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Saudi Arabia changes Umrah visa rule; to remain valid for 3 months from issuance date

With pilgrimage season right around the corner, we are also looking at Umrah pilgrimage. If you are planning to visit Mecca for pilgrimage, travellers must apply for the Umrah visa. As per the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Umrah visa will last for three months (90 days) from the month of issuance. Now, how is the Umrah visa different from the normal tourist visa? The normal Saudi Arabia tourist visa is a multiple-entry visa, valid for 90 days. The Umrah visa is a single-entry visa valid for a maximum of 90 days. If reports are to go by, the recent change in the visa rule is to streamline preparations for the upcoming Hajj season (June 14-19). As per the reports, under the older visa rule, the three-month (90 days) validity period for the Umrah visa began upon entry into Saudi Arabia. Now, under the new Umrah visa rule, the three-month validity of the visa begins from the day of issuance. For someone with an Umrah visa, it will be possible to enter the country and perform the Umrah pilgrimage. It is also important to keep in mind that an Umrah visa does not mean that the visa holder can use the visa for employment or activities not related to pilgrimage. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has advised visitors to respect the new visa rules, not to misuse the visa, and most importantly, leave Saudi Arabia before the visa expires. Are Hajj and Umrah same? For those wondering if the two are the same, they are not. Though both Hajj and Umrah are pilgrimages, Hajj has a particular season every year. This year, the Hajj season starts from June 14 and ends on June 19. Hajj is considered to be a mandatory pilgrimage that a Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime. An Umrah pilgrimage can be done anytime during the Islamic calendar. Interestingly, the Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa allows travellers to take part in tourism-related activities such as events, family visits, leisure and even Umrah, but excluding Hajj.

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Canada reduces staff at Indian missions: Will visa services be impacted?

The recent move by the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government to reduce the number of local staff at its missions across India has raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity about the decision. Last year, in October, Ottawa withdrew 41, or more than two-thirds, of its diplomats from India. Canada has cited a shortage of Canadian supervisory personnel as the primary reason for reducing diplomatic personnel in its High Commission in New Delhi and its consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. Effective management of operations in India necessitates a certain number of Canadian supervisory staff, and the current shortage seems to have prompted this adjustment. This decision underscores the importance Canada places on maintaining operational efficiency and effectiveness in its diplomatic endeavours. While it may appear as a reduction in manpower, it reflects a strategic realignment to ensure that the available resources are optimally utilised to fulfil Canada's diplomatic objectives in India. Despite the reduction in staff, Canada reassures that it will continue to deliver core services to Canadians in India. This includes consular support and initiatives for trade and business development. The statement from a High Commission official emphasises Canada's commitment to sustaining the longstanding ties between Canadians and Indians. If you plan to visit Canada for tourism, to meet family or friends, or for official purposes, you can apply for a Canada Visitor Visa or short-stay visa. The starting fee for a Canada Visitor Visa is $100 (INR 6051). Typically, a Canada Visitor Visa from India is processed within 47 days.

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India's most Instagrammed tourist hotspots in 2024

travel company in India has revealed the country's most Instagrammable spots, based on the number of photos tagged in each place on the social media platform. India Someday identified 25 popular tourist attractions across the country, and then recorded the total number of Instagram posts featuring each location-specific hashtag. These were then calculated by acre – equal to 0.4 hectares – to provide a standardised measure of Instagram popularity density. Mumbai's Gateway of India came out on top with the most hashtags per acre. “Discovering the most Instagrammable destinations in India offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of travel and social media,” said Harsh Sonawala, co-founder of the travel company that specialises in trips to the subcontinent. “The high density of Instagram hashtags per acre at iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India underscores their enduring popularity and visual allure. It is interesting to note that although the Taj Mahal has the maximum number of hashtags as expected based on the size and area of the monument, Mumbai's iconic Gateway of India gets the most call-outs”. Here are India's top 10 Instagrammable locations in 2024 for some travel inspiration ahead of your next visit. 1. Gateway of India Mumbai's top tourist destination stands on the waterfront in Colaba, in the city's south overlooking the Arabian Sea. With 700,000 hashtags per acre, it is India's most Instagrammed destination in 2024. Built by the British, the structure combines elements of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles and serves as a gateway to explore the rich history and vibrant culture of Mumbai. It's also free to visit, which helps boost its popularity. 2. Jama Masjid Located in Old Delhi, this large mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and can accommodate more than 25,000 people in its courtyard. The marble and red sandstone structure is a rare place of tranquillity in the very heart of Old Delhi's mayhem and is the country's second-most Instagrammed tourist attraction with 359,000 tags per acre. It has four watchtowers and two towering minarets, one of which visitors can climb for breathtaking views of the city 3. Hawa Mahal The third most Instagrammable spot in India is Hawa Mahal, with 261,326 hashtags per acre. Located in Jaipur, this five-storey red and pink sandstone structure is constructed from the same salmon-toned stone used in the construction of Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple. Famed for its intricate latticework, Hawa Mahal was originally designed to allow royal women to observe street festivals while remaining unseen. Today, it's largely in ruins, but its distinctive facade makes it a popular choice for photographers, and its top floor offers views over the City Palace and Sireh Deori Bazaar. 4. Patrika Gate Jaipur's Patrika Gate is perhaps a surprising entry on the list given it's not as famous as other monuments in the country. But with 186,667 hashtags per acre, it ranks as the fourth most Instagrammable spot in India. Travellers can find it at the entrance to Jawahar Circle Garden, where its colourful and intricate frescoes reflect traditional Rajasthani art and architecture. It's also a relatively new addition on the tourism circuit, having only opened to the public in 2016. 5. Golden Temple Glistening in the Amritsar sun, Sri Harmandir Sahib, or the Golden Temple, has clocked up about 75,000 hashtags per acre on Instagram. The sacred site is regarded as the holiest temple in the Sikh faith and is famed for its gold-plated exterior and views of the surrounding Amrit Sarovar Lake. Built in the 1500s, the temple blends Hindu and Islamic architectural styles and is actually just a small part of the sprawling gurdwara complex on which it sits. 6. Taj Mahal One of the Seven Wonders of the World, and arguably India's most famous site, the Taj Mahal ranks lower on the list than might be expected with just 61,905 hashtags per acre on Instagram. Located in Agra, the mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. Crafted from pristine white marble, it attracts millions of visitors each year and was described by novelist Rudyard Kipling as being “the embodiment of all things pure”. 7. City Palace City Palace in Udaipur is a striking place of beauty on the banks of Lake Pichola. Built by Udai Singh II, the Maharana of Mewar in 1559, this fortress was erected as a point of strategic defence. The largest palace in Rajasthan, it has an impressive 244-metre-long facade and combines Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Surrounded by balconies, towers and domes, it offers visitors a glimpse into history and stunning views, helping it record 50,600 hashtags per acre on Instagram. 8. Nahargarh Fort The fort in Jaipur's Aravalli Hills is known for being one of the best places to take in panoramic views of the city. With 50,244 hashtags per acre on Instagram, Nahargarh Fort dates back to 1734 when it was commissioned by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as a retreat for royal families to escape to. It has a charm of its own and has been used to shoot several Bollywood films, meaning visitors might be lucky enough to stumble upon live-action scenes. 9. Qutab Minar Significant because it symbolises India's rich cultural and religious history as well as the Mughal Empire's rule, Delhi's Qutab Minar is an architectural marvel. One of the oldest surviving monuments in India, it has the tallest minaret in the country as well as the tallest brick minaret in the world at a height of 72 metres. The Unesco World Heritage Site clocked up 27,151 hashtags per acre on Instagram. 10. Sanchi Stupa A Buddhist complex most famous for its Great Stupa, Sanchi is perched on a hilltop and rises 16 metres in the air. One of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the country, it is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha. Beautifully proportioned, the mound-like structure shelters the original brick stupa inside and is encircled by intricately carved gateways. The Madhya Pradesh attraction racked up 23,857 hashtags per acre.

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Ahmedabad-Delhi Bullet Train to Cut Travel Time to 3.5 Hours

In a major boost to travel infrastructure, the Ahmedabad-Delhi bullet train will become a reality soon. The high-speed train is likely to reduce the travel time from 12 hours to just 3.5 hours. After Ahmedabad-Mumbai, the railways has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) which said that the train will commence its journey from Sabarmati station in the city. A multi-modal hub has been set up at Sabarmati station for passengers’ convenience. The train can attain an average speed of 250 kmph on an elevated corridor. The train will traverse through stations in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana before entering the national capital. It will cross Himmatnagar, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Kishangarh, Jaipur, Rewari, and Manesar.

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ADB urges Fiji government to prioritise tourism industry

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently released its economic outlook, emphasising the need for the Fijian government to take action to maintain the growth of the tourism industry and keep hotel pricing competitive. The ADB predicts that the limited availability of tourist accommodation may hinder sustainable economic growth in the coming years. Currently, there are 13,000 hotel rooms available from 421 licensed accommodation providers, but the increasing number of unlicensed short-term accommodation providers on platforms like Airbnb is also a concern. To address these issues, the ADB has proposed three ways in which the government can help: easing impediments to domestic and foreign tourism investment, improving tourist infrastructure, particularly in outer islands, and exploring alternative forms of tourism. The ADB suggests that Fiji should act quickly to attract more investment in tourism, as potential investors may view the government’s complex foreign investment procedures as a barrier to entry. The government is encouraged to streamline and expedite investment processes while prioritising environmental protection and promoting sustainable tourism. One of the critical obstacles to realising investments is the delays in finalising and obtaining approval for environmental impact assessments. To address this, the government has established an inter-ministerial body to help streamline investment-related processes. The ADB also suggests that Fiji can work on spreading tourism activity and benefits to more areas, as 75% of hotel rooms are currently concentrated in the Coral Coast-Nadi corridor. Improving transportation connections to Vanua Levu, such as upgrading airports in Savusavu and Labasa and constructing a new airport, is a potential solution. While sea transportation remains viable, the initial focus should be on enhancing key connecting jetties to Vanua Levu. The ADB also suggests exploring alternative forms of tourism, such as sports, retirement, and medical tourism. Fiji has already been successfully hosting some of the Super Rugby Pacific Competition since 2022, and there is potential to attract medical tourists from neighboring Pacific countries by investing in additional privately operated hospitals to enhance healthcare infrastructure. A study by the International Finance Corporation indicates opportunities for private sector investment in advanced diagnostic facilities and specialist care hospitals.

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Iran Israel war travel advisory: India issues advisory, says “not to travel to Iran or Israel”

Iran attacked Israel a few hours ago. Sirens and explosions are being heard across Israel, including cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and given the new recent turn of events, India has issued travel advisory, warning Indians against travelling to Iran and Israel. The travel advisory was issued on Friday only in anticipation of rising tensions between the two West Asian countries. The statement released by the ministry of external affairs mentions, “In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice. All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian embassies there and register themselves. They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,". This advisory was released soon after Tehran blamed Israel for launching an airstrike in Syria. It said that because of the airstrike, several top Iranian military commanders were dead. The tensions between the two countries have been rising gradually. India had already shared its concern over the situation. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, ministry of external affairs, had said that they have noted with concern the attack on Iranian diplomatic premises in Syria on 1 April 2024 and that India is distressed at the rising tensions in West Asia. He further requested all parties to avoid actions and accept principles and norms of International Law. As of now, some 18,000 Indian nationals live in Israel. A number of them are care-givers and IT professionals. On the other hand, Iran has around 4,000 Indian nationals, including small traders and those from academics. Besides India, France and the US have also issued similar travel advisories for their citizens, amid the ongoing war situation.

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