castles around the US and Canada where people can visit and also enjoy ice sliding there. There’s this firm called Ice Castles that is renowned for creating these unique winter wonderland. The same firm is planning to build these castles to give people a unique experience. these grand ice castle creations have made their ways to Dillon in Colorado, New Brighton in Minnesota, North Woodstock in New Hampshire, Lake Geneva in Wisconso, Midway in Utah, and Edmonton, Alberta in Canada and is a superhit thing at these places. At all these locations, ice lovers can enjoy some amazing one-of-a-kind maze experience, light shows, and so much more. But at all places, the architecture is different given the local climate of the places.

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Hilton join hands with Travel Lab Asia as a sustainability partner.

It was recently announced by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) that Hilton is the newest sustainability partner for Travel Lab Asia which is a platform for triple-bottom-line that intends to solve sustainability and environmental problems. PATA and Plug and Play support Travel Lab Asia which is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank’s ADB Ventures. PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy was delighted to welcome Hilton as the newest corporate partnerjoining both Minor Hotels and Jetwing Hotels, in seeking innovative CleanTech solutions for a more sustainable future. Travel Lab Asia in the first year of the programme will focus on helping corporate partners source and integrate CleanTech solutions for improved business performance and environmental impact. Participating corporates will have unrivalled access to sustainability-focused technology solutions from around the world. They will receive support to articulate their sustainability-related technology needs and to develop pilot proposals with solution providers.

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