News

High-speed ferry launched between Lakshadweep and Mangaluru; travelling time reduced by 5 hours

In a bid to reduce travel time between Lakhwadeep and Mangaluru, a high-speed ferry named ‘Parali’ has been launched. The introduction of these vessels have reduced the sea travel time between the two destinations significantly by five hours! On May 3, 2024, the new ferry ferried 160 passengers from the Lakshadweep Islands to the Mangaluru old port in just seven hours, which is remarkable as earlier the same journey used to take 13 hours to complete. It was the first experiment and the passenger reviews were remarkable. The Lakshadweep Islands Tourism Development Authority (LITDA), formed under the Central Tourism Ministry, is set to commence the Mangalore-Lakshadweep tourist liner service after a few trial runs. However, concerns remain about the sea's roughness once the monsoon season begins. To address this, the LITDA has upgraded facilities at the receiving point in Kadmatt, the nearest port of arrival from the mainland. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep earlier this year, the island administration has made significant strides in improving connectivity between the mainland at Kochi and Mangaluru. The initiative is seen as the first step towards facilitating various types of tourism, including eco-tourism in the Western Ghats, educational tourism, health tourism, and recreational tourism on the mainland. Lakshadweep is one of the lesser-explored beach destinations in India. The coastal gem is home to 36 islands spread over 32 sq km of land surrounded by a 4200 sq km lagoon rich in marine life. The place is pure paradise for holidaymakers, nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Its rich marine biodiversity, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal-clear waters offer unparalleled opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and other water sports. The islands are steeped in history and culture, with a unique blend of Indian, Arab, and indigenous influences reflected in their architecture, cuisine, and customs. From exploring quaint fishing villages to lazing on sun-kissed beaches and indulging in delectable seafood, Lakshadweep offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Read more

"Remain Vigilant": India Issues Travel Advisory Over Israel-Iran Tensions

New Delhi: Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday advised Indian nationals travelling to the two countries to "remain vigilant" and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy. In response to a media query on travel advisory to Iran and Israel, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region. We have also noted that Iran and Israel have opened their airspace for several days now. We advise Indian nationals to remain vigilant while travelling to these countries and be in touch with the Indian Embassy." Earlier on April 14, the Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory to Indian citizens in Israel to stay calm and adhere to the safety protocols issued by the local authorities. 'Remain Vigilant': India Issues Travel Advisory Over Israel-Iran Tensions Ministry of External Affairs said that India continues to closely monitor the situation in the region. New Delhi: Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday advised Indian nationals travelling to the two countries to "remain vigilant" and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy. In response to a media query on travel advisory to Iran and Israel, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region. We have also noted that Iran and Israel have opened their airspace for several days now. We advise Indian nationals to remain vigilant while travelling to these countries and be in touch with the Indian Embassy." Earlier on April 14, the Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory to Indian citizens in Israel to stay calm and adhere to the safety protocols issued by the local authorities. PauseUnmute Fullscreen The embassy further highlighted that they are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the Israeli authorities. "In light of recent events in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay calm and adhere to the safety protocols issued by the local authorities. Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with the Israeli authorities and Indian community members to ensure the safety of all our nationals," the Indian embassy in Israel said in a statement. The embassy further mentioned an emergency helpline number for Indian citizens in Israel. "For any urgent assistance, please contact the Embassy at 24*7 Emergency Helpline/ContactTel: 1. +972-547520711, +972-543278392. Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in," it stated. Recently, two weeks ago Israel launched missile strikes against Tehran on April 19. The missile launches come after Iran launched several drones and missiles on April 13 towards Israel in retaliation for an alleged Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria, resulting in the killing of three top Iranian generals.

Read more

Air India Doubles Down on Phuket Routes Starting June 2024

Air India elevates travel to Phuket, Thailand with a second daily flight starting June 1, 2024, enhancing connectivity for global travelers. Starting June 1, 2024, Air India will bolster its routes to Phuket, Thailand, as it introduces a second daily flight to the increasingly popular tropical destination, with the exception of Wednesdays. This new service addition enhances the existing daily connections between Delhi and Phuket. The company’s latest press release indicates that the timing of the new flight is intentionally set for a late morning departure from Delhi. This schedule is particularly convenient for travelers from Europe who are connecting through Delhi, providing them with a seamless travel experience to the scenic beaches of Phuket. Air India’s expansion of services is a clear response to growing traveler demand. Originally launched in December 2023 with four weekly flights, the airline quickly escalated to daily flights by January 2024. Now, the addition of this second daily service will effectively nearly double the frequency of flights to Phuket. Overall, Air India’s weekly flights to Thailand will total 34 from both Delhi and Mumbai, providing ample opportunities for passengers to secure their travel plans via the Air India website, mobile app, or through travel agents. Detailed flight schedule effective from June 1, 2024: New Flight Information: Flight AI376 will operate every day except Wednesday, flying from Delhi to Phuket, departing at 11:00 AM and arriving at 5:15 PM. Flight AI377 will also run on the same days, flying back from Phuket to Delhi, with a departure time of 6:15 PM and an arrival time of 9:20 PM. Current Flight Schedule: Flight AI378 operates daily, departing from Delhi at 2:05 AM and arriving in Phuket at 8:10 AM. Flight AI379, also a daily flight, leaves Phuket at 9:15 AM and reaches Delhi at 12:20 PM. With the increased flight schedule, Air India continues to enhance its service offerings and improve connectivity for passengers traveling to and from Phuket.

Read more

Uttarakhand partners with Starscapes to promote Astro Tourism

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has joined hands with Starscapes, an astro-tourism company, to introduce Nakshatra Sabha, a new initiative to provide a comprehensive Astro Tourism experience to people. The campaign will offer a range of activities, including stargasing, special solar observations, astrophotography contests, camping under the stars, and more. The initiative aims to bring together astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers, and travellers to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos, as reported by ET Travel. The Secretary of Tourism for the Government of Uttarakhand expressed excitement about the project, highlighting the state’s potential to become a prime destination for astronomy-focused travel. With its abundant forest cover, nature-based tourism, convenient access to major cities, and well-established hospitality sector, including homestays, Uttarakhand is well-positioned to attract Astro Tourists worldwide. Scheduled to kick off in early June at George Everest in Mussoorie, Nakshatra Sabha will continue until mid-2025, featuring a series of immersive events at various locations across Uttarakhand. These events will explore potential night sky sites in districts such as Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Nainital, and Chamoli, along with seminars and webinars led by experts in the field. In addition to offering local residents professional training and skill development opportunities, the campaign seeks to boost local economies and advocate for preserving night skies. By fostering a community of ambassadors dedicated to dark sky conservation efforts throughout Uttarakhand, Nakshatra Sabha will work towards implementing a region-wide dark sky preservation policy over the coming year. Starscapes will collaborate closely with local communities, travel and tourism partners, and homestay communities to provide training and ongoing support for these initiatives.

Read more

Dubai's Global Village extends opening hours for last 3 days

Dubai's Global Village has extended its opening hours as it prepares to close its gates soon. For its last three days, the popular festival park will be open from 4pm to 2am, it announced on Thursday. The destination was supposed to end its 28th season on April 28 but its run was extended for another week until May 5. Bringing your kids to the park? Take note that children younger than 12 years old can enter for free as part of a new campaign. The park has two types of tickets: ‘Value’, which is valid from Sunday to Thursday; and ‘Any Day’ tickets that give visitors the flexibility to use them on any day of the week, including weekends and public holidays. Entry tickets are priced at Dh22.50 for Value; and Dh27 for Any Day if booked online or via the app.

Read more

Everything you need to know about getting a Malaysia visa for Indians

Malaysia is an alluring destination for many travellers, But before you book a flight, be aware that Indians may need a visa to visit Malaysia. Whether you want to see the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, the street art of George Town, the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands or the mix of cultures in Melaka, it’s a country you can go to time and time again. Read on to find out everything you need to know about applying for a Malaysia visa. Applying for a Malaysia visa from India Traditionally, holders of an Indian passport need to apply for a visa to visit. However, from 1 December 2023 to 31 December 2024, this need for a visa has been waived. There are still requirements you need to fulfill, however, but they’re all regular requests for international travel. Requirements for a visa waiver for Malaysia There are five things that Indian passport holders need to make sure of before you travel to Malaysia: 1. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of return. 2. You must have booked return or onward flights out of Malaysia. 3. You must have a confirmed hotel booking. 4. You must have evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself while in Malaysia — the equivalent of US$50 per day in Malaysia. 5. You must complete the online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before your arrival date. This can be completed here. You may be asked to show evidence of all of the above at the security and immigration checks when you arrive in Malaysia. It’s recommend that you have paper copies of everything you need. The visa waiver scheme allows visitors into Malaysia for up to 30 days and is currently stated to end on 31 December 2024.

Read more