Travel News

The West Bengal state government has announced a ban on all international direct flights coming from the United Kingdom to  Kolkata , starting from January 3. This move comes following a sudden rise in the number of COVID cases in the state.  As per the reports, the suspension order will remain in place until further orders. The state government also issued an order, stating that all international passengers will be required to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test on arrival at the airport. Source: Times Of India - Website

In a tweet by  Goa 's Minister of Health, Vishwajit Rane, it has been stated that all international travelers, even those from the non-high-risk countries, will be tested for COVID-19. The new rule kicks in at a time when reports of rising coronavirus infections have been coming in from multiple states in the country. The tweet by the Minister read, "In view of the rising cases and as per the circular issued by Govt of Goa, we shall be testing all international passengers on arrival, traveling from high-risk countries as well as non-high-risk countries.” The Minister further went on to post another tweet where he mentioned that earlier the Government of Goa was testing only 2 percent of the passengers who were coming in from non-high-risk countries. But now, the state government has decided to test all international passengers due to public interest. The cost of rapid RT-PCR tests has been fixed at INR 1500. Source: Times Of India - Website

Given the rise in the number of Omicron cases in the country: I) The Municipal Corporation of Greater  Mumbai  has announced some new standard operating procedures for passengers arriving from  Dubai . The new guidelines are: Passengers arriving from Dubai will have to undergo seven days of home quarantine after arriving in Mumbai. N o need to take an RT-PCR test on arrival. Travellers not living in Mumbai will be transferred by the Collector [district officer], who shall arrange transport for such travellers and these travellers will not be allowed to take public transport. Those who have connecting flights to other states or other locations in Maharashtra  will be allowed to take the connecting flights. But it will be the responsibility of the Airport Authority to inform the respective Airport Officer regarding the travellers. All the travellers arriving from Dubai and who are residents of Mumbai will be in-home quarantine and will be tracked by the Ward War R...

Swiss International Air Lines is reportedly expanding its range of scheduled flights and adding new destinations to its networks. This means that the airlines will be restoring their services to  Delhi  and  Mumbai , which were earlier suspended due to the pandemic.  According to the latest reports, Swiss International Air Lines will be welcoming passengers from  India  as early as January 10, 2022. Hence, direct flights to and from  Switzerland  will be operational as part of the air bubble agreement between the two countries. Source: Times Of India - Website

Five popular tourist spots in  Rajasthan  will now feature light and sound shows, including the state capital, to promote tourism in the state. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the light and sound show at a number of places, including the Jai Niwas garden behind Govind Dev Temple in Jaipur,  Chittorgarh  Fort, Meera Bai memorial in Nagaur's Merta town, Machkund in Dholpur, and the historic lake of Gadsisar in  Jaisalmer  via video conference.  On this occasion, Mr. Gehlot praised the unique identity of Rajasthan in the tourism sector which attracts thousands of domestic as well as international tourists who visit the destination to witness its forts,  culture , palaces, desert, and wildlife. Source: Times Of India - Website

T he  Uttarakhand  Tourism Development Council (UTDB) is organising a three-day  food  festival at Mall Road in  Mussoorie  from today. All those visiting this famous tourist spot during this time will be able to relish Pahari cuisine, be part of cultural programmes, live bands, and Uttarakhandi folk dance.  As per the reports, the  festival  will also be hosting various types of competitions, whereas the winners will be honoured with prizes. India's first Master Chef, Pankaj Bhadauria, will be gracing the event and adding flavour to it. Meanwhile, famous food storyteller Anubhav Sapra will be engaging with the crowd and enable people to share old traditions related to food with a new perspective. Source: Times Of India - Website

In a recent update, a team of experts who went looking for the lost trek routes to Chardham has returned after rediscovering at least three ancient routes. If these three treks discovered by the team are revived, this would boost tourism in  Uttarakhand . The 25-member team, led by the leader Rakesh Pant, returned to  Rishikesh  recently after covering some 1158 km on foot!  The three rediscovered treks are the Rishikesh-Devprayag hiking trail,  Gangotri  to  Kedarnath  trek via Bhatwari-Belak pass-Budha Kedar-Panwali Kantha and Trijugi Narayan, and Dharasu to Yamunotri via Falacha Top. Source: Times Of India - Website