Australia boasted the largest ever rise in visitor arrivals in June as fans of the British and Irish Lions invaded the country to watch a one-in-12 year rugby test series. In a boost to the economy that might make up for Australia losing the series, arrivals from the UK surged 68 percent in June to a record 81,400. That helped lift overall June visitor arrivals by a thumping 7.6 percent on seasonally adjusted basis to 564,100, according to data from Australian Bureau of Statistics released on Friday. That was also the highest on record and up 10 percent from June last year. The data confirm estimates from Tourism Australia that the Lions brought around 30,000 British tourists along in their wake, generating up to A$150 million ($138 million) for the national economy. Visitors from ...
Read MoreArchives
Talking about tourism in Kashmir, will generally take you to Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. No doubt that they are the gems of the valley, but there is still a lot besides these four top spots. Lot many places to see and admire and lot beyond the regular natural beauty spots. Naranag is one of them and it was an altogether different experience for me to visit an archaelogical site in such a scenic surroundings. But equally anguished was I to see such a place in total shambles. Nobody to protect or even take care of such an important site. It has been left to be ruined. I was astonished to see that there was not even a single sign board or a plaque which could give visitors any idea about the site, its history, importance or architecture. Go googling was the only option left. ...
Read MoreNature lovers who long for savouring the warmth of congenial wetland spots in Bhitarkanika in Odisha's Kendrapara district would now have to take care of their purse. Visiting the mangrove-infested sites with a shoe-string budget has now become a thing of past. As Bhitarkanika National Park reopened for visitors on Thursday, 1st August 2013, authorities have effected a steep hike in boarding and lodging for tourists. The rise is manifold and likely to pinch the middle class and lower middle class visitors. Forest officials said that "For factors beyond our control, the hike was made for better maintenance of government-owned bungalows in Bhitarkanika. The park remained out of bound for tourists and visitors from May 31 till yesterday in view of nesting season of estuarine crocodile."...
Read MoreChildren don’t have to be born into royalty to be treated like a prince or princess at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. The property is giving all parents the chance to treat their kids like VIPs through the hotel’s Love Your Family package. With the package, children are welcomed in style with an exclusive dining privilege (kids eat free!), Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel coloring book and special Mickey Vision glasses. These special glasses provide children with their own unique way to watch the nightly fireworks by making Mickey Mouse appear in the lights when using them during the show. Families will also be presented with The Kid’s Guide to Orlando, where VIP kids can find the not-to-be-missed, kid-tested attractions, restaurants and shops. And what roy...
Read MoreOn Saturday, 27 July 2013, Visions of Mughal India: The Collection of Howard Hodgkin - an exhibition of Indian paintings from the exceptional private collection of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, Howard Hodgkin – opened at National Museum Cardiff in Wales. The collection, never shown in Wales before, comprised most of the main types of Indian court painting that flourished during the Mughal period (c. 1550–1850) e.g. the refined naturalistic works of the imperial Mughal court; the poetic and subtly coloured paintings of the Deccani Sultanates; and the boldly drawn and vibrantly coloured styles of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan and the Punjab Hills. This group of works has long been considered as one of the finest of its kind in the world. On tour from the Ashmolean Museu
Read MoreAlmost for a century it remained to be India's longest sea link, until 2010 when Bandra-Worli sea link was opened. Pamban rail Bridge on Palk Strait in Tamilnadu state of India was opened for traffic in 1914. It has now entered into its hundredth year. This sea link is 2.3 kilometres long and it connects Indian mainland to the Pamban island. Pamban island houses one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India- Rameshwaram. Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi are mythologically related to epic of Ramayana. The rail bridge also has a parallel road link but it was built quite later. Bridge located at the world's second highest corrosive environment after Miami and in highly cyclone prone area was a challenge to build and was certainly an engineering marvel Pamban rail bridge is for the mo...
Read MoreThe famed Nanda Devi Jaat Yatra, held after every 12 years in Uttarakhand hill state of north India, will not be postponed in wake of the recent rain tragedy in Kedarnath, Chamoli, Rudraprayg areas, which left scores dead and entire hill state shaken. Although, district authorities have suggested keeping it at a local level this time saying they are not in a position to handle big crowds. The Nanda Raj Jaat, known as the Kumbh of Uttarakhand, is slated to be held from August 29 to September 16, 2013. The 280 km and 19-day trek starts from Nauti village and reaches Homkund through Bedini Bugyal, Roopkund and the very difficult Gali pass. The yatra will be organised as per schedule though there was a proposal to postpone it. We spoke to the local people who want it to go on. It is a rel...
Read MoreA male elephant named Gabbar, who worked in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam in north-east India, ferrying tourists, died today following a prolonged illness, Park officials said. The 50-year old elephant, named after the villain 'Gabbar Singh' of mid seventies Bollywood film 'Sholay', was injured following a fight with a buffalo in the Park in December last. 'Sholay' is still considered among the most popular films in the Indian film Industry. The elephant was treated by Park veterinarians for the last seven months but it died this morning in the Bagori range. Gabbar carried tourists on its back for more than twenty years and later as he aged, the elephant was used to carry rations to the different camps in the Park....
Read MoreKennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida has now opened the doors to the world’s most comprehensive and interactive attraction devoted to NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program – Space Shuttle Atlantis. Of the three space-flown orbiters distributed by NASA to science centers and museums throughout the country, only Atlantis is the focal point of a $100 million, 90,000-square-foot attraction containing four multimedia and cinematic productions and more than 60 interactive experiences that invite guests to “be the astronaut” and to celebrate the people, passion and patriotism behind the shuttle program. Space Shuttle Atlantis is included in regular admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Only at Space Shuttle Atlantis can guests come literally nose-to-nose with an actua
Read MoreA sea plane ride over Maldivian sea can be one of the most cherished travel moments for any travel enthusiast. For me it certainly was. Watching coral islands, different hues of ocean and ever-spreading resorts, hovering in the sky as if sitting on a birds wings- is an experience certainly not to be missed. ...
Read More