Romania and Bulgaria Partially Join Schengen Travel Zone
Romania and Bulgaria took a significant step in their integration with the European Union by partially joining the Schengen travel zone. While travellers arriving by air or sea now enjoy ID-check-free access, land border checks persist due to opposition from Austria.
Austria's opposition over concerns of illegal migration has led to the retention of land border checks.
Travellers arriving by air or sea from both countries now have unrestricted access to the Schengen zone.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the partial inclusion as a "huge success" and a "historic moment" for European integration.
Established in 1985, the Schengen Area previously consisted of 23 EU member countries before Bulgaria and Romania's admission.
Mar 19, 2024
Nepal Declares Pokhara as Its Tourism Capital
In a significant move to boost its tourism industry, the government of Nepal has officially declared Pokhara, a picturesque city in the Gandaki province, as the tourism capital of the Himalayan nation. The formal declaration was made during a special ceremony held at the Barahi Ghat, situated on the shores of the stunning Phewa Lake.
Pokhara, known for its natural beauty and adventure tourism, has long been recognised as a tourism hub in Nepal. However, the city was only designated as the tourism capital after fulfilling all the necessary criteria set by the government. The decision to officially declare Pokhara as the tourism capital is expected to further enhance its reputation and attract more visitors from around the world.
The special ceremony to declare Pokhara as the tourism capital was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. The event featured captivating musical performances by renowned and popular singers, adding to the festive atmosphere. The choice of Barahi Ghat as the venue for the ceremony was particularly significant, as it showcased the city's natural beauty and its close connection with Phewa Lake, one of Pokhara's most iconic attractions.
Mar 16, 2024
Maharashtra to Establish First-Of-Its-Kind Tourist Facility in Jammu and Kashmir
The Maharashtra government took a historic step by securing approval from the Jammu and Kashmir administration to acquire 2.5 acres of land in Ichgam, near Srinagar airport, for the construction of Maharashtra Bhawan. This initiative symbolises a proactive approach towards fostering cultural and touristic ties between the two regions.
The initiative assumes particular significance in the context of the abrogation of Article 370, which previously restricted land ownership in Jammu and Kashmir to its permanent residents. With the altered legal landscape, Maharashtra's investment in the region signals a new era of economic and cultural exchange, transcending previous boundaries.
In alignment with the vision of enhancing tourist amenities, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced plans for constructing two Maharashtra Bhawans in Srinagar and Ayodhya. This initiative aims to provide enhanced facilities for tourists and devotees, aligning with the state government's commitment to bolstering tourism infrastructure.
Mar 14, 2024
IGI Clinches Best Airport Award in Asia Pacific Region for Sixth Year in Row
Indira Gandhi International Airport once again asserted its dominance in the aviation sector by securing the prestigious title of 'Best Airport' in the Asia-Pacific region for the sixth consecutive year. This accolade, bestowed by the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, reaffirms Delhi Airport's commitment to excellence and leadership in providing top-notch services to passengers.
The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Best Airport award for 2023 was conferred upon Delhi Airport in the category of over 40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) by the Airports Council International (ACI).
The ASQ Awards, organized annually by ACI World, evaluate airport performance based on customer experience metrics gathered from passengers participating in ASQ's Departures and Arrivals Surveys.
ACI World collaborates with Amadeus, a leading travel technology company, to administer the ASQ Awards, ensuring a rigorous and impartial assessment process.
Mar 06, 2024
PM Modi Inaugurate India's 1st Underwater Metro in Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first-ever underwater metro section in Kolkata, a landmark project showcasing the nation's stride towards infrastructure development.
The underwater service is part of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro's East-West corridor, which covers a distance of 16.6 km under the Hooghly River.
The metro service will connect Howrah and Salt Lake -- the West Bengal state capital's twin cities. Three out of six stations will be underground.
The inauguration of the landmark project comes less than a year after Kolkata Metro, in April 2023, made history by running a train through the underwater tunnel as part of trials, which was a first in India.