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Top 5 Hill Stations That Are Accessible Via Flights

With the sun shining bright above and visible tan marks on almost every familiar face, an escape to snowy peaks surely seems like a sweet dream. So what’s stopping you? Afraid of motion sickness? Who says that a vacation to the mountains has to be a road trip? We all know that hill stations have always acted as a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city and of course the rising temperature. Well, this is why we have pulled together a list of a few hill stations in India that are accessible via direct flights. So that you can enjoy a breath of fresh air without any hassle. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags right away and book your tickets to your favourite destination from this list: Mussoorie How can we not begin our list with “Queen of Hills”? Less than 2 hours away from Jolly Grant Airport, Mussoorie is located in Dehradun. From breathtaking waterfalls to Lal Tibba Scenic Point, Mussoorie truly deserves a top spot on your bucket list. Shimla Let’s confess! Shimla is one of the most popular hill stations amongst the wanderlusts. Courtesy: Its accessibility. This summer capital of Himachal Pradesh is just 45 minutes away from its nearest airport—Jubbarhatti. Apart from direct flight, you can also enjoy a scenic road trip to this destination. Manali The cult favourite Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani has made us all well-versed about this hill station. The best part? Manali is just an hour away from its nearest Bhuntar Airport. In just 20 minutes after landing, your soul will be mesmerised. All credit goes to the ethereal mountainous views of Manali. Munnar With its sprawling tea estates and lush greenery, Kerala’s Munnar is honestly a paradise for every nature enthusiast. But apart from its scenic views, you must explore Eravikulam National Park for wildlife. This beautiful location can be reached in just three hours from Cochin Airport Ooty Just three hours away from Coimbatore International Airport, Ooty is well known for its captivating botanical gardens and charming landscapes. In addition, the Government Rose Garden, which is a must-visit spot, displays over 20,000 varieties of roses.

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Mount Fuji view to be blocked amid tourist overcrowding

Japanese authorities, fed up with the disruptive behaviour of poorly behaved foreign tourists at a popular photo spot with views of Mount Fuji, are taking action. They plan to install a massive barrier to block the view, aiming to deter crowds from gathering in the area. The barrier will be a 2.5-meter (8ft) high mesh net, stretching the length of a cricket pitch at 20 metres. Construction is set to begin as early as next week, as confirmed by an official from Fujikawaguchiko town. The decision to implement this measure reflects the regrettable necessity brought about by the actions of some tourists who consistently fail to respect rules, resulting in littering and disregard for traffic regulations. It represents the latest step taken to address the issue of over-tourism in Japan. Earlier this year, residents of Kyoto's geisha district took similar action by banning visitors from accessing small private alleys in an effort to preserve their community. Record numbers of overseas tourists are travelling to Japan, where the number of monthly visitors exceeded 3 million in March for the first time. Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, can be photographed from many spots in the resort town of Fujikawaguchiko. This viewpoint is particularly popular because the majestic – and active – volcano appears behind a Lawson convenience store, which are ubiquitous in Japan. The decision to install a large barrier at a popular photo spot in Japan is driven by the regrettable behaviour of some tourists who fail to respect rules, leaving litter behind and ignoring traffic regulations. This action represents the latest response to over-tourism in Japan, following measures such as the ban on visitors from small private alleys in Kyoto's geisha district earlier this year. In March, Japan welcomed a record-breaking number of over 3 million overseas tourists, highlighting its growing popularity as a travel destination. In the scenic resort town of Fujikawaguchiko, Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest and active volcano, is a major draw for visitors. One of the most sought-after spots for capturing the iconic mountain is where it can be seen behind a Lawson convenience store, a familiar sight across Japan. This spot has become famous for its unique blend of natural beauty and modern convenience, attracting tourists seeking the quintessential Japanese experience. Despite the town's efforts, including traffic signs and repeated warnings from security guards, tourists continued to disregard the rules. As a final measure, the town in the Yamanashi region opted to install a large screen. This decision was made not only to address the issue of unruly behaviour but also to protect a nearby dental clinic. Tourists have been known to illegally park at the clinic and even climb onto its roof to capture photographs. The town officials expressed regret over having to take such drastic action, but they emphasised that the screen will remain in place until the situation improves. It reflects the town's commitment to finding solutions to the challenges posed by tourism. Since the pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted, Japan has experienced a surge in tourism, prompting the government to actively promote visitor numbers. However, this growth hasn't been universally welcomed, especially in Kyoto, where residents have voiced concerns about tourists bothering the city's geisha. To alleviate congestion, hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji will be charged JPY 2,000 each this summer, with a limit on the number of climbers allowed.

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New Schengen Visa rules: Know changes in travel, insurance trends; senior citizens visiting Europe shoots up by 100%

New Schengen Visa rules have resulted in a doubling of Europe-bound senior citizens, a survey by insurance broker Policybazaar.com revealed. The new Schengen Visa rules, announced on April 18, have also spurred significant changes in travel insurance trends over the past few days, including a 3-4 per cent surge in users who booked travel insurance policies, as per the Policybazaar survey. Travellers to Schengen destinations aged 70 and above have doubled compared with last year's figures. A significant rise in travellers declaring pre-existing diseases was also noted. The most sought-after add-ons for travel insurance included coverage for baggage or loss of belongings, trip cancellation, adventure sports coverage, and pre-existing disease (PED) coverage, as per the report. Manas Kapoor, business head of Travel Insurance at Policybazaar.com, pointed out a surge among Europe-bound travellers who booked long-term travel insurance, after the new visa rules came into effect. The survey noted a 3-4 per cent surge in users who booked travel insurance policies for travels that exceeded 45 days in April 2024. “This trend is expected to rise further due to the relaxed visa norms," Manas Kapoor pointed out. In the upcoming summer season, 82 per cent of Indian travellers to European countries will be visiting popular destinations like France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain, according to the survey. The survey found a 15 per cent rise in travellers to Europe who declared pre-existing conditions including Diabetes and Hypertension, compared with last year's figures. But a 40% plunge was recorded in number of travellers buying travel insurance products in Euros. The new Schengen visa regime entails a stark departure from previous rules. Previously, Indians who wished to travel to one or more European countries were granted Schengen visas for a maximum of three months. Under the new regime, Indians will be granted Schengen visas for two years, thus facilitating their entry to any of the 29 European countries multiple times. This two-year validity is further extendable by 5 years under the ‘cascade regime’. This means Indian tourists can travel and stay in any of these European countries as visa-free nationals for a longer period.

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Venice implements day-trip entry fee to tackle overtourism; when it is starting and how much

Starting this week, Venice will be introducing a pioneering initiative: charging day trippers for entry, a first of its kind globally. This measure is aimed at addressing the challenges posed by mass tourism, which has been inundating the city and straining its infrastructure. By implementing entry fees, Venice hopes to alleviate the pressure and preserve its unique heritage and environment for future generations. Starting this Thursday, which is a public holiday in Italy, day visitors to Venice will be required to purchase a five-euro (EUR 5) ticket for entry. This marks the first time such a fee will be implemented, and inspectors will be conducting spot checks at various key points within the UNESCO World Heritage site to ensure compliance. The measure aims to manage the influx of tourists and alleviate the strain on Venice's infrastructure caused by mass tourism. Venice, celebrated as one of the world's top tourist destinations, welcomed a staggering 3.2 million overnight visitors to its historic center in 2022, a number that far surpasses its resident population of just 50,000. In addition to these overnight guests, tens of thousands more flock to the city for the day, often arriving via cruise ships, to marvel at iconic sights such as St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. However, the influx of day trippers has contributed to overcrowding in Venice's narrow streets and popular attractions, causing strain on the city's infrastructure and impacting the quality of life for residents. To address this issue, the introduction of entry tickets aims to encourage day trippers to visit during quieter periods, spreading out tourist activity and alleviating the pressure on Venice's historic center. From May to July, entry tickets will only be required on 29 busy days, especially on the weekends. This phased approach aims to manage tourist influx during peak periods while allowing visitors to enjoy Venice during quieter times. However, the scheme is being closely watched as tourist destinations worldwide grapple with surging numbers of visitors. While tourism brings economic benefits to these areas, it also presents challenges, including overcrowding, environmental degradation, and strain on local resources. Venice's initiative reflects a broader concern about striking a balance between tourism's economic benefits and its potential negative impacts on communities and natural heritage. By implementing measures like entry tickets, cities like Venice seek to protect their cultural and environmental treasures while ensuring a sustainable tourism industry for future generations. Last year, UNESCO warned of the possibility of placing Venice on its list of heritage sites in danger due to issues such as mass tourism and rising water levels caused by climate change. The city narrowly avoided this designation after local authorities agreed to implement a new ticketing system. The idea of ticketing had been discussed for some time but was repeatedly postponed due to concerns about its potential impact on tourist revenue and freedom of movement. How will it be done? Venice's mayor has assured that the new ticketing system will be implemented with minimal disruption, emphasizing "very soft controls" and ensuring there are no queues. Contrary to speculation, there will be no barriers or turnstiles installed in the streets. Instead, controllers will be stationed at key entrances, such as the Santa Lucia train station, conducting spot checks on visitors. Tourists found without a ticket will be encouraged to purchase one upon arrival with assistance from local operators. However, there’s also the possibility of being fined an amount between 50-300 euros. The "Venice Access Fee" applies solely to day tourists visiting the old town between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, with exemptions for hotel guests, children under 14, and people with disabilities. Currently, there is no limit on the number of tickets available, which can be obtained as a QR code from the website https://cda.ve.it/en/ and are distributed daily.

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Lack of senior pilots threatens airlines’ profitability: Sky One

The shortage of senior pilots poses a significant challenge for India’s civil aviation sector, potentially impacting operations, fleet expansion plans, and profitability, according to Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman, Sky One. On World Pilots Day, Mirchandani highlighted the looming challenges if the demand-supply gap in pilots widens further. Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) 2024 projects a quadrupling of South Asia’s aviation fleet over the next 20 years, with India’s aviation sector driving much of this growth. The region is expected to require 37,000 pilots and 38,000 maintenance technicians in the next two decades. However, with many senior pilots nearing retirement, there’s a pressing need to recruit and train the next generation of aviators. Currently, 38% of the civil aviation industry pilot pool is over 50 years old, indicating a wave of retirements in the next decade. Mirchandani warns that the potential pilot shortage could hinder airlines’ ability to meet rising travel demand, maintain flight schedules, and execute fleet expansion plans, affecting profitability. While there have been discussions about extending the retirement age for commercial pilots beyond 65, Mirchandani suggests that improving pay scales, offering increased incentives, addressing pilot fatigue, and encouraging more women to join the sector would be more sustainable solutions. Training also presents a challenge, with the path to becoming a senior pilot requiring significant time and resources. Mirchandani emphasises the need for more airlines to partner with pilot training institutes to address this issue. The Civil Aviation Ministry has taken steps to establish more flying schools across India to train commercial pilots, with the Airports Authority of India awarding Flying Training Organization (FTO) slots and issuing Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs). However, Mirchandani stresses the importance of FTOs focusing on quality training, safety standards, fairness in exams, and strict surveillance to nurture the next generation of Indian aviators. Mirchandani’s Pier Seven Aviation academy is offering advanced flight simulator training to aspiring pilots, aiming to contribute to the development of skilled aviators for the future of India’s aviation sector.

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Hong Kong launches one-day unlimited ride bus pass for travellers

KMB rolls out single-day unlimited ride bus pass for tourists Travellers can purchase the all-day pass via KMB’s ‘App1933’ mobile application. Alternatively, the pass is also available at any of the 19 designated sales points across the city including the airport, Lok Ma Chau bus station, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge bus terminus. To purchase the pass, look for the ‘eCoin’ section on the app. Travellers need to enter the first four digits of their passport number to complete the transaction process. Then, simply activate the pass, which will be available for use within 24 hours. Show the QR code on the app upon boarding. Passengers can pay with electronic payment methods such as VISA, MasterCard, AlipayHK, Alipay, WeChat Pay, BoC Pay and UnionPay. Those who purchase the pass in person at any of the sales points must present a valid passport to the staff. Then, they will receive a card with a 16-digit activation code. Enter the code into the KMB app to activate the pass. Hong Kong visitor arrivals increase by 40 per cent As of March 2024, the number of visitor arrivals to Hong Kong was about 3.4 million, a 40 per cent yearly increase. In total, about 11.23 million travellers have visited the city in the first quarter of the year. This is great news for the tourism industry, which hopes that the visitor numbers will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. With attractive initiatives and campaigns such as the new Temple Street Night Market and the monthly fireworks, now is the best time to travel to Hong Kong.

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