Lionel Messi officially names the first-of-its-kind vacation in Miami The world’s largest cruise ship — the size of almost four city blocks —began its maiden voyage on Saturday as it left from the Port of Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern. The ship, which is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates. Less than a week shy of Royal Caribbean International's 55th anniversary, the world's largest cruise line and world-renowned sports icon Lionel Messi – The Icon of Icon – officially debuted the all-new Icon of the Seas at a standout naming celebration in Miami. The fir...
Read MoreIndustry upbeat with prospects, bookings pick with brisk demand With Republic Day falling on a Friday, travellers are leveraging this opportunity to make the most of the long weekend, and tourism industry is witnessing brisk demand of over 25% YoY – for both domestic and closer to home locales. Besides, domestic destinations, short haul outbound destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Malaysia are witnessing demand for this extended weekend. FILE PHOTO: A child tries on a mask at a street vendor in Dharmsala, India, Saturday. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia) Rajeev Kale - President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook (India) Limited, says, “Long weekends provide that much needed short break/ minication and customers are o...
Read More*State bets big on heli-tourism to attract visitors *Paragliding festival at Wagamon; Surfing festival at Varkala *MTB Kerala at Mananthavady and Malabar River Festival at Kodenchery Poised to soar new heights in 2024, Kerala Tourism has unveiled in the national capital, a raft of groundbreaking products including Heli-Tourism, connecting the state’s top destinations, as part of its aggressive campaign to increase the domestic tourist footfalls. Branded as ‘Sky Escapes’, the heli-tourism project has been planned as a game-changer in the manner houseboats did for the state, three decades ago, and thus continue to lure visitors from both India and abroad, Kerala Tourism Director P B Nooh said at a press conference organised as part of the B2B trade meet here today. “Ker...
Read MoreUNESCO adds 55 elements across the globe in its annual meeting in Botswana 'Garba of Gujarat' has been inscribed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO, under the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 18th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from 5th-9th December, 2023 in Kasane, Botswana. This year’s list includes a variety of elements from across the globes such as Opera singing in Italy, Rickshaws and rickshaw painting in Bangladesh, Songkran festival in Thailand, Alpine pasture season in Switzerland, metal engraving in ten middle-east countries, Dabkeh dance of Palestine, tradition of Iftar in many countries a...
Read MoreSince it's inception in 2008, Airbnb has continuously grown in popularity, seeing an increasing number of hosts and visitors alike use their platform. In 2022 alone, the platform amassed a staggering 8.4 billion in revenue, up from 5.99 billion the previous year. In fact, asides from the pandemic in 2020, the company has seen increasing YoY revenue of at least 1 billion each year. MoneyTransfers.com team has investigated which countries are the most popular destinations on Airbnb. This study highlights the dynamic nature of the short-term rental market. Additionally, the Airbnb statistics also speak somewhat about its user and host base, offering a holistic view of this pioneering sharing economy platform. FILE PHOTO: The Airbnb logo is seen on a little mini pyramid under the glass ...
Read MoreAmber (Amer) Fort on the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan, is the living testimony of rich and turbulent history of Rajasthan, specially of Kachwaha Rajputs of Jaipur and Amber. Amber is one of the forts of Rajasthan which still stands in full glory. As inspiring is to visit the fort and see it in full details, equally thrilling is to listen to its history through a beautifully crafted sound and light show, that takes place daily in evening after the fort is closed for visitors. So, whenever you happen to visit the Amber Fort, don't miss this sound and light show, which has the narration by none other than one of the biggest superstars of India's film industry, one and only Amitabh Bachchan. Till then you can enjoy this video! https://youtu.be/BeeAUZbFLHE?si=Vsrjro13n0SW_MZ2 राजस...
Read MoreAmazing Uttarakhand road trips | Birthi to Dharchula via Munsiyari | बिरथी से धारचुला वाया मुनस्यारी
It is just a 134 kms ride but has got all the thrills - from fascinating views of Panchachuli peaks to riding along the Gauri river for a major part, not to mention the winding roads passing through hues of dense green below and sparkling blue above. The road from Birthi (waterfalls) to Dharchula is generally less taken by tourists. Isn't the best of the roads but has one of the best of the views. Route takes you from Birthi to Munsiyari via Kalamuni top (Alt: 9,5000 ft) and then from Munsiyari to Jauljibi. From Jauljibi one can take Lipulekh highway to reach Dharchula or turn towards Pithoragarh to reach Almora and Haldwani. So, come join me on this short but beautiful biking trip. https://youtu.be/swWSQGJ_aic?si=YMhNKTE_pe8INXgS महज़ 134 किलोमीटर का यह सफ़र बेहद शानदार है। इसमे...
Read MoreThe Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalyas in Karnataka have now become India's 42nd inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List! The site includes three temple complexes dating from the 12th to 13th centuries built during the Hoysala Kingdom in southern India. The timeless beauty and intricate details of the Hoysala temples are a testament to India's rich cultural heritage and the exceptional craftsmanship. This inclusion comes just a day after Rabindranath Tagore's Santiniketan also received this distinguished recognition. In its listing, UNESCO says, “This serial property encompasses the three most representative examples of Hoysala-style temple complexes in southern India- Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura, dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. The Hoysala style was created through caref...
Read More# Some of the world’s rarest cars will be on display at this year’s inaugural and exclusive event # Each of the 22 cars on display will be handpicked by an esteemed panel of experts # The event will be held in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, at the spectacular 18th Century Palazzo di Varignana – one of Europe’s most luxurious resorts # Concorso d'Eleganza Varignana 1705 runs from 13-15 October 2023 The stage will be set for one of the world’s most exclusive car concours events, and the very first of its kind within Italy’s Motor Valley, the Concorso d'Eleganza Varignana 1705, taking place in Varignana, Italy from October 13-15. What sets the event apart is not only the rarity of the automobiles on display, but also the meticulous curation by an esteemed panel of j...
Read MoreNumbers closing in with pre-COVID levels despite issues with quick Visa Germany saw a 209 percent increase in overnight stays by Indians in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to new data from the German National Tourist Board. A figure that can go further up if VISA to Indian tourists become quicker and easy, which Germany if hopeful of doing soon. Nuremberg: old town with imperial castle. Photo: DZT/Dietmar Scherf The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) and German Embassy in India successfully concluded a joint press conference, to showcase Germany as a preferred travel destination for Indian travellers. The conference took place at the German Embassy in New Delhi and was attended by various media personnel from India. Admitting that hassles of getting a quick to...
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