News

India’s Dhordo among 54 Best Tourism Villages in UNWTO list; Madla set to join

Dhordo, a part of the Indian State of Gujarat, has been recognised as one of the 54 Best Tourism Villages in the 2023 edition by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Located in Kutch, Dhordo village is renowned for its rich culture and banni hospitality and attracts visitors for its intricate mud craft and Mutwa embroidery, besides the renowned 100-day Rann Utsav. The UNWTO, in this third edition, selected 54 villages from a pool of nearly 260 applications. An additional 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, with all 74 villages now forming part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. Also, joining the list of these 20 villages is Malda in India's Madhya Pradesh. This distinction celebrates villages that excel in nurturing rural regions while preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions. These village selections were announced during the UNWTO General Assembly held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. “Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions," emphasised UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being.” Besides Dhordo (India), the list of Best Tourism Villages for 2023 includes Al Sela (Jordan), Barrancas (Chile), Biei (Japan), Caleta Tortel (Chile), Cantavieja (Spain), Chacas, and Chavin de Huantar (Peru), Dahshour (Egypt), Hakuba (Japan), Higueras (Mexico), Huangling (China), Zhagana, and Zhujiawan (China), among others. Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. As per UNWTO, the programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices. Villages participating in this initiative are evaluated under nine critical areas, including cultural and natural resources, promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, tourism development, governance and prioritisation of tourism, infrastructure and connectivity, and health, safety, and security. The initiative comprises three primary pillars: Firstly, the "Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO" pillar recognising exceptional rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a dedication to innovation and sustainability spanning economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Secondly, the "Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Programme" provides vital support to villages in their pursuit of meeting recognition criteria, addressing identified shortcomings during the evaluation process. Lastly, the "Best Tourism Villages Network" acts as a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, learning, and opportunities among its members, welcoming contributions from experts and both public and private sector partners engaged in promoting tourism as a catalyst for rural development. For the fourth edition of recognising more rural destinations, the call for submissions will take place in the first months of 2024.

Read more

Canada visa and consular services now available only in Delhi

Canada's temporary suspension of visa and consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai has disrupted visa processing in India. It is reported that the Canadian High Commission in Delhi is the sole available location for these services. This move follows India's earlier suspension of visa processing in Canada. Canada's updated travel advisory for India, as of October 19, expresses concerns about potential protests and negative sentiment towards Canada, particularly in Delhi and the National Capital Region. It also advises travellers to maintain a low profile, avoid sharing personal information with strangers, and be cautious in crowded areas and public transportation. In-person consular services are temporarily unavailable in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chandigarh, while services at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi continue. In India, Canada and the United Kingdom have made significant progress in returning visa processing to pre-Covid levels, while the US is still experiencing long wait times for visitor visa interviews. Several key Schengen countries have limitations on appointment availability. Further, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also stated that Canadian observers may be contemplating the implications of activities in India, emphasising that India's choice will affect the extent of services provided at consulates in both nations. He added that this decision will also impact in-person services at Canadian consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. Tensions between India and Canada escalated when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of having a link to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India strongly refutes these allegations and emphasises the need to address the presence of ‘terrorists and criminal elements’ in Canada as the core issue in their relationship.

Read more

Foreign tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir increased by 350 per cent this year post G-20 meeting: LG

Last year Jammu & Kashmir witnessed a record 1.88 crore tourist arrivals, but this year, 1.70 crore tourists have already visited J&K till September this year. The foreign tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir have increased by 350 per cent this year post the G20 meeting held in May, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. Addressing a function after inaugurating the Vistadome rail coach at Nowgam railway station here, Sinha also said 1.70 crore tourists have visited J-K so far this year. “Srinagar hosted the G20 meeting (the third tourism working group meeting of the G20 member countries) and post that, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in J-K has gone up by 350 per cent from the last year,” the LG said. He said last year J-K witnessed a record 1.88 crore tourist arrivals, but this year, 1.70 crore tourists have already visited J-K till September this year. Sinha said the Vistadome coach on the train will boost tourism in Jammu & Kashmir. “It will not only ferry travellers from Budgam to Banihal, but also provide livelihood opportunities to the youth at Budgam, Qazigund, and Banihal stations. The coach will help tourists see Kashmir’s beauty with a new perspective,” he added. He said the introduction of the Vistadome coach is another step towards J-K’s developmental journey. The state-of-the-art Vistadome coach, which has advanced features of entertainment and sitting, will chug from Budgam to Banihal. The coach has rotational seats, transparent glass roof, and windows, offering 360-degree views. Giving details about the coach, chief area manager, Srinagar, Northern Railway, Saqib Yusuf said it is going to be a major tourist attraction for people visiting the valley. “It is a glass-top coach with wide windows, rotating chairs, so that the passengers can enjoy the Kashmir valley’s panoramic look especially in the coming winter season. It is expected to give a major boost to tourism in the Kashmir valley. It will run from Budgam to Banihal in the morning, and in the evening, it will run from Banihal to Budgam. It will run six days a week,” Yusuf said.

Read more

Emirates to roll out premium economy class on Mumbai and Bengaluru A380 flights

When the new cabin class debuts on the airline's A380 flights, Emirates will be the first Middle East carrier operating in Mumbai to offer such services. Gulf carrier Emirates on Thursday said it is set to roll out the fourth cabin class -- premium economy on its A380 flights to Mumbai and Bengaluru, starting October 29. Emirates currently operates its A380 and Boeing 777s on Indian routes in a three-class configuration first, business and economy. It has already launched premium economy on some of its A380 flights on non-India routes last August. It is now being launched in India as well. When the new cabin class debuts on the airline's A380 flights later this month, Emirates will be the first Middle East carrier operating in Mumbai to offer such services, it said. The aircraft, featuring premium economy cabins and operating as EK506, arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for a preview. "Emirates' premium economy has revolutionised travel for a growing segment of travellers looking to enhance their flying experience. We've received an immense response from customers, who have opted to trade up to this class of travel," said Mohammad Sarhan, Vice President for India and Nepal at Emirates. "In line with the demand we have seen on the ten routes (globally) where the product is already available, we anticipate it will be highly popular in India as well," he added. With the ongoing surge in travel across the airline's network, the premium economy class allows passengers to savour the perfect blend of luxury and affordability, he said, adding that "as we incorporate premium economy cabins across a growing number of aircraft, we hope to extend this option on more routes". Premium Economy cabins on the Emirates A380 feature 56 plush cream leather seats at the front of the main deck and are laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. The new cabin class provides seats with a generous recline and more legroom, among others. Emirates said it has undertaken one of the largest-ever fleet retrofitting initiatives with plans to revamp 67 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777 aircraft. Along with offering a refreshed look, the project will see the installation of nearly 4,000 premium economy seats across 120 aircraft, it said.

Read more

TravClan Wins Coveted Title of Asia's Best Travel Tech Startup at World Travel Tech Awards 2023

In a spectacular display of innovation and excellence in the travel technology sector, TravClan has been honored with the prestigious title of "Asia's Best Travel Tech Startup 2023" at the World Travel Tech Awards. The grand event, held at the opulent Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to celebrate remarkable achievements in the field of travel technology. It was an evening filled with anticipation and excitement as TravClan was recognized for its outstanding contributions to the travel tech industry. The accolade serves as a testament to TravClan's commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology to enhance the travel experience. The company has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the way travel professionals connect, collaborate, and grow their businesses. This recognition underscores the significant impact TravClan has made in the travel tech space, establishing itself as a leader in the industry. TravClan's triumph in the category of "Asia's Best Travel Tech Startup 2023" reflects the company's dedication to creating innovative solutions that streamline operations, drive efficiency, and empower travel professionals worldwide. The award is a testament to the hard work and vision of the entire team at TravClan. "We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition at the World Travel Tech Awards. It's a testament to our team's tireless dedication to making a positive impact on the travel industry," said Chirag Agrawal, Co-founder at TravClan. "This award motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering cutting-edge solutions for our clients and partners." The World Travel Tech Awards is a platform that celebrates outstanding achievements in the travel technology sector. The event brings together professionals from across the globe to acknowledge the pioneers of travel tech who are shaping the industry's future. TravClan's victory in the category of "Asia's Best Travel Tech Startup 2023" is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and the bright future that lies ahead for this dynamic player in the travel tech arena. The recognition has further solidified TravClan's position as a trailblazer in the travel technology industry and serves as a source of pride for the entire team. The company remains committed to driving innovation, shaping the future of travel tech, and providing top-notch solutions to its clients and partners.

Read more

Amid war, Israelis can now travel to US for 90 days without getting a visa

As the Israel-Hamas war intensifies, the United States Thursday launched a visa waiver program allowing Israelis wishing to visit the United States for 90 days or less to come without applying for a visa. The U.S. announced Sept. 27 that it was admitting Israel into the visa waiver program, adding the country to a select group of 40 mostly European and Asian countries whose citizens can travel to the U.S. for three months without visas. At the time, the U.S. said Israelis could start traveling to America without visas as of November 30. In a news release, the Department of Homeland Security said the program was operational as of Thursday. Officials gave no reason for the changed timeline in a news release Thursday. But just days after Israel's admittance to the visa waiver program, Hamas launched attacks against numerous locations in southern Israel. Since then the Israeli military has relentlessly attacked locations in the Gaza Strip as it prepares for a ground invasion. Under the waiver program, Israelis first register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. That's an automated system that helps determine whether the person is eligible to travel, Homeland Security said in the news release. The process can take up to 72 hours. Then they can travel to the U.S. To be eligible, Israelis must have a biometrically enabled passport. Those who don't have such a passport still must apply for a U.S. visa, the department said. READ | Deciphering Biden's risky wartime visit to Israel and the unspoken messages it conveyed Countries that want to take part in the visa program have to meet three critical benchmarks. Israel met two of those benchmarks over the past two years: a low percentage of Israelis who applied for visas and were rejected and a low percentage of Israelis who have overstayed their visas. Israel had struggled to meet the third, for reciprocity that essentially means all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans, must be treated equally when traveling to or through Israel.

Read more