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Govt showcases India as 365-day tourist destination at Arabian Travel Mart

New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) The Ministry of Tourism is showcasing India as a 365-day tourism destination at the Arabian Travel Mart being held in Dubai from May 6-9. The 'Incredible India' pavilion was inaugurated on Monday by Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai, with the aim of strengthening India's presence in the Middle East's tourism sector. The pavilion has made a resounding entry, aiming to capture the entirety of the UAE market. The country’s delegation comprising tour operators, luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC (NS:INIR)) will be highlighting India’s attraction as a round-the-year tourist destination, according to an official statement. The Ministry of Tourism has launched the ‘Cool Summers of India’ digital campaign at the Arabian Travel Mart to dispel the notion of India being too hot for summer travel. The campaign is emphasising the country’s offerings in the hill resorts, and seeks to promote India as a holistic destination throughout the year.

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Canada's Super Visa: Invitations for parent sponsorship from May 21; extended visits for grandparents

Good news from Canada for parents! Canada is all set to issue Super Visa invitations for sponsoring parents starting 21st May, 2024. Over a period of about two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will extend invitations to about 35,700 potential sponsors from the pool of remaining interest to sponsor forms submitted in 2020. It's advisable for those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 to keep a check on their email for regular updates. For those who haven't submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, their parents and grandparents can still visit Canada for an extended period by applying for a super visa. This visa allows them to stay for up to five years at a time, with the option to extend their stay while in Canada. To be eligible for a super visa, the person must be the child or grandchild of the applicant, who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. The super visa allows multiple entries for a period of up to ten years, with each entry permitting a stay of up to five years. The Super Visa is distinct from a regular visitor visa, as it enables qualifying parents and grandparents to visit family in Canada for longer periods. Only biological or adopted children can invite their parents or grandparents on a super visa, and they may also invite their parents' or grandparents' spouses or common-law partners. For hosts who are registered Indians, only a Certificate of Indian Status is required as proof of citizenship or permanent residence. The host must also demonstrate financial capability to support the applicant during their stay, meeting or exceeding the minimum necessary income based on Statistics Canada's low-income cut-offs. Additionally, parents or grandparents must provide documentation of valid health insurance from a Canadian or non-Canadian insurance company certified by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. This new initiative aims to facilitate family reunions while ensuring the well-being of visitors and hosts alike. This is one of the much-awaited events that people have been waiting for!

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Kerala's first private train service from June 4: Details

The first ever private train service from Kerala will start on June 4 from Thiruvananthapuram. The service intended for the tourists will be operated by SRMPR Global Railways Private Limited in association with Princy World Travels Private Limited, as part of the Indian Railways' Bharat Gaurav Yatra project."Under this private partnership in collaboration with Indian Railways', the SRMPR has hired a train from the Railways to run tourist services from Kerala. The train, staff and other facilities will be provided by the SRMPR while services like ticketing and marketing are being done by Princy Travels,'' said Devika Menon, Director of Princy World Travels. The train will conduct services to Mumbai, Goa and Ayodhya. The first trip is to Goa. The pre-booked passengers can board the train from stations like Trivandrum, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargode. The train, which can carry up to 750 passengers at a time, includes 2 sleeper class bogies, 11 third class AC coaches and 2 second class AC coaches. 60 staff, including medical experts, also will be on duty. Food, wi-fi facility, and a GPS tracking system will be provided. Star hotel accommodation, food and sightseeing will be part of the tour package. For a 4-day Goa trip in the non-AC sleeper, a traveller has to pay Rs. 13,999. If it is 3 tier AC the amount is Rs 15,150 and for 2 tier AC, the amount is Rs 16,400. For the Mumbai trip, the amount is Rs 15,050, Rs 16,920 and Rs 18,825 respectively. For 8 day Ayodhya trip the rate is - Rs 30,550, Rs 33,850 and Rs 37,150. The trip covers temples and pilgrimage destinations in Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Kids under 10 years, The tickets are free for children upto five years. For children between five and ten years, half the price of an adult's ticket will have to be paid.

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New airline routes in May 2024 to boost travel networks

In May 2024, the aviation industry is set to launch 50 new flight routes, highlighting a significant recovery and expansion in global air travel. Key players such as Air France, Delta, and Icelandair are intensifying their transatlantic connections, underscoring the strong demand for international flights. Air France will begin nonstop services from Paris to Phoenix, Delta is adding routes from Minneapolis to Dublin, and Icelandair is linking Pittsburgh with Reykjavik. These expansions demonstrate the airlines’ commitment to broadening their networks and enhancing accessibility for passengers across continents, reinforcing the positive momentum in the aviation sector. Air France: Nonstop Service from Paris to Phoenix Starting May 23, Air France introduces a groundbreaking nonstop service from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Phoenix, marking the first direct flight between France and Phoenix. Operating three times a week, this route utilizes the modern Boeing 787-9, enhancing connectivity and offering a new gateway for business and tourism that could inject $30 million annually into the local economy. Condor: Bridging Europe with San Antonio and More German leisure airline Condor is set to launch a significant route from Frankfurt to San Antonio, beginning May 18. This marks the first direct connection between Europe and San Antonio, operating three times weekly with the A330-900neo. Condor’s expansion includes seasonal flights and aims to foster economic growth with an estimated annual impact of $34 million for the region. Delta Air Lines: Expanding Dublin Reach Delta resumes and expands its services to Dublin with new direct flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul starting May 9. This route, served five times a week by Boeing 767-300s, complements Delta’s extensive transatlantic network from its U.S. hubs, offering more options for travelers seeking access to Europe. Icelandair: New Link Between Reykjavik and Pittsburgh Icelandair continues its expansion in the U.S. with new flights from Reykjavik to Pittsburgh, starting May 16. Using Boeing 737-8s, this service runs four times per week and reestablishes a connection previously served by WOW Air, promising significant tourism and business exchanges. Norse Atlantic Airways: New Ventures from Athens and Paris Norse Atlantic Airways launches new services from Athens to New York JFK and from Paris CDG to Los Angeles, starting at the end of May. These routes highlight Norse’s strategy to tap into the lucrative transatlantic travel market, offering competitive options for travelers between Europe and the United States. Other Notable New Routes United Airlines: Introduces a new seasonal transatlantic route from Chicago to Athens, beginning May 17, and operating daily with Boeing 787-8s. This route enhances United’s global network and meets the increasing demand for travel to Greece. WestJet: Launches its first-ever route to Seoul from Calgary, starting May 17. Operating three times a week with the Boeing 787-9, this route becomes WestJet’s second Asia-Pacific destination and positions it as the sole operator from Calgary to Seoul. Air Premia: The South Korean hybrid carrier starts services from Seoul to San Francisco, competing with Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, and United Airlines. This move expands Air Premia’s U.S. presence and caters to the growing demand for transpacific travel. China Airlines: Joins other Chinese airlines in expanding into the Saudi market, with new flights from Beijing to Riyadh starting May 6. This route is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity between China and the Middle East. Alaska Airlines: Launches flights from Seattle to Toronto, marking its first foray into Eastern Canada. This route starts on May 16 and complements Alaska’s existing services to other Canadian cities, strengthening its North American network. Each new route launched by these airlines in May 2024 not only enhances global connectivity but also reflects the ongoing recovery and growth of the airline industry post-pandemic. As these services begin, they promise to open new doors for economic opportunities, cultural exchanges, and more efficient travel experiences across continents.

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India eases travel advisory to Iran and Israel, asks citizens to be vigilant

New Delhi continues to closely monitor the situation in West Asia and has noted that Iran and Israel “have opened their airspace for several days now”, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. “We advise Indian nationals to remain vigilant while travelling to these countries and be in touch with the Indian Embassy,” Jaiswal said in response to a media query on the travel advisory for Iran and Israel. The advisory was issued on April 12, when tensions between Iran and Israel were at a high following an Israeli air strike on a building in the Iranian embassy complex in the Syrian capital of Damascus on April 1. The strike killed seven people, including Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Iran retaliated by firing hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on April 13. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that several factors influenced the decision to modify the earlier travel advisory. They pointed out that there had been a marked decrease in tensions between Iran and Israel, which was reflected in the easing of restrictions on the airspace of both countries. There has also been a push from Israel to ease the travel restrictions because of plans to hire thousands of Indian construction workers. More than 6,000 Indian workers were expected to be sent to Israel in April but their travel plans were hit by the advisory, the people said. There have also been calls from Indian citizens in Iran for easing of travel restrictions as a large number of students wished to come to India, the people added. There are currently about 19,000 Indians in Israel, including nearly 1,000 workers who had gone there in recent weeks after Tel Aviv launched a drive to hire foreign labour, especially for the construction sector, to replace Palestinian workers whose permits were cancelled following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas. The Indians in Israel include a large number of care-givers and professionals. Iran is home to more than 4,000 Indian nationals, including students, academics and traders. The April 12 advisory, issued before Iran carried out its retaliatory strikes on Israel, pointed to the prevailing tensions and urged all Indians “not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice”. It also called on Indians residing in Iran or Israel to get in touch with the Indian embassies and register themselves. “They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” the advisory said. Besides urging Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian nationals being sent to work in the construction sector, India had conveyed its concerns over the situation in West Asia to both Iran and Israel and emphasised the need to avoid escalation. This message was conveyed by external affairs minister S Jaishankar during separate phone conversations with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahin and Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz.

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Oman to Highlight New Innovations in Tourism at Arabian Travel Market 2024

Under the inspiring theme “Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship,” Oman is poised to demonstrate its dynamic tourism sector at the Arabian Travel Market Exhibition 2024. Spearheaded by His Excellency Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, the Omani delegation is ready to reveal the latest advancements in travel technology and sustainable tourism practices. This strategic participation marks a pivotal effort by Oman to forge new international partnerships, exchange invaluable knowledge, and prominently feature its burgeoning tourism capabilities on the global platform. With more than 36 companies participating, Oman is set to showcase the unique cultural and natural attractions it offers, especially highlighting the much-anticipated Khareef Dhofar season and various summer promotional activities aimed at attracting global tourists. The exhibition will serve as a confluence point for over 200 industry experts who will explore significant topics such as the future of aviation, luxury tourism, and the integration of artificial intelligence in travel services. Oman’s commitment to sustainable tourism is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment is focused on fostering a travel industry that is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally responsible and beneficial for future generations. Haitham bin Muhammad Al-Ghassani, the Director General of Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, emphasized Oman’s unwavering dedication to expanding its tourism sector and diversifying its economy. The tourism industry in Oman contributed 2.4% to the GDP and saw a robust 36.7% increase in tourist arrivals in 2023. These figures are a testament to the strategic vision of Oman’s leadership in positioning the tourism sector as a crucial pillar of economic growth. As Oman continues to embrace cutting-edge technologies and innovative strategies, its presence at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 is not just about showcasing its cultural wealth but also about setting a benchmark in sustainable and technologically empowered tourism. This approach promises to not only enhance the visitor experience but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oman’s tourism industry.

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