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BY Abdul Aziz MondalDec 29, 2023

Using AI technology, the online travel company Agoda has unveiled the ultimate list of places to celebrate New Year's Eve around the world. Agoda created a picture of several beautiful New Year's Eve locations from across the globe using Midjourney AI and ChatGPT 4.0 to identify the list of travel destinations. Ten Places to Go on New Year's Eve. Singapore: Take in the bright street parties and carnivals while marveling at the stunning fireworks display in Marina Bay. Bali, Indonesia: Enjoy festive fireworks and traditional Balinese performances while celebrating on the beach. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Savor the lively nightlife in District 1 and the spectacular fireworks over the Saigon River as you celebrate. Tokyo, Japan: Celebrate cultural events and contemporary countdown parties as you embrace the Japanese custom of witnessing the first sunrise of the year. Sydney, Australia: Take in the internationally recognized fireworks show over the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with family-friendly activities and celebrations. New York City, USA: Attend the famous ball drop with the crowds in Times Square, or pick from a plethora of events and concerts taking place all over the city. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Take in the exuberant atmosphere of Copacabana Beach, complete with samba music and a breathtaking fireworks display. London, England: Enjoy a range of boat parties and events as you watch the River Thames light up with fireworks at night. Experience the historic Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland, which include processions, concerts, and the unique Loony Dook tradition, which involves swimming in the chilly Firth of Forth on New Year's Day while dressed in costume. Reykjavik, Iceland: Come celebrate with the locals over community bonfires and a pyrotechnics display against a backdrop of snow, with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Krishna Rathi, Country Director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives at Agoda said, "As recommended by some of the leading AI software of the moment, this list is meant to ignite a sense of wonder amongst aspiring travellers and perhaps even inspire the more spontaneous to book a last-minute getaway on Agoda. Whether it’s a short getaway within Asia or a longer trip to the other side of the world, Agoda provides the best deals."   According to data analyzed by Agoda, Bangkok, Thailand, has overtaken Dubai as the most popular foreign travel destination for Indians in the past year. There has been a 26% increase in searches on the platform since the Thai government granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists visiting the nation last month, making it a popular destination for Indians seeking a getaway. Additional Reading: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes

BY Abdul Aziz MondalOct 11, 2023

Officials have issued a statement that Thailand is bent on restoring the confidence of tourists in the tourism sector. The statement follows closely on the heels of a mass shooting at a luxury mall. Two foreigners have been killed, and it has made hopes of attracting overseas visitors a distant dream. On Tuesday, the police arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of having unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the Siam Paragon Mall. The location being the center of Bangkok’s commercial zone has raised all too many eyebrows. The incident caused the death of two women- one of them from China and the other from Myanmar, injuring five people. Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, has said that the agencies have vowed to do their best to restore confidence. "We need to improve security in all areas for Thai and foreign tourists," she said without explaining any necessary steps being taken. Somsong Sachaphimukh, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand industry group, has remarked, "This will impact tourism confidence and will affect our reputation. In the past, there were complaints about safety from China but this was something unthinkable." Chinese tourists have accounted for 11 million of the 39.9 million foreign visitors in Thailand in 2019. Tourism so far has been pretty slow, and it has prompted the government to decide on the visa waiver ahead of the peak season. Thai Examiner issued a report on the fee situation so far. The visa waiver will be collected from foreign travelers to provide “emergency medical health insurance cover and other benefits for 30 days from the point of entry.” The report explained that the fee needs “to be paid on arrival at kiosks at Immigration Bureau points of entry, including at airports after landing. The fee will also be delivered via a website or smartphone app.” It further added that “The tourism fee is supported broadly by the tourism industry as its tourist insurance fund is considered an essential step forward given the repeated stories of tragedies, accidents, and personal disasters which occur every year.” Read Also: Israel Government Declares War: Multiple Flights Cancelled National Taco Day: How To Celebrate If You Are From Chicago Columbus Day And Indigenous People’s Day: What IS Open And What Is Closed?

BY Abdul Aziz MondalDec 27, 2023

The holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's are all about happiness, family, and celebration. This entails engaging in festive customs and spending time with loved ones for the majority of people. However, these holidays have a whole new significance for cosmonauts and astronauts in space. Vacations in space were uncommon in the early years of space exploration. The first Christmas spent in space by astronauts was during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders read passages from the Bible's Book of Genesis while in orbit around the moon, broadcasting the scenes to an estimated billion viewers worldwide. Vacations in space increased in frequency and length as missions went on. Astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue observed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in space during the 1973–1974 Skylab 4 mission. They watched a comet pass by, made a homemade Christmas tree out of food containers, and had a festive dinner that included fruitcake. For cosmonauts, the New Year's holiday was particularly important. Yuri V. Romanenko and Georgi M. Grechko were the first people to celebrate the new year while in orbit on the Salyut-6 space station in 1977 and 1978. In a broadcast on television, they raised a glass to the occasion. Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman observed Hanukkah in 1993 while on the STS-61 mission aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. To celebrate the Festival of Lights, he spun a dreidel and carried a traveling menorah. Holidays were not only observed in space, but astronauts went above and beyond to make the occasion joyful. The 1999 STS-103 crew, who were entrusted with fixing the Hubble Space Telescope, celebrated Christmas with a special meal that included French specialties. Twelve Mir expedition crews, including NASA astronauts, spent their vacations on board the Russian space station between 1987 and 1998. Messages were exchanged and customs, like lighting Hanukkah candles and sending Christmas greetings, were demonstrated during these festivities. On board the International Space Station, holiday celebrations are still customarily observed. Whether it's through live broadcasts, symbolic decorations, or special food items, astronauts and cosmonauts find inventive ways to bring the joy of these festivities to the cosmic realm. Though they may be different, people who celebrate the holidays far above Earth still find great meaning and significance in them. Read Also: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Bora Bora Is Shifting Its Tourism Policy, Aims To Double Tourists By 2033