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Travelnjoy Vol. I - Issue 8 - June 2017
Travel e-Magazine
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Travelnjoy Hotel Owners, Holiday Makers, Tour Organisers...
we promote YOUR business
Publish FULL PAGE advertisement @ unbeatable price of `500/- per month in Travelnjoy e-Magazine. Features • Lowest advertisement cost. Less than even printing & distributing of handouts. • Digital advertising media. Save paper, save environment. • Magazine available at leading digital publishers and on our website www.travelnjoy.co.in • Free readership. Reader can freely read online and even download magazine. • Gobal impact. As magazine is available online your advertisement can be seen from any part of the world. • Your advertisement will also be promoted on social media like facebook, whatsapp, instagram, linkedin etc. • So send your advertisement in high resolution JPG or PDF. • Online payment (netbanking, debit/credit card) option is available on www.travelnjoy.co.in. • For more details email us at shirish.travelnjoy@gmail.com OR shirish@travelnjoy.co.in Shirish Kirtane Founder - Travelnjoy
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Travel e-Magazine ------------------------------------------------Editor: Shirish Kirtane Contributors: Girish Pimpale Design & Layout: Shirish Kirtane Manish Malve Photography: Shraddha Kirtane Shruti Kirtane Published by: Travelnjoy Holidays A/302, Ankush CHS, New Viva College Road, Vartak Ward, Virar (W). --------------------------------------------------------------Be a contributor by sending travel related articles, photos and other contents helpful to the readers. We are looking for the contributors. Those who are interested can contact on: shirish.travelnjoy@gmail.com OR shirish@travelnjoy.co.in To read the magazine online log on to: www.travelnjoy.co.in --------------------------------------------------------------Cover Photo Credit: Shraddha Kirtane DISCLAMIER
We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the information on this magazine. However we can give no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of the content of this magazine. Hence we accept no liability for any losses or damages, whether direct, indirect or otherwise arising out of errors or omissions contained in this magazine. We reserves the right to update, add, amend, remove, replace or change any part of the content at any time without prior notice. We shall not be liable for distortion of data arising from any technical fault including transmission errors, technical defects, interruptions or third party intervention.
High rate of GST to Hotels Industry The tourism industry is now petitioning the government over the taxes that have almost doubled under GST. They argue that a nation like France, which gets 80 million foreign tourists a year, charges only 5.5 per cent tax. The high rate of Goods and Services Tax to the hotel industry has brought a chill to Rajasthan, the desert state that probably draws the most tourists that come to India. On an average 1.5 million foreign tourists visit Rajasthan every year, that’s about 20 per cent of the total number of foreign tourists that visit the country. GST has placed hotels that charge over Rs. 5,000 a night in the highest tax bracket - 28 per cent. The new rates will push the tourists’ bills up by nearly 40 per cent as the existing rates are between 12 and 18 per cent. The new tax slab also applies to restaurants that have air conditioning and serve alcohol. The move has not gone down well with the hotel industry, which is now extremely apprehensive of a huge drop in footfall. “Why would somebody not go to Sri Lanka? Why would they come to India?” questioned Randhir Singh Mandawa from the Heritage Hotel owner’s association. “It is a very price sensitive industry and it takes a minute to shift the entire business from a country like India to our neighbours”. A chunk of the palaces in Rajasthan have been converted partially and fully into fivestar Heritage Hotels. Even without them, the 04
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number of hotels that charge above Rs. 5,000 for a night is legion. The tourism industry is now petitioning the government over the taxes that have almost doubled under GST. They argue that a nation like France, which gets 80 million foreign tourists a year, charges only 5.5 per cent tax. For India, which gets only 1 per cent of that figure, charging 28 per cent tax is just not globally competitive. Palaces and sand, music and food draw nearly eight million foreign tourists to India - the traffic generates nearly Rs. 14 lakh crores a year in revenue. One of the mainstays of the state, tourism employs nearly 37 million people directly and indirectly - a fact that has got the tour operators worried as well. “India has never been a cheap destination,” said Khalid Khan from the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators. Having given out rates for this year for the season starting July to March they are now worried about losing business or having to absorb losses. “We have already given rates to the foreign agent so we have to go by our commitments and we will have to absorb the losses.”
Goa & Singapore most preferred destinations by Indian Tourists Mumbai: Goa has emerged as the top 10 most preferred destination for Indian travellers during summer vacations this year, while Singapore is the first choice for overseas holidays, a recent report has revealed. According to TripAdvisor’s ‘Summer Vacation Value’ report Goa has topped the list of top 10 holiday destinations preferred by Indians this summer followed by Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, Mussoorie in Uttarakhand and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. Munnar in Kerala stood seventh in the list while Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir secured number eighth position followed by Nainital in Himachal Pradesh and Lonavala in Maharashtra, mentioned the report.
“The value conscious Indian traveller is always looking to make the most out of their trip and have the best experience with his or her budget. “This becomes even more important when the trip is spent with family, which is typically the case during summer with school and college holidays, and if the family goes abroad,” TripAdvisor India Country Manager Nikhil Ganju said. While travelling overseas, short haul destinations were among the most preferred among Indians this summer, the report said. Singapore topped the top 10 list followed by Bali in Indonesia, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Dubai, it said. Kaafu Atoll in Maldives secured sixth position among the top 10 most preferred destinations where Indians are headed this summer, while London was placed seventh, Pattaya in Thailand was in eighth, Hong Kong ninth and Paris was at tenth, the report added.
The report was compiled according to booking interest data for Indian travellers during the summer travel period May 1-July 31 2017.
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India: Foreign travelers get hassle-free e-Visa Arrivals of foreign tourists to India surged by 23.5 per cent in April 2017, the Ministry of Tourism said Friday, with the highest number of tourists coming from Bangladesh and the US. The government’s push to increase transparency in the visa process by introducing an online visa application portal also saw increased take up as 1.14 lakh tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa as compared to 0.7 lakh during the month of April 2016 registering a jump of 63.4 per cent in a year. Here are some key highlights: • The top 5 source countries for foreign tourists in April were Bangladesh (23.07 per cent) followed by USA (10.65 per cent), UK (10.51 per cent), Germany (3.28 per cent) and Australia (3.15 per cent). • The total number of foreign tourists was 7.40 lakh in April 2017, as compared to FTAs of 5.99 lakh in April, 2016. • During the period January-April 2017, 35.85 lakh foreign tourists visited India - a growth
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of 15.4 per cent, as compared to 31.08 lakh tourists in January- April 2016. • Delhi airport received the maximum number of foreign tourists at 29.2 per cent followed by Mumbai airport (15.48 per cent). • Among the land routes used by foreign tourists, Haridaspur Land checkpost between Bangladesh and India, was the most used, with 12.88 per cent of India’s total foreign tourists using it to enter India followed by Gede Rail Land checkpost and Ghojadanga land checkpost • During the month of April, 2017, total of 1.14 lakh tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 0.7 lakh during the month of April 2016 registering a growth of 63.4%. • Tourists from UK applied and received the maximum number of e-Tourist visas at 21.6 per cent followed by USA, China, Russian Federation, France and Germany
Indians can visit Russia’s far east without visas
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that tourists and businessmen from India and 17 other countries can visit the country’s far east without visas to boost tourism and investment in the region. Mr Medvedev said yesterday that businessmen and tourists will not need to undergo the traditional procedure of Russian visas receipt. According to the official site of the Russian Cabinet, the list of 18 countries comprises Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, India, Iran, Qatar, China, North Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Mexico, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey and Japan, Tass news agency reported. “I have recently approved the list of countries, whose nationals can take advantage of the preferential regime,” Mr Medvedev said. “We are pro actively forming the modern
infrastructure and creating special regimes in the far east; the law on visits to the Vladivostok free port was approved in March,” he said. Cancellation of visa procedures for tourists and businessmen “will promote growth of investment and tourist attractiveness of the far east,” the prime minister said. The region will earn more money from tourist traffic growth, he added. Eighteen countries from various regions selected by the reciprocity principle were included into the list, Mr Medvedev said. “This is not because these states are situated at a closer or longer distance - we are appropriately introducing bilateral agreements on visa-free travel for those ready to use such an approach for us,” he said.
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1st ‘Floating Hotel’ in Mumbai This new theme hotel is docked at the Maharashtra Maritime Board’s jetty at Bandra under the Bandra-Worli Sea link, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said in a release. Mumbai: Dining is no longer going to be conventional, as the megapolis got its first floating hotel - ‘AB Celestial’ - where one can enjoy a relaxing evening in the backdrop of the iconic Bandra-Worli sea link. This new theme hotel is docked at the Maharashtra Maritime Board’s jetty at Bandra under the Bandra-Worli Sea link, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said in a release. This luxury floating hotel was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday. The concept is conceived by WB International Consultants (the founder of AB Celestial) in
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association with MTDC and Maharashtra Maritime Board. The AB Celestial is designed and imported from the US, having three-tier luxury dining floatel with a sky deck, two galleys and a capacity to accommodate a minimum of 660 guests across four tiers, it said. The floatel, mainly targeted at affluent and foreign tourists, also houses two multi-cuisine restaurants including a club lounge equipped with a 24-hour coffee shop. Earlier, the floatel was launched in 2014, by then state tourism minister Chhagan Bhujbal, but could not open to public due to issues over permissions. Currently in India, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have floating hotels. Globally cities like New York, Dubai, Hong Kong, Saigon in Vietnam have floating restaurants.
Country welcomes many international visitors as e-visa scheme gain popularity India’s tourism industry continues to flourish, with the country registering a sharp increase in terms of international arrivals in April 2017. According to the latest data from India’s Ministry of Tourism, a total of 740,000 overseas travellers visited India last month, 23.5% more than the 599,000 achieved in April 2016. Bangladesh was the country’s largest source market in April, accounting for 23.1% of total arrivals, followed by the US (10.7%) and UK (10.5%). These three source markets accounted for more than 44% of the total monthly inbound traffic to India. Germany, Australia, Malaysia, China, Sri Lanka, Russia and Canada completed the top 10 source markets. India also experienced strong demand for its e-tourist visas in April; the country issued a total 114,000 e-visas during the month, marking a 63.4% year-on-year increase and accounting for 15% of the total monthly arrivals. For the first four months of 2017, India has now welcomed a total of 3.59 million international visitors, up 15.4% year-on-year. Meanwhile, India has been proposed as the host country of the official World Tourism Day celebrations in 2019. The announcement was made at the 29th joint meeting of the UNWTO Commissions for Asia and the Pacific, which took place in Bangladesh this week. Travelnjoy | June-July 2017
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Delhi Metro’s ‘Heritage Line’ to be operational soon The ‘Heritage Line’ stretch of the Delhi Metro will be operational from May 28, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Friday. An extension of the Violet Line (ITO-Escort Mujeser), this stretch comprises four stations -Kashmere Gate, Dilli Gate, Jama Masjid and Lal Qila. The line will be inaugurated by Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the same day two hours before the beginning of its commercial operation, the transporter said.
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Beset by delays, the stretch missed a number of deadlines throughout its course, and was expected to be open to the public last year. Metro officials have attributed the delays to difficulties they faced during the construction on the vulnerable stretch, as many historical ramparts were laid along it. Procurement of land and exodus of the labour force immediately after demonetisation were also cited as issues which slowed the pace of construction.
Goa during Monsoons Goa isn’t just about beaches, there is lot more than the sun, sand and surf. From majestic waterfall to spice plantations, the place has something to offer to everyone. The best time to visit Goa is from midNovember to mid-February, when the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable. But, if you love the monsoons then Goa is the perfect abode for you. Parties are organised across Goa to welcome the rains. The beauty of the place during monsoons will surely take your breath away. Another reason to visit Goa during monsoons is the festival of Sao-Joao which is held during late June. You can even get good bargains at the hotels during this ‘off season’ time. If you are planning to spend some laid-back time, then here is list of places you can head to in Goa: 1. Waterfalls Blessed with lot of waterfalls, Goa is the perfect destination for trekkers and people who enjoy nature trail. The famous Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most striking natural phenomena known for its milky white water.
2. Wildlife sanctuaries If you are a wildlife lover then you should add the wildlife sanctuaries in your must-visit list. These sanctuaries include Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, The Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Mollem National and Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. 3. Spice plantation From cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and pepper, the spice plantations are a popular attraction here. You can visit Shahakari Spice Farm, Tropical spice plantation, NV Eco farm and Savoi Plantations. 4. Adventure Trekking expeditions and nature trails lovers must try the white-water rafting organised by Goa Tourism Development Corporation conducted only during the monsoons in the river Mhadei. 5. Rejuvenate An ideal place to rejuvenate, you can enjoy peaceful time here. Yoga, ayurveda and spa experience here will make you want to visit this place again.
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Travelling alone? Travelling alone? Make the adventurous activity safer by equipping yourself with a first aid kit, comfortable shoes, luggage tracker and more. First aid kit: It is of the utmost importance for a solo traveller, be it a woman or a man, to carry a first aid kit along with them. One should make sure to carry all the needed medications and the prescriptions to avoid any uncertainty. Along with the medicines, it is vital that a woman carries a pepper spray and a few products for hygiene care in order to keep away from an unhealthy or unhygienic situation or the environment. Airport convenience app: To fight your airport blues of the never-ending wait at several stages of getting through the airport and then finally arriving at the destination, several apps have been developed for passengers to brisk their way through the airport formalities. Comfortable shoes: You can never underestimate the power of a nice pair of shoes or sandals or sneakers. They are your ultimate saviour and help you go places withholding the comfort that facilitates to conserve one’s travel energy. It is, therefore, mandatory to pack a nice pair of comfortable shoes to fight the exhaustion caused as an after effect of travelling. They’ll conserve your energy and keep you from going into the snooze mode.
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Portable battery charger: This is your most important gadget. It’s your life-saver; you cannot afford to leave it behind. Make sure it is in your backpack before you set off on a holiday, or else you will be stranded in the middle of nowhere with your access to the world cut off. When you are travelling and sightseeing, chances are you’ll be taking pictures and using more data than you normally do, which can leave your battery dry. Save yourself the stress and invest in a portable charger. Luggage monitor: If you’ve ever dealt with the headache of lost luggage, you will agree that a luggage tracker is a worthy investment. With this little device you can track your checked baggage anywhere your mobile phone works, and even receive text messages upon landing at your destination that alert you to the status and location of your belongings.
Famous destinations in India for Bollywood Movies Bollywood movies can turn any location into a tourist spot overnight. From places with breathtaking landscapes to the regular lanes of the city, these movies give major travel goals to the fans. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the filmmakers have done a remarkable job at capturing the beauty and charm of the places through their lens over the years. Some of the scenes from these films have been etched in our mind for eternity. Here is a list of few places that have been made famous by Bollywood: 1. Goa With its idyllic beaches and beautiful churches, Goa has always caught the fancy of Indian filmmakers. But, Fort Aguada in North Goa has a special place in Bollywood. The scenes in the movies Rangeela, Dil Chahta Hai, Golmaal, Dhoom and Honeymoon Travels shot here will make you pack your bags. 2. Manali The beautiful mountain ranges have always been a popular tourist destination that has attracted people from India and aboard. Ranbir Kapoor starring ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ gave a big boost to Manali tourism. The Hadimba Temple has gained popularity among youth.
immortalised by movies like Jab We Met, Dev D and Highway. 4. Udaipur Take a plunge in the royal grandeur at Udaipur. A popular destination for wedding and spending long weekends, the beauty of Udaipur has been captured well in the movies Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Ram Leela. 5. Munnar Kerala isn’t just about backwaters, Munnar has also captured Bollywood’s attention. With films like Chennai Express, Nishabd and Lifeof Pi Bollywood has showcased its rising interest in South India. 6. Ladakh Filmmakers are always on the lookout for destinations that haven’t been exposed much on the big screen. Pangong Lake is one such place that has been beautifully painted on the cinematic canvas in movies 3 Idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. 7. Kashmir The green meadows and the snow capped mountains, Kashmir has aptly been called the ‘paradise on Earth’. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Highway, Rockstar and Haider have showcased the beauty of Gulmarg.
3. Rohtang Paas One of the places in India that is popular among Bollywood filmmakers is Rohtang Paas. Located 51 kms from Manali, the place has been
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Canada aims to increase number of international tourists by 30% by 2021 Canada’s tourism office has set an ambitious target of increasing the number of international tourists by 30 percent by 2021. The plan comes following a banner year for Canadian tourism, when the country saw the arrival of nearly 20 million international travelers, narrowly missing the all-time record set in 2002. The announcement also comes at a time when Canada is at the top of many a travel trendspotter’s radar, as the country fetes its 150th anniversary this year. Along with growing the number of visits by 30 percent in four years, the tourism agency also has its sights set on doubling the number of Chinese visitors within the same time period. By 2025, it’s hoped that Canada will be able to crack the top 10 destination list. The project was announced with the launch of a new tourism campaign based on a 20-point plan that includes everything from Millennial-specific travel programs; the lifting of visa requirements for Mexican nationals; the growth of culinary tourism; and the promotion of Canada’s francophone and Indigenous heritage. Travel experts at Lonely Planet, Frommer’s and National Geographic Traveler all put Canada high on their best destinations to visit in 2017 lists last year, for this milestone anniversary. One of the biggest perks for visitors this year is free, year-long admission into the country’s national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites. Festivities will reach their peak on Canada Day July 1. The city of Montreal also fetes its 375th anniversary this year. 14
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Things to be remembered while booking hotel for your vacation One of the most challenging things while planning a vacation is booking the perfect hotel. A bad hotel can ruin your whole vacation and turn your dream holiday into a nightmare.
and swimming pool. If you are taking your pet along will have to look for a petfriendly hotel. Another important thing you should look at is the hygiene level maintained at the hotel.
Here is a list of things that should be kept in mind while booking a hotel:
4. Review
1. Location One of the foremost factors to take into account is the location of the hotel. You might prefer a centrally located hotel which have good connectivity. Moreover, the tourists spots should be in the proximity especially if you are travelling with family. 2. Budget There might be plenty of good hotels but all of those won’t fit your bill. So you have to consider your pocket while booking the hotel. Before making the final call you should also look at the other value added services including laundry,extended hour room service etc.
While booking the ticket online do check the reviews from people who have stayed at the hotel. Online travel forums, hotel review sites and social media sites are of great help in finding the right hotel for you. You can also do an online comparison of the varuious hotels before finalising the one. 5. Connectivity One should look for easy accessibility by air, road or train. Apart from easy accessibility to public transport, you can also look for hotels that provide shuttle service to tourist attractions, airports and railway stations.
3. Facilities and hygiene While planning a trip with the family you would want basic facilities like kids’ area Travelnjoy | June-July 2017
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Tejas Express: Know all about this Premier Train Indian Railways is expected to launch a new premier train, called the Tejas Express, between Mumbai and Goa in June. Aiming to provide comfort to passengers in the inter-city journeys, the train will have executive class and chair cars. The train’s interior colour scheme will match the exterior to give the passengers a feel of world class travel.
3. The passengers will get a taste of choicest cuisine curated by celebrity chefs. Catering service will be part of Tejas fares like Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains. 4. The train will offer wi-fi facilities, automatic doors and secured gangways for all coaches. 5. In a bid to give passengers the feel of world class travel, the t
After the Mumbai-Goa run, the Tejas service is likely to be pressed on the Delhi- Chandigarh route.
6. The coaches will have integrated braille displays, digital destination boards, and electronic passenger reservation charts.
Here are few things to look forward to if you are travelling by Tejas Express:
7. The train will have fire and smoke detection and suppression systems and the improved aesthetics.
1. The train will have facilities including tea and coffee vending machines, magazines and snack tables. 2. There will also be water level indicators in bio-vacuum toilets, sensorised taps, and hand driers.
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8. The passengers will have individual LCD screens for entertainment purpose. These screens will also be used for disseminating passenger-related information and safety instructions.
Drinking in the open in Goa can put you behind the bars Following complaints of broken glass being strewn on Goa’s beaches, the North Goa district police on Wednesday ordered a crackdown on drinking in public places, especially on beaches, police said. “We received a lot of complaints, both from tourists as well as locals, about people cutting themselves on broken liquor bottles while walking on the beaches as well as swimming in the sea. Therefore we have given instructions to the police to crack down severely on drinking of alcohol on beaches,” Superintendent of Police Karthik Kashyap told reporters at a public interaction. “A lot of people are facing inconvenience due to this nuisance of drinking in the open,” he said, adding that anyone found drinking in open will be booked under Section 34 of the Indian Police Act. Some of the popular beaches in North Goa are Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Anjuna, Morjim, Arambol, etc. Drinking in the open is already banned in Goa, but the action is rare. Goa is one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country and attracts over four million tourists every year. The state is also popular for cheap alcohol thanks to a liberal excise regime. Travelnjoy | June-July 2017
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Capture your travelling moments the most flawless way
Exploring new places and capturing the moments of your vacation through the lens are priceless memories that you want to cherish. But many times photographs you take turn out just ordinary and miss many aspects you wanted to capture. Photography is a little tricky as you have to take care of the light and the right moment to capture. But, you don’t have to get disappointed. Here are a few basic tips for you to keep your travel memories alive just the way you want it to: 1. Get familiar with your camera before embarking on the trip. Take plenty of pictures in the outdoor light so that you understand the right setting for you to click the pictures. 2. Don’t take just one picture. Make sure you take pictures of the subject from various angles. Sometimes a single shot may not be enough to capture the beauty. 3. Ensure your camera battery is fully charged and you have enough memory. Many times you may end up losing a good picture if you run out of charge and or the memory. 4. Be prepared for the unexpected. Always look forward to photo opportunities. Sometimes what seems simple might make a good picture. 5. Move around to capture the right pictures. Don’t just stick to one place.
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Interesting facts about passports you might not know Issued by a country’s government, passport certifies the identity and nationality of its holder during international trips. It is an important travel document that contains information such as the holder’s name, place and date of birth, photograph, signature, and other identifying information But, these passport have evolved over the years. Here are a few interesting facts about it: 1. King Henry V of England was the first to issue what some consider the first true passport as a proof of identity in foreign lands.
Most Muslim-majority countries have greencoloured covers- including Morocco, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 5. In the beginning the rules for the passport issued by the British government weren’t strict, as they are nowadays. Whole family photographs could be used instead of one person’s picture. Reportedly, in 1915 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stood with his iwfe and his two sons for him passport photograph.
2. The passports in UK are issued in the name of Her Majesty the Queen. Therefore the Queen does not need to carry a passport. The rest of the members of the royal family, however, have passports. 3. A recent study revealed that Germans have the most powerful passports in the world. According to the 12th annual edition of the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, the German passport topped the index ranking the most powerful passports in the world, for boasting visafree access to 176 countries -- the most of any nationality. While, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan sit at the bottom of the list, with visa-free access to less than 30 countries. 4. Passport books for the countries within European Union have burgundy-coloured covers (except Croatia).
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Things that travellers tend to forget at home You might be a meticulous packer, but even you may end up leaving something at home. These might range from important stuff to some inane things. Here are few things you would not want to miss when you step out of your home to enjoy a good vacation: 1. Bathroom products Toothbrush, paste, razor and shaving cream are few of the items that people tend to forget many times. 2. Contacts, contact solution and glasses Forgetting your glasses at the side table at home is another common mistake people make. Many even forget contact lens and contact solutions. 3. Phone charger and power banks Leaving home before leaving for vacations is always chaotic and most of the time you end up forgetting the phone charger that you plugged in last night. 4. Makeup Every woman probably has forgotten her makeup bag at home at least once. Make up might not be a necessity for a vacation but you still want to look good while you are out. 5. First aid kit Remember the time when you totally forgot the first at aid kit and you only realised it after you got hurt while travelling. You end up spending a time locating a pharmacy than reaching your destination.
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Bali bags Best Global Destination for 2017 in Travelers’ Choice Awards The Buddhist island has claimed the top spot for the first time in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, published Tuesday, March 21, crowning the year’s best travel destinations. Despite being a popular travel hotspot for many years, Bali makes its first appearance in the TripAdvisor top ten in 2017. The Indonesian island shot straight to the top, knocking London into second position. Paris climbed one place into third position, despite the challenging context for tourism in the French capital. Travelers’ Choice Award winners are determined using an algorithm that takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings published on the TripAdvisor website for hotels, restaurants and attractions in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period. The Awards also highlight current travel trends. On that front, Europe is riding high in the global top 10, with Rome up three places to fourth position. Crete and Barcelona also make the top 10 for the first time this year. Elsewhere, New York continues to be popular with global travelers, climbing four places into fifth position. In Europe, London is still the leader, ahead of Paris then Rome. Promising authenticity and charm, the Greek island of Crete takes fourth in this year’s European ranking. Meanwhile in the US, New York City holds top spot for the seventh year in a row.
Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Destinations - World 1. Bali, Indonesia 2. London, UK 3. Paris, France 4. Rome, Italy 5. New York, USA
6. Crete, Greece 7. Barcelona, Spain 8. Siem Reap, Cambodia 9. Prague, Czech Republic 10. Phuket, Thailand
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