News

Asia’s largest tulip garden opens for public in Srinagar

Nestled between the Dal Lake and the Zabarwan Hills, Asia’s largest tulip garden opened for the public on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a new tourism season in the Kashmir valley. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was thrown open to the public by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The garden was set up by Ghulam Nabi Azad, the then chief minister of the erstwhile state in 2007 to advance J-K’s tourist season which was earlier limited to the summers and the winters. Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the garden was opened to the public as tulips of different colours have started to bloom, Floriculture Department officials said. The department plants tulip bulbs in a phased manner so that the flowers remain in bloom for a month or more. This year, the department has added two new varieties of tulips to the garden. A new colour scheme has been introduced this year, and the total number of varieties of tulips and other flowers has risen to 74.

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Dubai Airport Set To Welcome Over Three Million Passengers In Monumental Eid Holiday Surge

The daily traffic is expected to reach an average of 276,000 passengers. During the Eid week, departures are forecasted to increase by 19% compared to the typical weekly traffic seen over the last month. Dubai International (DXB) anticipates over 3.6 million travelers will pass through its terminals during the peak Eid travel period from March 26 to April 7. The busiest day is expected to be Saturday, April 5, with an estimated 309,000 passengers. The average daily traffic is projected to reach 276,000 guests, with the most significant increase expected in the first week of April. Departures during Eid week are anticipated to rise by 19% compared to the average weekly volumes of the past month, marking a clear seasonal boost. With schools on spring break, demand remains high for key VFR (visiting friends and relatives) destinations such as India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, alongside a noticeable uptick in leisure travel to locations like Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Italy.

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Indonesia Gears Up For Holiday Rush With One Hundred Forty-Six Million Travelers On The Move

Over 33 million individuals are hitting the roads in private vehicles, with the heaviest traffic anticipated this Friday. To ensure their safety, more than 164,000 transportation and security staff have been mobilized nationwide. Indonesian officials are preparing for the massive yearly exodus, with around 146 million people—over half the nation’s population—set to journey back to their hometowns for the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations. Known locally as “mudik,” this tradition ranks among the largest seasonal movements of people globally. Travelers endure long distances, intense fatigue, and heavy traffic as they make their way home to celebrate the end of Ramadan with loved ones. A recent survey by Indonesia’s transportation ministry estimates that roughly 33 million people will travel by private car this year. Another 25 million are expected to take buses, while over 23 million will make their journey by train.

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Vietnam’s Airline Expansion Driven by India, Russia, Indonesia, Italy, China, Japan & Singapore

Vietnam expands global air routes to India, Russia, Indonesia, Italy, China, Japan, and Singapore, boosting tourism, trade, and international connectivity. Vietnam’s aviation sector is entering a period of dynamic growth, with both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet announcing major route expansions and frequency upgrades across key international destinations. These strategic moves aim to boost tourism, strengthen trade ties, and reinforce Vietnam’s position as a regional aviation hub. Vietnam Airlines ramps up flights to India, Russia, Indonesia, and Europe Vietnam Airlines is preparing to launch several new international routes, beginning with two direct connections between Hanoi and India. Starting May 1, flights to Bengaluru will commence, followed by service to Hyderabad on May 7. Each route will operate three to four round trips per week. These additions build on the carrier’s existing India services, which already include flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Delhi and Mumbai. So far, Vietnam Airlines has transported more than 240,000 passengers on over 1,600 India-bound flights. In a significant move to restore long-distance connectivity, Vietnam Airlines will restart its direct Hanoi-Moscow service in May, after a three-year pause prompted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The route will initially operate twice weekly. With Russia being a vital market for both tourism and commerce, this resumed service is expected to play a key role in bilateral economic recovery.

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Hong Kong Becomes a Cultural Wonderland with Art, Immersive Experiences & Creative Energy

Hong Kong comes alive this March with explosive art events, immersive exhibits, and vibrant neighborhood showcases celebrating culture, creativity, and community. Hong Kong Celebrates Local Culture Through Immersive Art Events This March Hong Kong is embracing a vibrant celebration of creativity and community this March with the launch of the “Hong Kong Super March” campaign by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). This city-wide initiative brings together a dynamic lineup of art, cultural, and sports events, inviting both locals and travelers to explore the heart of Hong Kong through immersive and authentic experiences. The campaign spotlights collaborations with four major events: ComplexCon Hong Kong, HKwalls Street Art Festival, Art Central, and Art Basel Hong Kong. These gatherings showcase the unique spirit of Hong Kong’s diverse neighborhoods, giving visitors an intimate look into its rich cultural heritage and distinctive blend of East and West. Running from March 26 to 30 at the Central Harbourfront, Art Central introduces a new initiative called “Studio Central,” curated by Shirky Chan. This live art space features three groups of artists creating works that reflect their personal connections to local neighborhoods. By allowing visitors to observe and interact with the creative process, the project breaks down barriers between artists and audiences, turning the act of creation into a shared experience.

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A New Era unfolds in the Travel Industry as India-China Talks Pave The Way For Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumption

India and China engaged in constructive discussions aimed at restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has been halted since 2020. The talks also emphasized enhancing border management, as well as restoring direct flights and media collaborations. This development marks a positive shift in bilateral relations, with recent high-level meetings helping to reduce tensions and promote greater cooperation between the two countries. In recent diplomatic talks, China and India focused on enhancing their bilateral relationship and addressing long-standing issues, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This sacred pilgrimage, vital for Hindu worshippers, has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing border tensions. On March 25, 2025, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) convened for its 33rd meeting in Beijing. The Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while India was represented by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The discussions were described as “positive and constructive” and focused on preserving peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and improving border management. Additionally, the two sides explored the possibility of an early resumption of cooperation for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and trans-border waterways.

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