Newswire Lisbon: In 2025, an increasing demand is expected for Portugal’s Golden Visa Program from North America as well as the United Kingdom. The demand from the Asian market is expected to remain consistent throughout 2025. In 2025, authorities in Portugal are aiming to streamline the processing of applications to meet the surge in demand […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: A flight operated by state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) took off for Paris from Islamabad this week as the carrier resumed direct flights to Europe following the lifting of a European Union ban. The EU blocked PIA in 2020 after one of its Airbus A-320s crashed in the southern Pakistani city of […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: From June 1, 2023 until today, the first reception center on the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean has hosted a total of 126,000 migrants, says the Italian Red Cross, who manage the center. Between June 1, 2023 and mid-January 2025, the reception center, or hotspot on the Italian island of Lampedusa, in […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Paris is closing its last remaining brick and mortar tourist office in favour of TikTok and Instagram for local advice. This week, the city closed the doors of its last visitor reception centre near the Eiffel Tower on Quai Jacques-Chirac, where visitors could previously seek travel guidance and book shows from consultants. […]
Read MoreHenan Daily Zhengzhou: Since July 15, Zhengzhou Aviation Port has implemented a 144-hour transit visa-free policy for 54 countries, and the stay permit with a stay area is the administrative region of Henan Province. In the last two months, waves of foreign tourists came to Henan with this “visiting card”, setting off a tide of […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: VFS Global this week vowed to help Portugal resolve its visa backlog. The company’s announcement came following delays in processing work visa applications in particular for Brazilians in Portugal. The processing of work visa applications for Brazilians in Portugal sometimes exceeds 200 days. The outsourcing and technology company for governments and diplomatic missions, […]
Read MoreHenan Daily Zhengzhou: China has seen a growing workforce in the tertiary industry in recent years, driven by the country’s improving economic structure and robust employment policies, senior officials said. Based on the fifth national economic census conducted last year, the tertiary industry contributed 56.3 percent to the nation’s GDP in 2023, an increase of […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: The Minister of State and for Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, said this week that the government is attempting to streamline the entry of some workers from other countries. He noted that the labour shortages with which Portugal is dealing remain an unresolved problem. In a bid to deal with the labour shortages, […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: The ancient rock city of Perperikon has recently received international recognition, with its latest accolade coming from the renowned US tourism website, Islands.com. In an article published on December 20, 2024, the site compared Bulgaria’s Perperikon to Peru’s Machu Picchu, dubbing it the “European Machu Picchu.” This follows the site’s inclusion in The […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: Italy’s right-wing government wants to set an example the rest of the EU can follow with its migration policy. But it ran into legal obstacles with its cornerstone project – to process asylum claims in Albania. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has pointed out repeatedly this year that it has succeeded in reducing […]
Read MoreSteve Rose Copenhagen: It’s not often that the worlds of town planning and traffic management become mired in controversy, but in recent years the innocuous concept of the “15-minute city” has sparked outrage in online forums, among cynical politicians and on the streets of British cities such as Oxford. The originator of the concept, urban […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Tourism Schools in Portugal will train immigrants who want to work in the sector, in a program that starts in January. Those selected will receive a monthly scholarship of €522.50 and travel assistance. The training program for immigrants who want to work in the tourism sector – which the Government announced as one […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: It’s been a rocky road to Schengen membership for both eastern European countries. As of 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full-time members of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement between member states for 450 million citizens. The two countries have been members of the European Union (EU) since […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro this week, unfolded plans to accelerate the process of issuing work visas to immigrants. Portugal is currently dealing with labour shortages in several sectors amid ongoing visa delays. Portugal aims to grant work visas to immigrants in less than a […]
Read MoreAthens: Five migrants died this week when a migrant boat sank off Crete, Greece’s coastguard said, leaving 40 people reportedly missing while 39 survivors were rescued. The boat sank 12 nautical miles southwest of the island, according to ERTNEWS, which reported the 40 missing. A huge rescue operation involving vessels and aircraft was underway in […]
Read MoreRepresentatives of the Belarusian tourism industry took part in an information tour of the Chinese Province of Henan at the end of November, BelTA learned from the National Tourism Agency. The delegation included representatives of the tour operators authorized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China to receive groups […]
Read MoreCanberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week advised the Pakistani travellers to complete their homework before flying to Australia. “Important information to avoid difficulties at the airport!” he p[osted on X, tagging Australian High Commoner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins’ post which read: “Attention Australian visa holders! Got a shiny new passport? […]
Read MoreNewswire Milan: Milan has a new center for migrants, the Milano Welcome Center, which will be a unique point of access to services for those who just arrived in town and have been granted international protection. The Milano Welcome Center, housed in a refurbished 2,000-square-meter municipal building near Milan Central Station, hosts approximately 60 professionals, […]
Read MoreNewswire Beijing: China will soon grant visa-free entry to citizens of Japan and eight other countries as part of its ongoing efforts to boost international tourism and business travel, authorities announced this week. From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, trial visa exemption will be applied to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: Bulgaria is confidently moving towards its goal in tourism for 2024 – to attract 13 million visitors by the end of the year and achieve 14 billion in tourism revenue, which will set a new standard for success in the sector, the Tourism Ministry said. National Statistical Institute (NSI) data confirm that 2024 […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: In an effort to contribute more to social integration and public benefit, authorities in Portugal have unfolded plans to launch the new Solidarity Golden Visa. Although it has yet to be approved when it will enter into force, this program would grant residency to wealthy internationals, provided they make an investment of at […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Brussels: Romania and Bulgaria are poised to gain full Schengen Area membership by early 2025, following Austria’s decision to lift its opposition. This agreement, reached during ministerial discussions, paves the way for unrestricted travel across land borders, complementing their existing air and maritime access. Romania and Bulgaria are on track to become full […]
Read MoreNewswire Milan: Due to its high quality of life, Milan ranks first on the list of the most livable cities in Italy, Azernews reports. Milan, along with Bolzano, Monza and Brianza, Bologna, and Trento, makes up the top five most livable cities in Italy. The study considered several key factors, including economic development, environmental sustainability, […]
Read MoreAthens: High above the sparkling surface of the Athens coastline, the cranes for building the 50-floor luxury tower centerpiece of Greece’s future “smart city” look out over the Saronic Gulf. At their feet, construction machinery stirs up dust. Its backers say the 8 billion euro (US$8.43 billion) project financed by private funds is a symbol […]
Read MoreZoe Williams Lisbon: If you walk along the south banks of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia, opposite Porto city, towards the sea, the scene will be classic Portugal for a while: a lot of waterside restaurants, a lot of grilled chicken, some stalls selling unlikely items made of cork (aprons?). A little […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: The ancient Roman archaeological park of Pompeii in southern Italy said this week it would cap daily visitor numbers at 20,000 as a response to its surging popularity. The change, effective from Nov 15, comes after a peak of more than 36,000 daily entrances on a free-admission, the park said in a statement. […]
Read MoreNationals from South Korea and Slovakia have been added to the list of people who do not need a visa to visit for up to 15 days Jane Caiin Beijing: People from nine more countries, including South Korea, Norway, Finland and Slovakia, will have visa-free entry to China from Friday, as Beijing tries to attract […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: The Portuguese government this week introduced a new initiative to support migrants enrolled in the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP). In a recent statement, the European Commission said that, known as Programa Integrar, this program is designed for unemployed individuals, those seeking their first job, and migrants looking to change […]
Read MoreHome to beautiful islands, a history that stretches back thousands of years, a varied and rich culinary tradition, stunning hikes, ancient monasteries, and a rambunctious party scene, Greece is one of the most popular destinations in the world. However, most people don’t think of it as a cheap one. Mention Greece and most picture the […]
Read MoreTravelers spent 5.86 trillion yen ($39.27 billion) through September, preliminary figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization showed. That eclipsed the 5.3 trillion yen spent in all of 2023, a record for any 12-month period. Tourism spending, classified as an export in national accounts, is poised to become Japan’s second-biggest export sector after autos and […]
Read MoreNewswire Islamabad: The Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) has officially received approval from Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Communications to restart its cross-border bus service between Gilgit and Kashgar, China, after a 14-year suspension, officials said this week. This service, which had been discontinued in 2010 due to a natural disaster, was halted when a massive […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portugal’s Institute of Registries and Notaries will launch a new platform to accelerate the process of granting citizenship. The platform aims to increase the capacity of the services to process citizenship applications by 50 per cent. The platform consists of new functionalities, automation and artificial intelligence. In a bid to accelerate the process […]
Read MoreSaskia O’Donoghue I have never been a party girl. When I was at university, you’d never find me out at student bars; instead, I’d be holed up in my accommodation, watching news analysis shows. I like to think I’ve become rather more fun in the intervening decade but, still, I was a little nervous ahead […]
Read MoreTokyo: Japan is a fascinating destination, offering tourists a perfect mix of ancient traditions and futuristic advancements. Travelers to Japan can experience the tranquil beauty of temples in Kyoto alongside the vibrant energy of Tokyo’s streets. The natural allure of Mount Fuji and the breathtaking cherry blossom season captivate visitors, while Japan’s diverse cuisine, including […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Evora, a popular tourist destination in Portugal known for its ancient ruins, plans to introduce a tourist tax in 2025. Visitors will have to pay a fee to stay overnight at the UNESCO World Heritage site, according to the mayor of Alentejo’s capital. Draft regulation approvals from the municipal assembly are expected by […]
Read MoreNewswire Brussels: In the second quarter of 2024, there were 780.1 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations across the EU, a slight increase of 0.2% compared with the same quarter of 2023. April recorded 193.6 million nights (-8.7% compared with April 2023), May 272.1 million (+7.9%) and June 314.5 million (-0.1%). Note that Easter fell […]
Read MoreRome: A restaurant dedicated to Giorgia Meloni has opened in the vicinity of a camp in Albania where the asylum claims of people who seek to enter the EU by sea will be processed as part of a controversial pact promoted by the Italian far-right prime minister. Trattoria Meloni, a seafood restaurant in the northern […]
Read MoreJames Stewart Destinations like Cinque Terre, in the northwestern Riviera, and the southern Amalfi Coast tend to hog all the attention, and for good reason: their colourful houses, precipitous cliffs and turquoise waters are what many associate with the Mediterranean. But travellers who venture further afield are justly rewarded. From north to south, we pick […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: Total revenue from tourist overnights in Bulgaria grew by an annual 15.4% to 524.6 million levs in July ($296.2 million/268.2 million euro), the statistical office said. Revenue from domestic tourists stood at 158 million levs, while foreign visitors generated revenue of 366.6 million levs, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said in a regular […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portugal’s Golden Visa, launched in 2012, is a residency-by-investment program aimed at attracting foreign investments. It is popular among non-EU citizens as it offers them a path to Portuguese residency, which if they stick to the law of the land can lead to permanent residency and in the end to citizenship. It also […]
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