News

India set to be fourth largest global travel spender by 2030: Study

India is on track to experience a significant increase in travel expenditures among the world's top 10 countries. Projections suggest that by 2030, India will become the fourth-largest global spender on travel. In 2019, India's travel industry recorded expenditures of US $150 billion. However, following a remarkable recovery post-pandemic, travel expenditures are expected to reach US $410 billion by 2030. Indian travelers are projected to complete a staggering 5 billion trips annually by the same year. These findings come from a report titled "How India Travels," produced by the online travel agency Booking.com with McKinsey as its knowledge partner. The report has coined the upcoming decade as India's "golden age" in the travel industry. The study highlights figures from various reports and predicts that India will have approximately 1,600 aircraft by 2030 to meet the demands of the aviation boom. The report also examines travel patterns, revealing that around 29% of Indian travelers embarked on trips exceeding 25 days for leisure in 2022, a figure that surpasses other large markets. Additionally, it emphasizes that, in 2023, the average trip planning - the duration and style of trips - is likely to undergo certain changes, though the specific details of these changes are not provided in the provided text.

Read more

Singapore Airlines Announces Discounts on 170,000 Round-Trip Tickets for Upcoming ‘Time to Fly’ Trav

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will offer discounts on more than 170,000 Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class round-trip tickets from Singapore to 71 destinations at its upcoming Time to Fly travel fair. The discounts are applicable for eligible flights1, for travel between January and September 2024. Online sales will be between 3 and 16 November 2023 on the SIA website and mobile application, as well as through SIA-appointed travel agents. These discounted tickets, as well as exclusive travel deals from participating travel agents and partners, will also be available during the physical three-day Time to Fly travel fair, which takes place from 3 to 5 November 2023 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre’s halls 405 and 406. The fair will also feature exclusive deals on 200,000 one-way tickets from Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary. Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our biggest Time to Fly travel fair offers customers attractive discounts on 170,000 round-trip SIA tickets and 200,000 one-way Scoot tickets, from Singapore to around the world. SIA and Scoot are pleased to offer our customers greater options and value as they make their travel and holiday plans for 2024, and as we return to pre-pandemic levels of operations.” During the physical three-day travel fair, customers will enjoy a line-up of events and engaging activities, stand a chance to receive exclusive giveaways, and win daily lucky draw prizes including a pair of Business Class round-trip tickets to Denpasar Bali (Indonesia), Male (the Maldives), Osaka (Japan), and Phuket (Thailand). Children will also have the chance to dress up as SIA cabin crew and pilots for a memorable photo opportunity.

Read more

Sikkim Govt. starts issuing permits for Nathula and Lake Tsomgo visits

As per the latest development, the Sikkim government has already initiated the process of granting permits to tourists for visiting Nathula and Tsomgo Lake. As per a tourism department official, while lower regions near the Teesta River have been impacted by flash floods, the higher-altitude areas remain accessible to tourists. The official further added that the permit issuance for tourists to explore Tsomgo Lake and Nathula commenced recently, while popular tourist destinations like Pelling, Namchi, Ravangla, Dara, South Sikkim are also open to visitors. The official also recommended tourists to take the Lava-Kalimpong route to enter Sikkim since the NH10 connecting Siliguri in West Bengal to Gangtok is still obstructed on the West Bengal side. State PWD officials anticipate that NH10 will be reopened within a week, but it is worth noting that NH 10 from Singtam to Rangpo Border is currently operational. Additionally, on Tuesday night, areas such as Tsomgo Lake and Kupup experienced snowfall. A little more about Tsomgo Lake and Nathula... Lake Tsomgo: Often referred to as Changu Lake, it’s a breathtaking high-altitude glacial lake nestled in the Indian state of Sikkim. Sitting at a height of 12,313 ft, this pristine alpine gem is not only a natural wonder but also holds great cultural significance for the locals. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush alpine forests, Tsomgo Lake transforms into a frozen wonderland during the winter months, drawing in visitors from far and near with its serene beauty. It's a popular destination for tourists, especially during the summer, offering stunning views. Nathula: It’s a mountain pass in the Himalayas, and serves as a vital trade link between India and Tibet. Set at an elevation of 14,140 ft, it's known for its strategic importance and breathtaking natural beauty. This historical pass was part of the ancient Silk Route and is now a popular tourist destination. Visitors can witness the rugged grandeur of the Eastern Himalayas, with its snow-clad peaks, pristine lakes, and dense forests. Nathula offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity, both at the same place.

Read more

Sandhan Valley: A hidden gem in Maharashtra

Sandhan Valley is one of the best-kept secrets of Maharashtra. A geological wonder, this is also known as the Valley of Shadows. It is a perfect spot for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. Let’s embark on a virtual journey of this beautiful natural wonder. Location- Set in the heart of the Sahyadris in Maharashtra, Sandhan Valley is a narrow canyon carved out by centuries of wind and water erosion. This unique formation features steep rock walls rising up to 300 ft on both sides. It looks gorgeous! The valley stretches for 2.5 km and is only about 200 ft wide, making it one of the most wonderful natural formations in the region. A trek through Sandhan Valley is not for everyone’s cup of tea as it involves walking through the narrow rock formations, often requiring rappelling and rock climbing skill. The trek is typically done over two days. The valley is dotted with boulders, pools, and pretty streams that add to overall charm. This is a trek for those who appreciate the raw beauty of nature. The journey is often punctuated with encounters with endemic flora and fauna. Digital detox Trekkers usually set up camp in the valley to enjoy night stars. As the sun sets, the valley turns into a wonderland and walls of the canyon create an enchanting environment where stargazers can indulge in some of the best celestial observations. A perfect place for digital detox! Monsoon is considered the best time to visit Sandhan Valley as this time the valley turns lush green and remains flooded with waterfalls. However, trekkers should be cautious and well-prepared for any weather-related challenges. Sandhan Valley is a stunning natural masterpiece that attracts trekkers and adventure seekers. This hidden gem in Maharashtra is all about the grand cliffs, and offers an unmatched sense of tranquility and wonder. So, if you're looking for some extraordinary adventure in Maharashtra, Sandhan Valley is your best bet!

Read more

Grassland safaris starts in Pune; two zones open to public

In a first in Maharashtra, the Pune Forest Department has started a grassland safari from today onwards (October 18). The districts of Pune and Solapur are where visitors can enjoy the grassland safari. Starting today, the forest department has opened an online booking application facility. If reports are to go by, the grassland safari is the first of its kind in Maharashtra where the total grassland area is approximately 12.3 million hectares. Previously, the total area of grassland in the state was 18 million hectares. As per reports, ill management of the grassland areas has led to this big reduction. The Pune and Solapur grassland safari is just a small part of this grassland ecosystem. By introducing this grassland safari, the state aims to generate employment opportunities and, most importantly, educate and encourage people to join hands in grassland conservation. Wildlife tourism, when done the right way, has always played a tremendous role in the conservation of biodiversity. In today’s world, the grasslands face the great threat of human encroachment, which directly affects the region’s flora and fauna. The grassland safari is in two locations, one in Kadbanwadi in Indapur tehsil and the other one in Shirsufal in Baramati tehsil. If reports are to go by, the grasslands in Indapur and Baramati have a unique ecosystem that attracts a number of birds and animals. The grasslands of Indapur and Baramati are home to a number of species like hyenas, wolves, jackals, foxes, and a number of migratory and resident birds. For those interested, the online portal for the grassland safari is now open.

Read more

Himachal Government to set up 11 eco-tourism sites to promote sustainable travel

In a bid to promote eco-tourism in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has selected 11 pristine eco-tourism sites nestled amid forested areas. During a meeting of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and the Himachal Pradesh Eco Tourism Society, they stressed the need for a widespread push for eco-tourism and highlighted ongoing infrastructure development initiatives that can boost this cause. As per the reports, the selected sites include Neugal Park, Swaar, Bir Billing, Saurabh Van Vihar, and Neugal Park in the Palampur forest division. Along with these, places like Kheerganga, Kasol, and Sumarupa in the Parvati forest division, Shogi camping site, Narkanda in Kotgarh, Sojha in Seraj, and Potter Hill camping site under the Shimla forest division have also been identified for development. Each of these eco-tourism destinations is allocated an area of one hectare to ensure their protection and sustainability, with an established reserve price to facilitate their development. Adding more to this, Chief Minister Sukhu added that Himachal Pradesh has been bestowed with unparalleled natural beauty, the reason why it’s an enticing destination for tourists worldwide. He emphasised the need to promote eco-tourism in the state which not only aims to boost tourist arrivals but also holds the potential to boost the state's revenue. Further, it is likely that this initiative will generate self-employment opportunities for the local population. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the government's commitment to eco-tourism extends beyond the 11 identified sites, revealing that more such eco-tourism sites will be identified and developed across the state, a move that is aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector, which took a severe hit due to recent floods. As part of these endeavors to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, the Himachal Pradesh government has recently granted approval for two eco-tourism projects valued at INR 16.67 crore. These initiatives are the result of collaborative efforts among various government departments, including Panchayati Raj, Forest, Tourism, and Rural Development, aimed at ensuring the successful execution of these eco-tourism projects.

Read more