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U.S. tops list of international visitors to India for Diwali festivities

The United States ranks as the top source of international travelers visiting India for the Diwali celebrations. The United States is the leading country of origin for international travelers arriving in India for Diwali, followed by the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, according to CNBC-TV18. Top destinations for these travelers include New Delhi, Goa, and Mumbai. Agoda reported a 17% increase in accommodation searches for Diwali, highlighting the growing international interest. Domestic travel also saw a significant increase, with a 23% rise in accommodation searches. Agoda's Krishna Rathi noted the cultural and exploration opportunities in New Delhi and Goa during Diwali.

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Grand Egyptian Museum’s long-awaited trial run starts

The Grand Egyptian Museum will open 12 halls with exhibits about ancient Egypt in its main galleries starting this week in a trial run ahead of the still-unannounced official opening, officials said Tuesday The museum, a mega-project near the famed Giza Pyramids which has cost well over $1 billion so far, will open the halls for 4,000 visitors per day starting Wednesday, said Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant to the minister of antiquities. The museum has been under construction for more than a decade, and an overall opening date has not yet been set, having been repeatedly delayed for various reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Some sections have been open since 2022 for limited tours. More than 100,000 artifacts of Egypt’s ancient treasures will be displayed in the world’s largest archaeological museum, according to the Egyptian state information website. Abbas told the AP that the trial run starting Wednesday would help prepare for the full opening by identifying operational issues, including which parts of the museum might become overcrowded.

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India’s First Indigenous Bullet Trains Set To Roll By 2026

State-owned BEML will build India's first indigenously manufactured bullet trains for Rs 866.87 crore. In a statement on Tuesday (15 October), BEML said that it has been "awarded a contract for the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets, each comprising 8 cars by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai". "The price of each car is Rs 27.86 crore and the total contract value is Rs 866.87 crore which includes design cost, one-time development cost, non-recurring charges, onetime cost towards Jigs, fixtures, tooling and testing facilities, which will be utilised for all future High-Speed projects in India," the company said. BEML said that the project marks a significant milestone in India's high-speed rail journey and will see the first indigenously designed and manufactured trainsets with a test speed of 280 kmph. The trainsets will be built at BEML's Bengaluru rail coach complex and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. The trainsets will be built at BEML's Bengaluru rail coach complex and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. Featuring a fully air-conditioned, Chair Car configuration, the trains will offer modern passenger amenities such as reclining and rotatable seats, special provisions for passengers with restricted mobility, and onboard infotainment systems. This comes as India's first high-speed rail corridor - the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project - is expected to begin operations in Gujarat by the end of 2027, and the entire corridor is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

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Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary set to become India’s next Cheetah haven after Kuno!

As per the latest development, Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary will see cheetahs being reintroduced in a move to promote tourism in the region. This was announced by Mandsaur Collector Aditi Garg, following the inauguration of the Gandhi Sagar Forest Retreat 3.0 event. And if this goes as planned, it will make Gandhi Sagar the second site in India to host cheetahs, after Kuno National Park. The event, organized to boost tourism, began with a sacred 'Aarti' ritual at the Chambal River on Monday evening. Garg added that the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are making all the efforts to ensure better connectivity between Gandhisagar in Madhya Pradesh and Kota in Rajasthan. It’s expected that this initiative will attract more visitors and help unlock the tourism potential of both regions. Discussions between the collectors of Mandsaur and Kota are also planned to further enhance the tourism prospects of the areas. According to Garg, transformative initiatives are underway in Gandhi Sagar, including the introduction of cheetahs, which will make it only the second site in the country to house the species after Kuno. Garg also mentioned about the rich archaeological and cultural legacy of this region, which included some of the popular highlights like Pashupatinath Temple, Chaturbhuj Nala, and Hinglaj Temple. Since tourists get a beautiful mix of historical value and scenic beauty, these landmarks further enhance the area's allure.

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Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur Jan Shatabdi sports refurbished coaches, more facilities

As new age trains captivate travellers with modern amenities, the Railways unveiled a revamped Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur Jan Shatabdi on Wednesday. With updated German coaches, efficient fans, improved spacing and leak-free coaches, the train left for its first service from Thiruvananthapuram at 2.50 pm. Passengers had reported several issues with the train (12082) that passes through Kottayam, including inoperable windows, leaks, limited seating space, and overall congestion. The new train's coaches have safety features designed to protect passengers in an accident. Manorama News reported that passengers suggested enhancing the new coaches by reintroducing features from the older railcars, such as armrests and cup holders for hot beverages.

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Korea Tourism Organization India brings back the Korea Festival 2024

The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 is set to offer an exciting blend of Korean culture, business networking, and entertainment in New Delhi. Organized by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of South Korea, the event will take place over three days. It kicks off on October 18, 2024, with a Travel Mart at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, followed by cultural celebrations on October 19-20 at DLF Avenue, Saket. Since its launch in 2017, the Korea Festival has beme a yearly highlight, attracting thousands of visitors with its focus on the K-Wave, cultural exchanges, and festivities. The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 promises to immerse Indian audiences in the diverse attractions and traditions of South Korea. The cultural events will be held from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at DLF Avenue, Saket, offering a rich experience for fans of Korean culture. The Korea Tourism Roadshow 2024, part of the festival, takes place on October 18 as a B2B event at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka. A Travel Mart will run from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring representatives from K-Beauty brand Jenny House, the JUMP performance team, and over 10 destination management companies, along with airline partners like Korean Air and Air India. This event offers Indian travel agents an opportunity to engage with South Korean partners and explore travel offerings. Mr. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India & SAARC Countries at KTO, highlighted the growing interest in South Korea among Indian travelers. By August 2024, South Korea had already welcomed over 119,000 Indian visitors. He emphasized that the Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 aims to further deepen cultural connections while offering a platform to showcase the best of South Korea’s attractions and experiences.

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