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Indonesia is offering visa-free travel to 96 countries

In a bid to boost tourism, Indonesia has announced visa-free travel to 96 countries. The beautiful archipelago with over 17,000 islands, is a coastal dream destination for visitors from across the globe. As of October 2024, Indonesia has experienced a substantial surge in inbound tourism, driven by its expanded visa-free policy, booming economic growth, and improved infrastructure. The new visa-free policy now allows citizens from 96 countries, including the USA, Japan, UK, UAE, and Mexico, to enter Indonesia without a visa, significantly boosting its appeal to international visitors. May 2024 saw a significant rise in international tourist arrivals to Indonesia, reaching 1.15 million visitors. This represents a 7.36% increase compared to April 2024 and a 20.11% rise compared to May 2023. The consistent growth in tourism underscores Indonesia’s rising popularity as a global travel destination. The majority of visitors came from neighboring countries, with Malaysia (17.47%), Australia (11.98%), and Singapore (9.69%) leading the way. This trend reflects Indonesia’s strong regional ties and its strategic position as a travel hub in Southeast Asia.

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Japan's bullet train hosts world's first zombie apocalypse experience for travellers

It's usually a serene two-and-a-half-hour ride on Japan's famously efficient bullet train. But the journey quickly descended into a zombie apocalypse, with passengers screaming in terror. Organisers of Saturday's adrenaline-filled trip, less than two weeks before Halloween, touted it as the "world's first haunted house experience on a running shinkansen". On board one chartered car of the shinkansen -- the Japanese word for bullet train -- were around 40 thrill-seekers, ready to brave an encounter with the living dead between Tokyo and the western metropolis of Osaka. The eerie experience was inspired by the hit 2016 South Korean action-horror movie "Train to Busan", in which a father and daughter trapped on a moving train battle zombies hungry for human flesh. All seemed normal at first as the bullet train made a peaceful departure Saturday evening, but it wasn't long until the first gory attack. The victims -- actors planted in seats by the organisers -- jerked in agony and then underwent a terrifying transformation before starting a rampage against their fellow passengers. Event organiser Kenta Iwana of the group Kowagarasetai, which translates to the "scare squad", said they wanted to "depict the normally safe, peaceful shinkansen -- something we take for granted -- collapsing in the blink of an eye".

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Explore Ahmedabad in just 24 hours

Ahmedabad, steeped in a rich tapestry of mosques, tombs, and forts will captivate you at every turn, compelling you to absorb its grandeur. Founded in 1411 by Ahmed Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate, the walled city was declared India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO in 2017. If you have just 24 hours in this the 600-year-old city and are unsure of what to see, here is a beginner’s guide: Before exploring the ancient relics of the walled city, enjoy a hearty breakfast at Lucky Restaurant, locally known as Dine with the Dead. It is famous for its unique ambience, where diners eat beside coffins, and it also proudly displays a painting gifted by MF Husain. Alternatively, you can visit New Irani Restaurant to savour Mughlai dishes along with its mouth watering bun maska and Irani chai. 7am: Before exploring the ancient relics of the walled city, enjoy a hearty breakfast at Lucky Restaurant, locally known as Dine with the Dead. It is famous for its unique ambience, where diners eat beside coffins, and it also proudly displays a painting gifted by MF Husain. Alternatively, you can visit New Irani Restaurant to savour Mughlai dishes along with its mouth watering bun maska and Irani chai. 10am: Begin your exploration from Sidi Sayed Mosque. Popularly known as Sidi Sayed Ni Jali, the mosque features depiction of the kalpavriksha or ‘tree of life’. It appears on latticework where the branches are intricately intertwined is a symbolic representation of the city and the logo of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

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Saudia Wins The World's Most Improved Airline

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, was named ‘The World's Most Improved Airline’ and ranked number one for the Best Economy Class Airline Catering at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The event was hosted by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, known for its evaluation of the global airline industry. The World Airline Awards are based on a comprehensive global customer satisfaction survey conducted over several months, covering more than 375 airlines worldwide. In recent years, Saudia has demonstrated unparalleled progress in its rankings, earning the title of ‘The World's Most Improved Airline’ for the third time. Saudia’s remarkable trajectory has seen its ranking surge over the past seven years, leaping from 82nd place in 2017 to 23rd in 2023, and achieving the 20th position in 2024. Saudia’s ‘SHINE’ transformation program has been instrumental in accomplishing this remarkable achievement as the initiatives are focused on elevating the guest experience, optimizing operational efficiency, and enhancing its service and product offerings, followed by the launching of Saudia’s new era of digital transformation and cutting-edge technologies. These efforts have propelled Saudia to rank among the top 10 airlines globally in On-Time Performance (OTP) throughout 2023, maintaining this position for six consecutive months. Notably, in May 2024, Saudia was ranked among the top five for arrival On-Time Performance (OTP-A) and first globally for the highest departure On-Time Performance (OTP-D).

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Uttar Pradesh tourism to launch QR code audio tours

Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is coming up with a new QR Code-based Audio Tour Portal. This initiative aims to boost tourism and enhance visitor experiences at historical and cultural sites. These audio guides can be accessed by tourists at over 100 key attractions. If reports are to go by, very soon, sites including the Taj Mahal, Varanasi’s ancient temples, Ayodhya’s spiritual landmarks, and other iconic destinations in the state will soon have the aforementioned audio tours The audio tour system is part of a broader effort by the state to make its rich heritage more accessible to both domestic and international travellers. Visitors will be able to access immersive audio content on these digital platforms. The hope is that this experience will help provide in-depth insights into the history, architecture, and cultural significance of each location. Tourists will be able to use their smartphones to scan the QR codes placed at various sites. As per reports, the aforementioned audio content will initially be available in English and Hindi. There are plans to add regional and international languages later on. The aim is to reach out to a diverse range of visitors, from all over the world. The audio tours will range from 1 to 15 minutes, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace while gaining a richer understanding of each destination. Earlier this year, from January to June, Ayodhya saw a tremendous rise in the number of visitors, thanks to the recent construction of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The state tourism is expecting this flow of tourists to continue in the state.

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Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurates FHRAI’s 54th Annual Convention in Goa

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the third largest hospitality association in the world, began its 54th Annual Convention at the Taj Cidade de Goa, Horizon. The three-day event, running from October 16th to 18th, was inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of India, in the presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa. The convention has brought together approximately 800 delegates to discuss the future of India’s tourism and hospitality industry. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. D.S. Advani, Chairman of the Convention Organizing Committee (COC), and Mr. Pradeep Shetty, President of FHRAI. The theme for this year’s convention is “Tourism @2047: Incredible to Inevitable India – Driving Growth and Sustainability in a Mission Mode.” The focus is on identifying strategies that will foster sustainable growth and innovation in India’s tourism sector, aligning with the national goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Discussions emphasised on how tourism can drive economic growth and sustainability in a mission-oriented way. During the inauguration, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism highlighted the importance of tourism in shaping India’s future. He said: ” The challenges faced by the tourism industry were clear, and there was a strong consensus on the necessity of granting industry status by the state government to effectively address these issues. Over the years, we have collaborated with various states, sharing best practices and government policies. On World Tourism Day, we compiled these insights and disseminated them widely, urging states to implement these strategies to bolster the sector. Our follow-ups have been consistent, emphasising the importance of these practices. Regarding our ongoing GST and infrastructure challenges, I took the initiative to request a meeting with the Finance Minister before this event. Even amidst her commitments at the World Bank Summit. Our in-depth conversation about infrastructure status to this industry and its implications was met with genuine attentiveness, and I am optimistic about positive outcomes from our discussions”. “Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, India’s global standing is on the rise. Initiatives like ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Chalo India’ aim to empower the Indian diaspora to promote our country. Notably, we recently offered one lakh visas for free in celebration of World Tourism Day, and we are actively working with the Ministry of External Affairs to attract key international markets. As we strive to decongest popular tourist destinations and develop new offerings, I am committed to collaborating with states to propose large-scale projects. We must also focus on cultivating new tourism destinations, particularly in rural and lesser-known areas, to diversify our tourism landscape. In closing, I extend my gratitude to the Government of Goa and the Chief Minister for hosting this conference, and I commend FHRAI for its relentless efforts. It is an honour to be part of this vital conversation.” he added.

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