Tourism Archives - Page 2 of 6

High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri advises Pakistani travellers to complete homework before flying to Australia

Canberra: 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? […]

New welcome center for migrants in Milan, Italy

Newswire 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, […]

China to grant visa-free entry to citizens of more countries

Newswire 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, […]

EU
Tourism

Tourism Ministry: Record year for Bulgarian tourism in numbers, revenue

Newswire 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 […]

EU
Tourism

What is Portugal’s new solidarity golden visa?

Newswire 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 […]

EU
Tourism

Travellers on Schengen visas can add two more countries to their Europe itinerary starting Jan 2025

Celina 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 […]

Milan tops list of most comfortable cities in Italy

Newswire 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, […]

Greece’s ‘smart city’ by the sea taking shape

Athens: 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 […]

EU
Tourism

Second to none: Why Porto is my number one for a city break in Portugal

Zoe 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 […]

Italy: Pompeii to cap daily visitor numbers to 20,000

Newswire 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. […]

China offers visa-free entry to 9 more countries in renewed tourism and diplomatic push

Nationals 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 […]

EU
Tourism

Portugal launches new program to support migrants in finding jobs

Newswire 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 […]

Traveling Greece: How Much Does It Cost?

Home 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 […]

Japan visitors spent $39 billion through September, breaking annual record

Travelers 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 […]

Cross-border bus service between Gilgit, Kashgar resumes after 14 years

Newswire 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 […]

EU
Tourism

Portugal to launch new platform to accelerate citizenship application processing

Newswire 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 […]

Party island. This dreamy Greece trip changed my mind

Saskia 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 […]

Japan visit visa from Pakistan: Bank statement update in October 2024

Tokyo: 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 […]

EU
Tourism

Portugal’s Evora plans tourist tax from 2025 to address overtourism

Newswire 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 […]

EU
Tourism

EU tourism nights increase in second quarter of 2024

Newswire 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 […]

Italy’s Meloni-themed restaurant opens near asylum-seeker camp in Albania

Rome: 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 […]

8 of the best coastal towns in Italy you may not have heard of

James 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 […]

Bulgaria’s tourist overnights revenue rises 15% y/y in July

Newswire 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 […]

EU
Tourism

Portugal Golden Visa: Eligibility, benefits and application process

Newswire 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 […]

Kazakhstan’s Kumiyan: Ancient ruins hold untapped mysteries

Astana: The rich, undiscovered sites of Kazakhstan continue to reveal their secrets, with excavations shedding light on the ancient city of Kumiyan, also known as Meiramtobe. Located in the Zhanakorgan district of the Kyzylorda Region, this mysterious site remains only partially explored, offering just glimpses into its storied past. The remains of ancient city of […]

Southern European tourists flock to Denmark to escape the heat

Newswire Copenhagen: While the south swelters, Denmark’s mild temperatures and extended daylight hours are providing the perfect summer escape for many. With rising temperatures in southern Europe, more and more tourists are flocking to cooler destinations in the north. Denmark, in particular, has become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to escape the scorching […]

EU
Tourism

Portugal receives over 63,000 citizenship applications in first 4 months of 2024

Newswire Lisbon: More than 63,000 requests for Portuguese citizenship have been received in the first four months of 2024. The figures provided by the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) reveal that there has been a significant increase in the number of citizenship applications. The surge in the number of citizenship applications has brought difficulties […]

A guide to visit Italy from Pakistan

Newswire Rome: Italy stands out when it comes to best tourist destinations in the European region owing to its fascinating culture, natural landscapes, artistic sites, and renowned cuisine. Pakistanis. who intend to explore Italy as a tourist, are required to obtain a short-term Schengen visa to enter Italy. They can lodge the application for the […]

Denmark is surging tourism sector with visa free travel to 190 countries

Copenhagen: As of August 2024, Denmark, nestled on the Jutland Peninsula and surrounded by an archipelago of over 400 islands, remains a country of diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The peninsula, Jutland, constitutes more than two-thirds of the country’s total land area. At its northern tip lies the island of Vendsyssel-Thy, separated from the […]

Increased interest among foreigners to obtain Portugal Schengen visa

Newswire Lisbon: Foreigners’ interest in obtaining a Portugal Schengen visa continues to remain high despite the summer season coming to an end soon. According to data from Google Trends, searches worldwide for a Portugal Schengen visa are currently up 90 per cent. Even though not everyone who searches for a Portugal visa applies for the […]

Stores in Japan set up prayer rooms as Muslim visitors increase

Tokyo: Department stores and shopping malls in Japan are increasingly setting up prayer rooms to meet the need for Muslims amid a growing number of visitors from Islamic countries on the back of a weak yen. At the Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo’s upscale shopping district, a number of people lined up in front […]

Italy’s digital nomad visa: Advice and tips from one of the first ever recipients

Rosie Frost There is still not much information out there to help digital nomads apply for the new Italian visa. After years of speculation Italy finally launched a brand new digital nomad visa in April this year. It allows remote workers to stay in the country for up to a year. It has only been […]

EU
Tourism

Portugal Schengen visa from Pakistan: A brief guide

Celina Ali Islamabad: Portugal offers a stunning blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, making it one of the popular tourist destinations. A huge number of visitors travel to the European country to explore historic sites like the Tower of Belém and Sintra’s fairytale palaces in Portugal. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural […]

Greece becomes visa-free for 188 countries, including the UK, the Netherlands and Spain

Newswire Athens: Greece became visa-free for 188 countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and the US; encouraging tourism at a time when the rest of Europe takes new measures to reduce the flood of foreign visitors. From August 2024, Greek authorities dropped the Schengen visa requirements, allowing visitors from the 188 countries to […]

A greener getaway? Danish capital tests climate reward scheme for tourists

Copenhagen: Tourists visiting Copenhagen this summer are encouraged to participate in unusual kinds of vacation fun, including plucking floating trash from the Danish capital’s waterways, cycling to museums instead of going by car, or volunteering at an urban garden. All these activities are part of a new, four-week pilot project called CopenPay that rewards tourists […]

Greece: Asylum procedure statistics 2023

Newswire Athens: In 2023 the asylum process in Greece was marked by significant activity, with a high number of asylum applications and an even higher recognition rate, highlighting the clear need for international protection for asylum seekers. This report looks at the monthly statistics published by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, alongside figures provided […]

Italy: Venice limits tour groups to 25, bans megaphones in fightback against overtourism

Rome: It’s about to get just a little bit quieter in Venice, at least that’s the hope of the city council, which has banned tour guides from using megaphones and limited the groups to 25 people. Exceptions to the changes, which came into force this week, include children under 2 years of age, and visiting […]

Portugal may become first European country to offer residency in exchange of Bitcoin investments

Newswire Lisbon: Portugal may offer residency through a decentralised cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, as part of its Golden Visa Program. In this way, Portugal could become the first European country to offer residency through its Golden Visa Program, in exchange of investments made through Bitcoin. According to co-founder and CEO of Unbound Fund, Alessandro Palombo […]

August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 by Covert

Greece’s Santorini bursts with tourists as locals call for a cap on visitors

Newswire Athens: Armed with selfie sticks and phones, the tourists flood into Santorini from everywhere — on dinghies from giant ocean liners, on coaches that zigzag up the steep hillsides, atop donkeys that clip-clop along the narrow cobbled streets. Some brave the afternoon heat to find a good spot among the white-washed houses and blue-domed […]

August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 by Covert

Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

Tokyo: As record numbers of tourists flock to Japan to take advantage of the weakness of the Japanese yen, some are running into trouble with authorities thanks to the growing popularity of motorised, rideable suitcases. Two major Japanese airports have already asked travellers not to ride motorised suitcases within their facilities, according to Kyodo news […]

August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 by Covert

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