UN TOURISM
Hindi gains global prominence, fosters inclusivity: UN envoys
UN ambassadors have lauded Hindi's global rise, emphasizing its role in fostering inclusivity and connecting people worldwide. The event, commemorating Hindi Diwas, highlighted the language's widespread use, with over 600 million speakers, and its contribution to cultural exchange and economic growth.
UN guidelines to help marginalised Indian youths transition from "learning to earning" soon
Three UN agencies, including UNICEF India, are set to launch new guidelines aimed at empowering marginalized youth. The guidelines, developed in consultation with young people, focus on bridging the gap between learning and earning by equipping them with essential skills for the 21st century.
Calls to charge tourists to enter Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral
French ministers have contemplated imposing a fee for tourists to enter the Notre-Dame cathedral when it reopens after restoration. Culture Minister Rachida Dati has proposed a five-euro charge to fund religious heritage conservation. The idea has received support from Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
North Korea to reopen borders for tourists after 5 years
North Korea plans to restart international tourism in its northeastern city of Samjiyon starting December 2024, following a long hiatus due to COVID-19. This marks the first time in over four years that the country will open its doors to foreign visitors on such a scale.
Union Budget: Will Budget 2024 book tourism¡¯s ticket to growth?
Budget Expectations: The 2024 interim Budget saw a 44.7% increase in tourism sector allocation, a promising sign for industry growth. With job opportunities on the rise, stakeholders eagerly await the upcoming Budget announcements. Strategic investments in infrastructure and connectivity are crucial for India's booming domestic travel market. Expectations include simplified GST regulations and tax reforms to drive sustainable tourism practices and economic growth.
Russia and North Korea sign strategic partnership, vowing closer ties in face of rivalry with West
Speaking before the summit, Putin thanked Kim for North Korea's support in Ukraine and said the two countries would sign an agreement to boost their partnership as both "fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the U.S. and its satellites against the Russian Federation."
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Putin says Russia and North Korea have vowed to aid each other if attacked in new partnership deal
Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years comes amid growing concerns over an arms arrangement in which the country provides Moscow with badly needed munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim's nuclear weapons and missile program.
North Korea's Kim vows 'full support' for Russia in Ukraine as Putin vows to upgrade ties
Putin thanked Kim for the support and said the two countries would sign an agreement to boost their partnership as both "fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the U.S. and its satellites against the Russian Federation."
Before his summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin vows they'll beat sanctions together
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for supporting his actions in Ukraine and pledged close cooperation to overcome US-led sanctions. Ahead of his two-day summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Putin highlighted their mutual opposition to Western ambitions and plans to develop independent trade and payment systems. Putin¡¯s visit marks his first to North Korea in 24 years and underscores growing military and economic ties. US and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with military aid for the Ukraine conflict, which both countries deny.
Russia President Vladimir Putin makes a rare visit to North Korea, an old ally
Putin was met at Pyongyang's airport by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. They shook hands and embraced, and Kim later joined Putin in his car to personally guide him to Pyongyang's Kumsusan State Guest House, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said.
Climbers face ordeal at eastern China¡¯s Yandang Mountain. Here¡¯s what happened
A holiday season has led to overcrowding of the climbing route along the Yandang mountain in China. This led to many climbers experiencing anxious moments as they were found clinging on to their ropes, waiting for those ahead of them to move along the route.
Travel, with care for local concerns
Spain's economy thrives on tourism revenue, but resident anxiety grows. UNWTO forecasts 1.3 bn arrivals. Challenges arise in urban areas from tourism influx, stressing the need for balance.
India a bright spot in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023: UN¡¯s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2024
According to the Survey, released on Thursday, India¡¯s performance in 2023 has been helped by its lack of external exposure, both to the developed world and to China. Instead, the growth drivers for the country are primarily domestic, it said.
Visa-free travel becoming more popular, surge in On-arrival options: UN
According to the latest UN Tourism report, visa-free travel has increased globally, with 21% of the world population not requiring any form of visa, up from 17% in 2008 and 20% in 2018. Additionally, 14% of the world population can now apply for visas on arrival, compared to 6% in 2008 and 15% in 2018. The report suggests that international travel openness has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels after COVID-19-related restrictions were lifted.
Belarusian foreign minister calls for UN reforms, backs India's ascension to Security Council
Belarusian Foreign Minister supports comprehensive reforms in the United Nations and India's ascension to the Security Council. He emphasizes the need for UNSC reforms due to the fragile global situation. The minister highlights the importance of enhancing cooperation with India in various sectors, including bilateral trade. Belarus and India also collaborate within international organizations like the SCO.
India's growing middle class poised to transform travel landscape
Globally, the middle class is already the largest spender. India is expected to become the fourth largest global spender on travel by 2030, and by then the middle class, with increased purchasing power, will make 47% of its population, say reports by Booking.com-McKinsey & Company, and People Research on India¡¯s Consumer Economy-India¡¯s Citizen Environment (PRICE-ICE), respectively.
North Korea will no longer pursue reconciliation with South because of hostility, Kim Jong Un says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declares an end to pursuing reconciliation with South Korea, urging a rewrite of the North's constitution to eliminate the notion of shared statehood. This move, discarding a decades-long quest for peaceful unification, comes amid rising tensions and a focus on direct dealings with the US. Kim's actions, including abolishing key agencies for inter-Korean relations, signal a shift towards isolation and increased collaboration with Moscow and Beijing. The international community, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expresses concern over the escalating situation.
North Korea will no longer pursue reconciliation with South because of hostility, Kim Jong Un says
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has announced that his country will no longer pursue reconciliation with South Korea and has called for a rewrite of the North's constitution to eliminate the idea of shared statehood between the war-divided countries. This historic step comes amid heightened tensions, as both Kim's weapons development and the South's military exercises with the United States have intensified in a tit-for-tat.
UN economic forecast cites conflicts, sluggish trade, high interest and climate disasters
The United Nations has released a cautious global economic outlook for 2024, citing challenges such as escalating conflicts, slow global trade, high interest rates, and increasing climate disasters. The flagship economic report projects a global economic growth slowdown to 2.4% in 2024, down from an estimated 2.7% in 2023, still below the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 3% in 2020.
Venice will limit tourist groups to 25 people starting in June
This announcement follows the city's previous disclosure of plans to trial a new day-tripper fee this year. Set at 5 euros ($5.45) per person, the fee will be applicable on 29 peak days between April and mid-July, primarily during weekends. The objective is to regulate crowds, encourage longer visits, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life for Venice residents.
Stark UN report on devastation to Palestinian economy shows GDP fell 4% after a month of war
The gross domestic product shrank 4% in the West Bank and Gaza in the war¡¯s first month, sending over 400,000 people into poverty ¡ª an economic impact unseen in the conflicts Syria and Ukraine, or any previous Israel-Hamas war, the U.N. said.
Employment process transparent and quicker under BJP, says Prime Minister Modi
Modi gave away employment letters to more than 50,000 people at a Rozgar Mela. Addressing the beneficiaries, the prime minister said new avenues for jobs and upgradation of skilling have led to more employment opportunities during his rule.
UNWTO Secretary general pitches for introduction of tourism as a subject in schools across the globe
The UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvil, has called for the introduction of tourism as a subject in schools and the establishment of more tourism academies and universities worldwide. He emphasized the need for countries, such as India, that are expanding their tourism sector to invest in tourism academies and hospitality schools.
Kashmiri female activist Tasleema Akhtar busts Pakistan's propaganda on Kashmir at UNHRC
Tasleema Akhtar, a socio-political activist, said in her intervention that being a native, she would like to bring forth the stark developmental differences of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir that is JK UT and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK).
Mamata Banerjee urges business community in Spain to invest in Bengal
Mamata Banerjee mentioned that Spain and Bengal share similar cultural activities, football and other things. ¡°Bengal is the cultural capital of India. Bengal¡¯s Durga Puja has received UNESCO recognition... Bengal loves people from all castes, creed and religion,¡± the Bengal Chief Minister said.
Kashmir is a blessing for tourism: Julia Eric Morley of Miss World Organization
Karolina Bielawska, Miss World 2021, expressed her admiration for the beauty of Kashmir and urged the world to visit. She was in Srinagar with other Miss World colleagues ahead of the 71st edition of the pageant, which India is hosting. The Chairman of Miss World Organization, Julia Eric Morley, also praised Kashmir as a blessed place for tourism.
India invites US businesses to invest in tourism sector
The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region, G Kishan Reddy, has invited US businesses to invest in India's tourism sector. Reddy addressed the Indian-American community in New York, highlighting the country's economic growth, start-up ecosystem and the measures being taken to boost industries, including tourism.
Beyond the glitz and glam: Dubai's commitment to sustainable tourism
Dubai has generated $29.4 billion from international tourists, making it the top global tourism destination in terms of visitor spending, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Dubai received 14.36 mn int'l visitors in 2022, close to pre-Covid levels
The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai's status as one of the world's top three cities for travel and business.
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