Tripadvisor Announces 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards for Best Attractions and Experiences

Tripadvisor Announces 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards for Best Attractions and Experiences

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 27, 2024

Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, has announced the winners of its annual 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Things to Do. The awards highlight the highest-rated experiences and attractions globally and in the United States, based on Tripadvisor reviews. For the first time, the Empire State Building in New York City has climbed to the top spot as the No. 1 attraction in the world. Meanwhile, the Unvanquished Tour in Porto City, Portugal, has earned the honor of being the world's best experience.

Empire State Building Tops Global Attractions

Boasting 60,000 5-star reviews, the Empire State Building reinforces its status as the "World's Most Famous Building" by securing the No. 1 attraction spot both in the US and globally. Visitors rave about the 360-degree view of New York, pointing out favorite landmarks and seeing up to six states on a clear day. With over 300 reviews calling it a "once in a lifetime" experience, the Empire State Building continues to captivate tourists from around the world.

Unvanquished Tour: Best Experience in the World

The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, Portugal, has made a remarkable debut by becoming the top experience globally. This tour, praised for being budget and time-friendly, allows visitors to explore 2,000 years of history in just a few hours. With more than 8,000 5-star reviews, guests commend the tour for its entertaining and knowledgeable guides.

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Top Global Attractions

  1. Empire State Building, New York City, United States

  2. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

  3. Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  4. Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

  5. Cayman Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman, Caribbean

  6. Colosseum, Rome, Italy

  7. Louvre Museum, Paris, France

  8. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, Singapore

  9. Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy

  10. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Top US Attractions

  1. Empire State Building, New York City, New York

  2. Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii

  3. Central Park, New York City, New York

  4. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida

  5. Stetson Mansion, DeLand, Florida

  6. Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California

  7. Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee

  8. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York

  9. Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, Washington

  10. Diamond Head State Monument, Honolulu, Hawaii

Top Global Experiences

  1. The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, Porto, Portugal

  2. All-Inclusive Ubud Tour, Ubud, Indonesia

  3. All-Inclusive Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Captain Jack, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  4. Small-Group Explore Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour with Guide from Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

  5. Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour, Cancun, Mexico

  6. The Best Tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales, Florence, Italy

  7. Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru

  8. Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances, and Music, Budapest, Hungary

  9. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam

  10. Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates, Reykjavik, Iceland

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Top US Experiences

  1. Oahu Circle Island Tours, Oahu, Hawaii

  2. Honolulu Xtreme Parasail, Honolulu, Hawaii

  3. History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts

  4. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau, Alaska

  5. Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour, Honolulu, Hawaii

  6. Koloa Zipline in Kauai, Kauai, Hawaii

  7. Niagara Falls in 1 Day: Tour of American and Canadian Sides, Niagara Falls, New York

  8. ATV Riding: First-Time Rider Course and Guided Tour, Las Vegas, Nevada

  9. Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area, Tierra Verde, Florida

  10. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options, New York City, New York

Unforgettable Vacation Moments

Bucket List Experiences

  1. Beginner Scuba Diving Adventure with Videos, Honolulu - Oahu, Hawaii

Cultural & Historical Tours

  1. No. 1 in the world: Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Local Skipper-Guide, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  2. No. 1 in the US: History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts

Amusement Parks & Water Parks

  1. No. 1 in the world: Disneyland Paris, Paris, France

  2. No. 1 in the US: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The awards offer a comprehensive look at the top-rated activities and attractions, providing travelers with inspiration for unforgettable vacations.

For a complete list of winners, visit Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Award


Green signal for ₹136cr city-side hub at Thiruvananthapuram airport

Green signal for ₹136cr city-side hub at Thiruvananthapuram airport

By Hariharan U

Published on September 15, 2025

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is moving closer to a major transformation, with the Union environment ministry’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) recommending environmental clearance for a ₹136 crore city-side development project. The initiative, planned by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) at Chackai within the airport grounds, aims to reshape the capital city’s gateway into a modern hospitality and commercial hub.

The project will feature a 240-room luxury hotel, expansive food and beverage areas with over 600 seats, and world-class infrastructure across nearly 34,000 sq. m. Spread over two basements, a ground floor and four upper floors, the complex will rise up to 23 metres. Once clearances are finalized, the hotel is expected to come under a global five-star brand such as Marriott, Hilton or Intercontinental.

This city-side facility is part of the larger terminal expansion plan, "Project Anantha" The project faced delays after the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) sought changes in the basement design, citing environmental risks. The revised proposal has now cleared hurdles, and with pending cases moved to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the project is finally back on track.

Construction could begin within three months. Alongside enhancing airport facilities, the project is expected to generate around 300 direct jobs and nearly 900 indirect employment opportunities. “The project will not just address rising accommodation needs but also give a strong push to Kerala’s hospitality sector,” said a source close to the airport.

The EAC has attached strict environmental safeguards. Construction will rely on recycled water and rainwater harvesting. Once operational, the complex will need 318 KLD of water, with nearly half supplied by an in-house sewage treatment plant. Solid waste, expected at 418 kg daily, will be processed sustainably—biodegradable waste will be converted on-site while non-biodegradable material will be handed over to authorized vendors.

Other eco-measures include rooftop rainwater harvesting tanks, a 20% reduction target in energy use, and transplantation of 40 trees within the airport boundary. The land, currently serving as open parking, was allocated to AAHL under a 50-year concession agreement signed in 2021 with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The EAC has clarified that the site is free from ecologically sensitive zones, coastal regulation restrictions or protected habitats.

Thiruvananthapuram airport is already handling record traffic, with nearly 4.9 million passengers between April 2024 and March 2025, and this new city-side development is expected to further elevate the airport’s standing as a gateway to Kerala.


Air India Group Adopts SITA Tech to Boost Efficiency and Cut Emissions

Air India Group Adopts SITA Tech to Boost Efficiency and Cut Emissions

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 15, 2025

Air India Group has taken a major step in its modernization journey by deploying SITA OptiFlight and eWAS, two advanced data-driven digital solutions designed to improve flight efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The rollout is aimed at tackling rising fuel costs and the growing need to reduce carbon emissions, challenges faced by airlines worldwide.

The new technology is now active across the Air India Airbus A320 fleet and the Air India Express Boeing 737 fleet, covering both domestic and international routes. Deployment on Air India’s widebody fleet is set to follow. Together, the solutions are expected to help the group cut carbon emissions by 35,000 tons annually.

“As the aviation industry navigates growing regulatory and environmental pressure, the need for intelligent, predictive solutions has never been more critical,” said Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “Air India’s deployment of SITA OptiFlight® and eWAS is a strong example of how smart digital technologies can cut emissions, save fuel, and unlock real operational value across every flight.”

Basil Kwauk, Chief Operations Officer, Air India, added: “Sustainability and efficiency are core to our transformation into a world-class airline. With SITA OptiFlight and SITA eWAS, we’re taking meaningful steps to modernize our operations, reduce our carbon footprint.”

SITA OptiFlight® uses historical flight data, aircraft-specific performance models, and 4D weather forecasts to optimize key flight phases. At its core is OptiClimb, which provides pilots with customized climb-out schedules tailored to each aircraft. This reduces fuel burn during one of the most energy-intensive stages of flight while maintaining safety and performance.

SITA eWAS complements this by providing real-time weather updates and predictive forecasting, enabling pilots to avoid turbulence, reroute efficiently, and make informed in-flight decisions. Together, these solutions strengthen operational performance while supporting Air India’s sustainability goals.

With these tools, SITA continues to expand its footprint in Indian aviation, helping carriers achieve operational resilience, cost efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.


Historic Moment: Mizoram Joins India’s Railway Map with Bairabi–Sairang Line

Historic Moment: Mizoram Joins India’s Railway Map with Bairabi–Sairang Line

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 13, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 51.28 km-long Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13, marking a historic moment for the northeastern state. With this, Mizoram will be connected to Kolkata by train for the first time, significantly improving accessibility and connectivity.

The Kolkata–Sairang–Kolkata express train will operate three times a week, providing a vital link between the state capital and West Bengal. In addition, the Prime Minister will also flag off two more services, a weekly Rajdhani Express to Anand Vihar and a daily express train to Guwahati, officially bringing Aizawl onto the Indian railway map through its nearest station, Sairang.

Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹8,071 crore, the Bairabi–Sairang rail line is a feat of engineering that navigates Mizoram’s challenging hilly terrain. The route passes through 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and six road underbridges. Among the engineering highlights is a bridge that rises to a height of 114 metres, taller than Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar by 42 metres. Adding cultural significance, the tunnels are adorned with local artworks that reflect Mizo heritage and traditions.

Officials emphasized that the project, part of the Central government’s Act East policy, is more than just an infrastructure development. It is expected to bring multiple benefits, including enhanced trade opportunities, improved inter-state travel, and a major boost to tourism in the region. “Through this project, Mizoram, long deprived of railway service due to its difficult geographical conditions, has now been gifted with direct connectivity close to Aizawl,” a railway official said.

Experts believe that this rail link will not only make travel easier but also spur socio-economic development. Raj Basu, convenor of the Association for Conservation of Tourism, noted that increased accessibility will attract more visitors from West Bengal and beyond. He highlighted Mizoram’s reputation as a safe, welcoming destination with strong women-led entrepreneurship, especially in homestays, which is drawing all-women tourist groups to the state.

Currently, Mizoram is connected to Kolkata only by air and road. With this new railway line, the “Land of Blue Mountains” is poised to emerge as a more accessible and attractive destination, paving the way for stronger tourism and cross-border opportunities.

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