News

Visa-free entry for Singapore PR holders to Batam, Bintan, and Karimun Islands in Indonesia

In a bid to boost tourism, Indonesia has launched a new visa-free entry policy for those holding Singapore permanent residency (PR). These people can enter Batam, Bintan, and the Karimun Islands without the hassle of obtaining a visa. This initiative is part of Indonesia's efforts to boost tourism and investment in its regional economic zones, specifically in the Riau Islands, a popular destination in proximity to Singapore. Understanding the policy Under this policy, Singapore PR holders can stay for up to four days in the designated areas, as announced by Silmy Karim, Indonesia's Director General of Immigration. The visa-free entry will be available at several port points within the Riau region, including Batam, Bintan, and the Karimun Islands. These islands are known for their natural beauty, resort facilities, and potential as economic hubs. The policy differs from the broader visa-free entry offered to ASEAN member states, which is open to all citizens of these countries. In contrast, this new regulation is tailored specifically for Singapore PR holders, creating a more streamlined and accessible option for short-term stays. This move aims to attract short-term visitors from Singapore, particularly those seeking leisure or business opportunities in the region. Batam and Bintan, in particular, are popular with Singapore residents due to their proximity and ease of access. Nongsa Digital Park, located in Batam, and Bintan Resort are key areas Indonesia is looking to promote through this policy. Both places are not only tourism hubs but also centers for digital economy development, making them attractive to business travellers as well.

Read more

Indian Railways announces 36 special trains between Mumbai and Raxaul in Bihar

To meet the growing demand between Mumbai and Raxaul in Bihar, Indian Railways has announced the introduction of 36 special train services to connect the two destinations. These trains would depart from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). With this, the Indian Railways aims at accommodating the rising number of travellers between the two regions. Here are the key details you need to know about these special trains. As per a report by The Times of India, the outbound service, designated as 05586 special, will depart from LTT Mumbai every Sunday at 4 PM. The service is scheduled to operate until 2 January 2025, covering a total of 18 trips. Passengers traveling on this route will reach Raxaul at 7:45 AM on the third day of their journey, providing them ample time to rest and prepare upon arrival. For the return journey, the 05585 special will depart from Raxaul every Friday at 4:55 PM and will continue until 31 January 2025, also completing 18 trips. Travelers on this train will arrive at LTT Mumbai at 7:25 AM on the third day, offering a convenient morning arrival in the bustling metropolis. Both services are thoughtfully scheduled to include stops at key stations along the route, facilitating smoother travel connections for passengers from different regions. The trains will halt at important stations such as Kalyan, Nasik, Manmad, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Prayagraj Cheoki, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Danapur, Patliputra, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, and Bairgania. These stops will serve passengers across multiple states, ensuring greater connectivity and convenience. The introduction of these special trains is part of Indian Railways' efforts to alleviate pressure on existing services while offering passengers more flexibility in planning their journeys. With these trains running through diverse landscapes and connecting multiple states, they are expected to become a preferred choice for both leisure and business travellers.

Read more

India Emerges As The New Hot Spot For Global Travellers

India's travel industry is experiencing a surge in popularity, solidifying its position as a rising star among global travel hubs. Booking.com's recent report, "How India Travels 2024 – The Inbound Edit", conducted with Accenture, highlights this exciting trend. With over 9 million foreign tourists visiting India in 2023, the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes are enticing travellers from around the world, learning increased Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) which reached USD 15.3 billion in the first half of 2024, a 17.6% increase from 2023 and a 5.5% jump from 2019. Travel Trends That Are Driving The Market The report also unveils key trends shaping inbound tourism and the mindset of international travellers detailing their preferences, motivation and what they seek from their experiences in India. Geographic diversity: Many tourists (52%) now see India as their main vacation spot, while others (22%) plan to visit India along with nearby Asian countries. This shows India is becoming a top travel destination in Asia. Shifting source markets are transforming the travel landscape: The US, United Kingdom, Germany and United Arab Emirates have emerged as top inbound source markets for India based on Booking.com search data as compared to 2023, reflecting a shift from traditional frontrunners like China, Canada and Bangladesh. Hong Kong, Australia, Italy and Netherlands were new entrants in the top 10 inbound source markets. Beyond the metros, off-the-beaten path destinations rise in popularity: While major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Chennai remain popular and have consistently ranked as the top five cities in terms of searches, less conventional destinations are gaining traction. Off-the-beaten path destinations like Hampi and Leh rising in popularity, showcasing India’s diverse tourism offering. Other emerging destinations like Patnitop, Pahalgam, Madikeri, Vijayawada, and Khajuraho among others have shown a 2X or more year-on-year growth. Repeat visits driven by positive experiences: Nearly half (44%) of inbound travellers have experienced India and want to visit it again. 40% are eager to explore India for the first time. Travellers aim to explore multiple destinations within India. 41% intend to visit 2-4 destinations, while 35% plan to cover 5-10 locations, showcasing their desire for diverse experiences. The rise of digital traveller: India's inbound tourism has evolved rapidly since 2019. Travellers are now seeking more personalised and flexible experiences with online platforms playing a crucial role. A majority (52%) of travellers prefer to book complete travel packages, while 40% opt to book individual components separately.

Read more

Foreign airlines operating in India will not be liable to GST

Foreign airlines in India will not pay GST on services from head offices to branch offices. Academic institutions with research grants are exempt from GST. The rules start from October 10. Penalties and interests waived for taxpayers complying by March 31, 2025. Taxpayers can correct past input tax credit mistakes through a special window. Foreign airlines operating in India will not be liable to goods and services tax (GST) on services provided by the head office to a branch office, according to a government notification. Academic institutions that have received grants for research will also be exempt from GST, as per another notification. he Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) issued several notifications to implement decisions taken at the 54th GST Council meeting. The new rules will be effective from October 10. Foreign airlines, however, will require a certificate from the civil aviation ministry saying that the establishment of the foreign company in India is under the applicable bilateral air services agreement. The GST Council had recommended that past demands be regularised on "as is where is basis.

Read more

Kolkata Airport Welcoms Biggest Airbus Beluga Aircraft With Water Salute

Kolkata: Kolkata Airport has for the first time welcomed the biggest Airbus Beluga series aircraft - Beluga XL, an official said on Wednesday. Beluga XL is the upgraded and bigger version of Beluga ST. The overall length of the Beluga XL aircraft is 207 ft, its height is 62 ft and its wing span is 197 ft and 10 inches, according to the Airbus website. "The BelugaXL performed its maiden flight in 2018, and received the type certification in November 2019 from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness authority. This paved the way for the first BelugaXL's service entry in January 2020", the website said. Earlier the NSCBI airport in Kolkata had accommodated its ST series aircraft but it was for the first time on Tuesday night that Kolkata airport accommodated the XL series aircraft, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson in Kolkata said in a statement on Wednesday. The aircraft landed here on Tuesday at 10.43 pm. It arrived at the Kolkata airport from Bahrain International Airport. It was received with a water salute, the spokesperson said.

Read more

Maldives Showcases Its Allure at Italy’s Premier Travel Exhibition

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) is showcasing the Maldives as a top travel destination at the TTG Travel Experience 2024, held from October 9th to 11th in Rimini, Italy. Partnering with 64 representatives from 25 companies, MMPRC is actively promoting the destination to the Italian market during this prestigious event. TTG Travel Experience is Italy’s leading travel trade show, bringing together global tourism operators, including tourism boards, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, and accommodation providers. Italy remains one of the Maldives’ most vital source markets, and MMPRC’s participation in the event ensures that the Maldives remains a favored destination for Italian travelers. At the Maldives stand, MMPRC is engaging with key industry stakeholders—tour operators, travel agents, and media representatives—to raise awareness of the destination. This event also provides a platform for industry partners to highlight the latest updates on their properties and services. Italy has consistently ranked as one of the top source markets for the Maldives, contributing 106,946 tourist arrivals as of October 1st, 2024. MMPRC’s promotional strategies include influencer and media familiarization trips, along with digital campaigns to enhance the Maldives’ visibility in Italy. Future plans include the “Discover Maldives Webinar Series: Italy Edition” and additional promotional activities.

Read more