Travel places that won’t burn a hole in your pocket
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. – JawaharJawaharlalal Nehru Traveling is one of the most exciting and thrilling activities that one can do to let their hair down. Traveling has a positive effect on your physical and psychological self and also changes you in so many ways that you yourself do not realize. A study from Cornell University has also shown a direct correlation between increasing happiness and a vacation. Not just going on a trip but planning a trip also makes you happy. Not just this, it also helps you understand various cultures and makes you a better socially developed person. 5 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Traveling We all had some marvelous travel plans in 2020 but unfortunately due to COVID 19 all our plans are put on a hold and many of us want to avoid traveling not just because of safety reasons but also financial constraints. But, what if we tell you that there are some breathtaking destinations in India that won’t even burn a hole in your pocket? Isn’t it a win-win situation. Let’s have a look at some cheap and yet amazing travel destinations in India that we can visit on a low budget. 1. Amritsar, Punjab A trip to Amritsar can rejuvenate us in many ways. It is one of the most spiritual cities in the country and is the current largest urban area in Punjab. One of the main reasons to visit Amritsar is obviously ‘Golden Temple’, a visit to this marvelous Sikh shrine makes you feel free from your problems and hustle and bustle of life. You can also have langar i.e. communal meal. Trust us no 5-star hotel can beat the taste of food served over here. You can also volunteer to help at the shrine. Not just the Golden Temple, you can also attend the ceremony at Wagah Border. To all the foodies, this city is a treat for you all. All the dhabas serve extremely delectable food. Other attractions that you can also visit are Jallianwala Bagh, Baba Atak Tower, Gobindgarh Fort, and Durgiana Mandir. To know more about this lovely city have a look at this superb blog. The marvelous Golden Temple. 2. Nainital, Uttarakhand Lush green valleys, breathtaking lakes, adventurous activities: doesn’t all this sound like a perfect travel destination. Yes, it is and Nainital is a perfect combination of all three of them. Nainital is a small town in Uttarakhand. It is named after the Hindu goddess Naina Devi and one of the main attractions in the town is Naina Devi Temple. It a beautiful temple located at the upper end of the marvelous and attractive Nainital Lake. Apart from the temple, the mall road of Nainital is one of the main shopping and food centers in the town. You will find the cutest and the best handicrafts over here. Another marvel in this town is the snow viewpoint that offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas and the fun part is that you can also have a ropeway ride from here. Other places that will make your heart crave for more beauty are Eco cave gardens, Land’s end, Himalayan viewpoint, and St. John Wilderness Church. Night view of Nainital city. 3. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu Famously known as the city of hills, it is a winsome town in the state of Tamil Nadu. The town is a treat for all nature lovers as the whole town is abundant with green valleys, majestic waterfalls, and perfectly transparent lakes. The town is a perfect place to have a relaxing, cheerful, and whoopee experience. It is also home to one of the most lovely waterfalls in the country. You can visit Bear Shola Falls, Thalaiyar Falls, and Silver Cascade Falls for some breathtaking views. Another interesting location is the Green Valley View or Suicide point. The viewpoint offers an enchanting view. To get here, you need to pass through misty and magical woodlands that make it no less than a magical adventure. Other places that you can visit are Pillar Rocks, Kodai Lake, Coaker’sare walk, and Kukkal Caves. For more information about this hill station, give a read to this blog. Lovely waterfall at Kodaikanal. 4. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh Looking for some great time and peace of mind then this is the right place for you. Located in Dharamshala, it is also known as ‘Little Lhasa’ because of its large population of Tibetans. It is well known for its monasteries, temples, waterfalls, lakes, and Tibetan culture. Bhagsunag waterfall is one of the top tourist attractions and is well known for its tranquil and serene environment. You can also take a dip in the chilly and freezing water. Another gem that you definitely do not want to miss is Dalai Lama’s temple also known as Namgyal Monastery. It is the largest Tibetan temple in India and attracts many tourists from all over the globe. To all the foodies, the stalls over here serve the best momos and Maggi and we bet you don’t wanna leave the scrumptious food. Other places that you can explore are Dal Lake, St. John’s church, and Masroor temple. The entrance of Dalai Lama Temple. 5. Pondicherry This place is not less than a paradise for anyone. From being a party hub to a spiritual center to a tranquil town, this city has got it all. With its golden beaches, crystal blue skies, quirky cafes, and flamboyant streets it has made a place in everyone’s heart. Also known as Puducherry, was a French colony and later on became an Indian Union Territory. “Puddu,” as the locals call it, was not a favorite tourist spot for a long time, but it started sparkling its magic over the tourists almost a
7 Places In India That Are A Photographer’s Paradise!
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind We are certain everyone would agree that the above quote captures the essence of photography perfectly. Photography adds so much meaning to our lives. It allows us to share our life and experiences in more profound ways. Moreover, it also helps us develop and evolve as human beings. Lastly, the art of photography has the capability of bringing you so much joy and pleasure. In this everchanging fast-paced world, there is something very satisfying about slowing down and just focusing on what is in front of you. Well, we have compiled a list of 7 intriguing as well as mesmerizing places in India that would surely feed your artistic and creative bug. 1. Leh-Ladakh Ladakh is perhaps one of the most stunning places in India, owing to its dazzling beauty. Although the climate is harsh for most parts of the year, the generosity and warmth of the people more than make up for it. The silence of the monks at Buddhist monasteries that dot the breathtaking landscape gives this region an advantage over all others in India. With elaborate carvings, a conglomeration of values, a tranquil environment, and exquisite artifacts as well as relics, these Buddhist centers, will surely leave you mesmerized. Enjoy the overcast, windy weather while exploring the different picturesque locations that define the culture of this place. It is truly a heaven on Earth. How to reach:- The most convenient way of traveling to Ladakh is by air. The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, located in Leh. The other way of reaching this place is by road. Two different routes lead to Ladakh- one from Srinagar and the other from Manali. However, a crucial point to remember is that both these roads become inaccessible from October/November to May. The ideal time for photography:- The perfect time for visiting Leh Ladakh is from July to September. First trip to Leh-Ladakh? Do check out Sandeepa & Chetan’s blog on this gorgeous place. 2. Varanasi Also known as Kashi (City of Life), Varanasi has always been a hotspot for travel photographers. One of the oldest living cities in the world, this sacred place has been attracting tourists for hundreds of centuries. Renowned author Mark Twain described it as “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend.” The Ghats of Varanasi have always had a certain allure to them. A home to devotees searching for holiness and moksha (salvation), the approximately 80 ghats that border the Ganges are the heart and soul of the town. We promise you, the city and its heritage are bound to leave you wonderstruck. Moreover, the unique spirit of this region will undoubtedly remain with you long after you leave. How to reach:- Varanasi has two railway stations, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction, both of which are well-connected to the major cities in India. It is also accessible by air as well as by roads. The ideal time for photography:- The perfect time for visiting Varanasi is during winters i.e. from October to February. To know more about this beautiful city, do check out Puspendra Gautam’s informative blog. 3. Khajuraho If you are looking for a place that is an amalgamation of knowledge and aesthetic, then Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is the perfect destination for you. Words fail to describe the charm and elegance that this region holds. One of the grandest art structures in the country, the Khajuraho group of temples, is an excellent example of Indian architecture and heritage back in the ancient era. The eloquent portrayal of human emotions and feelings by the sculptures not only leaves everyone spellbound but also leaves them begging for more. The enchanting beauty of these temples lies in their elaborate and intricate carvings, which depict scenes from everyday life. This quaint town is a classic example of India’s rich cultural legacy. How to reach:- Khajuraho has excellent connectivity with major cities in India by road. It is also accessible by air. The Khajuraho Airport has regular flights operating from Delhi and Varanasi. Furthermore, you can also travel to Khajuraho by train. The ideal time for photography:- The perfect time for visiting Khajuraho is during winters i.e. from October to February. Want to know more? Do read Anna Phipps’s amazing blog. 4. Pelling Pelling is an ideal destination for photographers, nature enthusiasts, bird-watchers, and serenity seekers. Offering jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas and the snow-capped Kanchenjunga, Pelling, in Sikkim, is a gorgeous town with perfect misty, cloudy weather – all the things that an excellent Indian holiday wishes to have. With charming houses built atop wooded ridges, this hill town is not only surrounded by panoramic natural forests but is also home to stunning heritage structures like ancient monasteries as well as breathtaking waterfalls like the Kanchenjunga falls and the Changey Waterfall. If you get a chance, do visit the annual Khangchendzonga Festival. It sees activities like kayaking, trekking, traditional sports, and birdwatching. In addition to this, the festival also witnesses a flower exhibition, which is a colorful and vibrant affair. All in all, this scenic town is a perfect holiday destination for scenery lovers and adventure buffs. How to reach:- With no railway station or airport close by, reaching Pelling isn’t an easy task. The best way to reach Pelling is by taking a bus or hiring a taxi since it has excellent road connectivity with other cities in Sikkim. The ideal time for photography:- The perfect time for visiting Pelling is during winters from February to July. However, if you would like to capture the snowy landscapes, November to January is when you should travel to Pelling. Do give Jade’s blog a read to know more about this stunning place. 5. Diu Having an old-world charm and
Airport Procedures For Travel From India To UAE During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Normally a visit to another country involves that small sense of excitement in anticipation of what is to come. However, during these tough times, traveling during the Covid-19 pandemic is an experience that needs to be tackled with the utmost caution, adhering to all possible safety measures to avoid contracting the virus. Airports are, after all, a hotbed for huge gatherings, compounded by the fact that passengers might even be in transit to a third destination. There is a lot of confusing, and often contradictory, information out there regarding the procedures to be followed as well as the availability of flight tickets, things to be done, and even the list of nationalities permitted to enter certain countries. This blog details my journey from Chennai, India to Dubai, UAE, on the 19th of August, 2020. Pre-travel to-do List The very first thing that you need to ensure is the availability of flights to your destination. A large number of private carriers have temporarily halted their services to and from a list of destinations, especially in those countries that have been hit badly by the pandemic and see a large number of fresh cases to this day. There were only a couple of carriers available from Chennai to the UAE. Initially, I’d booked an Air Arabia flight to Sharjah, but that got canceled within the next couple of days. I ended up booking an Air India Express flight to Dubai instead, which was part of the Vande Bharat Phase V scheduled list of flights. Even before that, however, make sure the type of passport and visa(and procedures for the same) are in the permitted list, as in these turbulent times a lot of restrictions are in place. In fact, Indian passengers seeking to travel to the UAE on Visit Visas were not permitted until 15th August, and the Vande Bharat scheme was specifically for UAE Residence Visa holders. Visa On Arrival facility still remains disabled to date, so ensure that you get a Visa arranged for via a travel agent either in the country of your residence, or a reliable source in the UAE, which I personally recommend for a hassle-free process. Check with your country’s embassy in the UAE on social media, or look for a clear, explicit news article that states that your particular passport and visa combination is eligible to travel, before booking tickets and making arrangements. You need to get a Covid-19 test done no more than 96 hours before the departure of your flight according to UAE regulations. This test has to be done from one of the government-accredited testing centers of your country of departure, or from the list of PureHealth screening facilities(curated by the UAE). Produce this negative test result on arrival in Dubai. It is also recommended that Visit Visa holders procure a Medical Insurance for Covid-19, lasting the duration of your stay at the UAE, for an additional charge of around AED 200. Indian Immigration officials actually asked me to produce this Medical Insurance, so be sure to purchase one to avoid any problems before your flight. I would advice taking printouts of all relevant travel documents that you may be asked to produce at your departure port, just so that you can prevent your phone from being passed around. Every single touch or contact is undesirable at this point! Purchase a few masks, a bottle of sanitizer, and if you want to err on the side of caution, a hazmat suit. Descriptions of N-95 masks being hard to breathe in are wildly exaggerated in my opinion. I used one for the entirety of my journey, right until I reached home, and faced no problems whatsoever breathing, at any single point of time. Face shields are provided before the flight takes off(we’ll get to that in a bit). I did not carry gloves with me, as according to a relative who works in the medical field, most people do not know the right way to take off their gloves and end up defeating the whole purpose behind wearing them in the first place. Airport Procedures Social distancing wasn’t really being actively enforced at the Chennai airport. There was a distinct lack of crowd in the airport though, which should help you do your part. Before you even enter the airport to check-in your baggage, a small form is provided, where you fill in basic contact information and your address in Chennai(carry your own pen for this). The line was slow-moving though, and the officer was perfectly fine with taking his own sweet time while checking the details and permitting passengers to proceed onward. Not to mention the fact that he couldn’t be bothered to pull his mask above his nose, thereby, once again, defeating the whole purpose behind wearing protective gear. You are asked to display the front page of your passport shortly afterward, to a contactless desk, before you make your way to check-in your baggage. Immediately, I noticed that the airport was infinitely less crowded and quieter, perhaps owing to all the shops being closed. The procedure here does take a little bit longer than usual, but they have a transparent barricade in place between yourself and the check-in officer who issues your boarding pass. The officer here was careful in checking and ensuring that you have all the relevant, aforementioned documents on your person, including your Medical Insurance before she issued my boarding card. Near Baggage Check-In, Chennai International Airport I made my way to the Immigration counter, where lines were non-existent and the counters, empty. Once again, the Immigration officer was more inquisitive than usual, but all that being done, it was business as usual. Security Checks were smooth and decently quick, owing once again to the lack of the usual airport traffic. I frequently used the hand-sanitizer after touching a foreign object, and I recommend that you do the
What is Virtual Travel and Should you care?
Over the past couple of decades, technology has permeated and disrupted all facets of our life. The travel experience has been completely changed because of technology just the same. From the ability to navigate oneself using GPS, pre-booking flights, and hotels using the internet and sharing one’s travel experience in real-time with friends and family using social media. All of these have been made possible because of the advancement of technology. One of these latest advancements that aim to replace or at least complement the travel experience is Virtual Travel. Virtual Travel: A Brief Virtual Travel In layman terms, virtual travel is a digital simulation of an attraction or a destination through immersive high definition photos and videos. One of the most popular methods of experiencing Virtual Travel is through the use of VR headsets and 360° Video. With about 90% of the global economy on lockdown, virtual travel-based experiences are in a unique position to help satisfy the wanderlust of travelers around the world. Providers of these experiences have experienced a significant surge in users ever since the lockdown went into effect. The entire virtual travel market is estimated to be worth around $6.1 billion in 2020. Travelers have flocked to this technology to experience exotic locations like Machu-Pichu and museums like the Smithsonian alike. Advantages of Virtual Travel:- Accessibility:- All you need to be able to experience the wonders of the Taj Mahal and immerse yourself in the beauty of Mona Lisa virtually is a phone that doubles as a VR headset and the will to see the wonders of the world. This technology has very rapidly made these experiences widely available to everybody regardless of their financial status or their physical capabilities. Try it before you buy it:- Virtual Travel experiences created by tour providers allow travelers to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of a destination unparalleled to what photos and videos can offer. It allows travelers to make more informed decisions before paying to visit a destination in person. Better for the Environment:- If the experience is immersive enough to satisfy the wanderlust of casual travelers, virtual travel can provide the unique advantage of being able to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the tourism industry and solve the problem of over-tourism. Independent of Space and Time:- Virtual Travel can be used to create experiences that would simply be impossible to replicate in real life. This technology can be used to create experiences that would allow us to experience a culture in a completely different light. Eg. A virtual experience in Paris in the late 1800s as the Eiffel tower is being built or an experience or an experience based in ancient Rome where you experience gladiators fight along with 50,000 other spectators cheering. Following are some of the best-rated Virtual Experiences:- The Louvre Museum, Paris Known as one of the most iconic museums on the planet the Louvre offers a variety of tours of its exhibits ranging from Egyptian artifacts to paintings from the renaissance period, all from the comfort of your couch. The Louvre, Paris, France The Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C. Located in the heart of Washington D.C, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has the world’s largest natural history collection in the world. Its expansive collection of artifacts makes it an attraction that attracts tourists and locals alike. The virtual experience offered by the museum is one of the most highly rated due to its high fidelity and easy to navigate interface. Taj Mahal, Agra One of the 7 wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife, is by far the most famous tourist attraction in the country. Various virtual experiences offered to tourists allow them to explore 22 different sites on the premises through 360° video and narrated mini-movies. Taj Mahal, Agra, India Amer Fort, Jaipur The fort located in the pink city Jaipur is famous for its cobbled pathways and magnificent gateways. The Hindu-Muslim influences are apparent from the design of the fort and the serene views Maota Lake make it a must-visit for anybody looking to explore the culture and heritage of Rajasthan. In order to revive interest in the tourist attraction present all over Rajasthan, the government has launched a variety of virtual tours that allow you to experience these attractions from your laptop browser. Cons:- Lack of Immersion:- There is a stark difference between using virtual travel as a means to narrow down your travel and the virtual experience being all there is to it. The virtual experiences are limited by technology and are not as immersive as required and are fairly limited. Hence, do not satisfy the need to explore a space that a tourist usually has. Uncomfortable:- The experiences are based on the virtual reality technology which itself is in its nascent stages and still has its own sets of bugs and kinks. The VR headset used for these experiences is often bulky and uncomfortable. Therefore hinders the experience of the traveler. Due to the clunky nature of video presentations if even leads to nausea if worn for a longer duration. Lack of Social Interaction:- As described by travelers over the years “ Travel is inherently a social experience”. Whether it’s getting to know the history of a city through the personal anecdotes of a native or our parents enjoying the vacation significantly more by seeing their kids discover the wonders of the world, social interactions form an irreplaceable part of Travel. In conclusion, I’d just like to say that virtual travel and VR as a technology, both show tremendous potential and one day might even be immersive enough to serve as a replacement for traveling in the real world but for now, its role is limited to being an effective placeholder.
India’s Strained Foreign Relations With China And How It Impacts Tourism
Since independence, all of India’s successive governments have worked on building better relations, particularly in trade, with its neighbors and other countries. This policy was pushed on more with the advent of the Modi government in 2014, with a major focus placed on creating better and stronger ties with other countries. In the past few months, however, India has been facing a major challenge in its northern borders with China, an issue that started in May and continues still, getting more and more worrisome. Historically speaking, this relation has always been rocky at best, but placed mostly in the backburner for the sake of trade, because India does, after all, trade goods worth millions with the country. With the rising border tensions concentrated in the Ladakh region and the death of Indian soldiers due to a face-off with Chinese troops, there has been a wave of nationalism that has affected the country. With a prominent boycott of Chinese goods and software still taking place within the country, the process is slow but successful. This wave of nationalism has brought to attention the other fragile relations India is dealing with consistently with its neighbors like Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc. that can, in fact, be traced back to China. What does this have to do with the tourism industry? It’s important to keep in mind, firstly, that a large number of countries in Asia, predominantly smaller ones, have debts to China and India, two of the fastest-growing economies in the world who can afford large loans to other countries, which establishes them as two giants, not just economically but also through land space, in Asia – relations between the two affect a number of countries. Secondly, and most importantly, multiple countries in the continent are dependent on tourism as a revenue generator, for example, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan, India, etc. They are dependent financially and/or for employment on tourism, whether it is a big chunk or a small sector. With these facts established, let’s get into the 3 most important ways that China-India relations can affect the tourism industry, either directly or indirectly. 1. Border tensions and land disputes The beautiful but currently dangerous borders of India China is, of course, one of the countries India is currently having a land dispute with in terms of claimed territory and borders, concentrated towards the border in Ladakh which India shares with Tibet, officially a part of the republic. Did you know, however, that India is also facing land disputes with Nepal and Pakistan? the two countries earlier released new political maps of their countries which claimed regions in India as theirs, with Pakistan claiming the whole of Kashmir and sections of Gujrat as a part of the country and Nepal releasing a new map with towns and sections of Uttarakhand (Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh areas) as Nepal’s territory. Many political experts believe both had been influenced in some way or the other by the Chinese government to carry out these changes. Whether this is correct or not, the fact is that these map changes are not only complicating relation issues for India but also hinting to more disagreements that can cause land loss. While it is unlikely these maps will be accepted, it still means that the land being fought over may just get more dangerous and even cordoned off for tourists. Ladakh, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand are some of the most tourist-heavy destinations in India and an escape from the densely populated southern cities for many. These issues, whether remaining stagnant or becoming more problematic, will cause many problems to the tourism industry. Small vendors and shops in the areas dependent on tourism, already hit hard enough by COVID-19, will suffer even more due to these border issues. Potential Problems: A hit to tourism in the areas where there are land disputes with other countries, mainly Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. This can cause a hit to revenue, increase in danger and possibly lesser enthusiasm in travelers to these spots. 2. The Indus Water treaty The mighty Indus River The Indus river is one of the main sources of water for many states of India. It originates in Tibet, which is a part of the Republic of China, and runs in Pakistan, India, and Tibet. The treaty has, for years, made sure of fair usage and distribution of the water between the countries, mainly India and Pakistan, who have upheld the treaty now for close to 60 years. Next to the town in Tibet closest to India, there is a giant hydroelectric dam built on the Sengge Zangpo River (Indus), just 80 km from Demchok, a Ladakhi village that sits on the undefined Sino-Indian (China-India) Border. China has, in the last few years, rapidly ramped up development along the river, with satellite images showing multiple projects that have sprung up in Tibet funded by the Republic. Although the government says these are for faster development of the region, multiple experts share concerns about the nature of the development. Many say this is one way China is trying to impact India – and this will leave a huge scar. The river runs through Ladakh and provides water for irrigation and other purposes to provinces in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. These states will be directly impacted, and so will tourism – with the flourishing tourism industry in Himachal and Ladakh, as well as the role of water sports in these attractions, any changes made by China such as controlling the water source through built dams, redirecting within Tibet, or more dams and hydroelectric projects that can majorly impact the water flowing into India will hit these states hard in multiple industries. Potential problems: Any control or hold back of the river to even the smallest extent can drastically hit infrastructure based along the river and in the states hit the hardest. Agriculture will be hit
Ultimate Guide to Accommodation in India post-Coronavirus
The Coronavirus has made it not only to travel out to any place but the fact that when we look at a new place or a new person, we get that feeling of being scared of catching the virus that our willingness to travel is also gripped. Such an extreme feeling has become really common and the fact that a new place or a new location might have a higher chance of getting a person infected restricts a traveler to even go out of their house. Making this feeling a new normal, traveling to a new place, and staying at that place is going to change for good to push towards safer means of travel. You think you know all about catching Coronavirus? Check this. When we think of staying and sleeping at an accommodation that is not our home, the first thing we think of is how many people have actually been here and used it? Is it really been cleaned after their stay? Or is it even safe from any disease that the person might carry? All of these questions are not just going to be our simple thoughts but a grave concern, a concern that will be needing complete addressing and safety measures that will make sure that these doubts are vanished as quickly as they come inside a traveler’s mind. Leading hoteliers believe that these concerns and risks can be simply taken care of with a few safety precautions and wearing a mask at all times when outside the accommodation. A woman wearing mask the right to stay safe. You can check out the guidelines by the government of India to make face masks at home here and make a mask for all your needs to be safe from Coronavirus. Travel includes staying at a new place(obviously!) and a traveler could have a preference for staying at a posh location that has all the amenities and a person need not even go out of the property to have fun, and a traveler could even have a preference of going with the cheapest closest option to stay for the night or the day and be gone the next morning. However extreme a traveler would want their accommodation preference to be, the coronavirus is set to bring a few changes to all of them. Checking-in to accommodation is the first thing that a traveler has to do to start their stay at a new place. During check-in, there can be several violations of social distancing norms, like touching each other’s documents, handling cash, staying close to the attendant at the reception, standing close to other guests, etc. Having a digital, contact-less check-in will be the new normal in each accommodation, where a traveler will just walk into a hotel and head directly for their room that will be pre-allocated to them before even their check-in. A possible tech-travel solution for this could be, no need to show any documentation or a booking voucher, just QR or bar code on the phone that enables the door and unlocks it for a traveler to enter the hotel premises or the accommodation premises and head straight for their rooms. Think twice before reaching out for the bell! Escalators, lifts, or staircases, which one to prefer? It is pretty much clear that lifts are our worst enemies when it comes to social distancing. Staying in close proximity to a person for longer than 10 seconds is always a factor of risk. So, stairs might be safer than lifts and you can even eliminate the bulk of the threat by not touching anything like the railing or handles and walking at a distance from anyone walking close to you. The common areas like lobby, gyms, pools, spas, etc. will have to be tackled with utmost safety. Since these areas attract a lot of visitors, there is not only a chance of catching the virus from coming in contact with an infected person but from a surface that was in contact with an infected person. These areas will be limiting the number of guests on the floor and ensuring that each area is cleaned off at regular intervals. Swimming pools are much safer when it comes to Coronavirus because chlorine does not let the virus sustain. You can have a chill time at the pool but make sure that there are not a lot of people present and you are still steering clear and swimming at a distance. Although not a lot of hotels have opened swimming pools, it is something to look out for. Swimming pools are not as dangerous as you might think. Eating at a restaurant is going to be a little problematic. Not exactly problematic but very different. There will be a lot fewer customers that would opt to eat out, and even if they do, restaurants need to have a strict policy of how many foodies can even be present at once in the vicinity. The best solution to eating a meal at your favorite restaurant would be to order room service. Sanitizing your hands and eating a meal in your room is the best way to stay safe and eat during a trip when the pandemic is still at large. Getting to the accommodation and checking-in is fine but how do you really stay? Remotes, handles, faucets, toilets, surfaces, room keys, etc. All can carry a potential risk to infect a person from this highly contagious virus. Now we have two options, either you go berzerk and start sanitizing every corner of the room you’ll be staying in, from the handles to the TV, or you make sure that you keep your hands clean every time you want to eat something or do an activity that might involve you touching your face repeatedly. If you’re really paranoid, sanitize the hell out of the entire room. Touching door handles? Better sanitize the hell out of
The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Industries Worldwide
We all are familiar with the fact that the travel and tourism industry makes up a big part of the world’s economic activity and also that due to restrictions on traveling how much this prospering industry has come to stand at the bottom. We all make plans to go to attractive places every year and while we think that it is for sole fun, it is indirectly benefiting a lot of daily wage workers and not only our traveling agent. Besides it provides local residents and of course many startups and mega travel and tourism companies with job handlings of a hotel manager, spa manager, event & conference organizer, executive chef, tour guide. Now this industry has almost doomed because of the unfortunate pandemic. Source: World Travel and Tourism Council We know that the impacts are deep and will leave scars that call for change in the travel industry, but how is it country and continent wise? We’re going to look at the overall impact of the pandemic on these places and how they are affected. The United States Usually crowded places looked abandoned during lockdown The USA is the only country to gain much from the profits of travel and tourism which is a country also one of the worst-hit by this pandemic. The revenue generated from tourism in 2019 in the US was almost $210.7 billion which is even more than half of what is earned by Spain. As it became the major hotspot for COVID-19, all traveling facilities have been shut down for good. But this good decision is rather against the employees in the sector of travel and tourism. The famous airlines American and United suffered a total loss of $2.24 billion and $1.7 billion respectively in the first quarter of this year and the people’s job is at stake if this industry doesn’t open after the month of October. Although the CEO of American Airlines gave hope that it can be avoided depending upon how fast the airline companies open up. According to an article published by Forbes, “USA can face a loss of $910 billion due to shut down of the travel industry, which is seven times the loss due to the attack of 9/11.” The USA travel association which acts as a support system for travel agencies predicted that 4.6 million jobs could be lost in just this industry. “The coronavirus crisis is hitting the travel economy hard, and it’s also hitting fast,” said the association’s president and CEO Roger Dow in a statement. Tourism Economics found that one out of every ten citizens of the USA is associated with the travel job and if this situation prevails, the national unemployment rate is surely going to rise. But to combat the situation for now the association introduced CARE Act and funded travel organizations with relief packages. Check out this blog on the impact of COVID-19 on tourism by India City Blog. Europe The busy roads of European cities are mostly still lying empty The collection of paradise lies here, in Europe. From westernmost Portugal to far east Ukraine, every country in Europe is worth a watch. That’s the prime reason why countries like France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Turkey remain top destinations among the list of every enthusiastic traveler. In 2018, about 713 million people visited Europe. Now due to the spread of the deadly coronavirus, no one is visiting these countries and we can only imagine the worsening of the situation. But many airline companies in Europe like EasyJet and Ryanair are looking forward to opening their airports in June for travelers because of the incurred losses and to compensate for it. What is more significant here is the loss of the tourism industry of Europe. The circumstances are similar to World War II. Commissioner of Internal Market of European Union (EU), Thierry Breton said, “Tourism was the first sector to be hit by the coronavirus and I am sure that it will be the slowest to recover and come out of this phase”. It is rather hard to imagine how the authorities of museums, beaches, parks, and restaurants would be dealing with this condition. Due to the shut down of these points, a loss of $300 to $435 billion is estimated, even as these countries slowly recover. The tourism industry of the EU gains as much 550 billion euros every year which contributes to a major part of their GDP. The direct and indirect jobs that this industry provides to these states sums up to 26.6 million. It was one of the fastest-growing industries where investments used to be high. The part of Europe which is mostly going to be affected is Southern Europe as a major sector of economy dwelled upon this, like Greece where about 23.4% of the population worked under the tourism sector. The main blessing, in this case, was that the European states gained enough US dollars from foreign countries that exceeded the spending of the government on different aids like building up schools, hospitals, universities, etc. Now instead of spending on these necessities, all the government’s funds are going into building better health infrastructure and saving it’s peoples’ lives, as it should. Several steps have been taken by the EU to support the travel and tourism industry as they are in the hands of agony due to uncertain futures. Measures like liquidity support, fiscal relief, and an easing of state aid rules, as well as the temporary suspension of EU rules on airport slots to avoid empty flights, have been taken. On May 13, the EU passed out guidelines and recommendations on travel and transport to help the countries of the EU to resume their airline services to reopen travel and tourism businesses. The Brussels and the EU state members have rolled out 200 billion euros spending programs which constitute 1.5% of their GDP to help the
Ultimate Guide to Transportation in India post-Coronavirus
The Coronavirus has surely made us believe that the only constant in life is change, and this change has been life-altering. Every person is now preparing for a post-COVID19 world, a world where safety and survival will be the basic necessities, a world where masks and sanitizers will become more important than water and food, and a world where we’ll think twice before coming in contact with anyone new. It got me wondering how our commute will be different post-COVID, not just daily commute that will be different but how traveling in airplanes and trains will look like? Let’s take a look at how traveling in a post-pandemic world will look like specifically focusing on traveling in India in a post-COVID19 scenario. What a survey of 6000 travelers told us about post-Coronavirus travel The biggest industry when it comes to traveling and transportation is the airline industry. The pre-COVID revenue of the airline’s industry stood at 873 billion dollars in the world, which has now dropped to almost half of it! India had a passenger count of around 160 million in 2017! It’s safe to say that air travel will have the most impact considering the monetary juice it requires to maintain an airline. How will Air Travel in a post-COVID world change? How will the cost of air travel change post-COVID19 is the first thing that comes to our mind. While there is a common misconception that ticket prices are ready to soar, this is not true. Keeping in mind the fact that a traveler will want to choose safety over pleasure, the number of passengers is going to decrease. Not just for leisure, since all the offices have adapted and loved the concept of work from home, business travel will also come down significantly. As a meeting that earlier took hours of traveling and a lot of money can now be easily done by staying at home. Moreover, airlines will have to gain more trust in the travelers and will have to offer huge discounts too. Airport check-in while maintaining social distancing. Digital and Touchless Travel will be the first thing to be implemented in and around the airport and airplane to maintain the norm of social distancing. Digital won’t just mean no physical boarding pass but even the Visa and the Passport might have to go entirely digital to make sure there is no contact between the passenger and the crew at the airport. No peanuts at 35,000 feet anymore. Airlines will stop serving food in the view of Coronavirus being spread through the removal of masks and gloves for eating. So, how will we eat during a flight amidst the Coronavirus? Well, packaged food on airports instead of flight will be the best solution for staying safe. Baggage Sanitizing and screening will become as common as baggage checking. We have already seen some airports in a few countries screen bags using UV rays to check for the possibility of Coronavirus on them. When we think about traveling on an airplane, we never really consider how easy it is to transport our belongings through it but now we’ll miss the days this was true. There might be more checks for baggage and also a restriction on the number of bags each passenger can carry. Travelers with face masks, and shield and crew with PPC. Face masks, shields, and gloves will be the new common while traveling on an airplane. We have had reports of the Indian government making it necessary to wear gloves and masks at airports and have also instructed all the airlines to provide face shields to the passengers. It is a great move by the authorities considering how close a person sits on an airplane. Considering the fact that the middle seat in a flight will not be left empty, having a face mask and shield will have to be necessary. Get ready for Empty Airports and long queues. Airports will have to go a complete overhaul making things work amidst this pandemic. Airports experience maximum footfall as compared to other transportation mediums. At Delhi airport, the busiest airport in India, almost 2 lakhs passengers used to land or depart at the airport. This will change entirely to shift towards empty airports, where people are standing and sitting 3 feet apart, the safe distance for coronavirus. Making the queues long and waiting time high. With passport and boarding pass, health certificates will be a new mandatory document Health checkups and certificates may become mandatory to ensure a smooth flying experience. A temperature gun is not enough to conclude whether a person might be suffering from Coronavirus or not, to make sure we have a process that makes traveling easier in a world where the Coronavirus is like a common cold, airlines and airports can make it mandatory for travelers to have a Coronavirus test done in 7 days and present a certificate for the same for being eligible to travel in an airplane. Airport shops, food courts, and restaurants will dry up and maybe even forced to close to keep this pandemic in check. A major source of revenue for any airport authority, and the reason why early check-ins and coming early to the airport is recommended, are the outlets at the airport. These stores though necessary for the operations of any airport will have to remain shut or operating at minimum capacity. More important than water? Face masks in a vending machine will be very common. Masks, Sanitizers, gloves instead of Pepsi, Lays, Water. Vending machines will change the kind of essentials they process. A lot of travelers will vary from eating or drinking at the airport or even in the flight. Masks, sanitizers, gloves, and other essentials will be the right path to take in order to ensure the safety of travelers, and also generate little sales for the companies. Time to reach the
Why Millennials Are Opting For Sustainable Travel: 5 Effects of Travel on The Environment
A little under a year ago, Greta Thunberg, a popular climate change activist, spoke passionately and strongly about the need for change, urgently and sustainably. Although this brought a lot of publicity to the massive youth movements against global warming, it did little in terms of real change that can be created and implemented. Greta would even refuse to travel by air when she was invited to different countries due to the large carbon footprint left behind by air travel and instead relied on a small boat with a small crew. Large protests around the world have for years demanded change The effects of travel on the environment are far and wide, but also relatively unknown or ignored. Not only does travel speed up global warming, but it also causes harm to ecosystems, communities, and the use of finite resources. This issue is pressing, important, and something that needs to be understood and addressed before its too late. We know that as a travel company, it may come across as odd that we speak about this. But awareness is important, and so is the promotion of sustainable ways to live and travel. At The Tarzan Way, all our experiences are targeted towards sustainable change in communities, small societies and villages, and individuals such as farmers and fishermen. But we still have a long way to go – and understanding and accepting the problem is the first step to making a change towards and for it. There are some really great blogs too that we were inspired by and recommend reading, such as this one on sustainable travel and how to do it. Here are the main effects of Travel on the environment, that you can change and work towards fixing because even small steps matter in every way. Global warming and Travel – the humungous carbon footprint Flights are a drain on resources – but experts say they won’t stop anytime soon It is estimated that around 6-7% of total year-on-year global warming is caused by travel by flight, and a few points less than this number is the share of cruises in the same. The two methods of travel use up huge amounts of fuel, and not much is really going to change because fuel usage is convenient and cheap, although incredibly harmful for the environment. One average round trip from a place and back in a flight can cause the same amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution as 50 cars in a year, per person. It takes a lot of fuel for flights to fly and land safely, and many companies get close to bankruptcy due to the expense of running planes that use so much fuel on a daily basis. Although some American airlines like Delta have pledged to use more sustainable fuel and change the way fuel is used by planes, long term change won’t start until companies are pressurized into it and realize the cost of their actions. Fuel used to power flights is dangerous not just because of the carbon footprint but also the consequences of exhaust emitting carbon molecules into the stratosphere. Oil is a scarce resource – and the cost at which we guzzle it every day in all our activities is simply not worth the convenience it brings. There needs to be a shift towards green energy, and it needs to be fast. There are various resources you can read on sustainable travel and sustainable flying in specific, which is a less developed idea and movement at this stage. What you can do – as much as possible, pick alternative modes of transport when you’re traveling for short distances. For longer distances, flights are pretty much a necessity – what you can do is chose wisely. Research on which companies have implemented change, which are investing in low fuel planes, etc. These factors are important and will help the money you spend on flights go to a good place, even if it’s for years onwards. Don’t put for cruises – they’re an unnecessary luxury, generate a lot of waste, use up too much fuel, and are especially dangerous due to the risk the COVID-19 pandemic brings. Reduction in Biodiversity If we continue our wasteful use of resources, there won’t be any biodiversity We know you see it on the news every day, read about it frequently – some species or the other is endangered or extinct and this is increasing at a rapid rate. You may wonder, how does it really matter or impact me? It’s a good question, and something to address first. Biodiversity is extremely important because of the ecosystems dependent on them – each and every species has a relation with multiple others and their existence, no matter where their position is in a food web or triangle. When one species reduces in number or goes extinct, it threatens the entire ecosystem – this is bad for us because we’re dependent on a number of them for more things than you’d guess. Each species has its role and place – disturbing that can have devastating impacts. For example, take bees – their threatened existence is something to worry about not just in terms of our honey supply, but also for the essential process of pollination that bees carry out. Without them, seeds wouldn’t get from one plant to another, our agricultural systems would collapse, and the ecosystem dependant on them (they control the population of small worms, pests, etc) would face the same fate. So what does travel have to do with this? We bet you’ve visited a park or two in your travels, or seen the interactive zones in large ecosystems. More often than not, human encroachment actually results in reduced populations and a disturbance in their systems. Some parks do follow proper procedures, but many don’t too. Moreover, those deep jungle resorts and hotels in forests mean clearing the land completely, damaging
Sustainable traveling: Everything You Need to Know!
In the wake of the pandemic, it is important to realize the impact of our actions on the environment. We might have seen social media posts about how, ‘When the world stays home, the planet benefits’ depicting the surprisingly clear water in Venice or clearer air due to the reduction of nitrogen gas emissions in most countries. All of these instances instill a responsibility in us to do better and you can do better when you choose to travel sustainably! What is sustainable traveling? Travel is all about understanding and developing a connection with the culture, lifestyles, and customs of a new place. Sustainable traveling is the concept of visiting somewhere as a tourist and trying to make a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy. Travel tips to help you travel Sustainably In a world where climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing issue, it’s more important than ever to travel sustainably. Here are some tips to help you do just that! 1. When you travel internationally, travel intentionally! Travel by flight A 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change showed that emissions from tourism add up to 8% of the global total, with flying making up the largest share of this. We often tend to hop on planes to explore different places all around the world in a single year and contribute on a major scale. You can reduce the number of trips you go on by exploring a place for a longer time or in the off-season which in turn enriches your travel experience. How we fly matters a lot too and it is always better to choose airlines that are conscious about their carbon emission offsetting and choose economy class over business class seats as they result in reduced carbon footprints. You can also consider volunteering or travel and learning opportunities to extend your stay and make it more meaningful. Sailing is a great alternative to flying and you can explore a ton of offbeat places and the vastness of the world at your own pace! 2. Exploring Locally Shop souvenirs from local handicrafts Make conscious choices of opting for travel agencies that make sustainable traveling a priority. Shop souvenirs from local handicraft stores and artists. Choose local transport or a green mode of transportation to explore the place. Several destinations are economically dependent on tourism and it is wise to visit these places and help out the local vendors, research, and learn their customs and lifestyles to make the most out of your travel experiences. 3. Do not Litter Beach clean up in Barbados We all know this one, right? But we still see tourist places flooded with plastic waste not disposed of properly and we sigh in disgust. Every tourist is a guest and we should leave the place better and not worse. So, not littering a place is good but not enough so participate in Beach clean-ups or take up an initiative to clean up a place you’re visiting. It might be a small action but it definitely matters! 4. Choose Reusables Pack your own reusable items You can choose to buy a reusable water bottle or refillable coffee mugs, or pack up your own eco-friendly toiletries and cloth bags to reduce the waste we produce at all places we love! Treat your hostel/ hotel as a way to sustainable living by using less water, cooking locally sourced food, using solar power banks, and beingUsing less water, cooking locally-sourced food, using solar-powered products, and being a good guest will help you live more sustainably. 5. Choose Experiences over Destinations Explore camping, trekking, and road trips All of us have a list of places on our Post- COVID bucket list and we often get so lost in ticking them off that we forget to enjoy the journey altogether. With the offset of the pandemic, we have to travel responsibly by exploring local places with fresh eyes! You can try camping, star gazing, trekking, and nature walks without having to travel too far. There can be a ton of hidden places that we’ve no idea about in our own cities and it’s time to explore them. You can also choose travel agencies that offer experiential travel by organizing activities involving local communities which creates a great impact. 6. Caravan Traveling Caravan Traveling Caravan traveling isn’t completely eco-friendly but it can be optimized to make it a very viable option. You can choose destinations that aren’t very far and extend your stay at the destination longer which gives you a great opportunity to explore it. Pack light and carry reusable utensils to avoid one-time plastic usage, buy local produce to cook your own food and avoid wasting food, and use less water. Caravan traveling is one of the best ways to travel as you take the comforts of your home with you everywhere go and explore at your own pace with beautiful views! 7. Let the animals just be! Elephants in their natural habitat If you love wildlife and nature, then you know better than to disturb them by locking them up in cages, going on elephant rides, feeding tiger cubs, watching trained dolphins performing tricks, or sea lions posing for pictures. They are wild animals for a reason and it’s high time we do not financially support these organizations that tend to make money off of such practices. Also, do not purchase any products made from animal skins, corals, or ivory. Research more about such places and make the right decisions. As a famous quote goes, “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories and waste nothing but time”, we hope you reduce your carbon footprints as well! If you are wondering where to travel next, do check out the experiences we offer and our travel feed for all things travel!
