Goa's Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, has slammed social media influencers for allegedly spreading false information about the state's tourism industry. He claims that some influencers have been paid to malign Goa's image, citing data that shows domestic tourist arrivals have actually surpassed last year's figures. Hotel occupancy rates for five- and four-star hotels have been close to 100%, and 60-65% for lower-category hotels.

The polar vortex, a powerful atmospheric phenomenon, is expected to cause a dramatic shift in weather patterns across the eastern United States. As the vortex weakens and shifts southward, frigid Arctic air will move down into the country, bringing temperatures that could plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal. This extreme cold event will be one of the harshest in recent years, especially compared to the record warmth seen during last year's winter. The cold air will first a

The UK government has updated its travel advisory for India, particularly focusing on the possession and use of satellite phones. According to the revised advisory from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British nationals are cautioned that carrying or operating satellite phones in India without a valid license is illegal. The advisory notes that several Britons have been arrested for attempting to bring satellite phones and other satellite-enabled navigational devices i

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

In South Korea's deadliest air disaster, a Jeju Air passenger jet, Flight 7C2216, crashed during its landing attempt at Muan International Airport on Sunday, resulting in 179 fatalities. The crash occurred after a series of events, starting with a bird strike reported by the pilot as the flight was approaching the airport. According to the final timeline of the flight, the aircraft was cleared by air traffic control at 8:54 am to land on runway 01. However, just minutes later, a

Nepal's tourism industry, which saw a post-pandemic resurgence with over a million foreign visitors this year, continues to grow, attracting tourists with unique experiences like the recently held hot-air balloon festival. The event, organized by Sabin Maharjan and his team, featured more than 10 countries participating in the thrilling balloon flights. The stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna range, mountains, lakes, and rolling hills provided an unforgettable experience for the p

January   - Dates: Saturday, January 11 – Tuesday, January 14   - Holidays: Makar Sankranti / Pongal (January 14)   - Plan: Take leave on Monday, January 13.   Where to Go: &

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office, a growing number of U.S. colleges and universities are advising international students to return to campus before January 20, 2025, due to concerns that Trump may reinstate or expand travel restrictions. This advice follows the previous travel bans imposed during his first administration, which restricted entry to the U.S. for citizens from certain predominantly Muslim countries. Many schools, including Ivy League institu

At Chennai Airport, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for helping a passenger smuggle 1.7 kg of gold. The incident occurred when the flight from Dubai landed on Sunday. Customs officials intercepted the passenger and the crew member after the passenger admitted to handing over the gold during the flight. Upon searching the crew member, officials found the gold concealed in the undergarments, l

China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

In response to improved air quality in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has eased pollution curbs. The CAQM announced the revocation of Stage-4 and Stage-3 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire NCR, effective immediately. This decision comes after the Supreme Court allowed the relaxation, following consistent improvement in the air quality index (AQI) since November 29, with AQI levels falling below 300. Howev

The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded the National Capital Region (NCR) states, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, for failing to pay compensation to construction workers after air pollution led to a halt in construction activities. The court emphasized that action only begins when it summons top officers and demanded proof of payments made to the workers. Despite its orders, none of the states had shown evidence of compensation. The court has now asked the

Millions of Thanksgiving travelers are bracing for challenging weather conditions this week as Mother Nature dishes out a mix of storms, freezing temperatures, and snow. Here's what to expect:   Wednesday: Calm Before the Storm East Coast: Dry, sunny weather dominates, ideal for last-minute travel. Central US: A storm will

More than 100 passengers of an Air India flight, scheduled to fly from Phuket to New Delhi on November 16, have been stranded for over 80 hours due to ongoing technical issues. According to multiple social media posts from passengers, the flight was initially delayed by six hours due to a technical fault. After waiting for hours, passengers were told to board the plane, only to be deboarded an hour later when the flight was canceled. The airline allegedly prepped the same plane for

The Supreme Court of India today expressed grave concern over the alarming pollution levels blanketing northern India, as Punjab reported the highest number of farm fires this season, with nearly 1,000 fires detected in just one day. This came on the same day that the court scrutinized Delhi's air pollution, which had reached unprecedented levels. Hiren Jethva, an aerosol remote sensing scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, pointed out that the data collected betw

Delhi is grappling with thick smog, pushing the city's air quality index (AQI) into the 'Severe' category. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage III of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP), effective from 8 am tomorrow. This stage is triggered when AQI exceeds 401, with several stringent measures aimed at mitigating the pollution crisis. Under GRAP Stage III, non-essential construction and demolition work will be banned, and

An Air India Express flight, AXB 613, successfully landed at Tiruchirappalli airport after reporting a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff. The flight, which was headed to Sharjah with 144 passengers on board, took off at 5:40 PM and experienced the technical snag soon after departure. Following the report of the hydraulic issue, the pilots were instructed to return to the airport. However, due to the aircraft being fully fueled, a precautionary landing was deemed inadvisable. T

Dubai, a vibrant metropolis renowned for its luxurious lifestyle and futuristic architecture, has become a top destination for female travelers. With its cosmopolitan culture, women can explore both well-known attractions and hidden gems, whether traveling solo or with friends. Here’s a comprehensive guide to unique experiences in Dubai tailored for women, ensuring a trip filled with adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration. Venture In An Adventure

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff, effective September 30, 2024. This significant transition will see him succeed the outgoing Chief, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, who will demit office on the same day. Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Singh brings a wealth of experience to this pivotal role. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1984, Singh’s career spans sever