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Paytm reports 50X surge in search for travel to Lakshadweep; announces 10% discount on flights

Paytm has announced a flat 10% discount on flight tickets to Lakshadweep using the promo code 'FLYLAKSHA'. This offer comes after a 50-fold surge in searches for travel to Lakshadweep on Paytm. The discount aims to make travel to Lakshadweep, known for its turquoise waters, coral reefs, and tranquil beaches, more affordable. Flights to Lakshadweep's only airport in Agatti Island can be accessed via Cochin International Airport, with Air India operating flights. Paytm is guaranteeing the best prices for flight tickets. It also provides a 'Free Cancellation' feature, allowing users to modify their travel plans without incurring cancellation charges. Paytm Spokesperson said, "As a leader in mobile payments and the most preferred platform for travel bookings, we are excited to play a pivotal role in boosting domestic tourism to the tropical haven of Lakshadweep. With the best prices guaranteed and exciting discounts, we are ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel booking experience for users.” The surge in search volume for Lakshadweep can be attributed to the posts made by Maldivian ministers, who ridiculed Prime Minister Modi after he posted his images on a beach in Lakshadweep islands. The images showed the Prime Minister taking early morning strolls and engaging in snorkeling. He also posted photos of the reefs and various marine life he encountered during his underwater adventure. Following PM Modi’s social media update about his visit to Lakshadweep, the term “Lakshadweep Islands” topped the list of Google searches in India on January 4 and 5. Furthermore, the global search interest for Lakshadweep has reached its highest level in the past two decades, surpassing previous records by a significant margin.

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Thirty-nine per cent surge in Indian overseas travel searches: Skyscanner

A notable 39 per cent year-on-year surge in the search volume for overseas travel by Indian travellers from December 26, 2023 to January 2, 2024 was revealed by global travel marketplace, Skyscanner. This surge in interest has prompted the introduction of Skyscanner's innovative 'Everywhere Agency,' a pop-up travel consultancy aiming to connect travellers with a group of five record-breaking globetrotters. The 'Everywhere' search, which is the most sought-after destination by Indian travellers on Skyscanner, is at the forefront of this campaign. A staggering 98 per cent of Indian travellers express a desire to explore new destinations in 2024. To assist travellers in making informed decisions, Skyscanner now offers free 1:1 video sessions with an 'Everywhere Agent' and provides an 'Everywhere Guide' featuring hidden and cost-effective travel recommendations. As per the data, the surge in overseas travel searches reflects the growing passion for global exploration among Indians in 2024. A survey conducted by Skyscanner reveals that 42 per cent of respondents find it challenging to decide on a destination, with 40 per cent expressing concerns about travel costs. Despite the influence of social media and conventional tourist spots, 95 per cent of respondents feel fatigued by repeated choices. The Everywhere Agency aims to alleviate travel anxiety by connecting travellers with experienced globetrotters known as Everywhere Agents. These agents provide valuable travel advice based on their personal experiences, guiding travellers to discover less-travelled places without compromising on value. The campaign is powered by Skyscanner's 'Everywhere' search, which organizes destinations by price from thousands of travel sites. Skyscanner's Everywhere Guide, an online widget, shares responses to frequently asked travel questions based on the personal experiences of Everywhere Agents. The guide also displays trip snapshots for suggested destinations, showcasing the lowest flight and hotel prices and the cheapest day to travel for any selected month in 2024. Recognising India's diverse travel preferences, Skyscanner has appointed renowned travel personality Anunay Sood as the Everywhere Agent for India. Other Everywhere Agents include Gunnar Garfors, the first to visit every country in the world twice, and Renee Burns, a world record holder for travelling to the most countries in a year in a wheelchair. Skyscanner's Everywhere Agent, Anunay Sood, emphasises the campaign's goal, stating, "Through my extensive travels, I've tailored tonnes of handy travel tips, whether it's picking the right destination, navigating the complexities of budgeting, or planning the perfect itinerary." Mohit Joshi, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destination Expert, adds that the Everywhere Agency aims to inspire a shift in perspective, empowering travellers to discover and enjoy destinations they may not have considered.

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Lakshadweep tourism: India to build a new airport at Minicoy Island for military, civilian aircraft

The Indian government is progressing with the initiative to construct a new airport at Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep. The proposed airport would accommodate both military and civilian aircraft. The plan entails a dual-purpose airfield capable of operating fighter jets, other military planes, and commercial aircraft, according to government sources who told India Today. Previously, proposals for the development of a new airfield in Minicoy Island were submitted to the government. The proposal, now revived, has been presented to the government again, with the intention of joint usage. India is set to strengthen its surveillance capabilities over the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region, with the development of an airfield. The proposal for the airfield was first put forth by the Indian Coast Guard, making it the first force under the Defence Ministry to do so. The current proposal suggests the Indian Air Force will lead the operations from the airfield, located in the Minicoy Island. The Minicoy airport, once operational, will enhance the defence forces' surveillance capabilities in the Arabian Sea. Additionally, it will stimulate regional tourism, as outlined in the government's plans. Currently, the island territory houses a single airstrip in Agatti, which restricts the variety of aircraft. This move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the region last week and the controversy with Maldives that swiftly followed. Additionally, Tata Group plans to inaugurate two resorts in 2026 on the islands of Suheli and Kadmat in Lakshadweep. In January of the previous year, the Indian Hotels Company, a Tata Group subsidiary, announced the signing of two Taj-branded resorts in Lakshadweep. The company stated that these Greenfield projects are set to open in 2026 and will be developed by IHCL. PM Modi recently highlighted Lakshadweep as a potential tourist destination, sharing pictures of the stunning islands. The images sparked a wave of interest among Indians, with many comparing its scenic beauty to that of the Maldives. The conversation soon evolved towards the infrastructure of Lakshadweep, as potential visitors began to question if the archipelago has sufficient hotels and resorts to cater to an expected surge in tourist numbers.

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Qatar is the ultimate stopover destination for Indian travellers; here’s how

Qatar's is one of the most favourite stopover destinations for Indian travellers for several reasons. Qatar brings us experiences that are a beautiful blend of museums and art galleries, stunning landscapes, impressive modern architecture of Doha. All these elements highlight the seamless coming-together of warm and traditional Arabian culture with contemporary amenities. In Qatar, it’s always a harmonious blend of the past and present. Did you know that with the Qatar Airways’ stopover programs, travellers can book a stopover in Qatar for 12 to 96 hours? This is especially great for those who are on a short trip to Qatar. For those interested in art and culture, Qatar is a captivating destination. With more than 80 captivating public art installations, the city effortlessly blends state-of-the-art technology with traditional. The result is simply exquisite. When in Qatar, all around, you will see striking pieces of cool architecture. Take for instance, the colossal spider sculpture Maman. One can also visit the National Museum of Qatar to see more of the fusion of past and present. Doha, the capital city, also boasts galleries preserving Islamic art and culture, including the iconic Museum of Islamic Art and the adjacent MIA Park, featuring temporary art installations. Visit the eco-futuristic Msheireb district for its four meticulously restored Qatari houses-turned-museums. Each of them delve deep into different phases of the nation's history. For those on a food journey, Qatar's cuisine-rich peninsula promises an exhilarating journey, one that is through some of the best global flavours. Visit Souq Waqif for some traditional breakfast of Chapati and Karak, followed by lunch at Morimoto, one of the finest places in Qatar where you can experience the finest of Japanese cuisine. Also, Feeh Al'Aafia in the Katara Cultural Village is one of the best places you can enjoy an authentic Qatari feast. Venture beyond the city to explore archaeological sites and UNESCO World Heritage treasures hidden in the northern desert. And if you want to experience something truly amazing and somewhat unexpected, take a scenic kayak journey from Al Khor city to Purple Island to experience the amazing mangroves. If you love all things adventurous, start your Qatar fun with desert safari in Doha in Khor Al Adaid. Activities such as sandboarding, camel rides, quadbike and ATV excursions will keep you busy for sure. There’s also something truly interesting to enjoy as a family – experiences like whale sharks spotting and falcon flying sessions.

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Winter tourism resurgence: Chinese destinations thrive as domestic travel rebounds

Destinations in China's like Harbin in Heilongjiang province and slopes of Xinjiang attract droves of tourists courtesy the growing popularity of winter sports Winter tourism in China has rebounded sharply in a welcome boon to economically weak regions in the north struggling to recover from years of pandemic gloom, and providing a boost to sluggish domestic consumption. Destinations in China's northeastern rust-belt, such as the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang province, have attracted droves of domestic visitors from warmer climes in the past weeks. The growing popularity of winter sports has also drawn skiers and snowboarders to the slopes of Xinjiang in northwestern China. It was the first time since 2019 before the arrival of Covid-19 that many Chinese tourists have enjoyed their winter vacations without worrying about lockdowns and infections. Data from booking platform Ctrip showed pre-ordered year-end ski passes doubling on a weekly basis, double the traffic the year before, while ski group tour bookings grew 70% weekly, nearly 30% more than the previous year. An official tourism report forecast 25-30% more tourists this season compared to the last, and numbers could exceed 400 million people for the first time, potentially generating as much as 550 billion yuan ($76.8 billion) in revenue. In its five-year tourism development plan, China has called for a boost in "ice and snow tourism" from opening more ski resorts to tapping local culture and traditions. At an annual agenda-setting economic conference in December, the government said it would make efforts to spur domestic demand this year. "It is necessary to stimulate potential consumption, expand profitable investment, and form a virtuous cycle in which consumption and investment promote each other," it said. China, which has set an economic growth target of around 5% for 2023, has grappled with multiple headwinds including mounting local government debt, a still ailing housing market and tepid demand at home and abroad. Faced with an uncertain economy, consumers have tightened their belts. GETTING POPULAR In China's northeast, Harbin has become a darling destination for holidaymakers, as its popularity on social media soared and state media extended coverage on its burst of tourism. The city is hosting a months-long festival showcasing sculptures built from ice blocks harvested from a frozen river, luring 3.05 million tourists to the city during the New Year holidays in one of the world's largest snow and ice sculpture festivals. Yabuli Ski Resort Finance Director Jin Honglan told Reuters that visitors at the resort have doubled from previous years, and tourist spots around the city are now bursting with people. "Next year and the year after that, (it) will be even more popular. Everyone is feeling the enthusiasm for skiing," she said. Heilongjiang, the once resource-rich province that fuelled industrial development in coal, minerals and timber, has rolled out measures to "transform the advantages of its ice and snow resources" and turn itself into an international winter tourism destination, according to the state-controlled People's Daily. Yueyua, a 50-year-old tourist from Ningbo city in the eastern Zhejiang province, said winter sports have gained popularity as awareness increased. "There is a lot of publicity, different types of media coverage, bloggers, things like that," the lady, donning a lilac-coloured ski suit, said. In line with the winter tourism rebound, demand for accommodation has surged. Tourists have even gone on social media to complain about price gouging after some homestays in a rural part of Heilongjiang famed for its snow landscapes charged 3,000 yuan ($419) a night for just two mattresses on the floor. Miles west, at a ski resort in northwestern Xinjiang region, this winter was "obviously more lively" than in previous years, an executive at Keketuohai International Ski Resort told People's Daily, saying that they expected to receive 300,000 tourists this season, having greeted 2,000 on average every day, since opening its doors for the season in October. The local government in Xinjiang's Altay region has accelerated some 550 million yuan of investments in projects, adding new ski trails and parks, while new hotels were opened and direct flights from wealthy cities including Guangzhou and Beijing were launched. ($1 = 7.1585 Chinese yuan renminbi)

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You can soon travel to the UK without a passport. Here's how it works

The UK's Border Force Agency plans to introduce facial recognition systems at airports, replacing the need for passports. You might soon travel to the United Kingdom without a passport as the UK's Border Force Agency is planning to introduce facial recognition systems at the airports. The move will completely replace the requirement of carrying a passport to the British airports. Inspired by the traveling experiences in Dubai and Australia, Agency’s Director General Phil Douglas proposed a similar plan that can be introduced in the UK. Speaking about it, Douglas told the Times, “I had to apply for an electronic travel authorization in advance and used my smartphone to read the chip in my passport. That sent the image of me in the chip to the Australian authorities. When I arrived in Australia, I didn’t even have to get my passport out of my bag. It is a really interesting concept." How the face recognition system will work? The Border Force plans to trial passport-free travel at British airports in 2024. As per the plan, the current eGates system will be upgraded to identify passengers through facial recognition, eliminating the need for physical passport presentation. If successful, a nationwide hardware procurement process will follow. The current eGates system uses facial recognition by checking faces against passport data, while the upgraded version will rely on centralized data for enhanced efficiency. Douglas further noted, the system will also help the government collect more information about the people showing up at its borders, including their compliance with immigration laws. “We will know if they’ve been in the UK before. We’ll know what their compliance with immigration laws is. And we’ll know if there’s any records of them on our security systems. So, there will be some people who won’t be getting on the plane," he added, as reported by The Times. The UK authorities have already been registering biometric details obtained from the passports of British and Irish travelers. Singapore and Finland also offer facial recognition systems at airports Singapore's Changi Airport, in 2023, achieved a milestone by eliminating passports at biometric checks, introducing authentication tokens for check-in post a successful pilot. Simultaneously, Finland became the first European country to trial digital travel documents (DTC) at Helsinki Airport in August, offering a swift and reliable border-crossing experience. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away!

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