Travel Reveals

Dubai welcomed 7.28 million international overnight visitors last year, representing 32 per cent year-over-year growth on the figure for 2020. In contrast, the number of international guests the emirate welcomed in 2019 wasn't nearly as high as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic. In spite of this, the city experienced a very successful year last year, setting it up for sustainable growth in the coming years. The Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) reports that international visitor numbers in Dubai have surpassed 3.4 million visitors in the fourth quarter of 2021, surpassing 74% of pre-pandemic levels of fourth quarter 2019. This bodes well for Dubai's hotels in the fourth quarter to surpass pre-pandemic levels. "This achievement also shows that we are on our way to becoming the world's best city for living and working," commented DET director general Helal Saeed Al Marri. “Dubai continuously set precedents in the global tourism recovery, demonstratin

For the hotel and hospitality industry, the Union Budget proposes extending the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) until March 2023. " Hospitality and related services, especially by micro and small businesses, have yet to regain their pre-pandemic levels.   Considering these aspects, the ECLGS will be extended up to March 2023 and its guarantee cover will be expanded by Rs 50,000 crore to total cover of Rs 5 lakh crore, with the additional amount being earmarked exclusively for the hospitality and related enterprises,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said in her Budget speech.   Under The Parvatmala Scheme, Eight Ropeway Projects With A Length Of 60 Km Will Be Awarded Contracts In 2022-23. National Ropeways Development Programme Will Be Undertaken On A PPP Basis As In Addition To Promoting Tourism, The Goal Is To Improve Connectivity A\Nd Convenience For Commuters. Ecologically Sustainable Alternative To Conventional Roads In Hilly Areas.   Congested Urban Areas

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has requested a 'One India One Tourism' approach, which includes the 'One Tax Structure' in the Union Budget to revive the pandemic-hit domestic travel, tourism and hospitality industries. In addition, the Association has been advocating for the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in the GST program to make air travel "more viable" for all stakeholders, and also for the extension of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).  In the upcoming Budget, there will be several measures to support the entire travel tourism and hospitality sector, which will help it revive and survive, TAAI said in a statement on Saturday.  According to the Association, it is extremely critical for both the federal and state governments to work in tandem to facilitate this sector and encourage it to be placed on the concurrent list for Industry status to improve its structure. A TAAI study said governments should attempt to i

According to the COVID-19 travel update, Sweden has removed the requirement for a negative RT-PCR test before entering the country. The Swedish government announced the change on Tuesday. Travelers are no longer considered to pose a special risk to the spread of Omicron in Sweden, according to a government statement. Around 20000 COVID cases have been reported daily in Sweden over the past few days, which is about double the previous record from earlier waves. Due to an increase in Omicron cases, the country imposed some strict travel restrictions last month, in December 2021. All tourists entering Sweden are required to carry a negative COVID-19 test report (not older than 48 hours) regardless of vaccination status. As a result of COVID-19, Christmas and New Year parties were also restricted in the country. Many public events required vaccine passports because the restaurant capacity was limited due to social distancing between groups. Magdalena Andersson, the Swedish prime minister,

  For two decades starting in the mid-1950s, adventurous travellers would board 'magic buses' and travel the so-called Hippie Trail across Asia in search of spiritual enlightenment. We must now roll the dice in the opposite direction  A new trip from Adventures Overland, Bus to London by Adventures Overland, is the longest and most epic one in the world. The service will launch in April 2022 and will be the first hop-on/hop-off bus service connecting Delhi, India, and London, United Kingdom. Traveling through 18 countries and covering 20,000 km in 70 days, participants will cover 20,000 km. The most popular and the first amongst them was a 1957 trip organised by Oswald-Joseph Garrow-Fisher, in a bus named The Indiaman. The bus began its journey with 20 passengers on board. Departing from London on April 15, 1957, it reached Kolkata on June 5. The same bus returned to London on August 2, 1957. Reportedly, a single fare cost was 85 pounds and 65 pounds for the return journey. The

Dwarka, an ancient Indian city, is said to have submerged beneath the Arabian Sea.T he foundations of its city walls are now being sought by underwater archaeologists to confirm its existence.  Dwarka, one of seven holy pilgrimage centres in India, is not only a religious, but also an archaeological site. It was a fortified city spread across almost 84km where the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea met, referred to in the epic Mahabharata as the ancient kingdom of Krishna. Upon Krishna's death, the ancient city was sunk beneath the Arabian Sea. Archaeologists tried to find physical evidence of the sunken city off the coast of modern-day Dwarka in the second half of the last century to demonstrate its existence beyond doubt.  Thus, many artefacts have been found underwater, including stone blocks and pillars; however, the exact age of these discoveries is still unclear. Currently, archaeologists are planning an underwater search for the foundations of the ancient city walls. If they fi

France To Reopen To British Travellers Tomorrow !!! According to French officials, restrictions for those travelling from the UK will be relaxed from Friday. Travelers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 do not need a compelling reason to enter France or to self-isolate. A negative Covid-19 test, taken 24 hours before leaving the UK, will be required regardless of vaccination status. In an effort to halt the spread of the Omicron variant, France imposed the restrictions on December 18th. However, the country continues to battle an outbreak of Covid-19.

  Dawki Lake as well as Umngot River are considered as Asia's cleanest rivers. The water of the Umngot River looks absolutely beautiful in its emerald green and crystal blue hues. The river is undoubtedly the cleanest in Asia. Even rocks, pebbles, and fish swimming in Dawki Lake can be seen clearly. It looks as if the boats are floating on a sheet of crystal. In  addition to flowing into Bangladesh through Dawki, the river also divides the Jaintia and Khasi Hills. Meghalaya's capital city, Shillong, is 78 km away from Mawlynnyong, the village through which the river runs. The crystal clear waters of Dawki have garnered tourists' attention and gained international fame over the years. Tourists can enjoy a panoramic view from a suspension bridge that crosses the river.

  Kashmir witnesses highest tourist footfall in seven years! Tourists gained increased confidence after the second round of vaccinations, which was conducted as soon as possible in the valley. It is estimated by officials that only 6327 tourists visited Kashmir in November 2020, a significant decrease from the approximately 1,27000 tourists present today. Director of Tourism Kashmir, Dr GN Itoo, told a leading news agency more than 127,000 tourists came to Kashmir in November and almost 93,000 tourists came in October, marking the first time Kashmir had recorded such large numbers of tourists in the past seven years. This has been attributed to several campaigns, such as the roadshows in Kashmir to promote tourism, and other measures that were taken after the second wave of the virus to attract tourists to the region. Kashmir's government organized 21 roadshows across the country.All members of the tour and travel fraternity were vaccinated as soon as possible in the valley after t

  A list of 'red' countries with a high infection rate has been withdrawn by the Israeli government, including the UK. Nachman Ash, director-general of the Israeli health ministry, has recommended that countries that were previously listed on the red list be moved to the orange and green lists based on their health status.  After a 24-hour isolation period, vaccinated or recovered individuals from the UK can enter Israel after being placed on the orange list, which allows them to enter Israel after a negative PCR test result is received. An Israeli international airport is the only place where the test can be taken. From Sunday, all foreign visitors from orange and green countries will be allowed to visit Israel. Director of the Israel Government Tourist office in London, Sharon Bershadsky, said: "After two turbulent years for the travel industry, we are delighted that the Israeli health ministry recommended that Israel's skies be reopened to tourists. Even though the

  For the travel industry, the easing of rules around testing for passengers arriving in Northern Ireland is a game-changer.  As of Friday morning, fully vaccinated traveler's will no longer have to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate on arrival.   As a result of the Health Department's announcement, Oasis Travel has received additional inquiries and calls. "January is traditionally one of the busiest months of the year, and this news should boost business," she told UTV.  Passengers who are fully vaccinated are still required to fill out a passenger locator form and take a test on or before their second day of arrival. Starting on Sunday, 9 January, this can be either a lateral flow or PCR test. Although NHS Test and Trace tests cannot be used for international travel, lateral flow tests for this purpose must be purchased from a private provider. Anyone with a positive lateral flow test must book a free confirmatory PCR test and isolate. In the statement, it st

Mumbaikars, do you crave a luxurious weekend getaway? It's no surprise you're craving a change of environment with work from home looming over your head. That's exactly what we're here for! These 6 fun weekend getaways from Mumbai include relaxing Ayurvedic treatments, pet therapy and cosy forest cabins for a quick getaway with your family.   Lonavala-Khandala  People of Mumbai hold a special place in their hearts for the twin hill resorts of Lonavala and Khandala.  The sightseeing in Lonavala includes forts, caves, dams, and more.  The perfect road trip, one day trip from Mumbai, or an escape into the hills, these places cater to all moods and fancies of Mumbaikars.  In fact, they are one of the best weekend getaways near Mumbai for couples.  Murud-Janjira In Raigad district of Maharashtra, across the coast from a small village called Murud, stands Murud-Janjira Fort on a small island. There are several legends and stories within the walls of the fort, which are immens

The travel industry has reacted to the lifting of travel restrictions by U.S. President Joe Biden on December 31, resulting in an upsurge in travel to eight southern African countries.   The restrictions were imposed by President Biden in late November and applied to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended removing the travel curbs last week because their continued implementation wouldn't have an appreciable impact on Omicron's spread in the United States, given the already existing levels of community transmission.   In response, U.S.Travel Association executive vice president Tori Emerson Barnes released a statement regarding the easing of the travel restrictions. "The White House's decision to lift the travel ban on southern African nations is the right one, given the safety protocols and vaccination requirements in place for entering the country," Emers