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Travel Surge Expected In India For Holi And Good Friday Long Weekends

There is a surge in travel bookings for the upcoming long weekends of Holi and Good Friday in India. People are planning short vacations and weekend getaways, according to Forbes India. The upcoming consecutive long weekends on March 23rd-25th, including Holi on March 25th, offer a perfect 3-day period for a getaway. Following that, the long weekend spanning from Good Friday on March 29th to the weekend on March 30th-31st provides another ideal opportunity for a memorable trip. As per Forbes, online travel platforms are witnessing a significant increase in bookings, with some reporting a five-fold increase. Domestic flight bookings are up 16% compared to the festive period in 2023. Flight fares for popular routes have also increased by 25-30% in the last week of March. This travel surge is not just from metros and mini-metros but also from Tier II and III cities. People are interested in all-inclusive holidays and drives. 70% of travel bookings are for domestic destinations, with Goa, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Port Blair being popular choices. Udaipur, Jaipur, Puri, and Varanasi are also emerging as popular destinations. There is a 30% increase in interest in outdoor and adventure travel such as biking trips, camping, trekking, and safaris. Adventure travel is seeing a surge in interest, particularly for unique experiences such as camel races and Lathmar Holi. Cultural experiences in places like Jaipur and Anandpur Sahib are also popular. International travel is also expected to pick up during the summer months. There has been a notable surge in travel searches for visa-free destinations. Countries such as Iran, Malaysia, Kenya, and Thailand have experienced up to a 100% increase in travel searches since implementing visa-free policies. Easy visa regimes for Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries are also fueling demand. Travel companies are expecting a strong demand for summer travel and are advising people to book tickets in advance. However, there is a tempered outlook on capacity expansion, so flight fares are expected to increase by up to 10% for the April-June period compared to last year. International flight fares are expected to remain moderate, and booking trends indicate a 50% growth compared to last year.

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Top 5 things every air passenger looking to travel this summer should know

Travelling this summer? This is what you should know about the northern summer schedule 2024 for airlines in India. The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the northern summer schedule 2024 for airlines in India. The approved schedule sees operations to 125 airports, the highest and 24,275 weekly domestic departures across airlines. The new schedule propelled Uttar Pradesh to the top of states by operational airports count. 125 airports to see service As the season progresses, 125 airports will become operational and it would be an achievement. While some of these had flights in the past (Nanded, Jalgaon, Pakyong), the ones in Uttar Pradesh have been newly constructed or expanded. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat will lead the pack with 14, 11 and 9 operational airports respectively. The North Eastern states will have its highest ever connectivity with 17 operational airports in the eight states being operational. Last summer, Go FIRST shut down abruptly as it filed for bankruptcy. Exactly a year later, the approved schedule is 6% bigger and the capacity which Go FIRST had has been filled by IndiGo alone. IndiGo has approval of 1585 more flights per week this summer compared to last. Go FIRST had approvals of 1538 flights last summer. IndiGo is not the only carrier which has grown year over year, with Star Air growing 36%, Vistara growing 25%, IndiGo growing 13% and Air India a modest 5%. Last summer, Go FIRST shut down abruptly as it filed for bankruptcy. Exactly a year later, the approved schedule is 6% bigger and the capacity which Go FIRST had has been filled by IndiGo alone. IndiGo has approval of 1585 more flights per week this summer compared to last. Go FIRST had approvals of 1538 flights last summer. IndiGo is not the only carrier which has grown year over year, with Star Air growing 36%, Vistara growing 25%, IndiGo growing 13% and Air India a modest 5%. International focus - all talk? The international schedule of Indian airlines hasn't grown well, even as Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have constantly talked about growing international services rapidly. Akasa Air’s plans also seem to have been slowed down after announcements in the past indicating rapid scale up of international flights. There is a 5% growth year over year for international flights led by Vistara which is seeing its schedule grow 1.5 times, while IndiGo is growing 13% while Air India grows a modest 5%. Sequentially (compared to current schedule) the growth is merely 1.6%. IndiGo will maintain its lead as the largest international carrier amongst Indian airlines out of India, by departures and seats on offer, though capacity by ASK (Available Seat Kilometre) will see Air India surpass everyone. Use it or lose it remains in question A look at utilisation of slots for February shows that Akasa Air, Air India Express and Vistara are operating more departures than what were approved at the beginning of the current schedule. It is a regular phenomenon for growing airlines, with all the approved flights not starting at the beginning of the schedule. February was the last full month of the Winter schedule. SpiceJet utilised only 50.7% of its approved departures, while flybig was the worst performer at less than 10%. While the new schedule sees SpiceJet’s flight being cut, both year on year and sequentially, the overall operational flights this summer could reach an all time high. May the month for 30%? In India, the domestic market share largely follows the capacity share. IndiGo maintains the lead with 53% share of all approved departures, while the Tata group of airlines have 29%. The group had stated that it aims to have 30% domestic market share over the five year period. While the merger pangs continue and has taken longer than what was anticipated earlier, this could be the season when it could achieve success with a sum of four airlines. This could be a big boost for the group and set its sights on something higher.

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India issues ‘Pre-Arrival Registration’ advisory for Indians visiting Hong Kong

As per the latest development, the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong has issued a crucial advisory directed at Indian nationals intending to visit the Special Administrative Region for a period not exceeding 14 days. According to the advisory, individuals will be required to complete an online Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) before their trip. This advisory was announced by the Indian mission, which explicitly stated, “Indian nationals planning a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a duration of up to 14 days are mandated to undergo online Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR)." It's has been informed that a successfully processed PAR will remain valid for six months, which will further allow multiple entries. Also, it’s important to note that the particulars provided in the PAR must precisely match those documented in the individual's passport. Reports also have it that travellers are required to carry a printed copy of the approved PAR on a white A4 size paper. Apart from this, Indian visitors must ensure that they have a passport with a validity of at least six months, confirmed return or onward tickets, a verified hotel reservation, evidence of the genuine purpose of their visit, and documentation proving adequate financial means. The Consulate General of India further stressed that merely possessing a Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) does not guarantee entry into Hong Kong. Compliance with the above mentioned prerequisites is imperative. If reports are to go by, instances have been reported where failure to adhere to these requirements led to denial of entry by Hong Kong Immigration. Consequently, affected individuals had to return to their port of embarkation from India via the same airline, often encountering significant inconvenience and delays at the airport awaiting repatriation. Given these potential challenges, the Consulate General of India strongly urges Indian nationals to meticulously adhere to the regulations set forth by the Government of HKSAR. This proactive approach aims to minimize the likelihood of encountering any unforeseen inconveniences during their visit to Hong Kong. These are the reasons why the the Consulate General of India is precisely urging Indian nationals visiting Hong Kong to follow Government of HKSAR's regulations in this regard, to ensure that they do not face any possibility of inconvenience, and enjoy a hassle-free travel.

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Hola Mohalla 2024: When is it happening and what is it all about

Hola Mohalla, also known as Hola, is scheduled to take place from March 25-27. The start of this three-day festival will unfold at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab. This site holds special historical significance as it is one of the five Sikh takhts. The festival of Hola Mohalla was established by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in the late 17th century. It was intended to be a day for Sikhs to demonstrate their military skills in mock battles and exercises, as well as to foster a sense of unity and camaraderie among the community. Guru Gobind Singh Ji organised the first Hola Mohalla as a gathering for military exercises and contests to ensure that his followers were always prepared. The festival begins with early morning prayers and hymns at Gurudwaras. Sikhs engage in Nagar Kirtan processions, and that is a sight to behold. The second day is marked by displays of martial arts, including Gatka (a traditional Sikh martial art), sword fighting, and mock battles. Participants, dressed in traditional attire, showcase their skills and agility. This day also includes various competitions, such as wrestling, archery, and horse riding. On the final day of Hola Mohalla, Sikhs pay homage to their spiritual and martial heritage by recalling the valour of the legendary Sikh warriors. The day often concludes with a grand feast known as langar, where free meals are served to all, regardless of caste, creed, or religion, symbolising the Sikh principle of equality and community service. Hola Mohalla stands as a vibrant celebration of Sikh martial traditions, community spirit, and cultural heritage. It not only honours the legacy of Sikh Gurus and warriors but also fosters a sense of unity and brotherhood among all who participate. Through its colourful festivities and martial displays, Hola Mohalla continues to inspire and uplift generations of Sikhs and admirers worldwide.

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This Spanish city doesn’t want tourists and is urging tourist to ‘go home’

As part of an escalating movement against tourism in Spain, residents in Malaga have started to stick stickers on buildings, urging tourists to ‘go home.’ According to reports, these stickers, prominently displayed on tourist apartments, bear messages such as ‘stinks of tourists,’ ‘a family used to live here,’ and ‘before this was my house.’ Numerous disgruntled locals in Malaga are voicing their discontent against the increasing influx of tourists and the resultant challenges they face, which they argue have significantly disrupted their lives. Additional messages have surfaced, highlighting the dearth of affordable housing attributed to mass tourism. Many have lamented the surge in rental costs driven by the scarcity of affordable accommodation, with numerous properties exclusively leased to tourists. With regard to this, Dani Drunko, a bar owner in Malaga, shared his recent ordeal of being instructed to vacate his ten-year residence, which was being transformed into a short-term holiday rental. He recounted, "I reside in a neighbourhood of Malaga called Fuente Olletas and was informed a few weeks ago that the owner wouldn't be renewing my rental contract. Consequently, I was compelled to leave because the property was being repurposed for tourist lets." He further revealed, "Each day, I receive photos of new stickers and individuals contributing to its virality. There's a significant momentum as citizens are fed up with the situation. I merely proposed the concept of the phrases; I ignited the spark." Nonetheless, he clarified that he harbours no animosity towards tourists and stressed the community's desire for housing regulation. "We wish to emphasise that we harbour no ill will towards tourists or tourism, but we oppose being evicted from our homes to accommodate tourist apartments. Additionally, we are dismayed by the lack of action from the town hall, which is accountable to all of Malaga's residents," he added. Local politician Dani Perez also took to social media to shed light on the situation. ''You walk the streets of Málaga and it is practically impossible to find a residential building that does not have a lockbox [for tourist rentals]. Malaga's mayor is not lifting a finger for the people who live here, expelling them from the city where they were born,'' he lamented. However, local lawyer Juan Luis Gomez criticised the campaign, arguing, "The very same individuals opposed to tourism then refuse to work, as if our livelihoods here depended solely on the aerospace industry. It's one thing to regulate tourism and another to outright reject it." Significantly, Costa del Sol remains a preferred destination for British holidaymakers in Spain. Reports added that in 2023, a record 14 million holidaymakers from Spain and abroad visited the region, with a substantial number opting to settle in the city. Data from Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) indicated that eight out of 10 new residents relocating to Malaga are presently foreigners.

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Noida International Airport nearing completion; likely to start operations by September

Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) disclosed on Tuesday, March 19, that the trial runs at Jewar airport are slated to commence by the end of June. This will mark a significant milestone as approximately 80% of phase one of the project nears completion. Tasked with overseeing the construction of the greenfield Noida international airport in Jewar, NIAL provided an update on the progress during a recent meeting with Uttar Pradesh officials. During the meeting, officials familiar with the development revealed that the runway has been completed, and assured the Uttar Pradesh government that the remaining essential facilities, including technical equipment, will be installed within the next three months. CEO Arun Vir Singh stressed that they are making all efforts to meet the target of initiating trial runs on the runway by either late June or early July, and meet the ultimate goal of commencing flight operations by September-end, 2024. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh shared updates on the progress at the airport, highlighting key developments. He affirmed, "The critical Air Traffic Control (ATC) infrastructure has been successfully established. By July, the airport will be fully equipped with two cutting-edge radars, greatly augmenting its operational efficiency." Initially, the airport anticipates accommodating up to 50 flights daily. Regarding financial utilisation, NIAL reported that approximately INR 7,371.51 crore out of the allocated INR 10,056 crore budget has been spent on the construction of the greenfield airport. Additionally, officials outlined plans to install flight-related equipment at the runway and air traffic control (ATC) tower by April 2024. Notably, significant progress has been made on the civil work at the ATC tower, with final touches currently underway. In efforts to enhance connectivity, the state government has directed local agencies, including the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) and NIAL, to develop a Metro line linking the Noida airport to Delhi/National Capital Region (NCR). Yeida has already enlisted the expertise of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to prepare a comprehensive project report for a feasibility study. Furthermore, officials disclosed that alongside Metro and road connectivity initiatives, the state is exploring innovative transportation solutions such as a pod taxi system and a rapid rail corridor to seamlessly integrate the airport with the rest of the NCR region.

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