News

One visa for Gulf countries to come like Schengen visa

In an effort to boost tourism in the Gulf countries, the Gulf Cooperation Council, at the 40th meeting of the Interior Ministers, recently approved a unified tourist visa, just like the European Schengen visa, for the member states Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. When finally in place, this unified visa for the Gulf countries will definitely simplify logistics related to travel. The Gulf Cooperation Council President Sayyed Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi made the aforementioned announcement, which means one thing for travellers to the Gulf countries – now travellers will be able to travel across all the member states on just one visa. This unified tourist visa will be, in theory, just like the Schengen visa in Europe which, at the moment, allows tourists to visit 27 member countries on one visa, the Schengen visa. The 27 Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. If reports are to go by, the unified tourist visa for the Gulf countries will be launched in 2024-25. It is expected that, from this, now for those who wish to travel to other Gulf countries as well, will be able to do so easily with simplified travel logistics. At present, travellers do need to apply for separate visas for each Gulf country in case they want to club multiple countries in one trip.As of now, Oman and Qatar are the only Gulf countries in the Gulf that are visa-free for Indian passport holders. Indians travelling to Countries like Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates require an electronic visa or e-visa at present.

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ADB Project to Improve Tourism and Urban Services in Tripura, India

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (14 November 2023) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million loan to improve urban services and tourism facilities in the northeastern state of Tripura, India. “ADB is committed to support the Tripura government’s priorities of improving urban services and tourism infrastructure to help boost economic development,” said ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist Tomoo Ueda. “This project will support the state as a gateway to the northeast region by developing tourist destinations along the national highways and by improving urban governance and financial sustainability.” The project will upgrade urban water supply systems by installing 42 kilometers (km) of new transmission and distribution pipes, establish 4 new water treatment plants, and improve 55 km of stormwater drains. It will improve 21 km of urban roads that will incorporate features that respond to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and disabled. To strengthen the delivery of urban services, the project will build the capacity of twelve urban local bodies on planning, infrastructure operations and maintenance, financial management, gender equality and social inclusion, and project management. It will also help the state government update its building regulations incorporating spatial planning and green building principles to ensure climate and disaster resilience. Through this project, ADB will help upgrade tourist destinations, such as the Chaturdash Devata Temple, Kasaba Kalibari, and Neermahal Palace, by improving the amenities, rooms, landscaping, and making them more visitor- and gender-friendly destinations. It will establish a digital museum and a new adventure park. A 10-year tourism business plan that will guide marketing, promotion, and attract the private sector will be developed, while the state’s tourism policy will be updated. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

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Tourists find the Las Vegas Strip remade for its turn hosting Formula One

Officials say the Venetian gondola canal will be refilled. Casino operator MGM Resorts International has promised to replace Bellagio sidewalk shade trees removed to frame th fountains with thousands of grandstand seats and skybox suites. One worker died during construction. Organizers, local officials and hotel operators believe the discomfort will be forgotten after racing ends late Saturday. The famous fountains at the Bellagio won't be very visible this week amid the roar of Formula One racing on the Las Vegas Strip, and gondoliers won't be serenading tourists at the Venetian resort. "Fountains have been shut off, canals drained, streets closed or harder to navigate," Michael Green, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas history professor, said after six months of road work and temporary grandstandconstruction for some of the most monied spectators in sports. "What are they calling it? Stripmageddon? It is clearly causing a lot of uproar."But this is a different kind of big event," said Green, who remembers two Grand Prix races held 42 years ago at Caesars Palace. "We're talking about billionaires from around the world. They're going to bring in a ton of money. They're not necessarily the usual tourist." Organizers, local officials and hotel operators believe the discomfort will be forgotten after racing ends late Saturday. They hope Las Vegas will join Monaco on the leader board of host cities for Grand Prix events around the world. Officials say the Venetian gondola canal will be refilled. Casino operator MGM Resorts International has promised to replace Bellagio sidewalk shade trees removed to frame the fountains with thousands of grandstand seats and skybox suites. One worker died during construction. "I know a lot of people love the fountains," Joshua Guray, a visitor from Long Beach, California, said. "So it's definitely a bummer, I'd say." For now, many familiar Strip sights are blocked by track barriers, fencing, pedestrian walkway screens, scaffolding and advertising erected around the nighttime race on streets usually choked with taxis, buses and rental cars and lined by pedestrians posing for selfies. "It's all barricades and things blocking traffic," said Charles Flexer, a tourist from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, who tried to decide how to cross Las Vegas Boulevard with his mother using an electric mobility scooter. "It's very disruptive."

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Shillong is gearing up for Cherry Blossom Festival 2023

If you have Meghalaya on your travel wishlist, now is the time to prepare yourself for a trip to this gorgeous state. Come November 17-19, Shillong will be hosting the most awaited annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The city turns as pretty as a postcard during this time of the year. With pink and white cherry blossoms everywhere, it's easy to fall in love with Shillong. Add to that the wonderfully comfortable weather this time of year. Here, being out and about is really the best thing.This year, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival will take place at the RBDSA Sports Complex in Mawlasnai, Shillong. Last year the main festival venue was the Polo Ground, with smaller events taking place in the famous Ward's Lake. The three-day Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival (17-19) features an incredible headliner line-up with music industry geniuses like Ronan Keating (from the Boyzone fame), the Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Ne-Yo, DJ and music producer Jonas Blue, DJ Kenny Musik, Sanam (India), Hybrid Theory, SURL (South Korea),and the very famous DJ Pink Panda from the UK. And there's more, expect to see the beloved talents like Meba Otilia, Lou Majaw, and Blue Temptation.This year's musical line-up will seriously tickle your nostalgic bone. If Ronan Keating won our hearts in the late 90s, Ne-Yo brought us closer to the R&B genre around 2005-06. Coming to our home talents, Sanam has garnered millions of followers and fans on YouTube with their soulful numbers, and the legendary Lou Majaw is still winning hearts in his hometown Shillong. If this line-up is not inspiration enough to go attend the festival, then we don't know what is! Apart from the musical extravaganza, the festival will also feature graffiti and art installation in the form of contests. Karaoke competition is also something festival goers can look forward to. The visitors will also get to see several choir teams compete against each other. For accommodation, there are still some campsites available near the festival venue.

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Airlines operating in India need to implement Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act provisions: Ruling

New Delhi, All airlines, including foreign companies, operating in the country are responsible for implementing the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Court of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities said. The court's ruling came after it took suo motu cognisance of a post on 'X' by Smrithy Rajesh alleging that her son, who has Autism, was ill-treated at the Bangalore airport by SriLankan Airlines employees. The court's findings revealed a lack of awareness and sensitivity towards the needs of individuals with disabilities on the part of the airline's employees and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), it said. The court also highlighted that the SriLankan Airlines' policy, if it necessitates medical clearance for select categories of persons with disabilities before boarding a flight, is inconsistent with the global civil aviation requirements "All airlines, whether Indian or foreign, operating in the country are responsible for implementing the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, specifically outlined in sections 40 and 41, along with relevant rules and instructions," the court said. "This underscores the importance of adhering to both the letter and spirit of the law to ensure the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities are protected," it said. The court concluded that the DGCA cannot be absolved of its responsibility of ensuring that the provisions of the RPwD Act are implemented. The court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, part of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, oversees various responsibilities, including identifying legal inconsistencies, investigating rights deprivation, reviewing safeguards, studying international instruments, promoting research, raising awareness, and monitoring the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

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Bhutan mulls ways to boost tourism in Chhukha, promote business tourism in Phuentshogling

In order to capitalise on this untapped potential, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), together with other stakeholders, is looking at methods to enhance tourism in the region, Bhutan Live reported.According to officials, for the time being, people see Phuentshogling as a commercial hub and Chhukha as a conduit to Thimphu and other regions. However, they stated that it is time to modify that mentality. They emphasised that there are several sites that can draw tourists. The region offers a variety of activities, including rafting, fishing, and bird viewing. "We can promote business tourism in Phuentshogling. This involves meetings and seminars. I think it is time to attract business people from the neighbouring country for business-related meetings in Phuentshogling. Another thing is we have many sacred religious sites in the district that can be explored to attract tourists. We can also look at hosting marriage parties for our neighbours," said the Regional Secretary of BCCI in Phuentshogling, Kelzang, according to Bhutan Live. These offices recently organised a familiarisation tour for travel agents, media promoters, and hotel owners as part of the endeavour. The purpose of the expedition was to investigate potential tourism locations. "Through this trip, I came to know about many amazing places. Although I grew up here in Phuentshogling, I was not aware of such potential. I have already started making a package. It is almost winter and students would love to explore the areas, and also there are many religious sites. After posting it on Facebook, I started receiving many calls and messages for enquiry," Bhutan Live quoted the Manager of Druk City Tour and Travel, Phuntsho Om as saying. The group went to a number of campgrounds, homestays, and religious places.Notably, the relevant stakeholders also intend to build a number of perspectives and guest homes, among other things, in order to increase the influx of tourists to such regions.

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