News

Destination DC comes calling in India

Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington DC, conducted a three-city trade, sales and media mission in India from 20-25 January to promote the city’s new tourist attractions as well as the latest visitation numbers, in partnership with Capital Region USA (CRUSA). The delegation visited Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai, reaching out to over 300 travel partners and meeting with more than 20 publications. “India is Washington DC’s third overseas market and visitation to DC has more than doubled in the last five years with 117,00 visitors in 2018,” said Elliott L. Ferguson president and CEO of DDC.

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Badrinath shrine to reopen on April 30

The latest reports state that the portals of Badrinath temple will open on April 30 for the year. The shrine remains open every year for around six months before winters make a comeback in the region. Referring to this, Badri-Kedar Temple committee President Mohan Prasad Thapliyal said that the doors of the temple will be opened ceremoniously amid chanting of Vedic hymns at 4:30 AM on April 30. The temple usually opens for pilgrims and tourists during the months of April-May and shuts down around mid-November. However, the daily rituals continue at the Narsimha Temple in Joshimath, when the temple gets shut down during the winters. The priests of the erstwhile Tehri royal family Acharya Krishna Prasad Uniyal and Sampoornanand Joshi announced the auspicious date and hour for reopening the shrine during the occasion of Basant Panchami today, Thapliyal said.

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Cruise lines are enhancing their private island amenities and their passengers are winning

Private islands continue to be very popular attractions on Caribbean itineraries for most major cruise lines. While in port, guests disembark to a beach paradise where they can enjoy the sun and sand for no additional cost, or they can splurge on curated excursions or luxe experiences. “Either way, the cruise line has almost full control – save for the weather – of this branded experience, meaning that they have the most to gain or lose from a cruiser’s experience. If the trend of recent investment is any indication, they are not looking to miss out on these islands of opportunity,” says Brittany Chrusciel, Cruise Critic’s destinations editor. Superlatives like "the tallest waterslide in North America" on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay are brag-worthy and play well into social media. Other experiences, like Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, are a reflection of growing environmental conservation and sustainability concerns.

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Paul Gauguin Cruises Offers Exclusive Valentine’s Gift Package

Paul Gauguin, operator of the m/s Paul Gauguin, is celebrating Valentine’s Day by offering an exclusive gift package* for guests who make bookings between January 27 and February 15, 2020, for voyages aboard The Gauguin sailing from June 6, 2020, to December 29, 2021. The Valentine’s gift package includes a $200 per-stateroom credit at the ship’s Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm, a box of chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine (total package valued at $250). This gift package is offered in addition to the line’s offer of 50 percent off standard all-inclusive cruise fares and included roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles. At the Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm aboard The Gauguin, expert therapists and aestheticians offer an extensive menu of massages, skincare, facials and authentic Polynesian treatments including Bora Bora Deep Blue Massages, Black Sand Body Scrubs and Monoï Tradition Massages by Hei Poa, among a variety of other signature therapies and tropical treats.

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Sri Lanka to get a grand Sita Temple, while Sanchi to get a Buddha museum in the future

According to reports, the state government of Madhya Pradesh is planning to construct a massive Sita Temple in Sri Lanka. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath has asked his officials to get ready with a plan and allot funds for the same. Furthermore, it has been reported that Sri Lankan government officials, and also the Mahabodhi Society members would be included in the committee that will oversee the temple work. Also, there were talks of the construction of a museum dedicated to the Gautama Buddha in Sanchi. Officials have also been asked to allot land in Sanchi for the purpose. According to Chief Minister Kamal Nath, the construction of the Buddha museum will be done along with a research center, and also a training center. It has been reported that the project has attracted Japan, and some companies, who have offered to provide financial help for the same.

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Cruise lines cancel departures from China amid coronavirus outbreak

Five cruise companies have canceled scheduled departures from China amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, as the death toll rose to 80 and over 50 million people remain on lockdown in 17 Chinese cities. Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines and Astro Ocean Cruises have all suspended various trips through the region, as officials expand efforts to contain the viral disease in the Wuhan area. On Monday, Royal Caribbean spokesperson Jonathon Fishman confirmed to Fox News, “We are working with our guests to provide full refunds for the cancellation. The health and safety of our guests and crew is our primary concern, and we continue to work with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and government health authorities to monitor the situation,”

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