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Srinagar: Rains lash valley; vital routes shut due to snowfall

For the second consecutive day, the Mughal road and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained closed as fresh rains swept through the Kashmir valley on Sunday, causing a dip in temperatures across the region. According to traffic police officials, the closure of the Mughal road, which is the vital route for connecting south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch districts, persisted due to precipitation at Peer ki Gali. Similarly, the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road, leading towards Ladakh from Sonamarg, was also shut down due to the inclement weather and poor road conditions, as reported by an official from the traffic control room. If reports are to go by, various parts of the region, including the summer capital Srinagar, experienced light to moderate rains during this period. The Meteorological Centre (MeT) in Srinagar noted, "Fresh spells of rain have once again commenced across most places in the Kashmir division and a few areas in the Jammu division. Currently, moderate rainfall is occurring over many parts of south Kashmir." Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir disaster management authority issued an avalanche warning for four districts in the Kashmir valley. The advisory highlighted a medium danger level avalanche threat above 3000 m in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts over the next 24 hours. Residents in these areas were urged to exercise caution and avoid venturing into avalanche-prone regions. The MeT department stated, "The weather forecast from April 29th to 30th predicts generally cloudy skies with light rain and scattered thunderstorms. From May 1st to 5th, dry weather conditions are expected." With regard to this, the department has advised farmers to halt farm operations until April 30th. The advisory also added that temporary disruptions in traffic are anticipated over higher reaches such as Zojila, Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, and Razdan Pass. Additionally, waterlogging in low-lying areas is possible. There is also a risk of landslides, shooting stones, and a temporary rise in water levels in the Jhelum River, its tributaries, and other local streams and waterways. Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of 10.5°C, consistent with the previous night and 1.2°C above the city's normal temperature for this time of year.Pahalgam witnessed a low of 6.3°C, up from 5.2°C the previous night, marking a deviation of 1.9°C from the resort's usual temperature. Kupwara town saw a minimum temperature of 8.1°C, down from 8.5°C the previous night, with a deviation of 0.3°C from the town's normal temperature. Gulmarg reported a low of 2.4°C, down from 4.8°C the previous night, indicating a deviation of 1.8°C below the skiing resort's usual temperature. Reports further add that no vehicular traffic will be permitted on the road until weather conditions improve and clearance operations are completed.

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Travel to Bhutan Made Easier as Its Govt Lifts Mandatory Travel Insurance Requirement

Individuals intending to visit Bhutan are no longer required to present travel insurance along with their visa application. Such a decision was introduced on April 23, 2024, by Bhutan authorities in an effort to make travel more accessible for tourists, VisaGuide.World reports. The Bhutanese authorities introduced such a requirement during COVID-19 as a protective measure against unforeseen emergencies, including medical expenses associated with the pandemic. Although travel insurance is no longer mandatory, the Department of Tourism still recommends that visitors have it as a precautionary measure. Bhutan Reduced Tourist Fees to Attract More Visitors The Bhutanese government has announced several measures aimed at attracting more tourists and helping the industry recover from COVID-19. These measures include reducing the tourist daily fee from $200 to $100, which entered into force in September 2023 and is valid for four years until August 2027. Bhutan Welcomed a Record Number of Over 25,000 Tourists in Q1 of 2024 Bhutan saw a notable increase in the number of tourists during the first three months of 2024, according to official statistics. More specifically, 25,003 tourists visited Bhutan during this period, as revealed by the Department of Tourism. Such a figure represents a 97 percent increase compared to the 12,696 arrivals recorded in the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the busiest month during the first quarter was March 2024, with nearly 15,000 arrivals. As further revealed, most of the tourists – accounted for 60 percent – were from India. The rest of the tourists that visited Bhutan during this period were from the US, China, the UK, Germany, Singapore, France, Italy, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, and Canada. According to Carissa Nimah, Chief Marketing Officer of the Department of Tourism, the almost double growth in tourist figures can be attributed to several reasons, such as the reduced daily fee to $100 per night. As further revealed, Bhutan has expanded its tourism efforts at new global markets, and the authorities anticipate a strong tourism year in 2024.

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Venice introduces entry fee for day trippers to battle overtourism

As per the latest reports, Venice introduced a novel program recently to levy a fee on day-trippers entering the historic Italian city, a pioneering move aimed at alleviating the pressure of mass tourism. Despite its status as one of the world's most loved cities, Venice is grappling with the overwhelming influx of visitors. Under the scheme, visitors purchasing a five-euro ($5.3) ticket gain access to the UNESCO World Heritage site for the day, with spot checks conducted by inspectors at key entry points. Approximately 10,000 tickets were sold by the time the initiative commenced, as stated by Simone Venturini, the local tourism councillor. If reports are to go by, the ‘Venice Access Fee’ is being piloted on 29 busy days throughout 2024, predominantly weekends from May to July. Unlike a capped ticketing system, the objective is to encourage day-trippers to explore Venice during off-peak periods. This idea has been tossed over for a considerable time but was consistently delayed due to worries that it could significantly reduce tourist income and impede freedom of mobility. Opinions on the measure vary. While some view it positively as a means to potentially reduce tourist numbers, others, including members of the local residents association ARCI argue that it infringes upon freedom of movement. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro characterises the initiative as an experiment with gentle enforcement measures, aimed at managing tourist flows without creating queues. Visitors are urged to purchase tickets online in advance, although on-site purchases are permitted. A new ticket office has been established in front of the Santa Lucia train station, the primary entry point to the city. Inspectors have the authority to fine individuals without tickets, with penalties ranging from 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320). Venice was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and is famed for its architectural significance, but now the city is facing challenges from unsustainable tourism levels, exacerbated by factors such as cruise ship visits and climate change-induced rising water levels. Venturini hopes the initiative will encourage local Italians to avoid visiting on busy days, such as public holidays. Venice previously banned massive cruise ships in 2021, redirecting them to a more distant port.

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Dubai Announces Start of Construction on World’s Largest Airport

Dubai’s ruler and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, today made a big announcement on social media platform X, declaring his approval of new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), situated about 28 miles outside of Dubai. Construction is set to begin immediately. In fact, he intends for this secondary airfield to take over all operations from the emirate’s bustling Dubai International Airport (DXB) "within the next 10 years", according to The Sun. DXB is currently the world’s busiest airport when measured by international passenger traffic. Upon completion, the newly expanded Al Maktoum International Airport will be the largest of any airport on the planet, measuring five times the size of DXB and boasting a capacity of up to 260 million passengers annually. At a projected cost of 128 billion AED ($34.85 billion), the 27-square-mile airport will feature five parallel runways—besting DXB’s two—a whopping 400 aircraft gates. “New aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector,” Dubai’s ruler disclosed. President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates Airlines, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said, "The initial phase of the project will be completed within a decade, with a capacity to serve 150 million passengers annually." The reason DWC has been selected for this honor is that DXB, which saw 86.9 million passengers in 2023, cannot be expanded due to its city-central position, being surrounded by residential neighborhoods and two major highways. DWC, on the other hand, which initially opened in 2010, sits on the outskirts of Dubai and is currently surrounded mainly by empty desert—the perfect setting for such a major expansion project. The area won’t remain vacant for long, though, as plans have also been drawn up for an “airport city” adjacent to DWC that will house a million people. “It will host the world's leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors,” Sheikh al Maktoum asserted. According to Business Today, Emirates Airlines’ CEO also divulged that once fully operational, DWC will become the new hub for the UAE’s flagship carrier, low-cost carrier Flydubai and their partner airlines—making it the epicenter for global connections in the region.

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Chennai Airport’s Commitment to Sustainability Shows with More Electric Carts

Chennai Airport to enhance passenger transit with 13 new electric carts, adding to the existing fleet for improved connectivity and comfort. At Chennai Airport, there will soon be additional electric shuttle carts available for transporting passengers from the arrivals area to various points including other terminals, taxi stands, and the metro station. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) intends to acquire 13 new electric golf carts, supplementing the six already in operation that primarily connect the domestic and international terminals. The demand for more carts has risen following the transformation of the former international terminal into the new second domestic terminal (T4), situated at the airport’s southern end. This terminal is more distant from the other terminals, metro station, and taxi stands, which are located in front of the multi-level parking facility. Currently, passengers of airlines like Air India, Vistara, Alliance Air, and Air India Express often face long walks to reach the taxi boarding area. Although electric carts are available, they are frequently hard to locate in time, forcing many to walk. An AAI senior official stated the need for additional carts has become crucial due to the high passenger volume and the expectation of increased flight operations from domestic terminals in the near future. The existing fleet of six carts is insufficient. The new carts will enhance passenger convenience for arrivals and facilitate easier access to taxi pick-up points. Additionally, with the increased capacity of the second domestic terminal, the airport anticipates a rise in flights during peak hours. The airport currently serves about 60,000 passengers daily.

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Over 280,000 visitors flock to Sikkim this year

Sikkim is experiencing an unprecedented surge in tourist arrivals in 2024. According to official data released by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Sikkim has welcomed an astonishing 290,401 tourists in the first quarter of the year, up to March 31, 2024. Among these, 256,537 were domestic tourists, while 30,864 arrived from foreign countries. This surge in tourism signals a promising revival for Sikkim’s hospitality sector, which suffered a severe blow from the devastating Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023. The calamity, particularly impacting the northern part of the state, resulted in the loss of 43 lives, with over 70 individuals still reported missing. Consequently, the tourist influx during the second tourist season experienced a significant decline. However, with the current early trend indicating a robust recovery, Sikkim is poised to reclaim its status as a premier tourist destination. Behind this resurgence lies a dedicated workforce of over 250,000 to 300,000 individuals directly or indirectly associated with the tourism industry. This includes hoteliers, tour operators, taxi drivers, guides, and numerous other stakeholders who serve as the backbone of Sikkim’s tourism sector. The economic impact of tourism on the state is significant, with the industry estimated to have generated over 500 crores in revenue before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. As tourist numbers continue to rise, this figure is expected to witness a substantial increase, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. Looking at the infrastructure supporting this tourism boom, Sikkim boasts a robust network of 1,725 travel agencies and accommodations offering a total of 38,208 beds to accommodate the influx of visitors. The transportation sector, a vital component of the tourism machinery, comprises 2,206 registered luxury vehicles alongside 6,200 normal taxis and 12,232 smaller cabs. Additionally, there are guides and other minor bed and breakfast establishments collectively contributing to the seamless facilitation of tourist activities across the state. A glance at historical data reveals a steady upward trajectory in tourist arrivals over the past decade. From a modest figure of 576,749 visitors in 2013, the numbers have witnessed a remarkable surge, reaching a peak of 1,625,573 in 2023. The year 2024, with its promising start, is on track to surpass previous records, with projections indicating a potential milestone of 1.2 million tourists by year-end if the current growth rate persists.

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