Brussels: In 2023, EU+ countries received 1.14 million applications for international protection, reaching a 7-year high. Syrians continued to lodge the most applications, with Afghans remaining the second largest applicant group, albeit with significantly fewer applications than the previous year. An increase in Palestinian applications was also noted towards the end of the year. Analysis […]
Read MoreBrussels: In 2022, 989 000 people acquired the citizenship of the EU country where they lived, an increase of around 20% (+163 100 people) compared with 2021. Most of the new citizenships (in absolute numbers) were granted by Italy (213 700; 22% of the EU total). Spain (181 800; 18% of the EU total) and […]
Read MoreBrussels: The European Commission has proposed fee hike for the Schengen visa application – when implemented the new fee rate will go up from €80 to €90 for adults and from €40 to €45 for children. The European Union (EU) is also planning to raise the fee even more for countries showing “insufficient cooperation on […]
Read MoreNewswire The Epirus Trail which boasts an initial length of 370 km (230 miles), is a mountain adventure that crosses Epirus, from Mount Grammos to the Tzoumerka mountain range. The longest hiking trail in Greece started taking shape in 2015, thanks to the Epirus Region and the “EPIRUS SA” Development Company. Epirus Trail promotes the […]
Read MoreLisbon: According to Portuguese legislation, it is permitted to drive a vehicle with foreign registration within the country as long as certain conditions are met. According to Ekonomista these conditions include: Not residing in Portugal: The first condition is that the driver of the vehicle is not a resident of Portugal. This means that people […]
Read MoreNewswire Astana: More than 25 events will be held to mark the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China. The opening ceremony is scheduled for the end of March, reported Kazinform. Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli discussed cooperation and a preliminary plan during the […]
Read MoreTeresa Levonian Cole I woke on the first morning to the smell of woodsmoke from my fireplace, and to the view of brittle sunlight hitting the rocky mass of the Astraka Towers. Outside, the air was crisp. Birds twittered, darting among the pines, and lights from the tiny villages dotting Mount Tymphi twinkled across the […]
Read MoreGrace Piercy Rome: A beautiful coastal town in Italy is one of Europe’s most underrated – but its enviable location to beaches and other more famous cities makes it a perfect place to visit. Dubbed a “hidden gem”, Ravenna, on the northwest coast of Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colourful […]
Read MoreNewswire Tipping in Italy represents a fascinating aspect of the cultural differences between Italy and the United States, reflecting deeper societal norms and expectations around service and hospitality. Unlike the U.S., where tipping is almost a mandatory practice tied closely to the service industry’s wage structure, Italy presents a more nuanced approach to gratuities. In […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: With a visa-free policy now in place for visitors from some countries, niche tourist spots in China can unlock their potential for international tourism, said Cristiano Varotti, the East Asia manager for the Italian National Tourist Board, in an interview. Beyond the top destinations frequented by international travelers such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an […]
Read MoreAstana: Richard Martin, a French engineer, shifted from a full-time job in the United States during the pandemic in 2020 to become a traveler. He has recently arrived in Kazakhstan, where his vlog documenting Astana has been gaining popularity. In an interview with the Astana Times, Martin shared insights into the country, Kazakh culture, and […]
Read MoreParis: Films and TV shows are having a rising influence over tourists’ decisions to visit France. That’s according to a survey released Thursday by France’s National Center for Cinema and Animated Image. About 80% of foreign tourists said they wanted to visit France after watching a TV or movie filmed in the country. That’s up […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: Italy is a holiday paradise, there’s no doubt about it. Sensational food, majestic architecture, sublime beaches, gorgeous countryside and much more – there’s something for everyone in this delightful part of the world. If you’re planning a trip, it’s worth knowing how to unlock the full potential of Italy while you’re away. Read […]
Read MoreCanberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said this week that Pakistan has a large number of birds species. “Pakistan has over 700 species of birds. Look at this beautiful Blue Throat, captured at Marala Headworks on the Chenab River near Sialkot,” he posted on X with a bird’s picture. The Blue Throat […]
Read MoreParis: The reopening of the La Tour d’Argent in Paris signals a new chapter in a spot with a very long and storied legacy. The mythology around one of Paris’s most famous restaurants, La Tour d’Argent, is legendary and far-reaching. The restaurant in the 5th arrondissement overlooks the Seine River and the Notre Dame Cathedral, […]
Read MoreBrussels: Travellers are expected to pay higher tourism taxes to several European destinations in 2024 as national economies try to boost local economies and support sustainability. According to a 2020 report by Group NAO and GDS-Movement, more countries are imposing tourism taxes lately, especially in the US and Europe, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Guy Bigwood from the […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese this week emphasized Pakistan’s diverse appeal to Italian tourists. He underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity. Ambassador Ferrarese highlighted the absence of significant travel barriers and the need for enhanced infrastructure to attract a broader spectrum of visitors, including the middle class. In a media interaction, […]
Read MoreTokyo: Hundreds of thousands of people visited shrines across Japan to welcome the New Year. It was the first time since 2019 that no COVID restrictions were in place since the Japanese government downgraded the pandemic’s status to the same as the flu last May. Sensoji and Meii shrines in Tokyo were packed with Japanese […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese this week pledged to ease work visas process in the near future. In a recent meeting with Punjab Caretaker Minister Mohsin Naqvi, he delved into the realms of culture, tourism, and trade, illuminating a path towards stronger bilateral ties. As the two dignitaries exchanged thoughts, […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: It’s not like there are bad places to go in the Italian Dolomites, but a few areas seem to have a little something extra — a more dramatic position amid the mountain ranges, a closer proximity to the slopes, a chicer culinary scene, a more exclusive vibe, and just a wee bit more […]
Read MoreStephan Rabimov Almaty: For the world’s largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan is making some big waves in geopolitics. Ancient trade routes between China, India, Russia and “the West” positioned this nation as a keystone puzzle piece on the map of Central Asia. Now its intermediary prowess is stronger than ever. The last weeks saw visits from […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: “Nothing fancy, just great Italian food,” is the promise that Gallo Nero Italian Bistro, with locations in Dallas and Frisco (at 4851 Legacy Drive), makes on its website. That’s a bit of a tall order. In theory, Italian food shouldn’t be so hard to get right. And yet, people can be so particular […]
Read MoreNewswire Whether arriving by boat, bus, car, train, or plane, Venice, Italy’s famed floating city, has always required a little bit of extra effort to visit—and starting in spring 2024, it’s going to require a little bit of extra cash. This past fall, Venice’s city council approved the introduction of a 5-euro (US$5.45 based on […]
Read MoreParis: France is to ban smoking on all beaches, as well as in public parks, forests and near schools, after Emmanuel Macron promised to create “the first tobacco-free generation” by 2032. “From now on, no-smoking areas will be the norm,” said the health minister, Aurélien Rousseau. There are already 7,200 tobacco-free areas in France – […]
Read MoreNewswire Brussels: At a meeting of the Council’s permanent representatives committee this week, EU member states agreed their negotiating mandate for updating the EU long-term residents directive. This directive sets out the conditions under which third-country nationals can acquire EU long-term resident status. In order to acquire EU long-term resident status, third-country nationals have to […]
Read MoreNewswire Venice: Tourists visiting Venice will have to pay a €5 (£4.35) per head entrance fee during busy periods starting from the spring, the mayor of the World Heritage city has announced. Luigi Brugnaro announced the dates on which tourists will be charged to enter the lagoon city, as it prepares to launch the contentious […]
Read MoreVittoria Traverso With the recent announcement that Venice will become the first city in the world to charge daytripper visitors, BBC Travel talked to authorities and locals to find out more. Every day, Federica Chiuch, a Venetian resident and professional tour guide, takes visitors around Venice’s landmarks. When she gets to Saint Mark’s Square, home […]
Read MoreAnna Momigliano – NYT Venice: Venice is so congested that it has become the embodiment of overtourism. Each year millions of tourists flock to this small city, home to a dwindling local population of 50,000, and the hordes in St. Mark’s Square are legendary. Yet visiting Venice doesn’t always require taking what Italians call “un […]
Read MoreNewswire Venice: After delaying the launch, city officials have given a new timeline from when daytrippers will have to pre-book their visit and pay a fee. Daytrippers to Venice will soon have to pay for the privilege, as the city brings in its delayed tourist tax. The city council has finally greenlit the policy, which […]
Read MoreCovert Report Brussels: European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson this week sent a list of questions to Poland’s Foreign Ministry in response to reports that the country’s consulates issued hundreds of thousands of visas in Asia and Africa in exchange for bribes. Though the answer from Poland came quick, Johannsson’s spokeswoman said it was “not […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Brussels: The EU tourism industry is experiencing a strong recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of 2023, the number of nights spent in tourist accommodations reached its highest level in the past decade, signalling a notable resurgence in the industry’s performance in many countries. In the first […]
Read MoreNewswire Riyadh: Qatar continues to build on its post-FIFA World Cup tourism momentum, with July reporting a 91.4 percent year-on-year surge in visitors, reaching an estimated 288,000, as revealed by the latest official data. The Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin, published by the Planning and Statistics Authority, also highlighted a 2.1 percent increase in July compared […]
Read MoreChina Daily The tourism industry’s recovery, which started with the lifting of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in December 2022, has gathered momentum with the summer vacation witnessing a boom in domestic tourism and a slight rebound in outbound tourism. On the one hand, there is a surge in the number of passengers at airports and […]
Read MoreLiaquat Ali The tradition of Rome’s talking statues dates back to the 16th century when the city’s resident began to show their discontent against the oppressive power of the papacy with anonymous epigrams and satirical verses poking fun at religious and civil authorities. These irreverent notes, written as if spoken by the statue, were affixed […]
Read MoreGwadar Pro Beijing: Diving into a visual journey across China’s diverse landscape with “China in Frames: A Photographic Tribute,” an exhibition presented by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque. Held at the Yindi Art Museum in Beijing, the photo collection captures the Ambassador’s three-year tenure, illuminating his deep admiration for China’s distinctive allure. The […]
Read MoreAbida Shaheen Brussels — If elephants are really known for their sense of direction, what are nine of them doing in the heart of Brussels, seemingly lost between the gothic and baroque houses lining the UNESCO-protected Grand Place? As of Friday, nothing is quite what it seems as the Belgian capital celebrates the nation’s love […]
Read MoreAbdullah Jan Rome: The August Ferragosto holiday in Italy is traditionally celebrated with a big lunch on the beach. August is officially holiday season in Italy. While tourists pile into the cities like Venice and Rome, Italians are making a beeline for the sea. The summer beach holiday is sacred and many businesses across the […]
Read MoreAbdullah Jan Islamabad: As the human-induced climate crisis continues, one European country is looking to make train travel not just the sustainable option – but the most fun one, too. Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), Italy’s state-owned railway operator, has announced a new program of tourist-focused trains, using vintage locomotives on popular vacation routes. Launching […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: A group of young German tourists posing for pictures to post on social media have been accused of toppling a valuable statue at a villa in northern Italy, the villa’s manager said. Two of the group climbed into a fountain to hug the work “Domina” by the artist Enrico Butti and another pushed […]
Read MoreAbdullah Jan Islamabad: Indonesia will conduct an evaluation regarding visa-free entry next month as the country aims to attract tourists but with sustainability in focus. The country’s tourism minister Sandiaga Uno said Indonesia will consider granting visa-free entry for foreigners based on the three criteria of “reciprocity, usefulness, and security,”. The minister noted after attending […]
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