Santa Monica offers the perfect blend of laid-back luxury and vibrant cityscape full of adventure, art and style tied together by its walkability, making it easy to explore this coastal gem at your own pace. With its pristine coastline, iconic pier, and opportunities for outdoor adventure, there’s always something to do, whether you’re catching a sunset or riding the waves. Santa Monica is home to upscale accommodations, world-class restaurants, swanky nightlife and unmatched shopping, all rubbing shoulders with the carefree surf culture that can only be found by the Santa Monica Bay. Santa Monica Pier Attractions Pacific Park- Santa…
Author: Nishtha Ganesh
The Indian government is currently evaluating three advanced transportation technologies, including magnetic levitation, with plans to develop the necessary electronics technology at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. This initiative builds upon research from IIT Madras (IIT-M), aiming to push India’s rail infrastructure towards cutting-edge innovation. This development coincides with TuTr Hyperloop, a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT-M, preparing to launch the world’s first commercial hyperloop project in India next month. The move aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, marking a major step toward self-reliant and futuristic transportation solutions. A government source…
SpiceJet’s Founder and Promoter, Ajay Singh, is set to invest an additional INR 294.09 crore in the airline through his Promoter Group Company, Spice Healthcare Private Limited. This investment will be made by converting 13.14 crore warrants into equity shares, increasing the Promoter Group’s stake from 29.11% to 33.47%. The move is expected to enhance the airline’s financial position and demonstrate Singh’s confidence in its long-term potential. Following the announcement, SpiceJet’s stock surged 6.4% to INR 48.40 on the BSE. Singh reaffirmed the airline’s resilience and highlighted that the fresh capital infusion would help strengthen operations and unlock new…
The Sikkim government has implemented a INR 50 entry fee for tourists visiting the state under the Sikkim Registration of Tourist Trade Rules 2025. This fee, effective from this month, is collected at hotels during check-in and deposited into the Tourism Sustainability Development (TSD) Fund. The initiative aims to enhance tourism infrastructure and services across the state. The fee applies to all tourists except children under five and covers stays of up to 30 days. If a visitor returns after a month, they will be charged again. Officials stated that the revenue generated will be used to improve road…
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new airline, is set to begin operations this year and is exploring partnerships with Air India and IndiGo to strengthen its presence in India. CEO Tony Douglas emphasised the importance of the Indian market and confirmed talks with Boeing and Airbus to expand the fleet with B777Xs and A350-1000s. The airline will launch with 60 A321 neos and 72 B787-9 Dreamliners, aiming to connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations by 2030. India remains a key aviation market, with 1.5 million Indian tourists visiting Saudi Arabia last year. Riyadh Air’s expansion aligns with Saudi’s Vision…
Himachal Pradesh has experienced a steep decline in foreign tourist visits (FTVs), recording only 62,806 out of 1.92 crore international visitors to India in 2023—just 0.33% of the total. Comparatively, in 2022, Himachal had 29,333 FTVs from India’s 85.87 lakh. Other smaller states like Tripura, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Goa have surpassed Himachal in FTV numbers. While many states have regained pre-COVID tourism figures, Himachal has only recovered 20% of its previous levels. The state’s foreign tourist rankings have also fallen sharply. In 2013, Himachal ranked 11th in India for FTVs but dropped to 19th in 2023. In contrast, Goa…
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), Goa’s largest hospitality operator and leader in the tourism sector has appointed Mr Vivek Batra as General Manager – Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon and Mr Anmol Pancholy as Hotel Manager – Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage. With extensive experience across the Luxury Collection of ITC Hotels, Vivek initially joined the organization as Director of Food & Beverage at Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru, where he played a key role in curating exceptional dining experiences for our discerning guests. He then moved on to lead the food and beverage operations at the flagship hotel, The Taj Mahal…
Sterling Holiday Resorts proudly announces the launch of Sterling Tipeshwar, a luxury wildlife retreat set amidst the untouched beauty of Tipeshwar Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. With this, Sterling strengthens its position as one of India’s leading wildlife hospitality brands, now with 14 resorts across prime jungle destinations. Nestled on the NH44 highway, Sterling Tipeshwar is an easy getaway from Nagpur (3.5 hours) and Hyderabad (5 hours). Unlike larger reserves, Tipeshwar offers exclusive tiger sightings with fewer crowds, making it one of India’s best-kept wildlife secrets. Spread across 7 acres, Sterling Tipeshwar blends elegance with sustainability. Guests can choose from…
Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing hospitality chain known for its boutique and experiential stays, is set to expand significantly in 2025 with the launch of six new properties. As part of its strategic growth plan, the group will introduce three upscale resorts in Jawai, Tadoba, and Coorg, offering premium accommodations that blend luxury with nature. Reflecting on the brand’s performance in 2024, Stone Wood Hotels achieved over 8% occupancy year-to-date. With positive market momentum, the group expects to increase its top-line revenue by a minimum of 10% in 2025. The Average Room Rate (ARR) and Revenue…
TripJack a comprehensive global assistance package designed to protect international travellers from unexpected disruptions. Whether travelling for business or leisure, TripSafe ensures safety and convenience through an extensive assistance network. It covers crucial risks such as medical emergencies, lost luggage, and trip cancellations, along with additional group travel insurance benefits extended by Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited (ABHICL). TripSafe offers key features that enhance travel security. Travellers can access a 24/7 emergency hotline for immediate assistance worldwide. The plan covers medical emergencies, including consultations, hospital expenses, and emergency dispatch services. Additionally, it provides support for baggage loss or…