Vietnam’s International Tourist Influx Surpasses Expectation, Reaches 8.9 Million

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 Nov 6, 2023

Leicester Square is the throbbing quadrilateral at the center of London’s tourist district. It has got a whole new look for the festive season. At the square, the Christmas market stalls abound with each selling seasonal treats, delicious food, and drinks. To put it simply, you will be gleefully drowning in glühwein and bratwurst. Sounds jolly enough? And yet that is not all! Along with the fairy-lit rhombus of Crimbo commerce, there is the Spiegeltent who will be playing host to a hoard of performances. The Olivier Award-winning variety show La Clique will be present. La Clique is the Aussie alternative circus and cabaret show that stays here for 8 weeks. They will be ringing in Christmas in style while returning for another year of vibrance and talent. The full details for the show have not been announced but previous line-ups included kids and family-friendly entertainment. Similar shows can be expected this year too. Refreshments are available nearby with attractions and shopping. The dates and times for the 2023 Christmas market haven’t yet been announced. The live entertainment has been curated by Underbelly. Although an hour will be lost of the daily sunlight, a buzzy Christmas market under the twinkling lights of Christmas is exactly what can cheer us up. Get ready to party with a lot of soul and cheer at the Leicester Square market. You can visit the square anytime between November 8 to January 7, 2024. It is sure to boost up your festive spirit. Entry is free but there are tickets to be booked for additional shows like La Clique. This will; obviously incur extra costs. The nearest station is Leicester Square but you can also have a lot of fun walking from Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus. Read Also: Singaporean Expert Says Vietnam Tourism Needs Better Destination Management: Report Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists Montana: The Unique Treasure Trove Of The United States

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!