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Terminal 1 of Jaipur Airport is set to commence operations for international flights.

In a recent update, Rajasthan's Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will inaugurate the revamped Terminal 1 at Jaipur Airport on October 26. This terminal, specifically dedicated to international flights, will start operations on October 27, marking a major shift in how the airport handles passenger traffic. The update ensures that Jaipur Airport now has two distinct terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic ones. From midnight on October 27, this division will streamline operations, offering a smoother experience for passengers and allowing the airport to manage the growing number of travelers more efficiently. Jaipur Airport has seen passenger numbers increase at an annual rate of 7%, making this reorganization a critical step in accommodating future growth. An airport official emphasized the importance of Terminal 1's reopening, noting, "The new terminal will greatly enhance the airport capacity and improve overall service quality for the passengers." The renovation is a significant milestone, not only for the airport but also for Rajasthan's tourism sector. Terminal 1's design highlights the region’s rich cultural heritage while providing a modern travel experience.

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‘Influencers on Wheels’ tour begins to discover Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Tourism flagged off the fourth edition of Discover Tamil Nadu 2024 — ‘Influencers on Wheels’ at Island grounds in Chennai on Friday. The initiative brings social media influencers from across India together for a 10-day bus journey, exploring destinations across Tamil Nadu, including Mamallapuram, Thanjavur, Darasuram, Chettinad, Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, Keeladi, and Madurai. B. Chandra Mohan, Principal Secretary to Government, shared the vision behind the programme, noting, “Tamil Nadu is a land of diversity, where stories are endless. Every village, town, and turn in the road has its own story to tell. Now, we have this unique opportunity to showcase Tamil Nadu to the world.” He further added that the itinerary was thoughtfully curated to provide social media influencers with an authentic experience of the State of Tamil Nadu and the vast variety it offers. Around twelve social media travel influencers from Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, as well as from France and Norway, have been selected by Tamil Nadu Tourism for the journey across Tamil Nadu, which they will document on their social media platforms and Tamil Nadu Tourism’s social media channels. Shaikh Hassan Khan, a mountaineer and travel influencer, remarked, “I was eager to join this initiative after viewing the itinerary, as it offers a chance to explore the culture and heritage of the State.” Anais Noizat, social media influencer from France, expressed her gratitude for being selected for the tour.

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Andhra Pradesh government is planning to develop specialised tourism circuits

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh has said that the State Government has been striving to revive tourism sector in Andhra Pradesh, which was completely neglected by the previous government. He said that the main agenda is to engage and attract tourists with various activities during their period of stay, for which the government is planning to develop specialised tourism circuits like religious, health, wellness, eco-tourism, adventure tourism etc connecting different places. He was speaking during the ‘CII Tourism Summit’, being conducted on theme ‘Building Tomorrow’s Tourism: Sustainable, Innovative, Resilient’, held here on Friday. The meeting was also attended by Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat and film producer Suresh Babu. Addressing the delegates, Mr. Durgesh said that the new tourism policy is being prepared keeping in view the needs of stakeholders and will be introduced in the next few months. Reminding that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had already accorded ‘industry’ status to the tourism sector, Mr. Durgesh urged investors to invest in luxury cruises, meditation decks, ropeways, tribal markets, caravan, film tourism, amusement centres, floating hotels, destination weddings, beachside shopping etc. Appealing to the film industry to organise shootings in beautiful locations across the State and set up studios and dubbing theatres, he said that the government is ready to give all permissions. Mr. Durgesh said that though there are ample number of shooting spots in Andhra Pradesh, not many shootings are taking place due to lack of amenities. He also urged the film sector to promote the tourist places by displaying the name of locations in their films.

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Karnataka plans beach makeover

Karnataka is all set to adopt certain changes, and go Goa way in a move to attract more tourists. For this the tourism department is considering numerous options to ensure tourists make the most out of their Karnataka trip. Read on to find out more. The Karnataka tourism department is considering significant changes to boost beach tourism, similar to the success seen in Goa. One of the key changes under review is the introduction of shacks on Karnataka's beaches. These shacks are popular attractions in Goa, offering tourists a relaxed beachside experience with food, drinks, and music. As per the reports, the tourism agency will likely permit consumption alcohol on Karnataka's beaches in addition to shacks, which would likely draw more tourists. Alcohol consumption is not permitted as of now, and removing these limits will likely help to improve beach tourism, particularly in places like Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Referring to this, Rajendra KV, Director of the Karnataka Tourism Department and Managing Director of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), stated that these changes will likely be part of a new tourism policy aimed at increasing the footfall of tourists. The primary goal is to make Karnataka’s beaches as popular as those in Goa by providing a more relaxed and safe atmosphere for visitors.

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Kazakhstan’s citizens can now visit 41 countries visa-free

Kazakhstan is gradually making a mark on the global tourism map. Kazakh citizens can now enjoy visa-free access to 41 countries, as reported by Kazinform. In the last 10 years, Kazakhstan has expanded its visa-free access, adding over 30 new destinations. As per the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, there are now 81 countries where Kazakh citizens can travel without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival, with six more agreements awaiting implementation. Some countries offer particularly long stays for Kazakh citizens. Georgia leads with a visa-free period of up to one year. Armenia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines permit up to 180 days of stay, while around 15 other countries, such as Russia, Türkiye, Mongolia, Albania, and Moldova, allow stays of up to 90 days. Shorter visa-free stays of 14 days are available in destinations like Hong Kong, Iran, and Oman. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working to improve the global standing of the Kazakh passport. Kuanysh Zhaikov, an economist and head of the DESHT Institutional Transformation Group analytical center, emphasized the long-term benefits of securing visa-free agreements. He noted that these deals can help Kazakhstan negotiate similar arrangements with larger, more economically significant nations. In 2023, Kazakhstan continued expanding its list of visa-free countries, establishing agreements with Bangladesh, Seychelles, San Marino, China, and Vietnam. Ongoing discussions with the European Union aim to simplify visa procedures, potentially reducing fees, expediting processing, and extending the validity of multiple-entry visas.

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South Africa to simplify visa rules for Indian travellers to boost tourism

If you are planning a visit to South Africa, now is the right time. As per the latest reports, South Africa is all set to simplify visa procedures for travellers from India and China, in a move to boost tourism in the country. Starting from January, the country will launch a Trusted Tour Operators system, as announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. Reports add that this new system will ease entry processes for tourists from India and China, which are both key BRICS countries, by allowing vetted tour operators to manage entry requirements for organised tour groups. By reducing visa-related administrative burdens, South Africa hopes to become a more attractive destination for tourists from these high-potential markets. Schreiber stated that the new visa will increase the allure of tourism, which is one of South Africa's greatest advantages. He added that traditionally, it has been difficult for travellers from other areas, such as China and India, to travel there due to complicated visa requirements, like for example, travellers from China and India are required to get authorisation before to their visit, which is a hurdle, whereas travellers from the US and the UK do not need a visa for brief stays. The strategy used by South Africa is similar to effective methods from other nations that have streamlined visa requirements in an effort to increase travel. For example, Thailand's relaxation of visa requirements has resulted in a notable surge in Indian tourists. In a move to boost Indian tourist visits, Saudi Arabia is also now expanding its visa services, offering choices such as a four-day transit visa. These modifications are a part of a larger trend among countries looking to streamline travel procedures and draw in Asian tourists.

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