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Char Dham Yatra 2024: Dates announced and registration details

As per the latest news reports, the portals of three revered Himalayan shrines – Badrinath Dham, Kedarnath Dham, and Gangotri Dham – are all set to open doors for pilgrims, marking the beginning of Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage. On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the gates of Shri Gangotri Dham will be opened. This revered site is the origin of the holy river Ganga, and its temple, standing at a height of 20 ft, features intricate carvings on white granite. Gangotri, nestled in the upper reaches of the state amid the towering, snow-capped Himalayas, witnesses heavy snowfall between December and March. Every year, thousands of devotees head out on this demanding journey, seeking spiritual purification and divine blessings. Ajendra Ajay, Chairman of the BadrinathKedarnath temple committee, has expressed plans to allocate sufficient funds in the upcoming budget for passenger facilities, aiming to accommodate an even larger number of devotees this year.

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Indian Railways Prioritises Lower Berth Reservation For Senior Citizens

Indian Railways has implemented a new rule prioritising the reservation of lower berths for elderly passengers. With millions of individuals relying on Indian Railways for their daily commute, the initiative seeks to address the specific needs of senior citizens during train journeys. Under the latest guidelines, senior citizens are entitled to reserve lower berths, facilitating a more comfortable and convenient travel experience. The rule underscores the railway's commitment to catering to the diverse needs of its passengers, ranging from children to elderly individuals. The decision comes in response to a passenger's concern raised on social media regarding the allocation of upper berths despite booking a lower berth for their elderly relative who faced mobility issues. In addressing the issue, Indian Railways clarified the process for securing a lower berth reservation for senior citizens. According to the clarification provided by Indian Railways, passengers must opt for the Reservation Choice option during booking to ensure the allocation of a lower berth. Unlike the general quota, where seat allotments are subject to availability, selecting the Reservation Choice guarantees priority consideration for lower berths. Moreover, Indian Railways emphasised that lower berths are allocated on a firstcome, first-served basis, highlighting the importance of early booking to secure preferred seating arrangements. While seats under the general quota are assigned automatically based on availability, passengers have the option to engage with the Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) to negotiate for a lower berth, provided it is available. This proactive measure by Indian Railways aims to streamline the booking process for senior citizens and enhance their overall travel experience. By prioritising lowerberth reservations for elderly passengers, the railway reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and passenger-centric service delivery. The implementation of this new rule is expected to significantly improve the comfort of the comfort of the journey for senior citizens, ensuring that their specific needs are effectively addressed during train travel. As Indian Railways continues to evolve its services, initiatives like these underscore its dedication to providing a seamless and accessible travel experience for all passengers.

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WORLD'S MOST IMPRESSIVE HERITAGE SITES

World's most impressive heritage sites Throughout history, civilisations have left behind a number of architectural marvels, cultural landmarks, and historical sites that stood the test of time. Our world is dotted with heritage sites that offer a glimpse into our collective past and inspire awe and wonder. Here are some of the most impressive heritage sites from around the globe for all the curious travellers. Great Wall of China Stretching over 13,000 miles across northern China, the Great Wall stands as one of the most iconic symbols of human endeavour. Built over centuries to protect the Chinese Empire from invasions, this awe-inspiring structure winds its way through rugged mountains, rolling hills, and vast plains, offering breathtaking views and a tangible connection to China's rich history and culture. Machu Picchu, Peru ​Perched high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Built in the 15th century and abandoned during the Spanish conquest, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, intricate stone masonry, and celestial alignment with the surrounding mountains. Petra, Jordan Carved into the rose-red cliffs of southern Jordan, Petra is an archaeological marvel and one of the most impressive ancient cities in the world. Founded by the Nabateans over 2,000 years ago, this UNESCO-listed site features stunning rock-cut architecture, including the iconic Treasury and the Monastery, which are testaments to the ingenuity of its creators.

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Saudi Arabia eyes 7.5 mn Indian travellers as Riyadh pushes Vision 2030

In Short Saudi Arabia is looking at welcoming 7.5 million Indian tourists by 2030, says Saudi Tourism's Alhasan Aldabbagh Tourism is right at the centre of Saudi Arabia's grand Vision 2030 Pop concerts, sports events, festivals, all are part of Saudi Arabia's plan for the coming years Saudi Arabia has a grand Vision 2030 and tourism forms the core of it. The country expects to host 7.5 million Indian travellers by 2030, from across the business, leisure and religious segments. This aggressive push for tourism also includes various concerts and sports events, says Alhasan Aldabbagh, president of APAC markets at Saudi Tourism Authority. Alhasan Aldabbagh was in the capital for SATTE, where India Today caught up with him. Over a half-hour chat, Aldabbagh tells us that 'discussions were on' about getting various popstars to Saudi Arabia. When we ask if Taylor Swift was among these names, he says, "We'll see... maybe there will be some good news soon." But Taylor Swift or not, Saudi Arabia is quite the destination to visit. The country has its eyes set firmly on Vision 2030. By 2030, the world will see a new Saudi Arabia emerging out of the desert as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman pushes the pedal on development, infrastructure, and tourism. Saudi Arabia is looking east for tourism, and India is bang at the centre of their scaling-up plans. "I believe if you are true about your objectives and ambition about a market like India... we need to understand the people. And once we understand the people and the differences, and India is a big market - with many cities, with many geographical areas, with many cultures, many languages, and religions... Once we understand that, we can design more customised offers for the different regions. And this is how we will truly become a top destination for the India market," says Aldabbagh. Everything that Saudi Arabia is doing at the moment is aligned towards its Vision 2030. If you were to go on social media - be it X, Instagram or Facebook, you would be bombarded by sponsored ads from Saudi Tourism. The promotion is aggressive, and on a massive scale, so, of course, tourism plays a large part in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. "Tourism links to everything in the vision, because the vision has three pillars: the first pillar is a vibrant society, the second pillar is an ambitious nation, and the third is a thriving economy. You will see that tourism is part of every single pillar because it connects everything," says Aldabbagh.

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Maldives plans to win back Indian tourists by organising roadshows in India

In a bid to attract and win back Indian tourists, a major tourism body of Maldives has announced plans to organise roadshows in famous Indian cities. The island nation saw a major dip in the arrival of Indian tourists after a boycott campaign by several Maldivian officials against the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January. But soon the Maldivian ministers realised their mistake as the Indian tourists number continued to decline in the middle of the strained political relations between the two nations. Now the nation is planning to rectify their mistake by conducting the roadshows. These roadshows will be hosted by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO). The association said that the MATATO has expressed its intention to collaborate closely with the Indian High Commission in Maldives to boost tourism initiatives. They also said that there are plans to launch a comprehensive roadshow across major cities in India and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the forthcoming months. The association also said that India is a prime market for tourism in Maldives, adding that they look forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to enhance the Maldives as a premier travel destination. As per official data released by the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, the island nation also saw a dip in the number of Indian travellers visiting the island nation after the row. Back in 2023, out of over 17 lakh tourists who came to Maldives, the majority were Indians (2,09,198). But, soon after the number of Indian tourists dipped to fifth position. However, now the Maldives is planning to woo Indians back. So, back in January this year, PM Modi visited Lakshadweep and compared it to the Maldives. Soon after Maldivian ministers started making derogatory comments.

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Digi Yatra expected at 14 more airport this month; check full list

As per the latest news reports, Digi Yatra will likely expand to an additional 14 airports this month. This was also informed by Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi. As regarding the application, it facilitates contactless passenger movement at supported airports, thereby eliminating the need for physical boarding passes. In late last year, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the Digi Yatra facility would be implemented at 14 airports during the initial phase, followed by an additional 11 airports during the second phase in 2024. According to a report, the rollout timeline for these new airports hasn't been specified by Khadakbhavi, but if all goes as planned, they are expected to become operational by the end of April. The Digi Yatra initiative aims to cover a total of 38 airports in India by the end of 2024, with 14 airports in the first phase and another 11 in the second. Using Facial Recognition Technology (FRT), the Digi Yatra system identifies passengers and grants them access. This system was launched in December 2022, and it currently serves nearly 5 million users at 13 domestic airports. If reports are to go by, the list of potential new airports that might soon get this Digi Yatra app, includes Bhubaneswar, Bagdogra, Chennai, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Dabolim, Indore, Mangalore, Raipur, Patna, Ranchi, Srinagar, Trivandrum, and Visakhapatnam. Reports further add that efforts are underway to extend the facility to international travellers. Despite concerns over data privacy, Khadakbhavi assured that Digi Yatra doesn't store passengers' data; instead, it remains solely on users' phones under their control. It has also been highlighted in reports issues that were faced by Digi Yatra users in March, where they had to uninstall the old app, download a new one, and re-register, raising concerns about data safety. However, Khadakbhavi did say that passenger data for Digi Yatra is stored encrypted. The Digi Yatra Foundation, a not-for-profit entity, spearheads the initiative, with shareholders including Airport Authority of India (AAI), Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (HIAL), and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).

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