News

Air India Starts Nonstop Bengaluru–Kathmandu Flights

Air India Express is gearing up to introduce a fresh direct flight service connecting Bengaluru, India’s booming technology and innovation center, with Kathmandu, the culturally rich and historic capital of Nepal. This route is slated to commence operations on June 1, 2025, aiming to strengthen the ties between these two dynamic cities and provide travelers with more seamless access across South Asia. Kathmandu: Nepal’s Cultural and Spiritual Hub with Adventurous Appeal Located at the gateway of the majestic Himalayas, Kathmandu is a city that marries centuries of cultural heritage with stunning natural landscapes. Known for its vibrant street life, ancient temples, and rich traditions, Kathmandu remains a magnet for visitors seeking spiritual experiences and cultural immersion. The city’s most renowned religious site, the Pashupatinath Temple, holds a UNESCO World Heritage designation and draws pilgrims and tourists alike.

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UAE Announces Five-Day Visa Freeze Amid Eid Al Adha

The UAE will freeze all visa and immigration services for five days from June 4 to June 8, 2025, in observance of the Eid Al Adha holiday, a move that is expected to cause significant travel chaos and processing delays. This temporary suspension affects visa applications, residency permits, and fine payments, leading to potential backlogs and travel disruptions for residents, tourists, and international visitors. Travelers and visa holders are strongly advised to complete all necessary immigration procedures well before the closure to avoid penalties, overstays, and complications during this critical holiday period. As the UAE prepares to celebrate the important religious festival of Eid Al Adha in early June 2025, all immigration departments across the country will temporarily halt their operations from June 4th through June 8th. This planned closure spans five days and will affect a wide array of immigration-related services. Residents, tourists, and international travellers alike are urged to plan ahead to prevent complications related to visa processing, residency permits, and travel formalities. Understanding the Eid Al Adha Closure: What’s Happening? In recognition of Eid Al Adha, a major holiday observed by millions across the UAE, the government’s immigration authorities have announced a complete suspension of their services for this period. This means no new visa applications, renewals, status changes, or fine payments related to immigration issues will be processed during these five days. While routine border control will continue to operate to allow lawful entry and exit, other support services will be severely limited or unavailable.

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Dinosaurs Are Coming! Singapore Is Now Home To Asia’s First Jurassic World Attraction

If Singapore is on your bucket list in 2025, especially with kids, then Jurassic World: The Experience is a must-visit attraction for you. From small-but-mischievous Compsognathus camouflaged among plants to menacing Velociraptors, your experience here will take you back to the time of the OG movies. Get ready to step into a world where dinosaurs roam once again! Jurassic World: The Experience made an amazing Asian debut in Singapore on May 29, 2025, at the iconic Gardens by the Bay. This immersive attraction, set within the stunning Cloud Forest, brings the prehistoric creatures of the beloved Jurassic Park and Jurassic World film franchises to life like never before. Isla Nublar—In The Heart of Singapore Inspired by Isla Nublar, the fictional island off Costa Rica that fans will recognise as the heart of the Jurassic Park universe, this interactive experience is divided into zones that showcase the park’s diverse dinosaur species. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by the towering Brachiosaurus Falls, where two majestic 8.5-metre-tall Brachiosauruses rise up amidst the mist and greenery, and will make you believe that it'll be a fantastic journey ahead!

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Air Astana increases Mumbai–Almaty flights to 4x weekly from 24 June 2025

Air Astana has announced an increase in frequency on its Mumbai–Almaty route, effective June 24, 2025, as part of its Summer Schedule. The airline will now operate four weekly flights, up from the current three, offering greater convenience and flexibility for both MICE and leisure travellers. The added frequency will further strengthen connectivity between India and Kazakhstan, making onward travel from Almaty to other international destinations more seamless. This move reflects growing demand on the route and the airline’s commitment to supporting the Indian travel trade and its customers. Flights between Mumbai (BOM) and Almaty (ALA) will now operate on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with the return leg from Almaty operating on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. The direct flights, with an average duration of approximately 4.5 hours, offer both comfort and efficiency. This enhancement is expected to significantly benefit travellers looking for flexible and timely options for their Kazakhstan and Central Asia itineraries.

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'Lambi hai gham ki shaam': Omar Abdullah turns to Faiz’s iconic Urdu verse of hope to draw tourists back to Kashmir

In Gulmarg, Abdullah quoted a couplet of Pakistani Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, ‘Dil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai,’ as he tried to explain why optimism is pivotal in adversity. For the last few days Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken on himself to lead a campaign for revival of tourism in the Valley, which was hit by the unprecedented terror attack in Pahalgam last month. On 28 May, Abdullah chaired a meeting of administrative secretaries and other top officials in Gulmarg health resort as part of his governmentís efforts to draw tourists back to Kashmir. A day before, he held a symbolic cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the site of the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The chief minister's visits have infused a new hope among stakeholders and increased the chances of a turnaround after the tourist season this year was washed out due to the terror attack. “Dil Na Umeed to Nahi” In Gulmarg, speaking with media on Wednesday, Abdullah quoted a couplet of Pakistani Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, “Dil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai,” as he tried to explain why optimism is pivotal in adversity. “These lines, which I also quoted at the recent NITI Aayog meeting, serve as a reminder that even in dark times, hope must prevail. What happened recently marks one of the most difficult phases in recent years, but we have endured worse over the past four decades and always found a way to bounce back,” Abdullah was quoted as saying by local newspaper Greater Kashmir.

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International tourist arrivals grew 5% in Q1 2025

According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, about 14 million more than in the same months of 2024. That represents a 5% rise on last year and is 3% more than in pre-pandemic year 2019. The robust performance came despite the sector facing a range of geopolitical and trade tensions, as well as high inflation in travel and tourism services. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “In every global region, tourism stands out as a major services sector, supporting millions of jobs and businesses of all sizes. The continued good performance in international arrivals combined with stronger visitor spending in many destinations highlights the resilience of the sector in the face of numerous challenges and is good news for economies and workers everywhere.” Africa shows solid results, while Asia Pacific rebounds strongly The World Tourism Barometer breaks down the data for the first quarter of 2025 by region and sub-region. Key highlights show: Europe welcomed 125 million international tourists in the first three months of the year, up 2% from Q1 2024, and 5% more than the same period before the pandemic. In Southern Mediterranean Europe arrivals increased 2%, reflecting growing demand for off-season travel to some destinations. Central and Eastern Europe rebounded strongly (+8% over 2024), especially Baltic destinations, though visitor numbers in the subregion remain below 2019 levels. Africa recorded 9% growth in arrivals in Q1 2025, compared to 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic traveller numbers by 16%. The Americas saw 2% more international arrivals, with several destinations in South America (+13%) enjoying strong results during the Southern Hemisphere summer season. The Middle East recorded 1% growth compared to 2024, a more modest increase following the extraordinary performance in recent years. However, arrivals stood 44% above pre-pandemic levels this first quarter of the year. Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew 12%, reaching 92% of pre-pandemic numbers. North-East Asia saw the strongest performance among world subregions with a 23% rebound in Q1 2025 to reach 91% of 2019 levels.

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