Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day: Open and Closed Details

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 5, 2023

The people of Norway have sent a Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square. Every year since 1947 it has been a tradition of Norway to send Britain a Christmas tree in order to commemorate their support during the Second World War. The Norwegian spruce is nearly 20 meters high and is around 70 years old. It has been chosen to be the "queen of the forest" from the woodlands of Oslo. It was felled in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister, who described the spruce saying it was "spectacular". Every year, the selected tree is brought to the UK by a sea route which then ends up getting delivered by a lorry. The Christmas lights will be draped vertically in traditional Norwegian style. The energy efficient bulbs will be switched on during a ceremony on Thursday 7 December. Ms McAllister helped fell the Christmas tree in Oslo. "It was astonishing, spectacular, emotional: especially when the tree was hoisted [from where it's been for] the last 70 years," she said. "It really is a spectacular tree. It's stunning." She further added. Few of the previous Christmas trees that were sent From Norway, were not so warmly received. They would sometimes be of the opinion that they were either "sparse" or "anemic". However, the Norwegian foresters who take care of these trees described the chosen tree to be the "queen of the forest". Every year The Poetry Society commissions a poem based on the Oslo Christmas Tree. This year poem is set to be called "T for Tree" written by Isabel Galleymore. It is composed mainly for children and it will be read during the tree-lighting ceremony. The spruce will stay in Trafalgar Square until the 5th of January when it will be composted and chipped. Read Also: Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol Ghana Is Ready To Host The Rest Of The World: Ghana Tourism Authority On Christmas Concerts Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 19, 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to grow its tourism arrivals into the country to  5.5 million within the next 5 years as it is about to reach out to private sector players for collaborative efforts to take the country to the global stage. KTB chairperson Francis Gichaba has disclosed that the tourism sector is back on full recovery pointing out that the arrivals by the end of this financial year will be closing at slightly over 1.9 million visitors that was recorded in 2019. Gichaba has revealed, “We are very optimistic that with the support from the private sector and other key players in the industry, our performance will even surpass the 2019 arrivals to over 2 million and progressively beyond." He was delivering a speech at Bomas of Kenya during a tourism stakeholders meeting that brought under the same roof tour operators, hoteliers, government agencies and tourism associations. The session sought to validate KTB's 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028. In the strategy, KTB is targeting to achieve 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and grow the tourism industry's contribution to the economy of Kenya to KES 1 trillion each year by June 2028. Gichaba said destination marketing has been a collaborative exercise noting that the involvement of the private sectors in the development of strategy which was one of the ways of incorporating invaluable ideas that would shape the sector's performance within the review period. Kenya Hotel Keepers Association and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia suggested to the private players to curate their products and travel experiences to the needs of the market. He said, “We talk of Africa as the low-hanging fruit in terms of numbers and market share in the country and therefore the product owners should package their products and experience and sell to Africa. This move would also open opportunities for Africans to invest in the hospitality sector in Kenya... We have to go where the market is, and this is what our competitors such as South Africa have beaten us on. They have invested heavily in market presence not only to build brand awareness but to sign marketing deals." Read Also: Manila Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2023, Crowned World’s Top City Destination Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 8, 2023

The most preferred destinations for tourists traveling within their country as well as abroad remain a matter of trend and fluctuations. But one country that has seen a huge surge in inbound tourists is Thailand. Especially Indians who want a small break. This growth comes from Thailand's latest visa policy that allows visa-free entry to its visitors, one of the nationals being Indians. Thailand's Bangkok has stolen this coveted spot from Dubai, according to Agoda, an online travel platform. They analyzed the trends based on hotel bookings on their application. Ever since the government of Thailand has permitted visa-free entry for many countries including India, the country has seen a 26% increase in searches on Agoda and Indian tourists have found their favorite escape. Other countries that have recently waived the visa requirements for tourists of various nationals include Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Both of these countries are seeing renewed interest from tourists. The report says, “When it comes to international travel choices, Indians consistently favour short haul destinations across the region. Chart topper Bangkok and fifth most popular destination Pattaya are poised to further strengthen their appeal, with the recent announcement of visa-free travel for Indians to Thailand.” The report also said that, “The rankings with the most booked destinations on Agoda underscore a distinct inclination among Indians for tried-and-tested destinations, showcasing a preference for all-time favourites that have lots to offer to any type of traveller and no matter how frequently they are visited." Krishna Rathi, Agoda's country director for India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka says, "2023 has been an incredible year for travel in India. Agoda search numbers reveal growth on all levels: domestic, inbound, and outbound. I am excited to see how this trend will shape the travel industry in 2024. "Bangkok has been followed by Dubai, then Bali in the third and Singapore in the fourth place. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square