Page 7 - Travel

ONDC launches ticketing services for passengers traveling on Chennai Metro

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) an initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has launched ticketing services for passengers traveling on the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd in the city. Chennai Metro Rail has become the first metro service to be available on the ONDC Network. Following the launch of the service in Chennai, ONDC in a statement here said, the Kochi Metro, Kanpur Metro, Pune Metro, and other metro rail services are poised to join the network. Passengers travelling on the Chennai Metro Rail can purchase 'single' or 'return' journey tickets through the applications -- 'Rapido', 'Namma Yatri', 'redBus' which are currently available on the ONDC network. The overall ticketing experience on the ONDC network was enabled by CMRL partnering with 'Yaary', the first seller-side technology partner, the release said. "At ONDC, we believe in embracing innovation. As Chennai Metro joins the Open Network, it is not just a milestone but rather

After consecration ceremony, 2.5 mn devotees visited Ram temple in 11 days

After the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple on January 22, around 25 lakh devotees visited the temple in the past 11 days and the amount of offerings and donations has crossed Rs 11 crore. According to Prakash Gupta, office in-charge of the temple trust, in the last 11 days, about Rs 8 crore rupees were deposited in the donation boxes, while the amount received through cheque and online is around Rs 3.50 crore. He said that in the temple's sanctum sanctorum, where the deity is seated, four big size donation boxes have been kept near the 'darshan path' in front of the sanctum sanctorum, in which the devotees are donate the amount. Besides, people also donate at 10 computerised counters. He said that the temple trust employees are appointed at the donation counter and they submit the account of the donation amount received in the trust office after the counter is closed in the evening. A team of 14 people, which includes 11 bank employees and three from the temple trust, counts

Tax roadblock to tourism drive: India isn't 1st choice for foreign tourists

India is still not the first choice for foreign tourists and operators because it levies higher taxes and Southeast Asian countries promote themselves more

Volvo Bus India bags order for 122 premium coaches from Odisha govt

Volvo Bus India on Thursday said it has bagged an order for the supply of 122 premium luxury coaches from the Odisha government. The order comes under the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) Scheme, a flagship programme initiated by the state government to provide rural connectivity through Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC). "We are honoured to be selected as the preferred partner for this landmark initiative by OSRTC and the Government of Odisha," VE Commercial Vehicles MD and CEO Vinod Aggarwal said in a statement. OSRTC MD Diptesh Kumar Pattnayak said the collaboration for the deployment of premium buses is a testament to the shared vision of creating a modern, efficient, and sustainable public transportation network. "This will have a long-lasting impact on government initiatives that aim to transform transportation infrastructure and contribute to the socio-economic development in rural and urban areas," he added. Over the past 25 years, Volvo Bu

Should railways revise approach towards general, sleeper class travellers?

According to estimated figures based on the FY24 Budget, passenger travel in the general and second classes, which account for a bulk of mass transit, is lower than it was in 2008-09

Committed to take forward development partnership with Maldives: Govt

India on Thursday said it remains committed to take forward its development agenda with the Maldives including implementation of various welfare projects in the island nation. The comments by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came amid strain in ties between the two countries following Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's call for withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country by March 15. "We remain committed to our projects and to take them forward. We have been an important development partner of the Maldives," he said at his weekly media briefing while replying to a question. "We remain committed to doing all things that we can do as a development partner of the Maldives," Jaiswal added. On Male insisting on withdrawal of Indian troops, he suggested that the matter will be deliberated upon at the second meeting of India-Maldives core group. The next core group meeting is set to take place in New Delhi early next month. The issue of the Indian ...

The 10 best budget travel destinations for 2024; all details inside

The astonishing variety of travel places in India has to be seen to be believed. Tourists have given lifetimes to exploring the popular places and neglected corners of this incredible country

Lakshadweep Trip: Top 8 places to visit in Lakshadweep for your vacation

If you are planning to visit Lakshadweep to enjoy your holiday, here are the top 8 places you can visit in the Lakshadweep region

IndiGo withdraws fuel charge; airfares to reduce by up to Rs 1,000

The country's largest airline IndiGo on Thursday announced the withdrawal of fuel charge that was collected from passengers, a move that will reduce airfares by up to Rs 1,000 on certain long routes. In the wake of a spike in jet fuel prices, the airline started levying the fuel charge on each domestic and international ticket from October 6, 2023. The quantum of the fuel charge varied from Rs 300 to up to Rs 1,000 depending on the distance. The airline, which is expanding its operations, said the fuel charge has been withdrawn with effect from January 4, due to the recent reduction in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices. "As ATF prices are dynamic, we will continue to adjust our fares and components thereof, to respond to any change in prices or market conditions," IndiGo said in a statement. Fuel cost accounts for a significant chunk of a carrier's operational costs. Last year, IndiGo was also the first Indian carrier to announce that they would levy fuel charge to offset the spi

Fog, haze in China as New Year travellers brace for potential disruptions

Central Meteorological Observatory issued first red alert for fog since 2017. Conditions were expected to improve from Saturday evening, when a cold wave of air is expected to blow over the country

Foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 at 7.24 million till October, says govt

More than 7.2 million foreign tourists arrived in India this year till October, the government said on Monday. Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. He was also asked if the government is developing some tourist destinations for the promotion of tourism and attracting foreign tourists. Reddy shared data on foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) during the five years since 2018. Foreign tourist arrivals stood at 10.56 million (in 2018), 10.93 million (in 2019), slipping to 2.74 million (in 2020), 1.52 million (in 2021) and 6.44 million (in 2022), according to the data sourced from the Bureau of Immigration. In 2023, the (provisional) foreign tourist arrival figures till October stood at 7.24 million. "The (Union) Ministry of Mines has taken up the proposal to develop infrastructure/facilities of erstwhile Bharat Gold Mines Limited (Kolar Gold Fields) into tourist destination/site with the Ministry of Tourism," Reddy added. In

India on course to become 5th-largest market for travel and tourism

In outbound travel, India will be behind only the US, China, Germany and the UK but ahead of Italy, South Korea, Australia, Canada and France, to name only a few

List of countries Indians can travel to without visa includes Malaysia now

With the new declaration of Malaysia and Thailand offering visa-free access to Indian residents, Indians can now go to 57 countries visa-free or visas on arrival plans

Tourists to be allowed to visit Sikkim from Friday after Oct flash flood

The popular north Sikkim tourist destination, Lachung, which was affected by flash floods in early October, has been made accessible after the restoration of road, an official said on Thursday. The tourist spot will be open for visitors from Friday, he said. "Lachung is now accessible after successful completion of road restoration efforts. The scenic destination can be reached through an alternative route via Dzongu-Shipgyer and will be open for tourists from December 1," Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Secretary Prakash Chettri said. Extending a warm welcome to all tourists intending to visit Lachung-Yumthang in the northern part of Sikkim, he said that the alternative route, via Dzongu-Shipgyer, will have an additional 16-17 km to reach Lachung. He, however, said the Lachen-Gurudongmar point would remain closed until further notice as restoration work in the region was underway in the aftermath of the flash floods. The decision to allow tourists to visit Lachung comes nea

Uttarakhand govt to bear travel expenses of relatives of trapped workers

The Uttarakhand government will bear the travel, food and lodging expenses of relatives of the 41 workers trapped at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district for over a week. Assuring the families of the trapped workers that they will be rescued soon, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said officials have been asked to stay in touch with the relatives of the trapped workers so that they do not face any inconvenience. The state government will bear the expenses of people who want to visit Silkyara to enquire about their well being, he said. Psychiatrists have also been roped in to maintain the morale of the trapped workers, the chief minister said. Rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing since portions of the tunnel collapsed following a landslide early on November 12, leaving 41 workers trapped behind a huge mound of debris. The Silkyara tunnel, about 30 km from the district headquarters of Uttarkashi and a seven-hour drive from the Uttarakhand capital

Signing off for Diwali: The best holiday destinations for the season

As winter sets in and large parts of India battle smog, people are taking a short break in places that offer respite

Winter Travel: Destinations, tips and safety measures for travellers

Whether you take a flight or travel by road, some safety tips for winter travel can be extremely handy. The people who are driving must make sure to read these tips for managing the issues in winter

Planning a solo trip? Here are the top 3 travel destinations for Indians

Thailand's capital city Bangkok has become the most popular destination for solo travelers from India, according to a report by digital travel platform Agoda

Global travel, tourism industry to achieve $15 trn mark in 10 yrs: WTTC

The travel and tourism sector has marked a robust bounce back to the pre-pandemic levels would generate USD 10 trillion by the end of 2023, and become a USD 15 trillion economy in the next 10 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said here. Speaking at the opening press conference of its 23rd Global Summit, WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said the latest data highlights that the sector, which was badly hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now recovering faster than anticipated. We are in 2023 and I am delighted to say that we have recovered, and by the end of this year, the industry will be worth nearly USD 10 trillion. Despite China's full recovery potential yet to be realised, the sector's performance is exceeding expectations. But, we are practically there, Simpson said as the Summit commenced on Wednesday. In the next 10 years, the industry will go way ahead of the USD 10 trillion mark. This sector will be worth nearly USD 15 trillion, Simpson said. Though ...

Thailand, Srilanka and more: Countries where Indians can travel visa free

According to the latest Passport Index by Henley and Partners 2023, Indian passport holders can travel to up to 57 countries without a visa.