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Free bus rides for women in Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that there is no proposal before the government to revisit the 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in the state. The clarification came amid criticism over Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar indicating about revisiting the scheme. Facing backlash over his statement, Shivakumar on Thursday ruled out withdrawing or revisiting any of the five guarantee schemes including Shakti, and accused media and opposition parties of distorting his statement. “There is no such proposal before the government, he (Shivakumar) only said what some women are saying. I don't know, I was not there. I will speak,” Siddaramaiah said in response to a question regarding the Deputy CM's statement. Speaking to reporters here, the CM said: “there is no situation for revisiting it at the government level. There is no such intention, there is no such proposal.” Noting that many women had tweeted and reached out to him expressing their willingness to pay for the ride, Shivakumar, addressing an event on Wednesday, said: “let's see, we will all sit and discuss it. They are a section (of women), they may be 5-10 per cent. Let's see, some have honestly expressed they are ready to pay. Ramalinga Reddy (Transport Minister) and I -- we will discuss in the government, what to do.”

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S Africa launches scheme to woo tourists from India, China

South Africa has launched an innovative new scheme to increase tourism, especially from India and China, inviting tour operators from those two countries to join their local counterparts in signing up to the scheme. Two months after Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, conceptualised the concept, his Department on Tuesday announced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which is aimed at enhancing job creation that flows from increased tourism. This followed discussion with the tourism ministry and the tourism sector in the country to find ways of eliminating visa inefficiency and red tape which had throttled South Africa's ability to attract more tourists from these two burgeoning source markets. To resolve bottlenecks and reposition Home Affairs as an economic enabler, the Department has today gazetted a call for expression of interest by established tour operators from South Africa and abroad who wish to sign up to the scheme to bring more tourists from China and India to our country, the department said in a statement. It cited statistics showing how Chinese tourists made over 100 million outbound trips in 2023, with South Africa receiving only 93,000 of these arrivals. In comparison, a country like Australia attracted over 1.4 million visitors from China in 2023.

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UK Government issues updated travel advisory for 18 countries

The UK government has issued a fresh travel advisory, urging British nationals to reconsider travel to 18 popular destinations across the Middle East and North Africa. This advisory follows recent airstrikes by Israel targeting Iran and an escalating wave of conflict across the region. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) updated its guidance on October 26, advising against non-essential travel to destinations that include Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. With tensions mounting, the FCDO cautioned travellers to keep a close eye on official updates and local guidance if they’re currently in or planning to visit the region. If reports are to go by, for those who may be considering trips to any of the impacted countries, it's important to remember that disregarding this travel advice could mean more than just taking a personal risk—your travel insurance might not cover you if you go against FCDO recommendations. The advisory extends to a wide range of popular destinations across the Middle East and North Africa, including: Cyprus, Turkey (which has a separate warning due to a recent terrorist attack), Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Iran, Syria, Occupied Palestinian Territories

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Thailand extends visa-free entry for Indian travellers

Thailand has just made your next holiday even easier by extending its visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals indefinitely. This move, announced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), was initially set to end on November 11, 2024, but now has no end date in sight. The policy, first introduced in November 2023, allows Indian travellers to enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. Plus, if you want to stay longer, you can extend your stay for another 30 days at an immigration office. For many Indians, Thailand has long been a popular choice, thanks to its stunning beaches, rich culture, and close proximity to India. Before this visa-free scheme, applying for a Thai visa required a fee of around INR 3,000, along with documentation like bank statements, foreign exchange proofs, and hotel bookings. Now, that entire process can be skipped, making Thailand even more accessible and affordable. This has led to a noticeable increase in Indian tourists flocking to Thailand. If reports are to go by, from January to mid-October this year, 16.17 million Indian visitors travelled to Thailand. Travel industry insiders report that this visa-free entry has spurred spontaneous travel and last-minute holiday plans, with Thailand now positioned as a perfect short-haul international destination. The impact of the visa-free policy extends beyond individual travellers. Thailand’s scenic locales and luxury resorts have long been favoured for destination weddings, and with visa-free entry, the number of Indian weddings and large group events taking place in Thailand has seen a significant rise. Many Indian families, large friend groups, and corporate teams are also taking advantage of the hassle-free entry to plan trips for special occasions and vacations. This trend is expected to continue, especially with Thailand’s combination of beach resorts, vibrant cities, and cultural experiences appealing to a broad range of travellers.

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Disney Adventure launches in Singapore in December 2025.

The ship will have seven themed areas that will bring together the worlds of Disney, Pixar and Marvel: Disney Imagination Garden, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay, Disney Discovery Reef and Marvel Landing. Imagine being on a roller-coaster with the vast ocean beneath you. Or hobnobbing with cartoon characters that have been your friends since childhood. And, exploring fantastical larger-than-life spaces as you sail on a vast cruise ship. This is what Disney is offering on its cruise, aptly titled Disney Adventure, which is set to sail in Asia for the first time in December next year. And, because it’s Disney, expect an experience that is colourful, action-packed and where the fun never stops. As Sarah Fox, vice-president and regional general manager, southeast Asia, Disney Cruise Line, said at a recent unveiling of the offerings at Singapore: “Sailing on primarily three- and four-night voyages designed with only dedicated days at sea, the ship will include something for everyone. From fun and interactive spaces for kids, to relaxing venues for adults to unwind, to entertaining and engaging places for families to enjoy together, guests will find endless adventures from bow to stern.”

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Mumbai airport to operate 3,372 flights per week in winter season

Oct 28Mumbai Airport will see a marginal 2 per cent year-on-year increase at 3,372 flights per week flight movements this winter despite rising travel demand. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is all set to provide an extensive network of travel options for its passengers with 3,372 weekly flights--2,361 weekly domestic and 1,011 weekly international flights-- for the winter schedule 2024, the private airport operator said. Significantly, as per the winter schedule for the Indian Airlines announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this month, the Indian airlines will operate 25,007 flights every week to and from 124 airports, which is 5.37 per cent more compared to the winter schedule of 2023. To meet rising travel demand, this robust schedule ensures a seamless travel experience to more than 115 destinations this winter, it said and added that the Winter Schedule will increase services to international destinations including Toronto, Bangkok, London and Amman, Jordan. Air Canada will resume its service to Toronto starting October 28, 2024, with four weekly flights while Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air has introduced its services to Bangkok (DMK) from October 27, 2024, offering eight weekly flights, Mumbai Airport said.

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