Online ticket booking has become a quick way for Indians to plan travel, whether a bus trip to a nearby city or a long train journey between states. Opposing standing in queues, making calls, and guessing the availability, you will be able to search alternative timings, compare them, pay with no security risk, and get a digital ticket in several minutes.

This guide walks you through the full journey: how online booking works, what to have ready, how payments and e-tickets fit into the process, and what to do if you need to cancel or change plans.

How Online Ticket Booking Works

Online booking is a search-and-reserve model that matches you with available inventory and issues a ticket upon successful payment. For bus and train ticket booking, the sequence stays broadly similar across trusted platforms.

Most platforms follow this flow:

• Search your route and date: Enter the source and destination, select a travel date, then narrow your results by choosing bus boarding and drop-off points or train stations.
• See availability and fares: Options are displayed with current availability and pricing so you can compare without guesswork. In the website booking flow, for example, users can check availability and compare fares to choose a suitable option.
• Confirm details and pay: Once you select a service, you add passenger details, complete payment, and receive a confirmation message and e-ticket.

Why Beginners Prefer Booking Tickets Online

To first-time users, convenience is not the only attraction of online booking. It is also about the sense of control; you can see options, compare them within seconds, and have a record of your purchase on your phone.

Beginners tend to prefer online booking of train tickets as it prevents uncertainty. You can also look up and compare options like departure times, availability, and fare variations yourself, rather than at counters or agents, before you commit.

Other benefits include:

 Time savings: Book from home, at the office, or on the go.

• Better visibility: You can compare operators, times, seating types, and boarding points (where applicable) in a single view.
• Digital proof: Confirmation typically arrives via app, SMS, and email, which is helpful when you are travelling or coordinating with family.

What You Need Before You Book

A smooth booking experience starts before you even open the app or website. Keep a few essentials ready so you do not rush through fields or make avoidable errors.

Here’s what you typically need:  

• Travel basics: Route, journey date, and your preferred departure time window.
• Passenger information: Full name and other required information on the booking form. For a reserved rail journey, ensure you have the required identification available when requested.
• Valid mobile number and email: This is where your ticket and updates usually arrive.
• A ready payment method: UPI, debit or credit card, netbanking, or a wallet, depending on what you prefer.

Step-by-Step: How to Book Tickets Online via redBus

Many travellers use redBus because it lets them book both buses and trains in one place. For rail journeys, redBus offers booking through its train-ticket experience (often referred to as redRail). The steps below are written for beginners, but the same logic applies to most trusted platforms.

Step One: Enter Your Trip Details

Start with the basics:

• Choose the source and destination.
• Pick your journey date.
• For buses, pay attention to boarding and dropping points.
• For trains, select the correct source and destination stations.

Step Two: Compare Options Smartly

Once results load, do not book the first option you see. Spend a minute comparing:

• Departure and arrival timings that suit your day.
• Duration, especially for overnight journeys.
• Pick-up or station convenience (closer is not always better if traffic is unpredictable).
• On buses, amenities and operator ratings (where shown) may vary.

Step Three: Pick Your Seat or Berth

Where seat or berth selection is available, use it thoughtfully:

• For buses, seat maps make it easier to choose window, aisle, or front or back-facing seats.
• For trains, availability may change quickly, so treat “limited availability” as a prompt to decide sooner rather than later.

Step Four: Add Passenger Details Correctly

This step matters more than people realise. Enter details slowly and carefully:

• Use correct spellings of names.
• Match passenger details to required identity information where applicable.
• Please recheck your mobile number and email before proceeding.

Step Five: Pay and Get Confirmed

Payment flows vary slightly, but the basics remain the same:

• Confirm fare breakup and any optional add-ons.
• Complete payment using your chosen method.
• Look for a confirmation screen and then check SMS, email, and the app’s “My Bookings” section.

After Booking: E-Tickets, Boarding, and Support

Once you book, your next job is simply to keep the ticket accessible and know what to show when you travel.

Most platforms provide: 

• An e-ticket or mobile ticket: Usually available in the app, and also shared by SMS or email.
• Booking identifiers: Such as a PNR for rail journeys, which you may need for verification during your trip.
• Boarding guidance: For buses, you typically show your m-ticket or e-ticket on your phone at the gate, and it is recommended to carry a government-approved ID for verification.

Cancellations and Refund Basics

Cancellations occur, particularly when plans change, family issues arise, or work changes. The trick is that cancellation and refund policies may vary by service type, operator, and time.

A few beginner-friendly principles: 

• Policies differ for buses and trains: Always read the cancellation terms shown during booking.
• Refunds depend on rules and timelines: For IRCTC cancellations, the cancellation fee is typically calculated based on the ticket status and the time of cancellation relative to the chart draw date.
• Some platforms offer cancellation benefits: The ticket booking website highlights an option labelled "free cancellation" for eligible rail bookings, described as a way to reduce cancellation penalties, but terms apply.

Conclusion

Online ticket booking is easier than it looks when you understand the process: search, compare, add details carefully, pay securely, and save your e-ticket in a convenient place. Whether you are booking bus travel or train tickets, the same approach helps you avoid common beginner mistakes and travel with confidence.

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Online Ticket Booking: Everything You Should Know appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Europe is again one of the most important places to spend your vacations. European countries are filled with so many amazing and vibrant cities that you will fall for them at any cost. This is one of the most amazing continents of the world, which can involve so many amazing museums and restaurants, including world heritage sites. This is also one of the most important places to spend your time. 

This place is known for its amazing party life. With so many cities already a part of this continent, it is really important to make a list of the cities you will visit first compared to the other ones to create a perfect memory. In such a situation, this article will try to make sure that a list is created with the help of which you can monitor the location of your next destination. The list of the essential type of cities which have a huge amount of landmarks in terms of entertainment and heritage have been given in the following way. 

Paris

This is undoubtedly one of the most essential dream destinations that every person wants to visit at 1 point. It is because of the simple reason that this is not only the fashion capital of the world but also one of the most iconic tourist destination spots. You can admire not only the beautiful museums and monuments of the places but also the religious destinations like churches. It is important to mention that you will find a beautiful green space garden in the Luxembourg Gardens area. 

You will also get to enjoy the luxury and the royal life of the queen. The food at this place is pretty amazing. You can get yourself a Decent Hotel booked. There are so many tourist destinations available that it becomes difficult for you to choose one of them. This is one of the most amazing types of places in which you will find the best bakery and confectionery items in the form of cakes and brownies, including croissants and cupcakes. You might be feeling some urge to visit this place as soon as possible. So just don't wait for anything and get yourself booked at the earliest.

London

This is yet another important tourist destination spot to visit in Europe. This is the place where can experience world-class British architecture. This architecture includes the beautiful museums of the place and different types of buildings, including buildings and beautiful gardens. This place is also known for very amazing weather conditions. The best time to visit this place is winter because then you will be able to experience the beautiful snowfall of this particular city. 

You can visit important tourist spots such as the Colosseum and Saint Basilica Church. You can also visit the beautiful fountains of the city which have been able to drive so many people crazy. If you get time, you can visit amazing locations like the Gardens and some of the hilltops available in that city in the first place. You will enjoy the trip to London so much that you will always want to return here again. This city can welcome you with so much love and affection. 

Rome

This is another one of the most important destinations to visit in Europe which you cannot afford to miss at any cost. This is a wonderful place in which you will experience the history of Europe and the beautiful mother nature, which can exhibit its peak beauty at this place. If you want to spend a maximum amount of time in this place, you will have to come within 3 to 4 days. You will experience beautiful architectural monuments like the Sistine Chapel and Tracy fountain. You will also discover beautiful attractions such as the Spanish steps. 

It also has many important cafeterias that can serve the authentic food of Europe. You can also visit beautiful destinations near this particular City. There are many Gardens and Vineyards in this place, and there is a must-visit for every person. So the next time you visit this place do not forget to visit all these places as well. 

Florence

This is one of the most important places to visit in Europe which is able to include not only a mouth-watering cuisine but also a stunning architecture that displays the history of Europe. It is considered to be an important destination for spending most of your time. You will experience a lot of attractions like Ponte Vecchio. Additional destinations like Mercato Firenze are also visited by the people. 

The main intention of visiting these places is to experience the wonderful fish, meat, and cheese. You can also ask them to make a wonderful cake or Pizza for you. You can also take a lot of river-based views in the City. There are so many waterfalls to visit, especially in the rainy season. This place is known for having beautiful weather conditions. So if you want to see it at a moderate temperature, do not forget to visit this place.

Conclusion

It has to be concluded that Europe is a place which has so many cities that it becomes practically impossible for any person to visit all of them in one go. It is practically impossible for such a person to visit from one place to another in just a short trip of a few days. That is why this article has been within in order to provide the most stunning cities of Europe so that you directly visit them and make your memorable ones. 

This will assist you in a lot of ways because you would be in the position to make the best of your memories. This is one of the most comprehensive lists of cities provided to get a positive vibe out of the trip. This will assist you in making a list of the best destinations you have to visit at every cost. It is a wonderful place to visit, and it will provide a beautiful memory in its name.

Want to hit beautiful places? Is money the biggest problem? Why not avail of a travel loan and enjoy traveling to the best places. TripMoney can help you out with some instant loan services. All you need is their mobile application. Fill in all the details and you are all set to pack your bags and catch the flight.

The post Best Tourist Destinations To Visit in Europe appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Here are some things to consider while buying new travel insurance from a company.

1. Knowing the insurance types 

While buying travel insurance, one should know the types offered by a company in detail that will help make the best decision. Travelers should determine whether they need a single trip or multi-trip cover that will help plan travel accordingly. A multi-trip cover is ideal for those who travel to foreign countries with their family including children frequently. It is wise to evaluate the insurance plans and coverage when buying a policy that will help move ahead further. 

2. Purpose 

Another important thing to consider while buying travel insurance is the purpose of visit to other places. For example, people should check the coverage for the holidays when they want to plan a vacation with their family. This, in turn, gives ways to manage problems in case of theft and baggage loss. 

3. Add-ons 

Most travel insurance plans cover add-ons allowing customers to enjoy extra benefits at an additional premium. Therefore, travelers can check out the details while buying a policy from a company. They should also compare the same from different sources to select the best one according to needs. 

4. Pre-existing conditions 

Travel insurance covers amounts for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, delayed flights, and emergency evacuation. Hence, travelers should declare any pre-existing medical conditions to the insurance provider. It is important to provide all the details honestly to an insurance company that will help claim amounts during medical emergencies. 

5. Flexibility 

Flexibility is another important factor to buy in travel insurance buying because it gives ways to make changes in the itinerary when traveling to a destination in a foreign country. Apart from that, travelers can focus more on their goals in travel that helps to obtain optimal results. 

6. Sum insured 

Since travel insurance comes with different sum insured levels, customers should study them with more attention. They should consider selecting an optimal coverage amount based on the traveling destination, members, and the duration trip. 

7. Premium 

Customers who want to buy a new travel insurance should choose an affordable premium amount when choosing a plan. It must commensurate with the coverage benefits offered by a company that will help accomplish goals in travel to a large extent. New travelers should always compare the premium charges in detail before purchasing a policy from the markets. 

8. Service network 

A customer should know the service network of an insurance company while choosing a policy. Most insurers appoint their representatives for customers and they can contact them to know more details. Hence, one should look for the network of a company in a location that will help select the right plan. 

9. Claim settlement ratio

Claim settlement ratio is an important factor to keep in mind while buying new travel insurance from a company. Selecting a policy with a high settlement ratio provides ways to increase the probability of a claim significantly. Customers should consider choosing a policy with high settlement to get high protection. 

10. Reviews

When buying a travel insurance policy, customers should read reviews online in detail that will help get more information. They should read the testimonials of customers and the ratings of insurance companies while purchasing a new insurance policy. 

11. Prices 

The prices of travel insurance plans may vary from one company to another company in a location and customers should know them properly. Those who want to select a plan should compare the prices online that will help buy the right one at affordable prices. 

12. Terms & conditions 

New customers should read the terms & conditions of a policy before signing an application form. This will help a lot to know whether a company charges any hidden costs or not before purchasing a plan which gives ways to avoid them.  

13. Understanding the restrictions 

New customers willing to buy a travel insurance policy should understand the restrictions with experts to determine what type of plan will suit them. Care Health Insurance is a reputed company that offers region-specific plans for people when they want to plan a travel to the USA and other countries. The company’s insurance plans cover amounts for trip delay, pre-existing illnesses, loss of passport, outpatient and inpatient treatment, check-in baggage, etc. 

The post How To Choose The Right Travel Insurance Policy? appeared first on Social News XYZ.

 A hotel is necessary for you where you can rest for some time and get ready for the trip. One can easily book a hotel online anytime and anywhere in the world using their electronic gadgets. The hotel you are booking should fulfill your basic requirements of breakfast, snacks, lunch, wifi, etc. Holiday inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwantpur is a 3-star hotel that is considered best for spending time with your family and friends. One should also consider that the hotel which you are booking should be nearby your spot for travel. Some of the tips to book a hotel online are as follows –

1. Price Comparison – Price comparison is necessary for everyone to get the best deal for booking a hotel online. One can easily compare the prices of the online booking of hotels using the internet. As several websites are providing services of online hotel booking for their trip. Comparing prices helps you to grab the best deal available which suits your needs and requirements.
2. Check hotel reviews – Hotel review is also an important point that should be kept in mind before booking a hotel online. As there are many websites which are providing fair customer reviews of the hotels which can help you a lot. Reviews can give you a clear picture of the hotel's positive and negative points. These things can help you to decide to book a hotel for your tour.
3. Type of accommodation – Determining the accommodation type is necessarily considered before choosing a hotel for booking. Accommodation type should fulfill your needs and requirements which can vary according to your age and likings. Some people also have special requirements like a sea view, a big Hall, Balcony, etc. So, one should choose the accommodation type according to their wants to enjoy their trip hassle-free.
4. Check cancellation policy – Whenever one is booking a hotel online they should need to check the cancellation policy. As tomorrow is unpredictable, anything can happen anytime which may lead to the cancellation of your trip. If the policy for cancellation for your hotel booking is not available it can cause a huge loss. On the other hand availability of a cancellation policy leads to saving a lot of money. Therefore before booking a hotel online cancelation policy should be checked.
5. Check the hotel location – Hotel locations matter a lot while one is choosing to book it online. One should need to give attention that hotel should be near their spot of travel. If the hotel is far away from the spot of travel then you should have to spend extra time and money on traveling. One can easily check the exact location of the hotel using Google Maps.
6. Booking hotel in advance – Whenever one is planning their trip, they should need to book their hotel in advance. As there are many benefits to booking a hotel online in advance. It helps you to book a hotel at the best deal by comparing it with many other portals. As are some peak tourism days like Summer holidays, Winter holidays, etc there is a lot of demand for hotels. This can increase the prices of hotels. So one should book their hotel in advance to save their money.
7. Check Hotel payment policies – Before booking for any hotel online one should need to read their payment policies. As many hotels are not accepting some bank debit or credit cards or net banking. So, you should check that the bank is associated with the hotel or not for online payment. If your bank is not associated then you can face problems. Even some hotels are providing special discounts on the bank associated with them.
8. Hotel Check-in and Check-out time – One should need to consider that hotel check-in and check-out time is available 24×7. As many hotels are not providing this facility but your schedule is planned for late night or early morning. So, if you are arriving late or leaving early morning there should be a check-in and check-out facility available. Therefore while booking your hotel online you should check the availability of round clock check-in and check out.
9. Beware of Hidden fees – Normally, websites do not charge any extra booking charges for hotel booking.  But sometimes there are extra hidden charges of breakfast buffet, welcome gifts, resort fees, etc. So, you should check carefully about the hidden charges for booking a hotel online. One should be aware of these extra hidden charges that they do not have to pay any extra unnecessary costs.
10. Using apps to book a hotel – There are many apps where you can book a hotel online according to your budget. These apps should be user-friendly so that their customer can easily book a hotel without any trouble. These apps are also providing many discounts and special offers which help you to attract more customers. One should choose a hotel after comparison with various other apps where you can book your hotel at the best price.

To conclude – The above-discussed article highlights some of the tips to book a hotel online. It includes price comparison, hotel reviews, accommodation type, payment policies, booking in advance, check-in check-out time, hidden fees, etc. There are many beautiful places where you can visit and enjoy your holiday with your friends and family. Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwantpur is also a good option to book for your travel to Bengaluru.

The post Tips For Booking Hotel Online appeared first on Social News XYZ.

There are numerous things that you have to do by yourself and only you will be responsible for any kind of mistake or damage that occurs during the process while in case if you hire professionals then you just have to sit back and relax, you will also not be responsible for anything. 

Check out how a DIY move can cost you more!!!

• Loss of items: When you do not hire any professionals and do the entire thing on your own then it can end up in losing the items. While lifting or packing an item, it can be slipped from your hand and get damaged, causing you a loss of that item. One can also misplace some of his or her stuff in the chaos.

• Damaging items: When you pack the items by yourself than during the transportation at a long distance there is a risk for the damage of the items. You don’t have any experience of packing items before therefore you don’t know the right techniques to pack the items and they can get damaged during the transportation.  

• Rental trucks cost more: You will need to rent a truck when not hiring a moving company. The charges demanded by the truck owner for renting a truck to load your belongings will be high, especially, when moving at a long distance. Usually, rent is charged based on the weight or volume of the belongings held by the truck.

• Fuel cost depends on miles: When it is a long-distance move then having a DIY move means you have to pay extra for the fuel. Usually, the cost of the fuel is not included in the truck rental. The fuel consumption could also be difficult depending on the size of the truck rental.  

• Packing material: When shifting your belongings to a long distance, you will need to pack your stuff properly and much securely to avoid any damage while in transit. If one hires any moving company, it becomes the company’s responsibility to do all the packing securely but when you are your own, you need to buy all packing supplies such as cardboard boxes, labels, bubble wraps, packing tapes, foam pouches, etc to pack your belongings much firmly.

• Manpower cost: You will need to hire labor to load your things into the truck and also unload the items from the truck at your new apartment. And several men are required and their wages will be according to the volume and number of items to be shifted. Hiring manpower will cost more if the requirement of several men will be more.

• Taxes: When you move out at a long distance, moving costs will also comprise goods and service tax, also known as GST and in case of interstate shifting, toll tax or other charges are needed to be paid. These costs get adjusted automatically when one hires a moving company and I not, then you will have to pay these taxes.

• Shipping of automobile: Moving includes numerous tasks and one of these is to ship your automobile if any when moving at a long distance. When one hires a full-service professional moving company, then it becomes the headache of the company to depart its customer’s automobile to destination place but when one chooses to have a DIY move then one bears the cost of shipping automobile. With the increase in distance, the shipping cost also increases. Shipping cost also depends upon the mode used for transporting automobiles.

• Additional costs: When you move by yourself then you should be ready to bear numerous numbers of extra charges that you might not add when you estimate the total cost of moving. You might be in need to rent the additional equipment as you don’t have the proper tools to load items safely to protect these from scratches and damage. You can get dolly on rent to move items from one place to another. Depending on your needs and requirements, you may need to get the different tools on rent. 

Wrapping it all up!!! 

The biggest reason why a DIY move can end up spending more than hiring professionals is that professionals have the right tools and techniques to transport items and with their experience, they can do the task with ease and in an efficient way. If you don’t want to face any problem during hectic tasks of moving and want to move with convenience then hiring full-service movers is just an ideal option for you.

The post How not hiring movers can cost you more when it is a long-distance move? appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hire a moving company 

A long-distance move is important events, and you need to get prepared. You can start reaching out to different companies for at least three to six per month. 

Please get to know the professional long-distance mover near me and get recommendations. Yelp is another place you can find out about the long-distance mover. 

Try to work with a large established company this will give you more of the ideas. Those expert companies have an expert trained crew to help you when moving and save time. 

Ask the mover the right question 

Before you start up a booking, you need to interrogate the moving company several questions. You can visit them face to face or give them a phone call to interview the company. Here are some of the important you should include in your interview:

Are you moving out of state?

When are you moving state to state?

Do you want help on payday loan consolidation?

Prepare for the move day. 

When you know well you want to move, it is important to start early preparation before moving truck to arrive. Check out the company moving regulation. Also, make sure the truck has a room for your moving belongings. Before hiring mover, make sure you asked all the added extra fees. 

Try to move during the offseason. 

Today people prefer to move during the summer. You will end up being one of the pricier time for the working company. 

Therefore, try to move out during the off-season to enable you to save money. If possible and you want to save money for long-distance mover try to move middle of the month. 

Label your boxes 

When you need to avoid confusion for your items' boxes, try to label different box of your item. Doing that enables you to distinguishes the different type of the box. Make sure you make a note for the room of your new home. To make easy work you can mark them kitchen or office so that movers will know where to put them. 

Make sure your important document is out of date. 

A change of the address relies on updating all the important information. When moving more than 100 miles distance, you need to update registration and your driving licenses if you drive yourself. 

Do not pack food or fruits. 

When you know well you are travelling a long distance, do not try to pack perishable fruits. This is because you will get them damaged before you reach your new home. Avoid packing them completely to spill the other items. 

Get to know moving fees to avoid the increase of cost on the way.

Do you want to know long-distance moving quotes instant? Then visit the moving company and ask them about their quote fee. Discover all the fees for your track to avoid being conned. When you know everything, you are safe. 

Protect your furniture

When you are moving, you do not need to deal with the heartbreak of your things. To ensure your journey is perfect and pack items well using blanket, tape and pad to protect them. 

Conclusion 

Those are all you wanted to know about a long-distance mover. It is important to get them and remember all of them when moving out of state. I hope you get help from the above list.

The post  Do You Need to Know About Long Distance Movers? appeared first on Social News XYZ.

DIY Move a challenging decision:

Changing a house is a challenging and tiring process. It includes much more than planning, packing, loading, unloading, and organizing. It is a social, emotional, and life-changing event. You don’t only change your place of living but also need to find all the essential services around your home. With all the burden of moving, you hardly get time for self-care and these essential tasks too. So, hiring a moving company is highly recommended. This will not only reduce your burden but will also make your transition to another place, easier and smoother.

Following are some of the reasons that make it almost necessary to hire a moving company:

• A DIY move has a lot of hidden costs associated. A DIY move is generally initiated to save money which is a myth. Moving truck companies don’t advertise their actual costs on their websites and you end up with an increased cost. Gas charges also depend on the MPG of the rental truck and also one cannot count the exact amount. We often forget to add the extra cost of renting dollies, insurance, parking costs at both the houses and not to forget packing supplies.
• Moving will need so much of extra time, energy, and effort. You will have to arrange every small thing by yourself including arranging packing supplies to packing to renting the right truck then loading and unloading to unpacking.
• All these moving tasks will create a lot of stress and will make your move very hectic.

On the other hand, if you consider hiring a moving company, you will get a smoother transition and have a happy move.

Following are some points that show the advantages of hiring a moving company over a DIY move

• Hiring a mover will enable you to stay safe from any kind of injury. Carrying heavy furniture all by yourself is not an easy task and sometimes it takes a toll on our health. Lifting heavy stuff can cause muscle sprains and muscle tears.
• Professional movers pack the things more proficiently and the risk of damaging them during a move is a lot less than the self-packed boxes. Damaging even a single belonging of yours may cost you a lot. On the contrary, professional movers make it a point to pack and transport everything with utmost care. And even in the worst case, if the company people damage the goods during the move, they will pay for your damage.
• The most important aspect of hiring a moving company is getting a sigh of relief. You will be saved from spending so much time, energy, and effort in managing the move yourself. Moving, being a long process already needs a lot of attention in many things. So, if you will plan a total DIY move then it can bother both your physical and mental health.
• Time will be saved. Packing is a long and daunting process when it comes to self-packing and working people do not afford to spend so much time on this. You cannot take so many leaves from work. So instead of having a troubling move, just sit back and watch the packers and movers do their work effectively in no time. Being professionals they take only a few hours and your house stuff is packed in moving boxes.
• You will not be afraid of moving again. Most of the time, the stress of a moving process gone wrong makes people too afraid of the process. If you hire a moving company and they assist you in a smooth moving process, you won’t find moving a house so challenging the next time.

Hiring professional movers may cost you a little extra but at the same time, they give you the comfort of moving damage-free, safe, and in less time. All you need to ensure is that you engage with a credible moving company that offers you uncompromised support.

There are several moving companies in the market and choosing the best one can be intimidating. But, once you make the right choice, you can eliminate the stress related to the moving process and enjoy a great relocation. So next time when you plan a move, research for a professional moving company and get your work done peacefully!

The post Moving Alone? Consider Hiring a Moving Company appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Mumbai, 30th August 2019: Macao Government Tourism Office has recently initiated a social media led influencer campaign with Indian Actress and Influencer Fatima Sana Shaikh titled ‘Fun, Food & Fashion with Fatima’. The campaign aims to attract the independent and young women travelers of India to explore the vibrant destination renowned for its unique east-meets-west charm. The influencer campaign focuses on bringing alive what the city has to offer i.e culture, heritage, art, cuisine, adventure and various attractions in Macao to the Indian tourists.

Exploring the true heart of Macao, a melting pot overflowing with gastronomical, historical and cultural riches, Fatima kick-started her Macao Moments exploring the various forms of art at the ongoing ‘Art Macao’ - a mega international and cultural art festival showcasing numerous paintings, sculptures, multimedia presentations that is being held until October at various locations in Macao.

Fatima also visited some of the iconic and must-visit monuments of Macao like the UNESCO heritage site Ruins of St. Paul’s, one of the oldest religious A-Ma Temple and 3,700-square meter public plaza at the Historic Center of Macao called Senado Square.

Recognised as the birthplace of fusion food and designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Fatima witnessed first-hand the Taste Of Macao as she savored in some of the local gastronomic delicacies that are translated in its heritage and its food, like the edible icon of Macao – The Portuguese’s custard Egg Tarts at Lord Stow’s Bakery in Coloane Village and the world-famous almond cookies. A gastronomical delight, she also experienced fine dining and savored various cuisines at Michelin Star awarded restaurants like ‘The Golden Peacock’ known for its Indian food, ‘Wing Lei’ for Chinese and Michelin recommended António, known for Portuguese cuisine.

Home to a variety of internationally revered entertainment events and festivals across the globe, Fatima was amazed and mesmerized by the performance of the artists while watching the show ‘The House of Dancing Water’, Macao’s award-winning water-based extravaganza written and directed by Franco Dragone.

The actress also indulged in some rejuvenation during her holiday and pampered herself with a spa session at MGM Cotai’s TRIA spa. She also enjoyed her shopping spree at various boutique shops and branded stores located at various places in the city along with a leisurely gondola ride at The Venetian Macao. Moreover, showcasing her daredevil side, the Dangal movie star bravely attempted the AJ Hackett Skywalk at a height of 764 feet atop the Macau Tower.

Macao is known as the city of duality as tourists get to experience European and Asian culture and architecture at one destination. The city also offers world-class elements from luxury to fun attractions to shopping opportunities, international cuisine, and world-renowned spas. The city is also easily accessible from India and known as one of the safest destinations in the world. All these factors make it an ideal destination for Indian women travelers who want to enjoy a stress-free and fun holiday.

In recent times, Macao has also seen an increase of women travelers and this encouraged the tourism office to engage in a social media influencer campaign focused on reaching out to Indian women travelers.

The post Macao Government Tourism Engages Fatima Sana Shaikh To Showcase Art Food And Fashion Of Macao appeared first on Social News XYZ.

The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) on Thursday emerged as the first Airport in the world to clinch the Airports Council International’s coveted Airport Service Quality Awards for both arrivals and departures.

“The ACI ASQ Awards reaffirm our commitment to provide an excellent passenger experience at the BLR Airport. BIAL is proud of the fact that ACI has recognized our effort in both segments - Departures and Arrivals,” said Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

Hari Marar also added, “Our airport is on the cusp of tremendous development and we will continue to ensure our passengers have a superlative experience”. Notably, in July 2018, the Bengaluru Airport had scored the highest rating amongst all participating airports across the world, in the quarterly ACI-ASQ Arrival Survey.

Kempegowda International Airport is currently the busiest airport in south India and the third largest in the country.

The post Bengaluru Airport Bags an ‘Intl Award’! appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hyderabad, December 6th, 2017: Wonderla Holidays Limited, India’s No#1 amusement park operator today launched its latest attraction ‘Mission Interstellar’ at Wonderla Hyderabad park. Popular Telugu film actress Anupama Parameswaran attended the launch of Rs. 40 cr India’s first space flying experience ride.

The ride has been developed in collaboration with leading US and European theme park design companies while installation and integration was managed completely by Wonderla Engineering team. It boasts impressive technical features:

• Guests board a ride vehicle that lifts them up into the dome
• The film is projected onto a massive vertical dome screen so that the projected images completely fill the viewers field of view
• Gentle “floating” movement of the ride vehicle is synchronized to the film images, resulting in a fully immersive, breathtaking sensation of soaring through the sky
• Largest screen in India: 3500 sqft parabolic screen
• 4K resolution Laser projector ~ Projects HD image using laser; 1st time in India
• Hydraulic lift seating system for 60 pax from Italy to make the ride real and immersive
• Housed in an 8-story tall building with a 23 meter dome shaped roof.
• 6500 sq ft air conditioned area with preview hall and queue area

Guests board the ride vehicle that lifts them 40 ft up into the dome and the film is projected onto the giant dome screen so that the projected images completely fill the viewer’s field of vision. The “floating/flying” movement of the ride vehicle is synchronized with the film, projected using a high tech laser projector, resulting in a fully immersive, breathtaking sensation of soaring through the space. In addition to the ride movements, environmental effects like wind etc. are provided to create a realistic flying experience.

Commenting about the launch, Mr. Arun K Chittilappilly, Managing Director, Wonderla Holidays Ltd. said “I am really excited to bring Mission Interstellar, our latest and most advanced ride ever created by us to Wonderla Hyderabad. At Wonderla it has been our continuous endeavor to give our patrons unique experiences, with delightful memories to take back. Our latest attractions will surely give Wonderla enthusiasts a never-before-experienced thrill.”

Wonderla Hyderabad was inaugurated in April 2016. Spread over 50 acres and boasting 43 rides, the park is located on the Outer Ring Road at Exit No. 13, 15 minute drive from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad.

Sreekar, PR Sutra @ 9959544918, Giri @ 9963445785

Anupama Parameswaran unveiled India’s first space flying experience ride at Wonderla Hyderabad

The post Anupama Parameswaran unveiled India’s first space flying experience ride at Wonderla Hyderabad appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) It's rare to come across an individual who's adept with both pen and camera -- more so when photography grew out of a casual remark. Tarun Chopra is one such and what he has managed with "Temples of India - Abode of the Divine", his 12th book, is to also trace the evolution of temple building with major architectural trendsetting examples.

To this extent, "Temples of India" (Prakash Books/pp 360/Rs 1,295), with its plethora of photographs, illustrations, ground plans and sections, is a valuable resource for both experts and lay persons to understand the fascinating science of geometry and architecture as temple-building evolved over some 2,000 years.

Ten years in the making and based on painstaking research of the ancient texts of Shilpa Shastra and Vaastu Shastra, as also interactions with temple priests, the effort is quite an eye-opener.

"I visited the temples of varied faiths. It somehow compels you to think if there is a God, He has to be one for all. He cannot be different for each religion. The realisation then dawns that there is one Supreme cosmic power which itself has no religion," Chopra told IANS in an interview.

A 48-page introduction makes for a handy primer on subjects like the oral tradition, Vaastu Shastra, Vaastupurushamandala (the metaphysical plan of a building), the legend of Vaastupurusha, temple builders, traditional building rites and rituals, the main architectural features of a Hindu temple, iconography of the temple, proportional measurements of an image, and temples as the markers of energy zones.

This sets the tone for Tripping On the Divine: a visual documentation of the evolution of most prominent temple styles spanning more than 2,000 years.

"Very few places in the world offer this vast a canvas of art and architecture. This book is not based on the temples of religious importance; rather the temples illustrated in it are purely on their architectural merit. Many of them have unique qualifications to be first of their kind in the Indian subcontinent and in the world. Some temples are the stepping stones of architectural styles and initiated temple styles that evolved for the next 1,000 years," Chopra writes.

Most of the 28 temples featured are A-listers -- Sanchi, Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, Kanchipuram, Shravanabelagola, Khajuraho, Trichy, Madurai and Hampi, to name just a few. There are also some not too well known, at least for readers in North India. Among them are Teli Ka Mandir in Gwalior Fort, Gangaikondacholapuram (a smaller replica of the Brihadeshwara Temple in Tanjore), Darasuram (Tamil Nadu) and Aihole (Karnataka).

The bulk of the temples are located in South India and Chopra explained it thus: "Due to waves and waves of invasions that North India experienced at the hands of idol breakers, the temples in this region bore most of its brunt. Since the temples down south were relatively protected due to geographical distance, there is a wide variety of architectural styles that still exists today."

"Temples..." is a logical extension of Chopra's 11 previous books, most of which have India as their theme.

"My bestselling book 'Holy Cow and the Other Indian Stories' contains small chapters answering simple questions about India, why cows are on the road, why we get stamped so many times at the airport, the chaos that exists on the roads.. 'India Exotic Destination' illustrates the places frequented by visitors, while 'Soul of India' is a photo book that illustrates the beauty of the land through portraits, landscapes, street life and the like," Chopra said.

"I am a photographer and writer devoted to making books on India. My endeavour is to take out books that are easy to read and assimilate. As a photographer, I have been commissioned to do various projects both in India and abroad," he added.

All this grew out of a casual remark: "Why don't you start taking pictures since you travel so much?"

What is rather unusual about "Temples..." is its standard format rather than the large coffee-table format generally adopted for such books -- and the publisher said this was with a purpose.

"We decided to go with a smaller size to make the book handy for the buyer. Typical coffee tables are larger in size, but the sales of these books are down for the last few years, mainly because of the internet. A lot of images and data is now available on the net, but also because it's hard to carry large books because of weight limitations or the general bulkier nature of the book.

"We wanted the readers to be able to enjoy 'Temples of India' while they travel through India and visit these temples," Megha Parmar of Prakash Books told IANS.

(Vishnu Makhijani can be contacted at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)

The post ‘Temples of India’ an ode to geometry, architecture appeared first on Social News XYZ.

The survey, presented in parliament on Friday by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, suggested "practical suggestions" to boost services sector including tourism.

"Extension of duration of stay to 60 days under e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) instead of 30 days and making available biometric facility in major ports to help cruise passengers get e-TV will assist in boost tourism in the country,” it said.

"To avoid delay the counters for e-TV tourists should be increased and the e-TV facility should also be extended to medical tourists," it said.

The other measures suggested by the survey include examining the possibility of giving special incentives like tax-free bonds and income tax exemptions on profits used in reinvestment in the tourism sector, development of tourism infrastructure on public private partnership basis and by channelising corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends into India's heritage development.

It said that there was a need to promote medical tourism in the Brand India Campaign instead of the current fragmented approach where individual hospitals had been promoting themselves as hospital destinations.

"Rapid immigration clearances for medical tourists, enhanced basic infrastructure for them at airports, streamlining the medical visa process and extending e-TV to medical tourists would help in boosting medical tourism,” it said.

"Medical tourism can be boosted by promotion of geriatric healthcare by leveraging our expertise in ayurveda, yoga and unani practices and by getting international accreditation for Indian hospitals,” the survey said.

It said that other steps like making railways more tourist friendly with cleanliness and hygiene, e-booking with special quotas for foreign visitors, introducing smart cards for e-payments across all tolls in India and national permit for tourist vehicles would improve the tourism sector in the country.

The post Extend e-Tourist visa window to boost tourism: Economic Survey appeared first on Social News XYZ.

"We are committed to drive efficiencies and enhance our service through innovation. OYO Rooms has propelled the hotel market in India. This partnership contributes another chapter to the successful narrative of "Make in India" initiatives and how tech-enabled solutions will power the next wave of innovation," said IRCTC chairman and managing director A.K. Manocha in a statement.

The IRCTC and OYO Rooms collaboration will offer 45,000 hotel rooms for booking in 170 Indian cities, the statement added.

The post IRCTC collaborates with OYO Rooms for hotel bookings appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said the government was concerned at the increasing number of complaints of exploitation and harassment of foreign tourists and warned to take stern action against those involved, Xinhua reported.

Amaratunga called on the police department to revamp the Tourist Police to suit the current needs.

"There is an increasing trend of complaints of harassment and exploitation of tourists, especially in the western and southern coastal belts and in the Cultural Triangle sites. The complaints range from monetary exploitation such as overcharging, short changing and theft to harassment by touts, salesmen, taxi drivers and even tour guides," Amaratunga said.

"The emerging trend is causing concern. With tourist arrivals hitting record figures, the number of complaints is also increasing. We plan to take stern measures so that the good name of the industry and the country is not spoilt by a few miscreants," he added.

Sri Lanka's tourism industry, which was once heavily scarred by a 30-year civil conflict, has now emerged as the leading foreign exchange earner with an increasing number of tourists.

In January, arrivals rose 24.3 percent year-on-year to 194,280, boosted mainly by a massive influx of Chinese tourists.

China appears set to be the single largest tourist source for Sri Lanka, overtaking India, statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Board revealed.

Last year, Sri Lanka received almost 1.8 million tourists, up 17.8 percent from the previous year, largely due to a strong growth of Chinese visitors.

The post Sri Lanka vows safe haven for tourists appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. (File Photo: IANS)

Panaji, Feb 23 (IANS) Goa's travel and tourism industry has been hit hard due to the collapse of the Russian market and disturbed European economies, industry stakeholders have said, asking the government to cut down on promotional foreign junkets.

In a pre-budget memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) also asked for quick completion of the tourism masterplan to check unplanned expenditure on tourism infrastructure.

"The tourism industry is struggling to keep its head above the water, with rising costs and reducing revenues, on account of the collapse of the Russian market and disturbed European economies. This situation is expected to continue for the ensuing season as well. The margins are squeezed and the future looks bleak," TTAG president Francisco Braganca said.

Requesting for rationalised spending on marketing of Goa as a tourism destination, Braganca expressed displeasure over the foreign junkets undertaken by tourism ministry representatives.

"There is no need to raise the budgetary expenditure on tourism marketing at the cost of additional taxation on the hospitality industry. It has been a wasteful expenditure with no tangible benefits or increase in foreign tourist arrivals. There is a need to rationalise the marketing expenditure and see that it is result oriented," the memorandum said.

"There is a need to divert the marketing expenditure from road shows and marketing to markets which are not Goa-centric into incentives per passenger to foreign tour operators who actually bring foreign tourists like it is being done by competing tourist destinations and is measurable in terms of specific numbers," it said.

Goa is one of the leading beach tourism destinations in India and attracts nearly four million tourists every year.

Goa tourism badly hit, curb promotional junkets: CM told

The post Goa tourism badly hit, curb promotional junkets: CM told appeared first on Social News XYZ.

“By adding more capacity to this key destination from our hubs in Mumbai and Delhi, we aim to provide easy connectivity with convenient schedules linking to our wider domestic network,” said Gaurang Shetty, senior vice-president-commercial, Jet Airways.

According to the company, it will launch a third daily frequency from Mumbai to Bangkok and second daily service from Delhi to Bangkok from March 27.

The post Jet Airways to augment flights to Bangkok appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Beijing, Feb 22 (IANS) China's outbound tourism is expected to reach five to six million during this year's Spring Festival holidays, a media report said on Monday.

The tourism revenue might reach 90 billion yuan (about $13 billion), as Chinese outbound visitors are spending more and more, with average expenses per trip reaching 15,000 yuan ($2,300), according to the latest data issued by China Tourism Research Institute and Ctrip.com, one of the country's largest travel service websites.

During the recent seven-day Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, Chinese outbound tourists demonstrated strong spending power. Shopping has become the single largest outbound expenditure, the People's Daily reported.

According to data provided by the Korea National Tourism Organisation, the number of Chinese visitors to South Korea reached 15.7 million between February 7-13. Sales jumped at three major department stores in South Korea: Lotte, Hyundai and Shinsegae.

Based on statistics collected by major online travel agencies, the most popular destinations for Spring Festival travellers are Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the US, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia.

Chinese outbound tourists expected to increase

The post Chinese outbound tourists expected to increase appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21 (IANS) The Napier Museum here, one of India's oldest and housing artefacts dating back to the first century, needs to undergo a restoration process -- both for the building and its collection, top international and Indian experts have decided.

The Napier Museum, located in the heart of the Kerala capital, is named after Lord Napier, the governor of Madras. It was designed by Chison, the consulting architect of the then Madras government and completed in 1880.

The Kerala government had earlier constituted an expert committee under Velayudhan Nair, former professor and head of the National Museum Institute.

A four-day workshop of the expert panel here discussed conservation of the museum.

Experts like John Scott, president of the New York Conservation Center; Gabriela Krist of the Institute of Conservation University of Applied Arts in Vienna; and B.V. Khabade, director of the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Culture Property were part of the panel.

"It has been decided to submit a detailed project report to conserve the building structure and the museum collection," Nair told reporters here on Sunday at the conclusion of the workshop.

The museum collection includes more than 550 objects, including textiles.

It has stones from the first century, bronze items from the eighth century and wooden objects from the 12th century and more than 5,000 coins.

Krist said the museum has a proper inventory and the objects were in good condition.

"Generally in museums, only 20 percent of the objects are put up for exhibition, while 80 percent are kept under storage. But here it's not like that.

"Overall, the materials are in good condition. When the report is prepared, we would lay emphasis on maintaining the humidity inside the museum and also on the concept of safe storage," said Krist.

Scott said the report would recommend adopting scientific processes of restoration of the building.

"Once the report is ready, it would go for an all-India tender because what we require is the service and expertise of those who are in this business," said Scott.

The experts also said immediate attention should be given to the building -- leaks on the roof have to be plugged immediately as the monsoon is round the corner.

Khabade said that at the moment, it was premature to say when the restoration work would start or the budget required, but once the project report comes in, they would be willing to extend financial assistance.

Napier Museum, one of India's oldest, to get makeover

The post Napier Museum, one of India’s oldest, to get makeover appeared first on Social News XYZ.

By Durga Chakravarty

Hong Kong, Feb 20 (IANS) Want to know how exactly feeding penguins or watching the world's oldest panda eat or play around feels like? One can be witness to all the excitement at the Ocean Park, a marine mammal park and animal theme park here.

Home to over 20 species of penguins, including king penguins, rockhopper penguins and gentoo penguins, the Ocean Park also offers an encounter element for visitors who like to get up, close and be personal with them.

This starts with a brief educational class and an interactive session about the flightless bird, which is mostly found in the Antarctica region.

Once the 15-minute class gets over, visitors are given sterilised clothing, boots, gloves and goggles. After entering the area visitors are allowed to pet the penguins and also feed them fish.

The penguin exhibit replicates the environs in Antarctica keeping in mind their habitat. It focusses on humans lowering the carbon footprint that affects animals living in icy habitats, by pledging to reduce, recycle, reuse and save energy, among other issues.

But that's not all.

The theme park is not just limited to penguins, sea lions and dolphins. Spread across 91.5 hectares of land in the south Hong Kong island region, it is also a home to several exotic and endangered animals like the giant pandas, the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey, sea otters, red pandas and koala bears.

The park is known to have four giant pandas - with two, Jia Jia and An An, being the oldest.

The endangered golden monkey is said to be a gift from a Chinese province.

The theme park also offers 27 rides of myriad intensities, and a gigantic aquarium that boasts about 5,000 fish of over 400 species such as the hammerhead shark, giant crabs, giant Pacific octopus and the mantaray, to name just a few.

How many people does it take to run such a park?

"We have over 2,400 people working for us," its chief executive, Tom Mehrmann, told a visiting IANS correspondent.

India is a huge market for Ocean Park.

"I may be slightly off on the numbers, but in 2014 about 550,000 people from India came to Hong Kong. About 50 percent of that number came to Ocean Park; so it tells us India is a critically important market," Mehermann added.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Ocean Park Hong Kong. Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)

The post Get up, close and personal with pandas, penguins at Hong Kong’s theme park appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Goa's Agonda beach was named as India's best and the fourth in Asia by travel planning and booking site TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Beaches.

This year’s awards honour 343 beaches, including the top 25 in the world, and lists for Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the UK and the US. Travellers’ Choice award-winning beaches were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos has been voted as the World's best and Ngapali Beach in Myanmar topped Asia's category. Goa leads the way in India with 13 winning beaches followed by Kerala with four winning beaches. The top four Indian beaches apart from Agonda beach are Palolem beach (Goa), Radhanagar beach (Andaman and Nicober Islands)
Mandrem beach (Goa) and Cavelossim beach (Goa)

“India,with its extensive shoreline is dotted with beautiful stretches of sand and it’s great to see these gems gaining recognition globally. I am confident that the 2016 Travellers’ Choice Beaches list will inspire even the most discerning of Indian travellers to plan and book their next beach holiday to some of these award winning stretches of sun and sand.” TripAdvisor India Country Manager Nikhil Ganju said.

For those planning a getaway to a Travellers’ Choice award-winning beach, TripAdvisor has identified nearby value hotels that will help travellers plan and book their fun in the sun.

The post ‘Goa’s Agonda beach best in India’ appeared first on Social News XYZ.

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

Imphal, Feb 18 (IANS) Backpackers on a shoe-string budget who want to mingle with nature and see rare flora and fauna not found anywhere in the world and those who have emotional attachment or want to learn more about the battles between the Japanese and Allied forces during World War-II have been flocking to Manipur in northeast India like never before.

Imphal has daily flights from Guwahati or can be reached from Guwahati and Silchar through the mountainous NHs 2 and 37. There are cheap hotels for backpackers or three-star luxury hotels for those with expense accounts or rich travellers.

Those who want to watch the brow-antlered deer, which is found only in Manipur, head to the Loktak lake where the Keibul Lamjao national park, its natural habitat, is located, about 60 km from Imphal. The tourism department ha constructed huts at the Sendra hillock on the shore of the lake, but most of the tourists prefer the private hovels constructed on the floating bio-mass in the lake or in the thatched inns that have been constructed in the recent past.

Also available are water sports and canoe riding in the Loktak lake, the largest fresh water lake in eastern India. Thousands of fishermen and their families have been staying in the floating huts constructed on the bio-mass. There are no toilets and the tourists are supposed to answer the call of nature or take bath while on the country canoes, like the fishermen.

Apart from the deer, tourists can watch hundreds of varieties of migratory birds coming from several countries.

Many backpackers said that they had experienced one-of-a-kind pleasure of mingling with nature once in the lifetime.

Other tourists go to the Ukhrul district to study the Shiroy lily which cannot be grown anywhere except high up on the Shiroy moutnain. Attempts to transplant the Shiroy lily in the foothills of the mountain have not been successful. Despite warnings, domestic and foreign tourists clandestinely carry away some saplings in the hope of growing them in their homes.

It was at Moirang in Manipur where the flag of India's independence was first hoisted by the INA forces and it is here that the Indian National Army museum is located, displaying the many objects the soldiers had used, including their personal effects.

The INA and the Japanese forces had stayed for four months in Manipur after which they went to Kohima for more battles.

Thangjam Dhabali, president of the Manipur Tourism Forum, told IANS that during the battles in Manipur and what is now Nagaland, then a part of Assam, 53,000 Japanese and 15,000 Allied soldiers were killed. The number of civilians killed cannot be ascertained. Because of their identical Mongloid features civilians were mistaken for Japanese soldiers and were probably attacked on sight.

"There is an understanding with the Japanese government to construct a war memorial in Manipur," Dhabali said.

Till recently, the Japanese government and the relatives of the dead soldiers would come to Imphal to take away the skeletal remains for performing the last rites. There is also a proposal to construct an ultra modern hospital in memory of the dead soldiers but this is stuck in bureaucratic red tape.

(Iboyaima Laithangbam can be contacted at imphalreporter@gmail.com )

The post Manipur emerging as a backpackers’ paradise appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chopta (Uttarakhand), Feb 16 (IANS) The clouds kissed the mountain peaks; the sun played hide and seek, peeking out at times from behind those clouds, its rays cutting across the edges of spruce tree that stood tall on the valley, making their way to reach up to me. It kept raining while I was travelling to the hills - and then it snowed.

Taking a break from my routine, I was heading for Chopta, a small town in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Located 8,790 feet above sea-level on NH 58, the picturesque town is surrounded by mountains that offer glimpses of the mighty Himalayan range.

The road would bend and curve at every possible angle it could; the Ganga river was in its majestic colours - sometimes seablue, sometimes robin and at times skyblue; sometimes calm and then ferocious as it wound its way down, my constant companion as I approached my destination from Rishikesh.

On my way came three main confluences - Devprayag where the Alaknanda meets the Bhagirathi and takes the name of Ganga; ahead was Rudraprayag, the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Mandakini; and Karnaprayag, where the Alaknanda amalgamates with the Pindar.

The weather became cold as it was raining, making for a damp and dull environment. It gradually turned cold, with the wind chilling me to the bone benumbing my body - but my travelling spirit was indomitable.

Travelling in local bus gave me a chance to assimilate the local culture of the Garhwal region in which Chopta falls. The 'pahari' song being played in the bus and some small talk with the locals provided some relief during the hectic journey.

Though I thought I was successful in defeating the freezing climate, the demotivating rain and the sharp turns in the road were bearable but something heart-breaking was awaiting me.

As I was approaching Chopta after a tiresome bus journey of almost seven hours, soft white flakes began falling. The road and the valley got a white make-over and the hills were enveloped in a white sheet. Within moments, the road and the adjacent area had turned into a white ornament and the hill range looked no less than a necklace.

By the time snowfall stopped, the day had ended and the road to Chopta was blocked. Far in the distance, the sun bid adieu to the day, smashing the dull sky with a splash of red.

Mother Nature mesmerised me with her art of creating an enchanting scenic view. It looked no less than a painting, where every stroke of brush defined how she played with colours - with the sky serving as a canvas.

With a heavy heart, I settled for the night in a small village called Mandal, below Chopta, whose scenic charm hypnotised me the next morning.

The mountain range was standing tall just across the window of my room, glittering as the first rays of the sun touched the snow-clad peaks. The pine, spruce and maple leaves blinked at the sun's rays and danced to the tune of the cold breeze blowing across the village.

Along with the whispering of the wind, the tinkling sound that a nearby tranquil stream made as it rushed over the stones on its bed, mingled into the atmosphere, accompanied by the chirping of birds to create a rapturous mood.

The dead maple leaves lying on the wet road welcomed me as I crunched them below my feet while I was engulfed by the wondrous beauty of the village. I recollected a few lines from Robert Frost's poem The Mountain: "When I walked forth at dawn to see new things/Were fields, a river, and beyond, more fields," while I strolled across the tiny village early in the morning.

Mandal village exudes a pristine charm. Away from the cacophony of city life, the village turned out to be the perfect gateway to sooth my soul.

While I was returning from the village I remembered another Frost poem, The Road Not Taken: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I/I took the one less travelled by". I could not take the road that leads to Chopta, but the picture perfect Mandal village was no less a surprise to me with its beauty.

FAQs:

Time taken from Delhi to Chopta : Approx 14-15 hours. Buses are available from Delhi to Rishikesh. From Rishikesh buses are available till Gopeshwar and then cabs till Chopta.

Where to Stay : Every town on NH58 has got two-three lodges. There are three very economic hotels at Mandal (I managed a room for Rs. 200) and affordable ones at Chopta.

Food: There are plenty of dhabas on NH58 where one can get freshly cooked Garhwali dishes. However, there are no fancy restaurants in the region.

When to visit: Winter, when it is freezing and the temperature can fall below 0 degree Celsius.

(Somrita Ghosh can be contacted at somrita.g@ians.in)

A Pristine Village and a Snowy Affair ? in Uttarakhand

The post A Pristine Village and a Snowy Affair ? in Uttarakhand appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Panaji, Feb 15 (IANS) Heli-tourism is back in Goa, after facing popular dissent during its trial run in January.

The heli-tourism service run by Pawan Hans, a central government-run helicopter services company in association with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), has now started making aerial sorties for tourists from the grounds of five-star resort Park Hyatt Resort and Spa near Arossim beach in South Goa.

"We now have helicopter rides and hot air balloons which will be a huge attraction for tourists to Goa. There is a lot more to come in the months ahead and we are optimistic that all these new initiatives will go a long way in putting Goa on the map for world class adventure and leisure tourism," GTDC chairperson Nilesh Cabral said on Monday.

Heli-tourism is one of the newer initiatives of Goa Tourism.

A state known more for its beach tourism and night life, the authorities here are keen on providing a more diverse bouquet of experiences for the more than four million tourists who visit the state every year.

The heli-tourism sorties which were scheduled to start in January this year, however hit rough weather even before it started, with both the Opposition as well as local Bharatiya Janatra Party legislator Michael Lobo opposing the project at the Fort Aguada helipad located in the beach village of Sinquerim, 20 km from Panaji.

According to Cabral, nearly 75 passengers signed up for the sorties on the inaugural day of the heli-tourism service.

According to Shobhit Sawhney, general manager of Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, heli-tourism would provide an enthralling experience for its guests.

"The heli-tourism will be an enthralling experience for our discerning guests and visiting tourists," Sawhney said.

The post After Hiccups, Heli-Tourism Services Start in Goa appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) There was a record growth in the number of Indians visiting Austria last year, with the capital Vienna witnessing an almost 50 percent increase in Indian tourist traffic over 2014, drawing over 40,000 visitors, the Austrian National Tourist Office said here.

Salzburg, the birthplace of 18th-century composer Mozart, recorded a 52 percent growth in Indian arrivals in 2015 over the previous year, while the Alpine city of Innsbruck emerged as the second favourite Austrian destination among Indian travellers, after the capital.

High-end crystal maker Swarovski, which has multiple outlets in India, factory in the Austrian Tyrol ranges, recorded 70,000 Indian visitors in eight months in 2015.

"A recent study we commissioned shows that Austria offers the perfect combination of culture and landscape that appeals to Indian tourists. At least 98 percent of visitors are leisure travellers..we hardly have business travellers," Christine Mukharji, India market manager, Austrian National Tourist Office told reporters here.

In their India promotional this year, the Austrians are highlighting how Indian filmmaker Karan Johar shot a lot of his latest venture "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", to be released later this year, at locations in Austria.

"Romantic Vienna looks to attracting more Indian youth and honeymooners as the city's attractiveness touches an emotional chord with millions awaiting the launch of the romantic Karan Johar movie 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'," Isabella Rauter of the Vienna Tourist Board said.

She said that Vienna, whose imperial heritage can be experienced through hundreds of palaces and dozens of castles and royal gardens, is an ideal romantic setting that has adopted the 2016 promotional theme of "Imperial and Contemporary" to mark the death centenary of Hapsburg Emperor Franz Joseph.

One of Vienna's other attractions, Rauter said, was its "traditional coffee house culture" made up by the presence of more than 2000 coffee houses, of which some notable ones feature in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list since 2011.

In 2015, Indians accounted for a record nearly 90,000 overnight stays in the Austrian capital that was close to a forty percent growth over the previous year.

"Vienna Tourist Board is targeting young travellers and honeymooners given its growing popularity over the years," Rauter said.

The content of Rauter's selling proposition, which so charmed filmmaker Karan Johar, draws on the incomparably rich cultural heritage of the late-19th-century Austro-Hungarian empire, ruled by the House of Habsburgs, that was a multinational realm and one of the world's great powers at the time.

Austria-Hungary was geographically the second-largest country in Europe after the Russian empire, and built up the fourth largest machine-building industry of the world, after the US, Germany and Britain.

Rise in Indian Tourists to Romantic Austria

The post Rise in Indian Tourists to Romantic Austria appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Geneva, Feb 12 (IANS) Around 5,100 refugee and migrant maritime arrivals were reported in Greece in the first 10 days of February, a significant decrease compared to the 72,193 arrivals recorded in January.

"Last weekend's high winds and low temperatures, which saw ferry services to the islands diverted due to rough seas, resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of migrants risking their lives trying to reach Greece," Xinhua quoted International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as saying on Friday.

So far this year, 83,201 migrants and refugees have reached European shores, with the bulk of arrivals (77,303) registered in Greece.

According to Hellenic police, around 44 percent of January arrivals in the southeastern European country were Syrian, 27 percent Afghan and 17 percent Iraqi.

IOM said 410 people have lost their lives while attempting to reach Greece and Italy since the beginning of 2016.

The Eastern Mediterranean route separating Turkey and Greece remains by far the deadliest passage, claiming the lives of 320 people since the start of the year.

Ninety individuals have died while crossing the Central Mediterranean passage which links North Africa with Italy.

The post Bad Weather in February Causes Drop in Migrants in Greece appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 11 (IANS) Foreign tourists to Kerala can now walk through lush green paddy fields and enjoy bullock cart rides, as well as take part in interactive sessions about the state's famous cuisine -- courtesy Kerala Tourism's new holiday package which offers 99 experiences in nine 'gem-like' days.

Called Navaratna 'Experiessential' Holidays, the programme offers foreign visitors a choice of 500 tour packages. The offer would later be extended to domestic tourists also.

The holiday package, launched by state Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar here on Thursday, has been conceived by tour operators body Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI).

The package is expected to ensure a feeling of freshness through hands-on experience of the "real Kerala" through local interactions and highlighting the unique traditions and lifestyle of the state.

The highlight of the package is the nine 'gem-like' days of experiences in Kerala, including an insight into village life, community interactions and promotion of sustainable tourism practices.

"This is another example of public-private partnership in our state's tourism sector, that has been demonstrating to the world the huge benefits in working together," said the minister, handing over the first copy of the package brochure to travel writer from Sweden, Marianne Hard Af Segarstad.

"It is not only a product update for Kerala, coming out of the same old repeated itineraries and products, but a step that will help rebrand Kerala as a 'new destination' and overcome competition from other destinations," the minister said.

Kerala Tourism secretary Jyothilal said: "Coming out of the comforts of the hotel room and car and taking a plunge into Kerala life is the motto of the new packages."

The package would also include eating dosas at local restaurants and having coffee with a Brahmin family, echoing the tradition of 'Agraharam' visits.

The post Foreigners to Enjoy Village Life with New Kerala Tourism Package appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday inaugurated the annual 'Udyanotsav' or the opening of the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the public.

The Mughal Gardens will be open for the public from February 12 to March 19 between 9.30 am to 4 pm, except on Mondays which are maintenance days.

People will also be able to visit the Spiritual Garden, Herbal Garden, Bonsai Garden and Musical Garden, an official statement said. The entry and exit for the public will be from Gate No. 35 of the President's Estate.

On March 20, the gardens will be opened exclusively for special category visitors such as farmers, differently abled persons, defence/para-military forces and Delhi Police personnel.

The Tactile Garden will be open for visually impaired people on March 20 from 11 am to 4 pm. The entry and exit will be from Gate No. 12 on the Church Road.

The post Mughal Gardens Open for Public from Friday appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi: Security stepped up at Rajpath on the eve Republic Day in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) Now one can take a virtual tour of the capital city with a diary that traces the city's history, prominent monuments, maps and haunted monuments.

The diary for the Delhi government is by young documentary filmmaker Arjun Pandey, who was born and brought up in Delhi.

"It's just an attempt to bring the hidden and forgotten facts and important landmarks before the residents of Delhi," Pandey, the brain behind the diary, told IANS.

The diary is part of Delhipedia, a digital online magazine that brings alive the true facts of Delhi and its grand culture.

Built by Emperor Sher Shah Suri in 1540, Khooni Darwaza, initially known as Lal Darwaza, is among the list of hidden monuments on which the diary shines a light on. It lies on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, opposite Ferozeshah Kotla cricket stadium.

The other hidden monuments are Dadi Poti Ka Gumbad in Hauz Khas, 13th century minaret Chor Minar just off Aurobindo Marg in Hauz Khas and Sakri Gomti that was built during the 15th and 16th centuries.

It also talks about the seven cities of Delhi.

In 800 BC this city was known as Indraprastha, which spread around Old Fort and Pragati Maidan. In 1,170 AD it was known as Qila Rai Pithora and concentrated around Lado Sarai, Saket and Mehrauli.

In 1,302 AD, it was named Siri, while in 1,320 AD it was known as Tughlaqabad, in 1,334 AD as Jahapanah, in 1,351 AD as Ferozabad and in 1,648 AD as Shahjahanabad.

Finally, in 1,911 it was named New Delhi by the British rulers.

The diary also talks about the darker side of Delhi owing to its burgeoning population.

Every day Delhi produces 8,500 metric tonnes of solid waste, 5,000 tonnes of e-waste, 500-600 million gallons of sewage and 10 metric tonnes of bio-medical waste.

However, only five percent of the solid waste is recycled, says the diary.

The brighter side of the city is its 'green lungs'.

It says Delhi Ridge, which lies on the northern extension of the Aravalli ranges, is believed to be nearly 1,500 million years old. It is home to many species of birds, making it amongst the world's top bird rich capital cities like Nairobi in Kenya.

Travel blogger Pandey said digital magazine Delhipedia, comprising 172 videos, covers all aspects of Delhi -- from its heritage, culture, traditions, crowd-pulling markets and delicious food joints.

Now Take a Virtual Tour Of Historic Delhi

The post Now Take a Virtual Tour Of Historic Delhi appeared first on Social News XYZ.

By Kavita Bajeli-Datt

New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) Micro light flying in Mysore, heli-skiing in Auli, scuba diving in Netrani Island, dune bashing in Jaisalmer, zip lining at Neemrana Fort, spelunking in Meghalaya, bunjee jumping in Rishikesh... All this and more! The harsh winter is no more an impediment to a great holiday.

Tourism industry comes alive in winters, offering a wide range of adventure activities for those who do not shy away from experimenting.

Film editor Sandeep Singh finds snow-capped landscape and cold winds exhilarating. For this travel junkie, winter is best suited to pack bags and set off to a new destination.

“I love travelling during the winter. I take off to the mountains. The biting cold seems to open up all my senses and makes them sharper,” Singh, an avid traveller, told IANS.

“Be it para-gliding, trekking or bunjee jumping, I do it all. My wife and friends are game for it. Winter certainly is the best time for such adventure."

Winter travellers are by no means rare species any more.

More Indians are finding winter travel exciting. That is perhaps the reason why men and women, with children in tow, make a beeline for the Himalayan spots for a glimpse of the first snowfall, or just to brave the chill.

The travel industry is exploiting the season with attractive packages.

“A winter break has become almost as mandatory for Indians as vacationing in the summer. In fact, Indians have started exploring not only domestic but also international destinations during the shorter winter break,” Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com, told IANS.

The popular travel portal claimed that its bookings were 132 percent higher than the previous year in the winter season.

Added Ranjeet Oak, Chief Business Officer-Holidays, MakeMyTrip.com, India’s leading online travel company: “Winter tourism as a concept has picked up in India.

“With the growing popularity of adventure tourism in India, winter snow sports have become a hot tourist attraction. Gulmarg (Kashmir) is considered one of the best skiing destinations in the world.”

Yatra.com offers special packages like “Alluring Gangtok” (starting from Rs.10,650) to “Manali Super Saver” (starting from Rs.5,999) and “Hilly Escapades in Himachal” (starting from Rs.10,900) to woo travellers.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) acknowledges that winter is the best season for the tourism industry's growth.

Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat told IANS that winters were ideally the best season across India.

As per Assocham estimates, over 15 lakh domestic and foreign travellers would have visited tourist attractions across India in the winter (December-February).

Most demand has been for Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Those going abroad prefer Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore and other affordable destinations.

Hari Nair, founder and CEO of Holiday IQ, told IANS that Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore were among the popular international destinations for Indians in winter.

Indians on an average spent Rs.82,000 in 2014. This rose to Rs.100,000 in 2015, said Nair, adding that average trip length of an international destination has gone up by 14 days.

Adventure travel is the biggest attraction among couples.

Nair said 52 percent of adventure travel business goes to couple-travellers. Families comprise 21 percent and only nine percent are single tourists.

He said the top 10 winter activities included trekking, wildlife safaris, paragliding, skiing, rock climbing, jet skiing, river rafting and surfing.

So get ready and strap your boots!

(Kavita Bajeli-Datt can be contacted at kavita.bajeli@gmail.com)

The post Cold Is Gold for Tourism Industry appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Dubai, Feb 6 (IANS/WAM) Government bodies in Dubai are stepping up efforts into making the city the world's friendliest place for the disabled by increasing their services aimed at catering to the needs of their customers with disabilities.

According to government officials on Friday, the new initiatives include Smart Gate Special Counters at the airports, guidelines in Braille, government staff trained in sign language to support those with hearing and speech impairment, ease of wheelchair access in buildings, parks, transport facilities, government offices and other places and parking facilities close to the centres.

Sami Al Qamzi, Director General, Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, said: "We have formed a special team to make DED and its institutions disabled-friendly entities in order to ensure that the design and facilities inside the buildings allow people having disabilities to use the services and move around with ease."

Al Qamzi noted that DED's frontline staff is well equipped to deal with persons with disabilities, and have been trained in sign-language and trained staff assists people having disabilities at all customer service centers.

Meanwhile Dubai Municipality, which has been actively working towards providing facilities such as floating wheel chairs at beach areas, easy access to public areas and its service centres, will highlight community initiatives and the facilities it has introduced toward attaining the Vision 2020 at AccessAbilities Expo taking place from February 9 to 11 as well.

Dubai Health Authority Hamid Mohamed Al Qatami, Chairman and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), said Dubai has proved itself to be a successful universal model in dealing with people with disabilities.

It also completed a set of regulations that ensure full support for people with disabilities, integrating them in the society and areas where they can be gainfully employed and contribute effectively in the development and prosperity of Dubai.

--IANS/WAM
ksk/vm

( 317 Words)

2016-02-06-12:59:33

The post Dubai to Be World’s Friendliest Place for the Disabled appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Guwahati, Feb 6 (IANS) Butterflies in my stomach and a great thrill - exactly what I felt when I buckled up to take a paramotor ride here. It wasn't that someone who is scared of adventurous activities chose to indulge in an air sport that surprised people. But the fact that I did it in Guwahati - considered to be the gateway to the relatively less explored northeast India - raised many eyebrows.

A city full of top fashion brands with high-rise residential and commercial buildings, Guwahati has changed a lot since the last time I set foot here two decades ago. So, it comes as no surprise that it is the only city from the northeast region that has found a place in the list of first 20 cities which will be developed into Smart Cities in 2016.

In spite of all the new developments, two things haven't changed - its people's simplicity and the pride in speaking in Assamese. Since I hail from Imphal, which is about 40 minutes away from here by air, they assumed that I was one of them and that I was fluent in their language.

But only I know how lost I was in translation especially while watching plays and listening to radio jockeys. Not that they don't converse in other languages. The moment the localites noticed my inability to understand Assamese, they quickly spoke in Hindi or English.

Assigned to cover the second edition of Rongali - Destination, Culture, Harmony, a festival of Assam, I was eagerly looking forward to my return to Guwahati after 20 years. It's a place where my father bought our first car, I got my first Barbie and I started my first school year after kindergarten. Little did I know that the list of 'firsts' won't end here.

Be it attending concerts of sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and the home-grown talent Zubeen Garg, who is idolised by many in Assam, to digging into the Assamese delicacy called chicken khoika to taking a flight over the mighty Brahmaputra river on a paramotor, the three-day fest gave me more 'first' experiences during my second visit.

Though I showed interest in paramotoring, it seemed like they were doubtful about it because of my weight. I was told that for balance purpose, one needs to weigh at least 50 kg, and bingo! I felt so glad to have gained weight for the first time.

With the helmet on and seat belt in place, I was geared up for my first paramotor ride, thankfully with a professional.

Flying 500 ft above ground, it was like chasing the wind and the Brahmaputra staring right back at me. As long as the motor made a roaring sound and we moved straight, it felt fine. But there were times when the loud sound stopped, making my heart skip a few beats. The twists and turns, controlled by the pilot, further made me scream at the top of my lungs. No wonder why the paramotor pilot said that I was the first person to scare him to death.

After that daring act and conclusion of the festival, I made sure to take a stroll down memory lane.

So I, accompanied by a localite, made the Army School, Narangi - now Army Public School - my first stop. It's not just the name that has changed but also the whole look. The old buildings with metal roofing have given way to new ones in green and white hues. Nevertheless, I got emotional while taking a tour of the school, located away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

While crossing our previous army accommodation here, I got into flashback mode.

To cheer me up, my new friend took me to one of the city's popular sweet shops called Mishti Mukh, where she suggested to me to try patishapta - thin crepes mostly made with rice flour with a coconut filling. The other Bengali sweet she swore by was the soft and round kacha golla, made of uncooked cottage cheese and sugar.

Heading home without a souvenir was not happening. So I added shopping, something that I loathe, to my itinerary. Yes, so products like bags made out of water hyacinth, eri silk jackets and Gamucha were responsible for excess baggage charges at the airport.

Pressed for time and a traffic jam discouraged me from exploring the city more. So my last stop was the Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple. With its strong lights, the white temple complex looked magnificent at night.

Guwahati is one of the cities that I am emotionally connected to, and this trip made the bond even stronger.

(The writer's visit was sponsored by the festival's organisers. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)

Guwahati: Two Decades Ago and Now

The post Guwahati: Two Decades Ago and Now appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Lucknow, Feb 4 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to fast-track its ambitious Rs. 10,000 crore project of setting up a theme park in Agra, an official said on Thursday.

While reviewing the progress of the project, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday set deadlines for officials to take all necessary clearances for the project that would come up on the sides of the under-construction Agra-Lucknow Expressway on a stretch of 1,000 acres.

The project would be jointly developed by film actor Sanjay Khan's Kingdom Company and the Uttar Pradesh Micro-Industries Development Corporation as a joint venture. Through the project, more than 2,000 people will get direct employment and 10,000 people will get indirect employment.

During the meeting, it was also informed that through the Agra theme park, domestic and international tourists, through infotainment, would be given information under one roof, in an interesting way. In the project, models of seven cities would be established and people can travel through them on the mono rail.

The tourists to the theme park would travel through Mohanjodaro, Patliputra era, the Ramayan era, the Mahabharata era, the Gupta era, the Mughal era and the freedom struggle of 1857 and get a peep into the historic incidents during these timelines.

The project would be based on Disneyland and would also have a five-star hotel and shops selling souvenirs and other items. The theme park would also have an area named 'Swayambar', where marriage functions based on themes would be held.

The post UP Fast Tracks Work on Rs.10,000 Crore Agra Theme Park appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Beijing, Feb 1 (IANS) Over 137 million foreign tourists will visit China in 2016, a jump of 2.5 percent from the previous year, authorities said on Monday.

This would be the second year of growth in inbound tourism after the country saw years of decline in foreign tourists since 2011, the China Daily reported.

During the annual meeting held on January 29, the China National Tourism Administration set its development goal for 2016 with international tourism revenue this year expected to reach $121 billion, an increase of 6.5 percent.

Earlier, the China Tourism Academy, a think tank under the China National Tourism Academy, also confirmed the trend. It predicted more than 138 million overseas tourists would visit China.

Li Shihong, deputy head of administration, said second and third tier cities, as well as small towns including Wuzhen in Zhejiang province, Yueyang in Hunan province and Tongli in Jiangsu province will play a leading role in attracting overseas tourists.

Second and third tier cities and small towns have unique culture symbols, beautiful landscape and have persevered history in their daily lives better (than modern cities). All those are attractive factors to frequent visitors to China, said Li.

Besides, the high-speed railway network has connected small towns and also made them more accessible than before. It is a great timing for them to develop inbound tourism industry.

The post Over 137 Million Foreign Tourists Expected to Visit China in 2016 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Singapore, Feb 1 (IANS) Singapore's largest freshwater marshland was officially opened on Monday to visitors, with guided tours starting at the end of the month.

The Kranji Marshes is home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies and 33 species of dragonflies, Channel News Asia reported.

Kranji Marshes is separated into two areas - a public area and a restricted core area which is only accessible through tours.

Within the public area, visitors can climb a 10.65-metre tall Raptor tower to get a panoramic view of the surrounding marshes.

There are also blinds, which are open-air structures, from where visitors can observe the wildlife.

There will be two guided tours each month, starting from February 27 which will allow public access to the core conservation areas which are not normally accessible to visitors.

The post Singapore’s Largest Freshwater Marshland Now Open appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) Indonesia may be attracting almost double the number of global tourists than India but visitors from here are few and the southeast Asian country has decided to grant free visas to Indians to attract more travelers from India which is a "big market" for them.

Vinsensius Jemadu, Indonesia's tourism director, was in India to promote Indonesian tourism and attract more Indians. He says Indonesia and India enjoy very good relations which will help in attracting more tourists. Indonesia is also participating in the South Asian Tourism and Travel Expo (SATTE) 2016.

Jemadu said that more than 10 million people from across the globe visit Indonesia every year - but only 270,000 from India. Indonesia attracts the highest number of tourists from Singapore, followed by Malaysia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and then India.

"Realising that India is a big market, the Indonesian government decided to grant free visas to Indians. We have set a target to attract 350,000 tourists from India this year, which is a big challenge for us," he said. "Most of the people from India visit Bali. May be it is because they do not know about other places there. We want them to explore other places of the country as well," he said.

Indonesia's tourism industry contributes nine percent to the country's GDP. "Our plans are to boost tourism industry and increase it to 15 percent of the GDP by the end of 2019."

"As many as 60 percent of the total tourists visit Indonesia because of its rich cultural heritage while 35 percent come to the country to see its natural beauty. Five percent tourists come here to enjoy manmade activities," Jemadu told IANS.

Expressing concern over lack of direct connectivity between India and Indonesia, Jemadu said: "So far there is no direct flight between the two countries. People from India reach Indonesia via Singapore or Malaysia which is not good for tourism because people have to spend more time and money in travelling."

He, however, added that this issue will be sorted out soon as both the governments have agreed to start direct flight between the two nations.

"I am hopeful that the direct flight between Mumbai and Bali will start by March or April. Garuda Indonesian airline had agreed to operate flights between the two countries," he said.

The post Indonesia Lures Indians with Free Visas appeared first on Social News XYZ.