News

Dubai Tourism charts path for aggressive growth in Indian market

Dubai Tourism is aggressively targeting the Indian market with ambitious growth strategies and sustainable initiatives. 1.Dubai aims to strengthen its position as the top destination for Indian travelers through various targeted strategies, according to ET TravelWorld. 2.Key focus areas include offering affordable short-stay packages, targeting solo and couple travelers, and summer travel promotions. 3.Dubai is investing in marketing strategies to penetrate tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities, enhancing engagement beyond major metros. 4.Sustainability initiatives like the “Dubai Sustainable Tourism” program are being implemented to address over-tourism and environmental concerns. 5.Dubai is working on new partnerships and product developments, including influencer marketing and enhanced luxury experiences, to attract high-spending Indian tourists.

Read more

Sardinia: The Mediterranean isle where hikers stay for free

An enticing new programme is seeking to transform a rugged corner of the Italian island into an outdoor lover's paradise. Renowned for its pristine beaches and dramatic granite cliffs, the Italian island of Sardinia has long been known as a jet-setters' paradise. But away from the mega yachts and glitterati of its glamorous Costa Smeralda resort, much of the Mediterranean's second-largest island remains a rugged, unspoiled wilderness waiting to be explored. Now, a group of hikers and former miners are hoping to lure adventure-seekers to Sardinia's seldom-visited south-west coast by offering free lodging along the island's stunning 500km Santa Barbara Mining Route. Named for the patron saint of miners, the 30-stage route passes through towering sand dunes, lush forests, craggy outcrops and nearly 150 abandoned mines. It also allows travellers plenty of opportunities to get to know local Sardinians and enjoy the island's famous gastronomy. "Before my trip, I didn't know anything about the history of that part of Sardinia," said Giorgio Pedulla, a 26-year-old data analyst from Milan who spent five days hiking the trail in March. "On this hike, you really manage to get into the culture and the life of the people who live there." Pedulla was taking advantage of the trail's new Leg's Go In Cammino initiative, which launched in October 2023 and offers visitors younger than 35 up to three consecutive nights' accommodation for free. When hikers register, they're granted vouchers to use in local inns, campsites and bed and breakfasts. After the free stays, they pay the standard rates of €20 a night at posadas (small family-style inns) and €28 a night at private accommodations. "We wanted to decrease the average age of our visitors, from retired people to people in their 20s and 30s. It's also very important for us to let people know about the history of this trail," said 30-year-old Margherita Concu, the association's secretary and a hiker who has trekked all 500km of the trail. "We want people to learn about this community, a place that even some Sardinians don't know about." The area's jaw-dropping beauty and budget accommodations have proven a powerful draw. In 2023, 1,199 hikers set off on the trail. So far this year, 1,521 have come, trekking along mule tracks dating to 800 BCE, stone bridges built by the ancient Romans and 19th-Century rail lines. To date, 196 hikers completed the entire trail since it opened in 2017, often taking a month to do so. In addition to bragging rights, finishers receive a trophy made by a local artisan depicting a ceramic tower with three windows – the symbol of Santa Barbara. In contrast to life in Milan, Pedulla says that the small Sardinian villages he and his friends visited were full of people ready to welcome them and make them feel like a part of the community.

Read more

Domestic travel, tourism sector ready to capitalise on upcycle: IHCL MD

The Indian travel and tourism sector is well-positioned to capitalise on an upcycle, driven by factors, including the demand-supply gap, penetration opportunities in Tier II and Tier III markets and rebound in foreign tourist arrivals, according to Indian Hotels Company Ltd Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal. In his address to shareholders in the company's Annual Report for 2023-24, Chhatwal said the Tata group hospitality firm is uniquely placed to capitalise on the opportunities provided by a dynamically growing industry. "In India's evolving economic landscape, tourism has emerged as a powerful force driving not only economic growth but also forging a path towards a brighter and more inclusive future. With its rich cultural heritage and warm traditions, hospitality in India has undoubtedly arrived on the world stage," he wrote. He further said India's growth story is characterised by a dynamic interplay of economic expansion, changing consumer preferences, and evolving aspirations. Increasing affluence is leading to new trends like the rise of premiumisation, experiential travel and brand consciousness. "The Indian travel and tourism industry is ranked among the fastest-growing economic sectors in the country, contributing to employment generation and regional development," Chhatwal said. On the future prospect, he said, "The sector is well-positioned to capitalise on an upcycle, driven by the demand-supply gap, market penetration opportunities in Tier II and Tier III markets, strong demand drivers such as MICE, spiritual tourism, the rebound in foreign tourist arrivals and destination weddings." This evolving landscape is marked by a heightened consumer awareness and a stronger preference for brands. "With our diverse portfolio, iconic properties, world-class service, and a brandscape defined to serve myriad travel and hospitality needs, we are uniquely placed to capitalise on the opportunities provided by a dynamically growing industry," Chhatwal told the shareholders.

Read more

Singapore Airlines turbulence: SIA changes in-flight safety protocols, modifies route

Following a turbulence incident that killed one passenger and injured several others, Singapore Airlines has tweaked its in-flight safety protocols and flight routes, newswire Reuters reported on Friday. The SQ321 London-Singapore flight on a Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing on Tuesday after the plane was buffeted by turbulence that flung passengers and crew around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling, the Reuters report added. Flight SQ321 has since modified its route, avoiding the area of turbulence encountered during the incident. Here are the top eight updates from the Singapore Airlines turbulence incident: 1.Director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, Dr Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, said that although none of the injuries caused due to turbulence were life-threatening, twenty passengers were reported to be in intensive care after the incident, The Straits Times reported. 2.The youngest patient is a two-year-old child who suffered a concussion, while the oldest patient at the hospital is 83 years old. Dr Adinun Kittiratanapaibool noted that 40 patients from Flight SQ321 were at the hospital. 3.The Singapore-bound flight carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members made an emergency landing in Thailand's capital, Bangkok. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft departed from London and landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3:45 pm (4.45 pm Singapore time). 4.In the incident, around 60 passengers were injured after the flight encountered “sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure" on Tuesday. 5.The medical treatment for forty-six passengers and two crew members aboard the SIA flight is ongoing in Bangkok. On May 23, SIA posted on Facebook that sixty-five passengers and two crew members were still in Bangkok. 6.The post further noted that SIA Chief Executive, Goh Choon Phong met "affected passengers, crew, their family members and loved ones in Bangkok today to personally offer his support and understand their concerns". 7.The Airline has since tightened cabin service rules to ensure passenger safety and on Friday said it’s taking a “more cautious approach". 8.The airline said that in-flight meal services and hot drink distribution would cease when the seatbelt sign is switched on. Additionally, crew members will take their seats and fasten their seatbelts.

Read more

‘Invisible’ gold, worth $24 billion, discovered in Johannesburg’s mine dumps!

In a surprising development, a massive amount of invisible gold has been uncovered, reportedly worth $24 billion in Johannesburg. Steve Chingwaru, the researcher, who is behind this discovery, originally conceived an idea to understand this matter as a master’s thesis, and later got upgraded to a PhD due to its remarkable findings. He discovered the presence of approximately 420 tonnes of ‘invisible gold,’ valued at $24 billion, concealed within the mine dumps of the Witwatersrand Basin in Johannesburg. The mine dumps, referred to as tailings, are remnants of Johannesburg's famed gold deposits dating back to 1886. Despite continuous extraction endeavors, prevailing methods can only retrieve approximately 30 percent of the gold, leaving a substantial 70 percent untouched. He explains, "They were already extracting the gold from these tailings, but they were only managing to get out 30 percent of the gold they contained. I wanted to know what was happening to the other 70 percent ... Where was it sitting? Why weren’t they getting it out? Seventy percent is a lot." As per a report, Chingwaru’s findings indicated that the bulk of the gold was hidden within pyrite, commonly known as ‘fool's gold.’ Present extraction methods employing cyanide fail to detect this gold entirely. Drawing similarities to the Carlin mine in Nevada as an illustration, Chingwaru explains that the extraction of gold from pyrite is already a known process, albeit one yet to be implemented in South Africa's tailings. The significance of Chingwaru's revelation is immense, yet it brings forth considerable hurdles. “His findings indicate a substantial amount of gold. However, the pivotal question remains whether we possess the technological capability to extract all the gold economically and generate profits,” remarks Associate Professor Megan Becker from the University of Cape Town. If reports are to go by, despite the hurdles posed by technical and economic factors, South African mining companies are showing keen interest. Senior figures in the gold industry have reached out to Chingwaru, expressing confidence that despite the associated high costs, extraction could yield profitability given stable gold prices. Chingwaru's efforts have not only earned him recognition but also hold promise for the health benefits of Johannesburg's residents. The reprocessing of the Witwatersrand tailings has the potential to alleviate the environmental and health repercussions caused by the lingering orange dust that pervades the air.

Read more

IMD issues ‘red alert’ for Kerala; warns of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy showers in Kerala. If reports are to go by, five districts in Kerala will also receive exceptionally heavy rainfall, which include Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Idukki. According to a weather bulletin issued by the IMD, there is a cyclonic circulation positioned over southern Kerala within the lower and middle tropospheric levels. These atmospheric patterns are expected to impact the weather across Kerala in the upcoming days. The IMD's forecast indicates the likelihood of thunderstorms paired with light to moderate rainfall, along with occurrences of lightning and brisk winds, in Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana until May 27th. In its district-specific weather forecast, the IMD has declared a red alert for two districts today, while issuing an orange alert for five others. Notably, yesterday's update from the IMD escalated the orange alert previously issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam to a red alert, forecasting heavy rainfall in these areas. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad are still under an orange alert, while the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod have been placed under a yellow alert by the IMD. Reports further add that there is a high likelihood of isolated heavy rainfall in Coastal and South Interior Karnataka on May 22nd and 23rd, in Lakshadweep on May 23rd, in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on May 24th, and in Kerala on May 24th and 25th, 2024. Following heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening, sections of the Cochin City Corporation in Ernakulam district encountered flooding. In Kochi, residences and major thoroughfares were submerged due to the sudden downpour, while low-lying areas of Thrissur city also grappled with inundation. Additionally, the KSDMA cautioned fishermen against sailing into the sea until further updates, citing anticipated strong winds and adverse weather conditions along the Kerala coast. The forecast includes high waves, ranging from 0.4 to 3.3 meters, and potential sea incursions extending from Vizhinjam in the south to Kasaragod in the north, persisting until Thursday night. Prior to these forecasts, the IMD had anticipated heavy rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal on Saturday, attributing it to a low-pressure area forming over the southwest Bay of Bengal coast. This low-pressure system was expected to materialize around May 22nd and progress northeastward, potentially evolving into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by Friday morning.

Read more