News

Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu Opens as Nepal’s Landmark for Luxury and Culture.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation and City Hotel Limited have unveiled the transformation of Hyatt Place Kathmandu into Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu, marking the debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in Nepal. This milestone brings a vibrant, modern twist to hospitality in the region, catering to contemporary travelers seeking unique and immersive experiences. The hotel offers 153 elegantly designed guestrooms, combining comfort and style to meet the needs of global explorers. With over 8,600 square feet of versatile meeting and event spaces, the property accommodates gatherings ranging from intimate meetings to grand events for up to 600 attendees. Its state-of-the-art facilities, complemented by exceptional catering services, make it a top choice for both business and social occasions. Guests can unwind at the Centric Lounge, a lively community space that serves as a hub for interaction and relaxation. Here, expertly crafted artisanal coffees, signature cocktails, and locally inspired bites create a vibrant atmosphere for locals and travelers alike. For dining, the hotel features NOON, an all-day restaurant offering diverse culinary delights, and ZING Sky Pool Bar & Deck, a sophisticated poolside venue with panoramic views of Kathmandu.

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Istanbul Offers Free Public Transport and Enhanced Safety from New Year’s Day 2025.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) introduced free public transportation from January 1, 2025, ensuring residents and visitors can enjoy a safe and seamless start to the new year.This initiative is part of a comprehensive plan by IMM to provide uninterrupted services and maintain order throughout New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. o accommodate the anticipated rush during New Year’s celebrations, additional public transportation services have been scheduled. Buses: İETT will operate 64,832 trips on December 31, with 304 additional trips on 25 key lines to meet demand. Metrobus: The system, which operates 24/7, will add 221 trips during the night. Metro and Tram: Key metro lines, including M1A, M2, M4, and M9, will run continuously for 24 hours. Tram and funicular lines, such as T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar and F1 Taksim-Kabataş, will operate extended hours until 2:00 AM on January 1. City Lines Ferries: Additional trips will be organized to handle passenger density, with personnel assigned to manage potential crowding.

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Philippines Tourism Booms with 5.44 Million Arrivals and PHP712 Billion Revenue.

The Philippines recorded approximately 5.44 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2024, reflecting an 8.7% growth compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Department of Tourism. Foreign visitors comprised 91.4% of the total arrivals, which also included overseas Filipinos. In total, the country welcomed nearly 5.95 million arrivals from January 1 to December 31, with 510,383 of those being overseas Filipinos—individuals holding Philippine passports but residing permanently abroad. This segment saw a 14.2% year-on-year increase. Known for its vibrant tourism offerings, the Philippines is among the few Asian nations with an extensive casino industry accessible to both locals and international visitors.The Philippine government initially set a target of 7.7 million foreign tourist arrivals for 2024, following a strong performance in 2023.

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Croatia Becomes a Year-Round Tourist Hotspot

Croatia saw a 4% rise in tourist arrivals to more than 21.3 million and a 1% increase in overnight stays to over 108.7 million in 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on Friday.The vast majority of the overnight stays - 103.3 million - were recorded along Croatia's picturesque Adriatic coast. The vast majority of the overnight stays - 103.3 million - were recorded along Croatia's picturesque Adriatic coast."We can be very satisfied with all accomplished tourist results in 2024, including financial indicators, because we have had another record year according to all parameters," Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina said in a statement. Glavina said the most significant growth in arrivals occurred during the pre-season and post-season periods, showing that "we are becoming a whole-year-around tourist destination".

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Ghana Goes Visa Free Making Your Next African Adventure Easier

Ghana's outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo Friday announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders from the start of this year, marking a step towards continental economic integration. The announcement came during his final state of the nation address as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two terms in office. "I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year," Akufo-Addo said in his speech to parliament."This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world," he said. "All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU's Agenda 2063, which envisages an integrated and connected Africa by 2063," he added, referring to the African Union's development blueprint for a 50-year period.Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia and Benin in offering visa-free entry to African travellers.

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New Flight Services Commence from Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda Airports Boosting Odisha Aviation Routes

As part of Odisha's New Destination Policy (NDP) 2024, new flight services were started on Friday from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, and Patna, an official release said. Similar services also commenced from Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda to Hyderabad, Raipur, and Lucknow. The new flight services will be operated by Air India Express and Star Air. Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh flagged off the inaugural flights from Bhubaneswar to Jaipur and Kochi. Flights to Lucknow will commence on Saturday followed by services to Patna on January 15. With these additions, Air India Express now operates 104 weekly flights from Bhubaneswar, connecting Odisha with major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, and Pune. Singh said that these flights will convenience professionals, families, students, and naval personnel, fostering economic and cultural exchanges.

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