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This Is The Cheapest Indian Destination For Summer Vacations In 2024

As summer approaches and the mercury climbs, many Indians dream of escaping the heat for a refreshing vacation. But with rising travel costs, a budget-friendly getaway can seem like a distant mirage. However, many destinations in India are comparatively cheaper than their counterparts. According to a recent Agoda travel survey, Bengaluru, the vibrant capital of Karnataka, emerges as the most affordable Indian destination for summer vacations in 2024. On the brink of the holiday-heavy months of April and May, Agoda shares some of the most popular Asian tourist destinations to get Agoda’s great value deals. In India, Bengaluru is the most affordable tourist destination, with an average room rate of ₹ 4,584. Bengaluru takes the crown from Puri, which came out on top of the cheapest destinations ranking a year ago. Often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India," Bengaluru boasts a surprising affordability when it comes to summer travel, making it a significantly cheaper option compared to popular beach destinations or hill stations. This accessibility allows budget-conscious travellers to explore the city's diverse offerings without breaking the bank. While Bengaluru is a major centre for IT and innovation, the city offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and nature. Explore the Vidhana Soudha, the majestic seat of the state legislature, or delve into the rich heritage of Bangalore Palace, a stunning example of Tudor architecture. For a dose of nature, head to Cubbon Park, a sprawling expanse of greenery perfect for picnics, strolls, or simply escaping the urban bustle. If you have extra time, venture beyond the city for a day trip. The historic town of Mysore, famous for its magnificent Mysore Palace and vibrant markets, is just a few hours away. Alternatively, head to Nandi Hills, a scenic hill station offering breathtaking views and cooler temperatures – a perfect escape from the summer heat.

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LTA exemption: What is Leave Travel Allowance and can you claim it at the time of filing your income tax return?

The Income-tax Act, 1961 offers salaried individuals several tax exemptions, beyond deductions like LIC premiums and housing loan interest. While deductions reduce your total taxable income, exemptions exclude specific types of income from being taxed altogether. This allows employers to design an employee's Cost to Company (CTC) package in a tax-efficient manner. One such exemption available to the salaried class under the law and widely used by employers is Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)/Leave Travel Concession (LTC). LTA exemption is also available for LTA received from former employer w.r.t travel after the retirement of service or termination of service. LTA can be claimed for any two years in a block of 4 years. The current block year for claiming LTA is 2022 to 2025. What is Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)? Leave Travel Allowance/Leave Travel Concession is a type of allowance given by an employer to their employee for travelling to any place in India: either on leave, after retirement or after the termination of his service. Though it sounds simple, many factors need to be kept in mind before you plan to claim an LTA exemption. Income tax provision has laid down rules for claiming exemption of LTA which are provided below. Who Can Claim LTA? Only individuals can claim LTA for travel costs incurred for themselves and their family (Spouse, children, wholly or mainly dependent siblings, parents) Conditions for Claiming LTA Let us understand the conditions/requirements for claiming the exemption: Individual must be an employee and should have an LTA component in CTC. Actual journey is a must to claim the exemption Only domestic travel is considered for exemption, i.e., travel within India. No international travel is covered under LTA/LTC The exemption for travel is available for the employee alone or with his family, where ‘family’ includes the employee’s spouse, children and wholly or mainly dependent parents, brothers, and sisters of the employee. Further, such an exemption is not available for more than two children of an employee born after 1 October 1998. Children born before 1 October 1998 do not have any restrictions. Further, in cases of multiple births on a second occasion after having one child is also not affected by this restriction. Amount of LTA/LTC Exemption The exemption is available only on the actual travel costs i.e., the air, rail or bus fare incurred by the employee. No expenses such as local conveyance, sightseeing, hotel accommodation, food, etc., are eligible for this exemption. The exemption is also limited to LTA provided by the employer. For example, if LTA granted by the employer is Rs 30,000, and the actual travel cost incurred by the employee is Rs 20,000, then only Rs 20,000 will be available as an exemption and the balance of Rs 10,000 would be included in taxable salary income

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Uttarakhand: Helicopter services launched for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatra

As per the latest development, a helicopter service to the Adi Kailash and the Om Parvat peaks from the Naini Saini Airport in Uttarakhand has been launched in a move to boost tourism in the region. As per the reports, Joint Magistrate Ashish Mishra inaugurated the service, which will be operating under the Uttarakhand government's Heli Darshan scheme. An Mi-19 helicopter will transport pilgrims to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat in the Vyas Valley region before returning after a scenic flight over the peaks. This initiative marks a significant advancement in Hindu pilgrimage tourism, as the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) is all geared up for this first-ever helicopter services for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. This initiative will let pilgrims overcome challenges that are posed by seasonal and geographical constraints, and allow a wider range of devotees access to these sacred sites throughout the year. Reports add that the inaugural helicopter flight saw more than 10 pilgrims embarking on a journey, marking a milestone in accessibility. Adi Kailash, nestled in the majestic Vyas Valley, holds immense significance as the second abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, while Om Parvat, located on the border of India, Nepal, and Tibet, is a natural marvel sculpted into a perfect ‘Om’ symbol. Earlier, the closest viewpoint to observe Om Parvat was Nabhidang, which had to be reached via a challenging trek of 11 km from the Old Lipu Lekh Pass. Some of the pilgrims that took the flight were part of the inaugural run of the scheme, which is currently in its experimental phase. If successful, the service will operate five days a week starting from next month, according to Ms. Arya. Further, the Joint Magistrate highlighted the scheme as a significant achievement for the state, particularly in promoting the Adi Kailash region, which gained popularity following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jolingkong for a darshan of the Adi Kailash peak last October. The initiative aims to facilitate devotees' spiritual aspirations, allowing them to embark on a one-day aerial darshan of both sites, with a five-day helicopter yatra scheduled to commence from April 15th. If we go by reports, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) will replace strenuous treks from Jyolingkong and Nabhidang, ensuring a comfortable journey through the snowy landscape. Scheduled from April 15th to May 1st, 2024, and resuming in November until March, this revolutionary helicopter yatra aims to redefine the pilgrimage experience, promising breathtaking aerial views, comfortable travel options, and a focus on community development, thereby ushering in a new era for Hindu pilgrimage tourism in India.

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Vistara-Air India merger: What should we expect?

In a significant development, the prominent Indian airlines Air India and Vistara have announced a merger. But it is going to be a complex process and the brand will not change before 2025, informed Campbell Wilson, Air India’s chief executive and managing director. Wilson said, "Behind-the-scenes planning is underway. The regulatory and legal [approvals] are in process. The customer-facing elements will take some time [to change] and we are not rushing it". For those who don’t know, Air India is a government-owned airline in service for 69 years. In January 2022, the airlines was reacquired by the Tata Group under a government-led disinvestment programme in. In the same year, the Tata group had announced a merger of Air India and Vistara. Vistara began its operations in 2015. It is a 51:49 joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. But after the merger takes place, Singapore Airlines will get a 25.1% stake in the combined company. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) gave a nod to the merger, after India approved it in September last year. This will allow the two airlines to efficiently plan their routes. Wilson further informed that they have been extremely clear that Vistara in the long term will become Air India and that Air India is about 92-years-old globally recognised airline. “Vistara has a very, very strong reputation and awareness in India, but not so much globally. A lot of the things that we are doing are modelled on what Vistara does, but we will eventually be collapsing the two. As I say, we won't be rushing it. It will probably be [completed] some time next year," Wilson explained further. “Vistara has a very, very strong reputation and awareness in India, but not so much globally. A lot of the things that we are doing are modelled on what Vistara does, but we will eventually be collapsing the two. As I say, we won't be rushing it. It will probably be [completed] some time next year," Wilson explained further.

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Flight delayed? Now, you can deboard and exit through departure gates as per new guidelines

As per the latest development, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security watchdog, has issued new guidelines to address extended flight delays. As per the latest directive, which came into effect since March 30, comes in response to the increasing incidents of flight delays and congestion at airports, which often lead to passengers being stranded inside aircraft for prolonged periods after boarding. If reports are to go by, the fresh guidelines will help such passengers in distress. Referring to this, BCAS Director General Zulfiquar Hasan stated that these guidelines aim to reduce disembark through the departure gate of the airport in cases of prolonged delays or emergencies after boarding. Hasan clarified that airport operators are responsible for arranging the necessary infrastructure, including screening facilities, to implement these guidelines. The decision to allow passengers to deboard will be made jointly by airlines and relevant security agencies. Previously, Hasan had mentioned BCAS's efforts to address unwelcome congestion at airports by setting optimal standards and deploying tools to mitigate the issue. Reports further add that additionally, BCAS plans to introduce smart security lanes to enhance the passenger experience. Hasan also noted that full-body scanners are expected to become operational at Bangalore airport this month, with plans for gradual deployment at airports with annual passenger traffic exceeding 5 million. In February, BCAS directed seven scheduled airlines to ensure prompt delivery of baggage upon aircraft landing, addressing complaints of delayed baggage retrieval by passengers. Hasan further stressed that these guidelines aim to minimise inconvenience for passengers, allowing them to exit through the departure gate in cases of prolonged delays or emergencies after boarding. Airport operators are tasked with providing the necessary infrastructure, while airlines and security agencies will jointly decide on passenger disembarkation.

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Japan broadens its worker visa Programme 2024; plans to invite 820,000 foreigners!

In a recent development, Japan has expanded its foreign worker visa program for the first time since its establishment in 2019! With this, the Japanese government aims to meet the shortage of drivers in the country by granting extended stays of up to five years. The Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported that this expansion comprises four new sectors which are road and railway transportation, forestry, and timber industries. Surprisingly, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for foreign laborers in Japan. There are several factors, but one of the prime is a significant decline in birth rate and shortages in transportation and logistics sectors. These shortages are expected to meet with the introduction of new regulations limiting overtime hours for drivers, known as the "2024 problem." With this, the Japanese government intends to admit up to 820,000 foreigners under the skilled worker visa program over the next five fiscal years, starting from April. This number surpasses the previous estimate for the five years leading up to fiscal 2023, which concluded in March. Following feedback from the public on the proposed reforms, the government plans to revise relevant regulations, including those under the Justice Ministry, to facilitate the acceptance of skilled workers in the newly added sectors.

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