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Croatia Becomes a Year-Round Tourist Hotspot

Croatia saw a 4% rise in tourist arrivals to more than 21.3 million and a 1% increase in overnight stays to over 108.7 million in 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on Friday.The vast majority of the overnight stays - 103.3 million - were recorded along Croatia's picturesque Adriatic coast. The vast majority of the overnight stays - 103.3 million - were recorded along Croatia's picturesque Adriatic coast."We can be very satisfied with all accomplished tourist results in 2024, including financial indicators, because we have had another record year according to all parameters," Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina said in a statement. Glavina said the most significant growth in arrivals occurred during the pre-season and post-season periods, showing that "we are becoming a whole-year-around tourist destination".

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Ghana Goes Visa Free Making Your Next African Adventure Easier

Ghana's outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo Friday announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders from the start of this year, marking a step towards continental economic integration. The announcement came during his final state of the nation address as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two terms in office. "I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year," Akufo-Addo said in his speech to parliament."This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world," he said. "All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU's Agenda 2063, which envisages an integrated and connected Africa by 2063," he added, referring to the African Union's development blueprint for a 50-year period.Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia and Benin in offering visa-free entry to African travellers.

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New Flight Services Commence from Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda Airports Boosting Odisha Aviation Routes

As part of Odisha's New Destination Policy (NDP) 2024, new flight services were started on Friday from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, and Patna, an official release said. Similar services also commenced from Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda to Hyderabad, Raipur, and Lucknow. The new flight services will be operated by Air India Express and Star Air. Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh flagged off the inaugural flights from Bhubaneswar to Jaipur and Kochi. Flights to Lucknow will commence on Saturday followed by services to Patna on January 15. With these additions, Air India Express now operates 104 weekly flights from Bhubaneswar, connecting Odisha with major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, and Pune. Singh said that these flights will convenience professionals, families, students, and naval personnel, fostering economic and cultural exchanges.

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High-speed Delhi-Meerut RRTS rapid rail reaches capital as Modi inaugurates 13-km stretch

82-km Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System or Namo Bharat corridor is expected to be fully operational by June 2025. It will cut travel time between Delhi & Meerut to under an hour. In a major boost to regional connectivity, a section of the high-speed Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), set to reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour, is now operational. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated a 13-km stretch—between Sahibabad (Uttar Pradesh) and New Ashok Nagar (Delhi)—of the 82-km RRTS or Namo Bharat corridor at a grand event, ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.The PM also took a ride on the train on the 13 km stretch. The train service between the two stations in Delhi and Meerut will be open to the public from 5 pm Sunday. Ticket prices will range from Rs 150 (standard coach) to Rs 225 (premium coach).

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United Airlines Set to Introduce Free Starlink Wi-Fi for Passengers

United Airlines has one final Christmas present for flyers: Free Wi-Fi is coming sooner than originally promised.The Chicago-based carrier announced Sunday that it will start installing Starlink Wi-Fi across its two-cabin regional fleet in the coming weeks.The first aircraft to receive Starlink Wi-Fi, an Embraer E175 regional jet, will be outfitted with a Starlink radome in February and will reenter scheduled commercial service in the spring Furthermore, United now plans to outfit its entire fleet of two-cabin regional jets by the end of 2025 and have its first mainline Starlink-enabled plane in the air before the end of this year. United has committed to installing Starlink across its fleet of more than 1,000 jets — a feat that's sure to take at least a few years. (United isn't providing a timeline for when it expects these Wi-Fi upgrades to be fully completed.) In addition to a faster rollout schedule, United emphasized once again that internet access will be free for all United MileagePlus customers. Additionally, the airline will debut a new landing and entertainment page for Starlink-enabled aircraft. This upgraded experience will offer access to streaming services, shopping, gaming and more.In September, United shocked the industry when it announced that it would add free fleetwide Starlink Wi-Fi.

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Art and transformation breathe new life into Kaohsiung Port

Kaohsiung Port, Taiwan's largest, has transformed from an industrial hub into a tourist destination, blending artistic spaces and scenic views that showcase the city’s charm. Kaohsiung Port, located in southern Taiwan, is the largest port in the country and the 13th largest in the world. It is situated at the junction of five administrative districts. Developed and expanded by the Japanese between 1895 and 1945, Kaohsiung Port was initially designed for industrial use, not tourism. However, over the past two decades, the port has undergone a revitalization, becoming an attraction in the city.One iconic feature is the Dagang Bridge, Taiwan's first swing bridge. Its white design, inspired by dolphins and seashells, makes it a standout landmark. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the harbor from the bridge. Near the Dagang Bridge, abandoned warehouses have been repurposed into public art spaces, drawing both locals and international tourists.According to the Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau, the port is considered the economic heart and a symbol of the city. Enhanced infrastructure and landscapes have transformed the area into a representation of Kaohsiung's character.

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