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Thailand extends visa-free entry for Indian travellers

Thailand has just made your next holiday even easier by extending its visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals indefinitely. This move, announced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), was initially set to end on November 11, 2024, but now has no end date in sight. The policy, first introduced in November 2023, allows Indian travellers to enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. Plus, if you want to stay longer, you can extend your stay for another 30 days at an immigration office. For many Indians, Thailand has long been a popular choice, thanks to its stunning beaches, rich culture, and close proximity to India. Before this visa-free scheme, applying for a Thai visa required a fee of around INR 3,000, along with documentation like bank statements, foreign exchange proofs, and hotel bookings. Now, that entire process can be skipped, making Thailand even more accessible and affordable. This has led to a noticeable increase in Indian tourists flocking to Thailand. If reports are to go by, from January to mid-October this year, 16.17 million Indian visitors travelled to Thailand. Travel industry insiders report that this visa-free entry has spurred spontaneous travel and last-minute holiday plans, with Thailand now positioned as a perfect short-haul international destination. The impact of the visa-free policy extends beyond individual travellers. Thailand’s scenic locales and luxury resorts have long been favoured for destination weddings, and with visa-free entry, the number of Indian weddings and large group events taking place in Thailand has seen a significant rise. Many Indian families, large friend groups, and corporate teams are also taking advantage of the hassle-free entry to plan trips for special occasions and vacations. This trend is expected to continue, especially with Thailand’s combination of beach resorts, vibrant cities, and cultural experiences appealing to a broad range of travellers.

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Disney Adventure launches in Singapore in December 2025.

The ship will have seven themed areas that will bring together the worlds of Disney, Pixar and Marvel: Disney Imagination Garden, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay, Disney Discovery Reef and Marvel Landing. Imagine being on a roller-coaster with the vast ocean beneath you. Or hobnobbing with cartoon characters that have been your friends since childhood. And, exploring fantastical larger-than-life spaces as you sail on a vast cruise ship. This is what Disney is offering on its cruise, aptly titled Disney Adventure, which is set to sail in Asia for the first time in December next year. And, because it’s Disney, expect an experience that is colourful, action-packed and where the fun never stops. As Sarah Fox, vice-president and regional general manager, southeast Asia, Disney Cruise Line, said at a recent unveiling of the offerings at Singapore: “Sailing on primarily three- and four-night voyages designed with only dedicated days at sea, the ship will include something for everyone. From fun and interactive spaces for kids, to relaxing venues for adults to unwind, to entertaining and engaging places for families to enjoy together, guests will find endless adventures from bow to stern.”

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Mumbai airport to operate 3,372 flights per week in winter season

Oct 28Mumbai Airport will see a marginal 2 per cent year-on-year increase at 3,372 flights per week flight movements this winter despite rising travel demand. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is all set to provide an extensive network of travel options for its passengers with 3,372 weekly flights--2,361 weekly domestic and 1,011 weekly international flights-- for the winter schedule 2024, the private airport operator said. Significantly, as per the winter schedule for the Indian Airlines announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this month, the Indian airlines will operate 25,007 flights every week to and from 124 airports, which is 5.37 per cent more compared to the winter schedule of 2023. To meet rising travel demand, this robust schedule ensures a seamless travel experience to more than 115 destinations this winter, it said and added that the Winter Schedule will increase services to international destinations including Toronto, Bangkok, London and Amman, Jordan. Air Canada will resume its service to Toronto starting October 28, 2024, with four weekly flights while Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air has introduced its services to Bangkok (DMK) from October 27, 2024, offering eight weekly flights, Mumbai Airport said.

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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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