News

Parents of skilled migrants can now stay up to 10 years under New Zealand’s Parent Boost visitor visa

The New Zealand Government has introduced the Parent Boost Visa, a new long-term visitor visa to help unite families and attract skilled migrants. Applications will open on September 29, 2025. This multiple-entry visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to five years, with the option to apply for a second visa that can extend their stay to a total of 10 years, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Designed to strengthen family ties without adding pressure on public services, the Parent Boost Visa does not provide a pathway to residence. However, it offers families a meaningful way to spend extended time together. The visa fee will be NZD 3,000 for most applicants and NZD 2,450 for those eligible for the Pacific fee band, with an additional International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100. There is an ongoing requirement to maintain valid health insurance while in New Zealand, which will vary in cost depending on the applicant.

Read more

All tourist destinations in Sikkim open, except Lachen and Lachung

The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, has confirmed that, except for Lachen and Lachung in Chungthang Sub-Division of Mangan district, all other tourist destinations across the state remain open and safe for visitors. Speaking to the media, Additional Chief Secretary CS Rao clarified that permits to Lachen and Lachung are currently suspended due to road damage caused by recent landslides. However, he emphasised that Sikkim offers over 200 tourist destinations, with only around 25-30 of them located in the affected Mangan district. The remaining destinations across Sikkim’s other five districts are fully accessible and continue to receive many visitors. Despite the temporary restrictions, the state has not witnessed any decline in tourist footfall. Many tourists who had initially planned to visit Gurudongmar Lake or Yumthang Valley have now diverted their trips to destinations like Yuksom, Kecheopalri Lake, and Pelling in the west, which remain unaffected and equally attractive. Rao also highlighted the state’s ongoing evacuation efforts, mentioning that around 65 tourists were successfully airlifted from Lachen with the help of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. Approximately 63 more are expected to be rescued by tomorrow, ensuring full evacuation from the affected region. The tourism department reassures all stakeholders and visitors that tourist safety and comfort remain a top priority. “Only a small portion of North Sikkim is affected. The rest of the state is safe and welcoming,” Rao stressed, urging tourists not to cancel their travel plans and to continue visiting Sikkim. Meanwhile, the evacuation of stranded tourists from Chaten has begun today at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. According to a release, the two MI 17 helicopters have successfully completed its first evacuation operation, transporting 39 evacuees from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Additionally, four passengers were safely evacuated using the Cheetah Helicopter. In order to provide convenience to the tourists to commute to Siliguri, the Government of Sikkim has further arranged SNT buses for their ease

Read more

Indian Railways to mandate e-Aadhaar for tatkal tickets to curb illegal bookings

The Railway Ministry has authorised the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) to authenticate a passenger’s Aadhaar ID to establish his or her identity. A Gazette notification dated May 27, 2025, said, “The Ministry of Railways, Railway Board, hereby notifies that the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) be allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication, on a voluntary basis, to establish the identity of ticket-checking staff, crew members and passengers, using Yes/No or eKYC authentication facility.” Almost a week after the notification, on June 4, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on his X account, “Bharatiya Railways will soon start using e-Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets.” “This will help genuine users get confirmed tickets during needed,” Vaishnaw added. Railway officials say that at present, IRCTC does get Aadhaar authentication done through a third party, but after the Gazette notification, it will be much easier and faster to get the authentication done. “Ticket-checking staff and crew members have also been brought under its ambit for official purposes,” the official added. The Ministry also issued a press statement in which it said that currently, there are more than 130 million active subscribers on the IRCTC website, of which only 12 million are Aadhaar-verified. “IRCTC has decided to conduct special verification for all accounts that are not authenticated with Aadhaar. Accounts found to be suspicious will be closed. The railways aim to ensure that genuine passengers receive all types of Tatkal tickets,” it said. “Account holders who link their accounts with Aadhaar will get priority booking during the first 10 minutes of Tatkal ticket sales. Even authorized IRCTC agents are not allowed to book tickets within the first 10 minutes of the Tatkal window opening. Therefore, it has become necessary to verify your IRCTC account through Aadhaar,” it added. The Ministry said that the Railways is planning to make the Tatkal ticketing process more robust by making some of the rules more stringent, like only Aadhaar-verified accounts will be allowed to book online Tatkal tickets, and Aadhaar-based OTP authentication shall also be required for booking. Sources said that counter-based tatkal tickets may also be booked after Aadhaar verification to control malpractices. According to the Gazette notification, the process for Aadhaar authentication is voluntary, and a passenger has to give his or her consent for it. PTI

Read more

New Border Tourism initiative to welcome visitors to Himachal Pradesh’s remote regions

Tourists from across India will now be able to witness the breathtaking beauty of the border areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts along the Indo-China border, as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches the Border Tourism initiative. The Chief Minister is set to inaugurate the initiative from Shipki-La, a prominent frontier village, during his upcoming two-day visit to Kinnaur district. A government spokesperson highlighted that the Border Tourism initiative, launched in coordination with the Union Government, marks a significant milestone for the State Beautiful. This move will allow regulated tourist access to strategically sensitive yet culturally vibrant destinations, including Lepcha-La, Shipki-La, Gue Monastery, Khana, Dumti, the Rani area of Sangla, and Chitkul in Kinnaur district, along with selected locations in Lahaul-Spiti. The spokesperson added that the State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has consistently pursued this matter with the relevant authorities. “This long-standing effort has now begun yielding positive results, paving the way for responsible tourism and inclusive development in these remote tribal regions,” he said. The objective of the initiative, he further explained, is to promote sustainable border tourism while safeguarding national security and preserving the unique tribal heritage of the region. “Access to these areas, which previously required special permissions from the ITBP and Indian Army due to their strategic locations and security sensitivities, has now been streamlined under revised protocols,” he noted. Under the new guidelines, local residents and bona fide tourists can visit these sites by presenting valid identity documents. The ITBP and Army will continue to facilitate secure and smooth movement in accordance with established protocols. The initiative is expected to boost local infrastructure, create livelihood opportunities through responsible tourism, and foster a stronger sense of national integration for communities living in these remote tribal belts. “This marks a transformative step in the state’s developmental roadmap, blending security, sustainability, and socio-economic inclusion. The State Government remains committed to integrating India’s remotest villages into the mainstream, without compromising their distinct cultural identity,” the spokesperson concluded.

Read more

Eurostar to launch high-speed trains from London to Frankfurt and Geneva

Eurostar has unveiled ambitious plans to introduce three new direct routes in the early 2030s. These routes, London to Frankfurt, London to Geneva, and Amsterdam/Brussels to Geneva, will be made possible by the addition of up to 50 new trains, expanding Eurostar’s network and enhancing international rail connectivity. The reinstatement of direct services between London, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam in February 2025 will see a fourth daily service added from September 9 and a fifth from mid-December. Eurostar also shared its 2024 financial results, reporting an EBITDA of €346 million despite economic challenges, including high inflation and increased fixed costs. Passenger numbers rose to over 19.5 million, a 5 per cent year-on-year increase, reflecting the continued demand for international rail travel across Europe. This brings Eurostar closer to its target of carrying 30 million passengers annually. To support this growth, Eurostar plans to invest approximately €2 billion in the new fleet, which will operate across its entire network alongside the existing 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet to 67 trains, a 30 per cent increase from today. Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar CEO, said, “We’re seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide. Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future. Our new fleet will make new destinations for customers a reality, notably direct trains between London and Germany, and between London and Switzerland for the first time. A new golden age of international sustainable travel is here.” Alain Krakovitch, President of the Eurostar Group, Director of TGV-INTERCITÉS at SNCF Voyageurs, said, “2024 is an exceptional year, crowned by the successes of the Olympic Games.  Eurostar is in good shape to serve 30 million passengers and the ambition to develop our European services remains strong.” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said, “I am pleased to welcome this exciting investment into Eurostar services, which is a huge step in promoting green travel across Europe and boosting our international rail connections. Last month, I signed a landmark agreement to deliver a direct rail link between London and Switzerland, paving the way for direct commercial services. Today’s announcement by Eurostar shows that the government’s plan for change is rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in countries across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise.”

Read more

Happy Valley Adventure Bureau allocates record-breaking $1.1 million in tourism grants for 2025–26

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), in collaboration with the Centre County Commissioners, has allocated over USD 1.1 million in tourism grant funding for the fiscal year 2025–26. This marks the highest grant distribution in the program’s history, supporting a total of 81 projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing travel experiences and encouraging visitation to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. “Topping the one-million-dollar mark is a tremendous milestone for the Tourism Grant Program,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of HVAB. “It’s a visible example of how a strong tourism economy, particularly through overnight stays, benefits our entire community.” The announcement took place at Rolling Rails Lodge in Port Matilda under the theme “Tourism in Bloom.” The initiative underscores HVAB’s commitment to nurturing local attractions, cultural events, and hospitality-focused development across the region. Out of the 81 projects funded, 11 come from first-time applicants, including the Happy Valley Latin Festival, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. “We’re thrilled to receive this Tourism Marketing Grant. Thanks to this support, we’ll be able to reach a wider audience for our bilingual, inclusive celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture, taking place on September 20 during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Ady Martinez, Festival Director. The Centre County Commissioner Chair, Mark Higgins, emphasized the scale of the region’s tourism growth. “It is exciting to see total tourism revenue for Centre County exceed $1 billion and the Tourism Grant pool cross $1 million. These grants directly enhance visitor experiences and enrich local life,” he stated. Other beneficiaries include the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, which received dual grants to market its heritage train rides, especially the Christmas rides that draw significant local participation. “These funds are vital for attracting visitors from beyond the region,” noted Dan Durachko, President of the Society. The HVAB Tourism Grant Program is funded by the county’s hotel occupancy tax, reinvested to support initiatives that drive overnight stays and long-term tourism growth.

Read more