Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 30, 2023

Sri Lanka Cabinet has approved the issuing of free visas to India, Russia, China, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia. It will come into immediate effect as a pilot project till the 31st of March. Ali Sabry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has tweeted. The minister has stated that the pilot project that is to commence immediately will be extended until March 31, 2024. Sabry posted, “Cabinet approves issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till 31 March.” Earlier in March, Sri Lankan foreign minister Ali Sabry said that Sri Lanka’s relationship with India is ‘one of the most important in our foreign policy.’ Visitors from the mentioned countries can now obtain visas from Sri Lanka without charges. This is a significant change, given that India has been Sri Lanka’s primary source of inbound tourism. Reports by PTI say, according to the statistics for September, India has led north of 30,000 arrivals which comprise 26% of the total. Chinese tourists follow closely as the second-largest group with over 8,000 arrivals. The island country has seen a fall in tourist arrivals since the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. It resulted in the tragic loss of 270 lives. It included 11 Indians and over 500 civilians injured. Sri Lanka has been fighting a severe economic crisis since its British independence in 1948. Currently, the country is facing political unrest that is marked by protests and calls for President Rajapaksa’s resignation. The economic crisis has created shortages of basic necessities like food, medicine, cooking gas, and fuel. Even toilet paper and matches are nearly unavailable. Sri Lankans have been enduring the long lines outside stores for their basic needs for months now. They have to wait to buy fuel as well as cooking gas due to the shortages. The Ministry of Tourism has recently revealed that during the preceding Cabinet meeting, a Cabinet Paper was introduced. It suggests the provision of complimentary tourist visas to foreign travelers from five countries planning to visit Sri Lanka for tourism. Read Also: Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists Malaysia Adventure: Planning An Active And Thrilling Getaway THIS Is When You Should Visit Maldives!

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 9, 2023

Each year Americans celebrate Indigenous People’s Day as well as Columbus Day on October’s second Monday. The day intended to recognize and commemorate the legacy and beneficence of all the people who resided in the continent long before Columbus claimed (erroneously) of having “discovered” America. In 2021 President Joe Biden signed a proclamation that stated that the federal policies have “systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures.” Monday is Indigenous People's Day. We in California haven't called it Columbus Day as far as I can remember. Christopher Columbus may have been a good explorer but he treated Indigenous people like shit Including killing them. pic.twitter.com/cQiqv2lZhL— Larry (@Lfunguscal) October 9, 2023 Since then, Indigenous People’s Day has been formally accepted and celebrated all around the country. Many states celebrate Indigenous People’s Day officially, while others commemorate it in the form of proclamations. North of 100 cities have decided to replace Columbus Day entirely with Indigenous People’s Day. Children in school and office goers will likely enjoy a long weekend. The question is bound to arise whether some of the essential institutions will remain open or closed. Mail For the holiday, the United States Postal Service will remain closed and will not be delivering mail and packages. UPS will be operating If you still need to get mail out or in, opt for FedEx and UPS, who will stay in business as usual. UPS will be operating fully, but there might be a modified service with FedEx Ground Economy and FedEx Express. Banks Monday is a bank holiday for the Federal Reserve. Markets, however, will remain open such as the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange, that will be in business. Major banks such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, US Banks, and branches of Citibank will stay closed. TD Bank and Chase Bank will stay open for the Indigenous People’s Day holiday. https://twitter.com/ydrcom/status/1710980896235401302?s=20 Government Institutions Because it is a government holiday, government institutions will remain closed, such as teh likes of libraries, offices, DMV, and courts. RetailBig-scale retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger will remain open. Their operating hours may vary according to local business norms. Learn More About: National Taco Day: How To Celebrate If You Are From Chicago People Are Interested To Spend More On Traveling Instead Of Investing On Diamonds: Prices Fall

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 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