India Tour Operators Happy for Return of International Flights

India Tour Operators Happy for Return of International Flights

The India Association of Tour Operators (IATO) expressed its sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the decision to resume regular international flight operations from March 27, 2022.

According to Mr. Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO: “Even though the decision was on the cards, still it is a big relief for the entire travel and tourism fraternity, and we look forward to the revival of international tourism in the country. Further, to enhance the foreign tourist flow to the country, we urge the government to restore all visas that were issued earlier but were suspended due to pandemic.

“Besides [this], we appeal to the government to resume multiple entry visa and e-Visa for the countries which have been barred particularly from the source markets like UK, Canada, etc. We also request the government to extend the validity of [the] free tourist visa till March 31, 2024, without capping of 5 lakh free tourist visas.”

The President of the Confederation of Tourism Professionals and past President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, Subhash Goyal, said: “On behalf of the Confederation of Tourism Professionals and the entire aviation and tourism industry, I would like to thank our Honorable Civil Aviation Minister, Sh. Jyotiraditya Scindia Ji; the Civil Aviation Secretary; Honorable Tourism Minister; Honorable Tourism Secretary; and the entire Tourism Ministry and DGCA for having finally announced the starting of the scheduled international flights from 27th of this month.

“The entire aviation and tourism industry including tourist taxi drivers, tourist guides, small tour operators, vendors selling souvenirs to the tourists, [and] artisans have suffered for more than 2 years.  A lot of them have gone bankrupt and others are hanging on [by] a thin thread. This announcement has come as a light at the end of the tunnel, and we are confident that inbound tourism to India, will bounce back in a big way, and between October to December this year, we should be near the pre-COVID levels.

“The airfares will also substantially reduce, [and] hopefully, the fuel price may start coming down once the war situation between Ukraine and Russia becomes easy. With the opening of skies we look forward to India becoming the aviation hub as announced by Honorable Civil Aviation Minister, Sh. Jyotiraditya Scindia ji.

“In 2019, India earned 30 billion dollars in foreign exchange from inbound international tourism, and we hope that this amount will become 50 billion dollars in the next 2 years, and the millions of people who had lost their jobs will again be re-employed.”

Vishal Suri, Managing Director of SOTC Travel, had this to say on the recent announcement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation: “The opening of India’s skies is a critical pivot in the industry’s road to recovery. The recent announcement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services with effect from March 27 will hence provide much needed relief for the sector, more so as it comes during India’s key booking season for the spring and summer school vacations.”

Sex Tourism: Different Country in the world

Some travelers specifically plan to travel to fulfill their sexual desires. Call it a sexually-indulgent holiday, if you will. They dream of having fun in red light districts and look forward to erotic massage studios. There really isn’t anything wrong with that as long as the traveler pays heed to the dignity of the sex workers. The view of sex workers should be to give them their due respect. And travelers should shun any inkling of human trafficking or activities involving children in sex abuse.

Keeping this in mind and looking for the best sex tourism destinations to consider, here are 10 to put on the list:

Thailand 

Thailand has some cities where sex tourism is promoted indirectly. Those cities are teeming with sex workers, like Pattaya and the Bangkok Red Light Districts. In fact, Bangkok has been crowned as the most renowned sex capital of the world.

Being true to its infamous abundance of sex tourism, it has been called a sex workers paradise. There are ladies who are willing to barter their services for a traveler’s big bucks. This is so accurate that it is safe to say there is a sex worker on every square foot of Bangkok.

But is it legal? Actually, no. Sex tourism or prostitution is not allowed by the law of the state. It is, however, well under control of the police, and the government keeps a blind eye on the sex industry because of the millions of dollars in income to the national GDP.

Singapore

In Singapore, sex work is as legal as legal can be and is regulated by law, but negative activities related to prostitution do come under scrutiny by the police. Because of this, sex service and its payments are usually done behind closed doors.

While prostitution may be legal, pimping and brothels are not. Police are used to turning a blind eye – this seems to be a common theme in the sex industry regardless of country – but famous sex houses do have to watch intently to make sure there is no criminal activity on the premises.

Singapore is a nation that it gives freedom for a prostitute to do her business on her own in her own apartment or house in such well-known places such as Geylang Road, Orchard, Decker Road, and the Keong Saik Red Light District. They also can do it in premises leased by them or in the client’s hotel.

Prostitutes must undergo medical checkups to detect STDs and must carry with them a certificate stating that they are not carriers of any sexually-transmitted diseases.

The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a giant in sex tourism, and yes, it is legal and comes under the protection of law enforcement. But just like Singapore, one cannot run a brothel to earn money from sex workers or through a third party. The sex worker has to earn money on his or her own.

In the DR, sex workers can be freelance workers if they wish to do so. And there is also the opportunity to engage in the sex vending business in an area that is known as upscale areas.

Ukraine

In the Ukraine, Kiev and Odessa are known as the most well-liked sex tourism cities in the country. Sex tourism is actually illegal here, but there’s not much chance of interference from the law. These 2 cities have strip clubs and massage parlors blooming all over the place.

Sex travelers to Ukraine make it a point not to miss out on visiting Kiev and Odessa where they can fulfill their sexual desires with the help of Ukranian women and men.

Japan

A popular red light district in Japan are the streets of Roppongi in Tokyo. But there’s a catch to sex travel in this country.

While Japan enjoys a huge number of international travelers, female sex workers do not really like foreign men. Japanese women tend to believe that the type of sex that foreign men want is rough and to them this is undesirable.

Along with that, they do not like the body smell of foreigners and find the language barrier a determent from engaging themselves to satisfy a customer’s sexual wants.

Costa Rica

Did you know that 10 percent of all who travel to Costa Rica are going there for sex? What makes the country so popular? Are the prices good? Are the workers just that skilled?

Well, perhaps, but mostly it’s because in the United States of America, prostitution is illegal, and Costa Rica is not that far away. In fact, many US-bound migrants engage in prostitution in Costa Rica to the tune of nearly 80 percent.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, women own the most precious traits that make them the summation of a real embodiment of beauty ever to be found on Earth. This holds true with the number of Venezuelan women who have earned the title of Miss World.

Here, prostitution is legal, and sex work is a norm, especially in Caracas. This city booms with escort services to the delight of sex travelers.

Brothels are also present here as well as erotic massage parlors and sex massage spas.

Spain

Spain has it all one might say – wine, bullfighting, and legal prostitution. The red light districts in Spain are abundant and active.

And even in a town where there is no red light district, a sex traveler is likely to find a prostitute ready to supply their services for some nice cash.

Indonesia

Indonesia has a bad reputation for child sex trafficking, so sex travelers are advised to be very careful about where they find sexual experiences.

Perhaps the safest way to find sex in Indonesia is to use the Internet. There are rings of prostitution and forums of prostitution that a sex traveler can access via social media.

In Gili and Bali, sex tourism is unofficially spoken here – it is illegal – so caution is advised.

Amsterdam

Now Amsterdam is very well known for its Red Light Districts. Here, prostitution is completely legal and safe. They even have part of their website dedicated to the Red Light Districts.

One can even go window shopping in person by simply strolling past the brothels and taking a look at the prostitutes in the windows.

There is also the presence of a sex museum where sex travelers can learn some new things about fleshly delights involving carnal love.

Seychelles Tourism Launches New Service Excellence Program

Based on three main pillars, Sensitization and Awareness, Education and Training and Recognition and Award, the program aims to bring about a change in people’s attitudes and perceptions concerning customer service in general in Seychelles and is anticipated to be the start of a long-lasting national project.

In his address following a presentation on the essence of Lospitalite – Lafyerte Sesel and reveal of the campaign’s logo, Minister Radegonde explained that the campaign is to encourage and cultivate the ethos of service excellence, pride in hosting our guests and to recognize those in the tourism industry who excel.

“Hospitality is something every Seychellois learns at his or her mother’s knee, and we can safely say that it ranks next to cleanliness and godliness in our culture. Every visitor who disembarks in this country is our guest, visiting us here in our home. We have to take pride in being hosts and delivering the best service we can to make each one of them feel welcome at every touchpoint in that journey throughout the time we are hosting them here in Seychelles, our home. Our livelihoods and the sustainability of our industry depend on it,” the minister said.

The project, which falls under the mandate of the Tourism Department’s Destination Planning & Development Division and is being deployed by the Industry Human Resource Development section within this division; has been in preparation since the third quarter of 2021 guided by a high-level coordinating committee chaired by Principal Secretary Sherin Francis.

PS Francis expressed her gratitude to all who responded positively to the various media calls by presenting their ideas to make the event a success. Highlighting the essence of the campaign and the importance of the three pillars underpinning the campaign she said,

“Lospitalite – Lafyerte Sesel encapsulates everything we want to describe; our aspiration for our service industry; warm, friendly, helpful, generous… and it applies to everyone offering a service. It’s a word not as commonly used nowadays. It is speaking in the affirmative. We know we are not there yet but this is where we aspire to be. We are proud of our islands, its natural beauty and splendor, we are proud of our people; friendly, loving, multi-ethnic, diverse, and we know we have it in us to be hospitable. We just need to be proudly show it. Proud to serve and be bold enough to put our pride aside or whatever is stopping us from going that extra mile,” said PS Francis.

The campaign’s theme song, interpreted by Aaron Jean accompanied by Channel Azemia was then performed. ‘Tourizm i nou dipen’, written by renowned Seychellois artist Jean-Marc Volcy is dedicated to highlighting the importance of the tourism sector as our breadwinner.

In his closing remarks Director General for Destination Planning and Development, Paul Lebon delivered a vote of thanks to all who have brought the program to fruition.

विश्वका १० उत्कृष्ट देशको सूचीमा नेपाल पहिलो नम्बरमा

काठमाडौ  : बेलायतको ट्राभल गाइड बुकले पर्यटकीय गन्तव्यका लागि विश्वका १० उत्कृष्ट  सुन्दर देशहरुको सूचीमा नेपाल पहिलो नम्बरमा  सुची प्रकाशित गरेको छ। भ्रमणका लागि नेपाल पहिलो नम्बरमा परेको छ । सन् २०२१ मा भ्रमणका लागि बेलायतको रफ गाइडले प्रकाशित गरेको विश्वका १० उत्कृष्ट देशको सूचीमा नेपाल परेको हो । सन् २०१६ देखि नै लगातार नेपाल पहिलो स्थानमा छ ।

०७२ साल वैशाख १२ गते गएको भूकम्पले थिलो थिलो । यो नेपालका लागि मात्र हैन विश्वभरीकै लागि हो । यही अवस्थामापनि नेपाल नै पहिलो गन्तव्य रहेको भन्दै गाईडले नेपाल भ्रमण गर्न योग्य सुन्दर देश भनेको छ । रफ गाईडले नेपालको ट्रेकिङ रुट, होम स्टे तथा विभिन्न सांस्कृतिक क्षेत्रलाई पर्यटकीय आकर्षणको मुख्य केन्द्र भनेको छ । विभिन्न हिम श्रृँखला, जंगली जनावर तथा विविधताले भरिपूर्ण नेपाली जंगलहरुलाई पर्यटनका लागि उत्कृष्ट रहेको बताईएको छ ।   १० देशको सूचीमा नेपाल पहिलो, कोलम्बियालाई दोस्रो नम्बरमा राखिएको छ ।

दुई घण्टा फन्को मारेको बुद्धको जहाज बिहानैबाट सन्चालन

१२ असोज, काठमाडौं : सोमबार बिहान ७३ यात्रुलाई लिएर काठमाडौंबाट विराटनगर उडेको सो जहाज अवतरण गर्ने क्रममा एक इन्डिकेटरले दायाँतर्फको पाङ्ग्रा खुलेको जानकारी नगराएपछि काठमाडौं फर्किएको थियो ।  गडबडी नभएको पुष्टि भएसँगै जहाजले उडानको अनुमति पाएको हो ।’ उनका अनसार सो जहाजले मंगलबार तीन उडान गरिसकेको छ । प्राविधिक समस्याका कारण सोमबार करिब दुई घण्टा आकासमा फन्को मारेको बुद्ध एअरको जहाज मंगलबार बिहानैबाट सन्चालनमा आएको छ ।  आकाशमा करिब दुई घण्टा फन्को मारेको सो जहाज त्रिभुवन अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थलमा भने सामान्य अवस्थामा अवतरण गरेको थियो ।

अमेरिकाको लुइजियानामा ‘विनाशकारी’ आँधी

अमेरिकाको लुइजियानामा शक्तिशाली  समुद्री आँधी जमीनतर्फ अघि बढिरहँदा त्यसले तटीय क्षेत्र डुबाएको छ भने झन्डै सात लाख मानिसहरूलाई विद्युत सेवाबाट बञ्चित पारिदिएको छ। मौसमविद्हरूका अनुसार आइडा अलिकति कमजोर भएर क्याटगरी थ्रीको आँधीमा रूपान्तरण भएको उल्लेख गरेको छ। तर उसले निरन्तर रूपमा दुई सय किलोमिटर प्रतिघण्टा वेगको आँधी निम्त्याइरहेको र बिस्तारै उत्तरतर्फ बढिरहेकाले यसको विनाशकारी क्षमता अझ बढी हुनसक्ने चेतावनी दिइएको छ।

अर्लियन्स नजिकै अस्पतालको छानाको हिस्सा आँधीले उडाएको थियो तर कोही पनि बिरामी घाइते भएनन्। दशौँ हजार व्यक्तिहरूलाई तटीय क्षेत्रबाट उद्धार गरिएको छ र त्यहीँ बसिरहेका व्यक्तिहरूलाई कैयौँ दिनसम्म मद्दत गर्न नसकिने सम्भावनातर्फ मौसमविद्हरूले सचेत गराएका छन।

Saint Lucia expands its extended stay program

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority has introduced a new option to the extended stay Live it program, in response to travel trends and customer demand. Visitors can now embrace Island life in Saint Lucia with a multiple entry visa for up to one year. Through both options of the Live it program, Saint Lucia is inspiring travelers to immerse themselves in local culture, while exploring the destination’s natural beauty on an extended stay vacation or working remotely with ease.

Saint Lucia’s Live it program was introduced earlier in 2021 for visits up to six weeks. For those seeking the option to make multiple visits of any length, the second phase of the Live it program allows applicants to stay for up to a year with a multiple entry visa at the cost of USD$75.

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s Live it program options fit the needs of families, remote workers, millennials and just about every traveler. Visitors can independently plan their own extended visits, or their trip can be curated and customized with dedicated Live It specialists that create a bespoke experience to work, play, sleep and eat with the convenience of a dedicated local concierge.

While in Saint Lucia, visitors can work remotely comfortably and reliably, as free Wi-fi is offered across the island at hotels, villas, and public venues. Many hotels already offer remote work amenities and special perks that make the work and vacation balance seamless. Applicants can choose from two options for a truly authentic experience:

  • Tailor-Made Experience: Carefully curated by Live it Island Specialists, no two visits are alike! The immersive program provides visitors with an off the beaten path itinerary to explore Saint Lucia’s sites and attractions safely all while living like a local. Working with Live it Island Specialists including Barefoot Holidays, Serenity Vacations & Tours and St. James Travel & Tours, visitors can customize their own itinerary to fit their needs and interests.
  • Live it Independently: Applicants can apply directly to the Immigration Department for a multi-entry visa for up to one year by completing a Saint Lucia Application Form at least (2) weeks prior to travel date. Applicants will be notified within 5 days if the application has been approved with a temporary approval letter. The visa fee is payable at the airport upon arrival to Saint Lucia, along with a printed copy of the approval letter, to be submitted to a customs officer.
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फर्कन नपाएका विदेशीलाई भिसा शुल्क छुट

काठमाडौँ  : वैशाख १५ सम्म भिसा नियमित गरे पनि उडान बन्द भएकाले रोकिएका विदेशीलाई विलम्ब शुल्कबापत प्रतिदिन ५ डलर र भिसा शुल्क ३ डलर र जरिवानामा समेत छुट दिने भएको छ ।  पर्यटक भिसामा आएर स्वदेश फिर्ता हुन नपाई रोकिएका विदेशी नागरिकलाई सरकारले अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय हवाई उडान सहज नभएसम्म जरिवाना, विलम्ब र भिसा शुल्कबापतको रकम छुट दिने भएको  हो ।

२०७८ वैशाख २३ मा गृहमन्त्रीस्तरीय निर्णयका आधारमा अध्यागमन विभागले वैशाख १५ सम्म भिसा नियमित गरेका तर हवाई उडान बन्द भएका कारण स्वदेश फिर्ता हुन नपाएका विदेशी पर्यटकका लागि दैनिक तिर्नुपर्ने भिसा शुल्क ३ अमेरिकी डलर र विलम्ब शुल्क ५ डलर छुट दिने निर्णय भएको थियो ।

 हवाई यातायात खुलेर नेपालमै बस्न चाहने विदेशीको हकमा भने निषेधाज्ञा अवधिको सबै शुल्क र जरिवाना रकम पनि असुलिने अध्यागमन विभागले जनाएको छ । वैशाख २४ मा विभागले सूचना जारी गर्दै ‘वैशाख १५ सम्म वैध पर्यटक भिसा भएका विदेशीको हकमा निषेध आदेश अवधिलाई निज पर्यटक भिसामा नेपाल बस्न सक्ने गरी १ सय ५० दिनअन्तर्गत गणना गर्ने’ भनेको थियो । एक वर्षमा एक जना पर्यटकले बढीमा १ सय ५० दिनको भिसा पाउने व्यवस्था छ ।

Beginner’s Guide to Barcelona

Beaches, parks, architecture, and flamenco are all wrapped up into one breath-taking city. Barcelona is one of those places that you need multiple days to fully see all of the highlights and to only begin to delve nooks and crannies of.

I spent three days there and barely scratched the surface. As a city that is located on the beach and is pretty close to the Mountains of Montserrat, there is a ton to do! Not to mention all of the history and architectural wonders to explore.

Beaches, parks, architecture, and flamenco are all wrapped up into one breath-taking city. Barcelona is one of those places that you need multiple days to fully see all of the highlights and to only begin to delve nooks and crannies of.

I spent three days there and barely scratched the surface. As a city that is located on the beach and is pretty close to the Mountains of Montserrat, there is a ton to do! Not to mention all of the history and architectural wonders to explore.

Cathedral in Barcelona
Archite

Facts:

  • The language spoken in Barcelona is Catalan though most everyone also speaks Spanish
  • Antoni Gaudi played a huge role in the city’s architecture scene
  • The 1992 summer Olympics were held in Barcelona and many of the sites used are still attractions or venues used today
  • Barcelona is considered one of the best beach cities in the world, although it’s beaches were artificially made.
  • Barcelona was almost home to the Eiffel Tower but was rejected for being “too radical”
  • It’s home to the largest soccer stadium in Europe
  • About 10% of Barcelona consists of parks, 68 to be exact. And they’re beautiful!

Russian low-cost carrier Pobeda to launch additional Cyprus flights in mid-June

Russian budget carrier Pobeda announced that it will will launch service from Yekaterinburg, Kazan and Perm to Larnaca, Cyprus in mid-June. Ticket sales are already available for purchase on the company’s website, according to Pobeda Airlines statement.

“Flights from Perm to Larnaca will start on June 14. The first flight from Yekaterinburg is scheduled for June 15 and from Kazan – June 16. Flights over the summer season will be made once per week at each destination. Pobeda has not operated flights to Larnaca from these cities before,” the company said. Earlier, Pobeda also launched weekly flights from Larnaca to Moscow, one per week. The scheduled air service between Russia and Cyprus is suspended now due to COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines can only make freight and passenger flights with tickets available for sale for specific groups of nationals only. All Russian citizens are now eligible to enter Cyprus but two coronavirus tests are required. Since May 10, everyone vaccinated with Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine can arrive at Cyprus without tests.