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Karnataka govt clears new tourism policy, eyes Rs 1,500 crore investments

Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet on Monday cleared the new tourism policy for the state, with the government eyeing investments to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore in the sector. Karnataka plans to attract 20 lakh foreign tourists a year to be among the top five states in this category, and with respect to domestic footfalls it wants to be among the top three states with a target of 48 crore local tourists, Law and Parliament... "The cabinet after detailed discussion has given its nod to announce the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2024-29 and to release subsidies, grants under the policy," Patil said. He further said the new tourism policy wants to promote tourism in the state under themes -- adventure, agriculture, caravan, coastal, beach, cuisine, cultural, traditional, environment, education, film, golf, sports, tribal, wedding destination, hea...

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Bengaluru metro's Yellow Line to get operational after second week of January 2025

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is all set to begin the operations of Yellow Line, in January 2025, said a report in Deccan Herald. This 19.5 kilometers metro line will connect RV Road with Bommasandra and the route will have crucial stations like BTM layout, Silkboard junction and Electronic City. According to the report, Namma Metro expects to get all clearances by the end of December to operate the Yellow Line. “BMRCL is aiming to get all approvals by the end of this year from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), and we will be set to begin operations in the month of January,” Namma Metro MD M Maheshwar Rao told the publication. The trains are yet to arrive to Bengaluru as they are being manufactured in West Bengal’s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL). Rao further said, “We already have one train delivered and we are expecting the second one by the end of December. Third one is expected in the first week of January and with three trains, we will hit the operations on this route.” However, the trial runs using a prototype train, which arrived in Bengaluru earlier this year, are ongoing. The Research, Design, and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is overseeing these trials to ensure compliance before the metro's official launch.

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Kashmir hosts all-women boat race on Dal Lake for the first time

In a historic moment for Kashmir’s Dal Lake, the region recently hosted its first-ever all-women boat race, with over 150 participants making a strong statement for gender equality and empowerment. This groundbreaking event drew significant attention in the Kashmir Valley, showcasing the passion and skill of female athletes and breaking stereotypes about women in sports. The race symbolizes a new era for women’s sports in Kashmir, encouraging more inclusive events and inspiring future generations. The race was organized by Bilkis Mir, a renowned athlete from Kashmir and India’s first female Chief Jury for the Paris Olympics. Known for her dedication to women’s empowerment in water sports, Mir has trained many young women in Kashmir, striving to open doors that are traditionally closed to them. Reflecting on the event, Mir expressed immense pride, calling it “a historic day.” She remarked, “It was the first race exclusively for women. We usually see sports events dominated by men, whether in cricket or other tournaments. For women, such opportunities are rare. These girls stepped out of their homes to join this race, and we discovered promising new talent. We are now adopting 35 girls to train for national and international competitions.” The participants, thrilled by this opportunity, saw the race as a sign of progress for women in Kashmir. Madiha Farooq, one of the competitors, shared her joy, stating, “I am very happy to be part of this unique event in the Valley. With over 100 participants, three girls emerged as winners. I hope we see more events like this because sports are essential for girls. Those who believe sports are not meant for women are wrong. Our teacher, the ‘aqua queen,’ inspires us all.” More than just a race, the event served as a platform to identify and nurture new talent, with organizers selecting 35 girls for future training aimed at national and international events. Special awards were given to the top three racers, while all participants received certificates and cash prizes, acknowledging their contributions to this milestone.

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HRTC adds 155 extra buses for Diwali travel in Himachal Pradesh.

In a recent update, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has introduced 155 extra buses to manage the increased travel demand for Diwali. Starting from Tuesday, this service aims to offer a smoother and more comfortable travel experience during the festive season. Tickets for these buses are available online, allowing travelers to secure seats in advance and avoid last-minute rushes. The primary focus of HRTC's additional services is the route between Delhi and various destinations in Himachal Pradesh, known to experience heavy traffic during Diwali. As part of this effort, HRTC will deploy 60 extra buses from Delhi on October 30, serving key districts like Palampur, Baijnath, Jogendranagar, Pathankot, and Dharamshala. Both standard and luxury buses will be available for routes to Dharamshala, offering passengers a choice of comfort levels. From Chandigarh, HRTC will run 70 extra buses on October 29 and 30, covering multiple destinations within Himachal Pradesh. On the first day, two buses each will serve areas like Chamba and Dharamshala. On October 30, four additional buses are planned for Bilaspur to ensure that travelers have ample options for reaching their homes or visiting loved ones during the holiday. Additionally, the town of Baddi will benefit from 25 extra buses on both days, providing enhanced travel convenience in that region.

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New domestic flights boost foreign travel by Indians

Thanks to new direct flights from domestic carriers, Indians are increasingly making trips to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which reported a three-digit growth of Indian visitors in the last year, according to an assessment by aviation consultancy firm CAPA India. According to the data, there was a growth of 148% and 139% in Indian travellers visiting Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, respectively, this year compared to the same period in 2023. IndiGo launched direct flights to the two nations in the middle of last year and this has resulted in Indian travellers flocking to the central Asian and eastern European destinations, CAPA said. Double-digit growth in Indian travellers has also been seen in the US, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam with IndiGo and Air India adding new or more flights to these countries. “India’s international air travel market is extremely under-penetrated. The triple-digit growth of Indian visitors to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is with IndiGo’s direct connectivity and with penetration of Indian carriers things will change,” said Kapil Kaul, South Asia CEO of CAPA India. Competition will increase further with Air India Express also looking to start operations to Thailand and Akasa Air looking to expand its service to more countries from present Qatar and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. SpiceJet on October 28 announced two flights connecting Delhi to Phuket, Thailand. It already flies to four international destinations and has additional traffic rights for 17 international destinations.

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Saudi Arabia opens Sindalah Island, its first luxury Red Sea destination

Saudi Arabia's planned futuristic mega-city known as NEOM announced on Sunday the opening of its "first physical showcase": a luxury Red Sea island featuring restaurants, hotels and yachting berths. The opening of the island, known as Sindalah, comes amid persistent doubts about NEOM's viability and ahead of a major investor forum sometimes referred to as "Davos in the Desert" which will begin in Riyadh on Tuesday. "NEOM is committed to supporting the Kingdom's new era of luxury tourism, with the opening of Sindalah," chief executive Nadhmi al-Nasr said in a statement. “NEOM's inaugural destination offers visitors a 'first glimpse' of what the future holds for our extensive portfolio of destinations and developments.” Sindalah is "spread over 840,000 square metres" (200 acres) and will be set to receive "up to 2,400 guests per day by 2028", the statement said. NEOM is best known for The Line, twin mirror-encased 170-kilometre-long skyscrapers meant to extend inland from the coast. Unveiling The Line in 2022, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said its population would exceed one million by 2030 before climbing to nine million by 2045. However, Bloomberg reported earlier this year that under revised projections just 300,000 people would be living in The Line by decade's end, and only 2.4 kilometres of the project would be completed by then.

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