News

Mangaluru's Tannirbhavi beach selected for 'One Nation - One Destination’ initiative

The Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach in Mangaluru, selected under the 'One Nation - One Destination' initiative, has completed its development works. The tender process for managing the beach for the next 10 years is in its final stages, according to deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan. Addressing the media in the city, the deputy commissioner also revealed that a tender for the management of another beach in Tannirbhavi will be floated soon. The Blue Flag Beach project received a funding of Rs 7.59 crore from the union ministry of environment, forest, and climate change and Rs 7 crore from Mangaluru Smart City. Various facilities have been provided as part of the project. Under the maintenance contract, contractors will be required to pay Rs 50 lac in the first year, increasing to Rs 2 crore by the 10th year. Additionally, they will have to adhere to the entry fee fixed by the district tourism committee.

Read more

Railways unveils Vande Bharat, specially designed for winters in J&K, for Katra-Srinagar route

The Railway Board on Tuesday (January 8, 2025) unveiled a Vande Bharat Express train, specially designed to operate seamlessly in Jammu & Kashmir's challenging winter conditions, for the upcoming Katra-Srinagar rail route.Stationed at Shakurbasti coaching depot in New Delhi, the train has special climate-related features, according to Railways. Describing its features to mediapersons, Railway officials said that the train has several additional features as compared to the other 136 Vande Bharat Express trains currently running in different parts of the country so that it can meet the operational challenges and passengers' amenities in extreme weather conditions of J-K.

Read more

UK Government Introduce ETA Scheme to 48 Countries

The UK Government have introduced new travel regulations for people entering the UK from today (8 January 2024.) This new electronic travel authorisation scheme, otherwise known as ETA, will apply to travellers visiting the UK for less than six months on tourism, business or study grounds. Travellers from 48 countries are now required to apply for an ETA to gain entry to the UK. Travellers can apply for an ETA through the official Gov.UK app or online, with warnings issued to be aware of third party sites. The cost of an ETA is £10, which is non-refundable. The application process takes roughly 20 minutes with applicants required to submit a photo of their passport and answer questions about their reasons for travel. The application process must be completed in one go with decisions typically made within 3 days.

Read more

Kampong Thom floating village positions itself as Kingdom’s latest attraction

Kampong Thom province is fast overcoming its reputation as a province that holiday makers pass through on their way to a more established destination. Near enough to the capital for a viable day trip, one village in particular is enjoying a tourism resurgence. Situated on the waters of the Tonle Sap Lake, the Phat Sanday Ecotourism Community covers an area of approximately 23,000 hectares.The community is located in the Phat Sanday commune of Kampong Svay District, less than a half day’s drive from Phnom Penh.Established in 2019, it offers domestic and international tourists unique new experiences in the community forest and flooded forest, with services such as lodging, camping, food and boat trips.

Read more

Vietnam breaks records in international tourism

Vietnam aims to draw as many as 23 million international tourists this year, a goal that would surpass pre-pandemic levels, according to a statement on the government website.BMI Research expects the country’s tourism industry to fully recover in 2025, it said in a report.Vietnam is targeting a 31% jump in foreign travellers this year from 2024, and about 5 million more than the 18 million arrivals in 2019. Visitors from India reached 501,000 in 2024. In the last two years, Indian tourists to Vietnam rose 2.6 times, making it “one of the most impressive growth markets” for Vietnam, according to the government statement. The number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 17.5 million last year, up 39.5% from 2023, according to the statement. Visitors from within Asia accounted for about 80% of international travelers.

Read more

St. Louis Lambert International Airport partners with HOK to design its new terminal

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) has selected HOK, a globally recognized architecture and engineering firm, to design its new terminal as part of the Consolidated Terminal Program (CTP).This initiative aims to modernize and streamline the airport’s facilities to better serve passengers and accommodate future growth. The CTP is a comprehensive plan to merge STL’s existing terminals into a single, state-of-the-art facility.The program includes the construction of a new concourse with up to 62 gates, a consolidated security checkpoint, enhanced baggage handling systems, and improved passenger amenities. The design also retains the airport’s iconic domes, integrating them into the new terminal layout. HOK was chosen for its extensive experience in airport design and its commitment to sustainable and resilient architecture.The firm is expected to bring innovative solutions that enhance passenger experience, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.

Read more