Category: Travel

Testing

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Stock Market Highlights | Indian benchmark indices Nifty 50 and Sensex posted a record close, buoyed by private financials. Nifty ended just shy of 22,200, peaking at an intra-day record high of 22,216. Nifty Bank surpassed 47,000, with HDFC Bank, Axis, and Kotak emerging as top contributors. Sensex surged 385 points to 73,057, while Nifty gained 75 points, settling at 22,197.

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Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

123Winter fog snarling air travel? Here’s what you should do if your flight is cancelled

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A thick layer of fog has enveloped the Indo-Gangetic plains, extending from Punjab to West Bengal, since Thursday (January 18) night, causing disruptions in air traffic. Satellite imagery reveals the formation of fog over areas in Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan, and west Uttar Pradesh from 8 pm.

An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) highlighted the prevalence of dense to very dense fog in parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Tripura, affecting road transport as well.

Additionally, moderate fog has affected regions in Uttarakhand, east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. As of 5.30 am, visibility levels recorded were zero meters in Bathinda and Bikaner, 25 meters in Amritsar and Patiala, 50 meters in Ganganagar, Churu, Hisar, Palam, Safdarjung, Jaipur, and Agartala, and 200 meters in Ambala.

Also read: Chaos unleashed as things go beyond flight delays for commuters at Delhi Airport

On January 14 and 15, over 400 flights were delayed, multiple flights cancelled and several were diverted from Delhi due to poor visibility. As airlines can’t control the weather and if a flight is cancelled, they are required to provide refunds for customers whose flights are cancelled.

Know all about your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA’s) Civil Aviation Requirement, passengers can claim compensation in case of flight cancellation. As per the law, airlines must furnish passengers with the option of an alternative flight or a complete refund of the ticket fare, coupled with compensation. Moreover, for those travelers who have checked in for their initial flight and are awaiting an alternative, the airline is obligated to supply meals and refreshments.

In the event of a flight delay, the airline is required to provide meals and refreshments. Additionally, they must offer passengers the choice of an alternative flight, a full ticket refund, or, depending on the duration of the delay, arrange hotel accommodation inclusive of transportation.

When airlines expect bad weather to create problems for flights, they give travellers a chance to reschedule their trip a few days prior at no extra cost. A simple Google search of your flight or airline will give you details of the flight’s status.

It’s better to be stuck at home than a hotel or be stranded in an airport terminal. Hence, use the airline’s app or website to make sure that your flight is on schedule before heading for the airport. Airlines usually cancel flights hours or even days before departure time.

If you’re already at the airport, it’s time to multi-task to find another flight. Get in line to speak to an airline representative, and or call the airline’s helpline to get the right information. It helps to reach out on X (Twitter).

Most airlines rebook passengers on a later flight for no additional charge, but that depends on whether there are empty seats.

If your flight is delayed and you no longer wish to take the trip, or haven’t found an alternative, the airline is legally required to refund you the full ticket fare, even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket.

You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.
However, if the forecast for weather is poor and you need to make an urgent trip, you must consider booking a backup flight.

If many flights are cancelled or delayed, akin to what happened on January 15, it will be best if you connect with your airline before heading to the airport, so that you can reschedule your travel and not have to wait at the airport.

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Saudi Arabia unveils plan to build a massive adventure tourism destination ‘The Rig’: Check details

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Saudi Arabia unveiled a masterplan for an extraordinary venture in adventure tourism by the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC). Prepare to be enthralled, called THE RIG. The Kingdom aims to redefine the global tourism landscape, with its latest gem.

THE RIG will stand as a pioneering adventure tourism destination on an offshore platform, drawing inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s abundant oil and gas legacy, AP reported. Comprising three interconnected offshore platforms and a fully repurposed jack-up rig, the tourism hub will seamlessly blend design and experience for an unparalleled adventure experience.

On the occassion OPDC, said that the hospitality and adventure venture would be spread across 300,000 square meters, in close proximity to Al Juraid Island and the Berri Oil Field in the Arabian Gulf. Within this expanse, three hotels will be established, offering a combined total of 800 rooms.

Also read: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looking to welcome 7.5 million Indian tourists by 2030

Additionally, there are plans for the inclusion of 11 restaurants. The company has outlined the incorporation of key features such as extreme sports hubs, an adventure park, a marina, and helipads to enhance the overall allure of the destination. The oil rig-themed destination will have over 70 attractions, a 6,000-person multi-purpose arena, an amusement park, a splash park and more to cater to visitors of all ages and adventure levels.

Committed to sustainable tourism practices, edutainment, and exploration, THE RIG would adhere to local and international codes and standards for safety and functionality, visitors will get to immerse themselves in Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas heritage through the world’s first immersive theatre on a repurposed jack-up rig. It’s a place where extreme fun, new adventures, and learning would converge.

According to the masterplan, the world’s best engineers and designers have been engaged to bring the project to life. It will be located 40 kilometers from the Arabian Gulf coastline, near Juraid Island and visitors will have access to the THE RIG via aire and cruise liners would be able to anchor nearby.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Tourism in France gets a boost thanks to Netflix’s Emily in Paris and Lupin: Study

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Four of five foreign tourists to Paris got an urge to visit the City of Lights after seeing a movie or TV series film, France’s national cinema body said on Thursday. That’s up from three-quarters in a previous study in 2018.

For one out of 10, it was their main reason for coming, and in half of those cases it was the Netflix series “Emily in Paris” (38 percent) and “Lupin” (11 percent) that spurred the trip. The study was conducted by market research company Ifop for France’s National Centre of Cinematography among six nationalities: Belgians, Spaniards, Americans, Britons, Germans and Chinese.

Cinema tourism is not new and certainly isn’t limited to Paris, but has grown along with the explosion of streaming services, said Cecile Lacoue, head of studies at CNC. “It’s a very interesting way to develop tourism and boost the notoriety of towns,” she said.

Also read: France, Switzerland top 10 powerful passports of 2024

In Paris, one foreign tourist out of two has watched Lupin, the French-language surprise success with Omar Sy playing the gentleman thief. Next, at 44 percent, was Emily in Paris, the tale of a young American lost in the world of Paris luxury. Those two series produced by Netflix were far more popular abroad than purely French series such as Versailles, Marie-Antoinette, and Dix pour Cent (Call my Agent).

Still, 86 percent had at least watched some French movie or series, up from 81 percent in 2018, according to Lacoue. Some 41 percent of tourists had seen the comedy “The Intouchables” and 37 percent Jeunet’s whimsical romance “Amelie”, starring Audrey Tautou.

But more visitors had seen US blockbusters filmed in Paris such as “Da Vinci Code”, “Mission: Impossible Fallout” or “The Devil Wears Prada”. Cinema tourism also inspires domestic travellers, with 22 percent saying they have taken a trip within France after something they watched.

The films that inspired them include “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis” (Welcome to the Sticks), a movie about a town in the north, or “Plus belle la vie”, a television series about an imaginary Marseille neighbourhood.

The phenomenon risks leading to over-tourism, warns Lacoue. The already popular Normandy seaside town of Etretat is receiving even more visitors after appearing in an episode of “Lupin”. In summer, some 10,000 tourists come each day, far outnumbering the 1,200 inhabitants.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Budget 2024: Restaurants, hotels optimistic on govt support to push growth in hospitality sector

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As India looks to attract more tourists and build tourism as another area to push economic growth, the hospitality industry, which is a key to boosting tourism, has lots of hopes for measures to be pushed in the upcoming interim budget.

K.B. Kachru, Chairman Emeritus and Principal Advisor, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia, pointed out that the tourism and hospital industry continues to be a key contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To encourage greater local investments and bolster the global competitiveness of Indian hotels, a fully-developed infrastructure status should be approved for the hotel sector, along with further rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Kachru said, “Streamlining the complex web of approvals, licenses, and classification-related processes for hotel projects is necessary to ease off the burden from the industry and infuse efficiencies. As a capital-intensive and people-centric industry, investing in skill development is crucial for delivering high-quality services and experiences to visitors while generating direct and indirect employment opportunities.”

Moreover, to attract inbound tourist traffic, the government should hold a discussion about simplifying the visa process or approving visa-free arrival, suggested Kachru. The government should also focus on allocating funds to promote eco-friendly accommodations and tourist sites, in addition to introducing incentives for industry players aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to foster sustainability in tourism.

Infrastructure investments that bolster accessibility to tourist destinations, enhance the industry’s overall appeal, streamline regulatory processes, facilitate ease of doing business, and foster entrepreneurship are some of the tasks that the industry is eyeing ahead of the interim budget.

Pranav Rungta, Co-Founder and Director of Nksha restaurant and Vice President of NRAI Mumbai, emphasised the need for policy and budgetary support in the interim budget to propel the sector towards accelerated growth. 

Highlighting the key measures, Rungta said, “The key areas of focus include the restoration of the GST Input Tax Credit, reinstating the Service Export from India Scheme, establishing a dedicated Food Services Ministry according to industry status, reducing GST on eco-friendly materials, addressing GST on commercial rentals, rationalising licences and NOCs, ensuring equitable e-commerce policies, extending operating hours, implementing targeted subsidy schemes for SMEs, and introducing an employee welfare plan.”

According to Rungta, these measures will not only boost the overall size of the industry but also generate significant employment opportunities, contributing to the country’s economic growth. Rungta pointed out that the restaurant industry has generated more than 7.20 million direct jobs and has registered an annual turnover of about ₹4.23 lakh crores.

To ease the burden on businesses in the hospitality industry, the government should reform taxes, continue providing support for infrastructure development, and streamline regulations as the industry vouches for robust financial support amid the global instability, said Saurabh Gahoi, Vice President, India, Ramee Group of Hotels.

“A reformative budget, targeting training and skill development, ensures a resilient and competitive landscape. As the nation redefines its economic roadmap, the hospitality industry eagerly awaits policies that foster innovation, sustainability, and a flourishing tourism ecosystem,” said Gahoi.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow