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Spotnana launches new tool for event-related travel

Travel tech platform Spotnana has released a new self-service tool to manage travel for in-person meetings and events. Known as Spotnana Events, the new product is available to corporate clients as an add-on or standalone offering and can be purchased via Spotnana or its TMC partners, which, according to the company, will be able to white-label, embed and integrate event booking into their offerings. In a blog post on Wednesday, Spotnana CEO Sarosh Waghmar said the tool “greatly simplifies travel management for groups of any size travelling to the same destination – whether it’s a small gathering or a large-scale event”. According to the company, Spotnana Events allows meetings and events planners to create an event (a dedicated page with branding) with “advanced travel controls” such as the ability to apply travel policies and specify travel windows, designated hotels and payment methods as well as the types of bookings that are permitted (including air, hotel, car and rail). Via the tool, employees and guest travellers, such as event speakers, will be able to book their own travel as well as manage exchanges and cancel trips, while meeting managers will have access to real-time data to monitor booking status for invitees and travel spend, according to the company. There’s also the ability to upload invite lists and send customised emails prompting invitees to book their own travel, as well as deploy automated reminders. In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Johnny Thorsen, Spotnana’s VP of business development for content distribution, said the tool was designed “to finally bring meeting and events related travel into the same platform where regular corporate travel lives”. Thorsen added that NDC fares will be available via the tool as well as the ability to measure the carbon footprint associated with an event. Deployment of Spotnana Events is managed through a single, cloud-based software instance, which, according to the company, enables “rapid global rollouts, global event destinations and seamless travel for invitees located anywhere in the world”. As well as corporate clients, the tool is available to TMCs, suppliers and technology providers. “We’re thrilled to make Spotnana Events available to everyone,” Waghmar added in the blog post. “Spotnana Events plays a vital role in bringing teams together, and it represents the next step in our journey to build a travel platform that connects humanity.”

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Kerala – Gulf passenger ship service: Ticket for Rs 10,000, luggage of 200 kg allowed

Dubai: To the joy of Gulf-based expatriates, the long-pending Kerala–Gulf passenger ship project has taken a major step forward. The Kerala Maritime Board has invited applications from those who are interested in operating passenger ship services between Vizhinjam, Beypore, Kollam, and Azheekkal ports in Kerala and the ports in the Gulf. The notification says that the applications should be submitted both online and offline before 3 pm on April 22. It must be noted that applications should be submitted separately for the operation of ships in the big, medium, and small categories. Easy on the Pocket The project will be beneficial to expatriates who are forced to pay exorbitant amounts to purchase airplane tickets. The airfare from the Gulf countries to Kerala and other parts of India continues to rise, pushing expatriates into financial burden. Sarbananda Sonowal, the Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, informed the Lok Sabha a few months ago that the ministry had decided to invite tenders for the shipping service. This decision was made in an online meeting held in November last year between the ministry and the Shipping Corporation of India, NORKA ROOTS, and Kerala Maritime Board. It was informed that those who can provide ships immediately to launch the service between Kerala and the Gulf or possess ships suitable for this project or those who are interested in operating such services would be able to take part in the tender. However, the Indian Association of Sharjah had been working on this project for a few months. The project had even taken a new turn when the central Minister made the statement in the Lok Sabha. But, there has not been any news about the launch of the passenger ship service ever since Adv. YA Rahim quit the position of President of the Sharjah Indian Association. Meanwhile, the Kerala Maritime Board has invited applications for operating the ship service. The expatriates are hopeful that the new committee led by Nissar Thalankara and Sree Prakash would show enthusiasm for this project which would be beneficial for the Indian diaspora in the Gulf region. Baggage Limit and Ticket Fare The update shared by the Indian Association Sharjah months ago had delighted the Malayalis who struggle to purchase air tickets by spending an exorbitant amount. Meanwhile, the ticket on the ship service costs around Rs 10,000 per person, and the passengers would be allowed to carry 200 kg of luggage. Besides, the passengers could enjoy lots of entertainment events onboard during the trip, which is expected to be around three days. Adv. YA Rahim had earlier said that a service would be operated on an experimental basis before approving two trips in a month. Meanwhile, CE Chakkunni, President of the Malabar Development Council, had requested Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the central government via Minister V Muraleedharan to conduct a study regarding the scope of operating passenger cruise ships between Beypore/Kochi ports in Kerala and Mina Al Rashid port in Dubai. Up to 1,250 Passengers in a Trip Ships with all the modern facilities would be used to operate the services. Earlier, a ship that was commissioned by another state and later forgone was zeroed in for the Dubai–Kerala passenger service; this ship was built in Kochi. This ship is large enough to accommodate up to 1,250 passengers in a single trip. Expatriates are often worried about the airfares that keep skyrocketing. It is hoped that the proposed passenger ship service would offer a solution for this. The Efforts of Malabar Development Council The Malabar Development Council had conducted multiple rounds of discussions with various partners including the Shipping Corporation of India, Indian Association Sharjah, and Anandapuram Shipping and Logistics Private Limited to see this project through. Meanwhile, a consensus was reached between the major partners in the last meeting. Besides, a decision has been reached to form a consortium between Indian Association Sharjah and Anandapuram Shipping and Logistics Private Limited. Inaugurating the high-profile meeting between the Malabar Development Council and the Kerala Maritime Board at Thiruvananthapuram, Minister Ahamad Devarkovil stated that a passenger ship service from the Malabar region to the Gulf countries would be launched to solve the traveling difficulties faced by the expatriates. He had even said that the initial discussions regarding this project had already begun. Even though a ship service was started between UAE and Kerala years ago, it was short-lived. Meanwhile, the expatriates are hopeful about the newly proposed passenger ship service. The expatriates living in the Gulf region say that they would be saved from the unjust looting of the airline companies if this ship service is launched.

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Saudi Arabia unveils world’s first-ever 3D printed mosque

Saudi Arabia recently celebrated the unveiling of the world's first-ever mosque crafted through the revolutionary technique of 3D printing in Jeddah. Nestled in the Al-Jawhara suburb, this mosque is named after the late Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly, as a heartfelt tribute from his wife, the prominent Saudi entrepreneur Wajnat Abdulwahed. Heading the project was Abdulwahed, who leads Fursan Real Estate, and used cutting-edge 3D printers sourced from Guanli, a renowned Chinese manufacturer in the realm of 3D printing technology. This innovative approach facilitated the construction of a spacious 5,600 sq m structure that beautifully blends tradition and innovation. Referring to this, Abdulwahed elaborated that the mosque symbolises architectural elegance, whereas the design of the mosque has been such that it will foster a sense of serenity and hospitality among worshippers. Notably, Saudi Arabia emerges as a trailblazer in employing advanced technology for constructing this state-of-the-art mosque, signifying a bold step towards a progressive and sustainable future. The integration of 3D printing technology not only exemplifies Saudi Arabia's commitment to technological advancement, but also sets a precedent for future endeavours. This landmark achievement underscores the nation's position as a hub for technological innovation and advancement. Coinciding with the commencement of Ramadan, one of Islam's holiest months, the unveiling of the 3D-printed mosque showcases a blend of tradition and modernity. This monumental project, spearheaded by Abdulwahed, serves as a beacon of progress in line with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the country's economy and embracing innovative technologies.

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Travel to Singapore by car to become easier with passport-free QR code from March 19

In an effort to streamline border crossings and minimise waiting times, Singapore is rolling out a novel system that will facilitate drivers to enter the country hassle-free through two land checkpoints. They can now get to use a QR code instead of traditional passports to enter the country. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore has announced that, commencing March 19, travellers arriving or departing via the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints can generate a single QR code prior to their arrival, simplifying the clearance process for all occupants in the vehicle. According to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, this means that instead of physically presenting their passports to the ICA officer at the car counter, travellers will only need to scan a single QR code, which they can generate beforehand, which will give a pass to all passengers in the vehicle. The adoption of QR codes is anticipated to significantly reduce overall wait times, potentially getting rid of congestion by around 30%, particularly during peak periods when there is a surge of workers crossing the border from Malaysia. This initiative reflects Singapore's dedication to make use of technological advancements to enhance efficiency and adapt to evolving travel patterns. Furthermore, the passport-free clearance system will not be confined to the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, but will also be extended to other land checkpoints with Malaysia. By leveraging technology, Singapore aims to make border crossings smoother and more user-friendly for travellers. Singapore has been actively introducing new technologies at Changi Airport, which is also renowned for its operational efficiency and futuristic infrastructure. To further streamline travel, residents and visitors departing from the island will gradually gain the ability to clear checkpoints without resorting to traditional passports.

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New Regional carrier Fly91 takes flight, commercial operations from march 18

The maiden journey departed from Manohar International Airport (MOPA), Goa, destined Agatti Islands in Lakshadweep. Fly91 announced that scheduled flights will commence fr March 18, 2024, connecting Manohar International Airport, Goa, with Bengaluru, Hyderab Jalgaon, Agatti, Pune, and Nanded. Additional routes from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pu to Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Nanded, and Goa will be introduced in a phased manner. A new regional airline, took flight with th e inaugural flight being flagged off by Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia. The maiden journey departed from Manohar International Airport (MOPA), Goa, destined for Agatti Islands in Lakshadweep. From Goa's Manohar International Airport, the flag off for the first-Goa based airline was done by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, and Fly91 CEO Manoj Chako and others. In his address, Scindia hailed the transformative growth of India's aviation sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He emphasised the government's commitment to expanding air connectivity to tier 2 and tier 3 cities through the UDAN scheme. The scheme aims to elevate domestic air traffic to 30 crores by 2030, a significant leap from 6 crores in 2014

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PM Modi flags off 10 new Vande Bharat trains today; check routes and all details

It's indeed a great day for Indian Railways and train lovers today! 10 new Vande Bharat trains have been flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, thereby bringing the total count to more than 50 and expanding the network to cover 45 nationwide routes. With regard to this, the Prime Minister added that the nation's development work over the past decade is just a glimpse of what lies ahead. After inaugurating and laying the foundation for various railway projects, Modi expressed that this day is a living proof of willpower. He urged the youth to shape the future of the country and its railway system. While addressing the youth, he stated that the inaugurated services are for their present, while the foundation stone-laying guarantees a promising future. Currently, Indian Railways operates 41 Vande Bharat Express services, connecting states through Broad Gauge electrified networks across 24 states and 256 districts. If reports are to go by, six routes, including Delhi-Katra, Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Delhi-Varanasi, Mysuru-Chennai, Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram, and the new Visakhapatnam–Secunderabad route, will now feature two Vande Bharat trains. These trains primarily operate on electrified broad gauge networks across various states. In December 2023, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated six additional Vande Bharat trains, enhancing connectivity on routes such as Katra to New Delhi, Amritsar to Delhi, Coimbatore to Bangalore, Mangalore to Madgaon, Jalna to Mumbai, and Ayodhya to Delhi. The latest 10 Vande Bharat Express trains that have been flagged off will cover following routes: Lucknow-Dehradun Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central New Jalpaiguri-Patna Patna-Lucknow Khajuraho-Delhi (Nizamuddin) Puri-Visakhapatnam Kalaburagi–Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru Ranchi-Varanasi Mysuru-Dr. MGR Central (Chennai) Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Additionally, Prime Minister Modi extended four existing Vande Bharat trains: Gorakhpur-Lucknow to Prayagraj, Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod to Mangaluru, Ahmedabad-Jamnagar to Dwarka, and Ajmer-Delhi Sarai Rohilla to Chandigarh.

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