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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on December 3, 2024
Uber introduces Uber Shikara services that fulfills your dream to visit the pristine dal lake through the beautiful shikara ride and tourists can pre-book their boat rides on the Dal Lake through the Uber app. The limited-period product will help tourists pre-book their Shikara rides through the Uber app in advance so that they are all set to enjoy the scenic beauty of Dal Lake in Srinagar during the upcoming busy holiday season.As part of this initiative to promote tourism in the picturesque region, Uber will not charge any fee on Shikara rides booked through its app. The entire amount will go to the Shikara drivers, creating additional economic opportunities for the grassroot tourism workers in J&K. Each Uber Shikara ride can be booked for a period of 1 hour, allowing up to 4 passengers. Uber Shikara rides can be booked 12 hours prior and up to 15 days in advance.
Commenting on the launch, Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India & South Asia said, "At Uber, we are always looking to make mobility magical and effortless. Uber Shikara is our humble attempt to blend technology and tradition to give a seamless experience to travellers for their Shikara ride. We are proud to create this iconic experience enhancing accessibility and uplifting tourism in the breathtaking landscape of Kashmir."
Uber Shikara introduces the convenience of pre-booking through Uber Reserve, allowing travelers to plan their rides in advance. This feature is aimed at helping travelers enjoy the beauty of Jammu & Kashmir to its fullest without worrying about last-minute arrangements. With just access and booking your ride through the Uber app, you can get the best ever experience by witnessing the beauty of Srinagar and its Dal lake. In a first for the iconic rides on the Dal Lake, Uber introduced trip insurance for all Uber Shikara rides, ensuring that every journey offers travelers complete peace of mind as they take in the breathtaking beauty of Srinagar, as the valley opens its doors for the winter travel season.How to book your shikara through Uber App:Here, It's all easy!
● Open the latest version of the Uber app (check for updates on App Store/Play Store)
● Select start and end points as 'Shikara Ghat No 16' from the 'Where to' bar
● Select Uber Shikara
● Select time and date (available only during 10 am to 5 pm)
● Confirm pick up location (Ghat 16)
● Click "Book" and you're set to enjoy the Uber Shikara experience at the Dal Lake
Come and experience the beauty of Srinagar through our shikaras!
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By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 30, 2025
India’s premier B2B travel networking event, India International Travel Mart (IITM), completed impactful editions in Chennai (16–18 July) and Bangalore (24–26 July) 2025, reinforcing its reputation as South India’s biggest travel exhibition and a catalyst for domestic and international tourism promotion.
Now in its 26th year in these cities, IITM brought together a diverse mix of tourism boards, DMCs, hotel groups, airlines, travel startups, and technology platforms. Over three days at each venue, the exhibitions enabled immersive trade engagement, destination showcases, and high-value networking opportunities.
The Chennai edition, hosted at Chennai Trade Centre, was inaugurated by Thiru T. Christuraj, Director of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu. Dignitaries included:
Sri Venkatesan D, Regional Director, India Tourism
Smt. T. Devaki, Chairperson, Travel Agents Association of India
Sri Kamaleshwaran, President, SKAL International, Chennai
Sri Pankaj Ravish, General Manager, IRCTC
Sri Pawan Kumar Gupta, Vice President, SIMA
Sri Ashok Kumar P, Chairman, ADTOI
The Bangalore edition, held at Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds, was inaugurated by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh. Guests of Honor included:
Sri Neelu Sharma, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tourism
Sri Ranphoa Ngowa, Secretary Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh
Sri Vivek Acharya, MD, Chhattisgarh Tourism
Mr. Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director, Tourism Malaysia Chennai
Sri Biswajit Routray, Additional Director, Odisha Tourism
Sri Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, UP Tourism
Sri Lokesh Bettaiah, VP, TAAI
Sri Niranjan Bhargava, Chairman, TAAI
Mr. M. Vinod, President, AATO
Mr. Kaulesh Kumar, General Secretary, ABTO
Mr. Amish Desai, MC Member, TAAI
Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, said:
“Both editions exceeded expectations in terms of participation, partnerships, and buyer engagement. The enthusiasm from India’s domestic and outbound tourism stakeholders is encouraging as we push toward broader industry resurgence.”
Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, added:
“Chennai and Bangalore remain integral to India’s tourism landscape. The enthusiasm, scale, and trade engagement at IITM reaffirm its role as a strategic B2B platform.”
25+ Indian states represented
20+ international tourism boards
800+ exhibitors
Thousands of B2B meetings and interactions across both cities
For over 20 years, IITM has built a legacy as one of India’s most credible and business-focused travel trade shows. It uniquely connects travel products with decision-makers through:
Dedicated B2B focus
Themed pavilions: luxury travel, tech, sustainable tourism
Launchpad for destinations and services
South India’s largest travel trade shows
Following Chennai and Bangalore, the upcoming editions of IITM promise more robust business opportunities:
Delhi: 24 – 26 September 2025
Mumbai: 9 – 11 October 2025
Pune: 27 – 29 November 2025
Hyderabad: 4 – 6 December 2025
Kochi: 8 – 10 January 2026
Kolkata: 12 – 14 February 2026
Ahmedabad: 12 – 14 March 2026
With an unwavering commitment to connect, collaborate, and catalyze tourism growth, IITM remains the gold standard for India’s travel trade engagement.
For more information, contact: +91 8040834100Email: media@spheretravelmedia.com
Published on July 28, 2025
The long-awaited inauguration of the upgraded terminal at Thoothukudi airport has been widely welcomed by local industry bodies, who see it as a game-changer for the region’s industrial and cargo logistics landscape. Scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26, the new terminal, alongside an extended runway and night landing facilities, marks a major milestone for southern Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure growth.
Industrial stakeholders have expressed optimism about the development, stating that the enhanced facilities will provide a significant boost to business operations, cargo movement, and travel convenience for entrepreneurs, industrialists, and the public from both Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. The airport’s strategic location between these two growing urban clusters adds further relevance to the upgrade.
D.R. Kodeeswaran, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thoothukudi, highlighted the city’s rapid emergence as a top investment destination in the region. He underlined several ambitious projects in the pipeline, including the outer harbour development of V.O. Chidambaranar Port, ISRO’s upcoming rocket launch site at Kulasekarappatinam, a new furniture park in the SIPCOT industrial estate, and the Vietnamese auto giant VinFast’s new manufacturing plant.
He also called for improved air connectivity to major cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Kochi. At present, only IndiGo and SpiceJet operate from Thoothukudi, and Kodeeswaran emphasized the need for more airlines to consider operations to and from the region. Notably, the airport has already recorded a 15.2% growth in passenger traffic in 2024-2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting increasing demand.
Echoing similar sentiments, R. Edwin Samuel, Former Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Thoothukudi, stressed the need to elevate the airport to international status to allow flights to international destinations like Male, Colombo and Dubai. He remarked that the timing of the terminal’s inauguration aligns well with Thoothukudi’s rise as a spiritual tourism hub and its growing relevance to regional industrial development.
He also added that as the SIPCOT hub in nearby Gangaikondan prepares to welcome several prominent companies, robust air connectivity would play a critical role in sustaining and accelerating the region’s industrial growth trajectory.
Published on July 27, 2025
There’s something about Israel that lingers in the heart long after the passport is stamped. Maybe it’s the golden light bathing ancient stone, or the electric energy of Tel Aviv’s sunset streets. Either way, travellers worldwide have spoken—and the latest Travel + Leisure 2025 rankings confirm it.
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have both made it to the Top 10 Cities in the Middle East and Africa, as voted by the magazine’s global readership. Jerusalem proudly retains its third place, admired for its deep spiritual resonance and centuries-old heritage. Readers highlighted its cultural landmarks, immersive culinary scene, and a unique timelessness that makes it a city like no other.
Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is climbing the charts—jumping from eighth in 2024 to fifth this year. This coastal city has been winning hearts with its vibrant street life, modern flair, and commitment to sustainability and design, particularly among younger travellers.
For Indian travellers, the results strike a familiar chord. The rising interest in Israel reflects a growing appreciation for destinations that combine spiritual experiences, rich culture, and a globally relevant lifestyle.
In Jerusalem, time feels like it folds in on itself. The city offers more than religious symbolism—it offers living history. Walk the Via Dolorosa, pause at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, reflect at the Western Wall, or take in breathtaking views from the Ramparts Walk. The Tower of David Museum adds a modern narrative through its Night Spectacular sound and light show, while the Mahane Yehuda Market bursts with flavours—think artisanal cheeses, local wines, spices, and sweets.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s cosmopolitan vibe makes it one of the most forward-looking cities in the region. Known globally as a vegan capital, it’s also a treasure trove of Bauhaus architecture—explored best at the Liebling Haus or on a stroll through Neve Tzedek, now reimagined as a hotspot for fashion, theatre, and art. Food lovers can indulge in everything from bourekas to gourmet vegan fare, while bicycle and Segway tours through Florentin and Rothschild Boulevard reveal the city’s street art and creative energy. Come evening, the rhythm shifts to jazz bars, speakeasies, and beachfront cafés, keeping the city alive well past sunset.
One standout factor in this year’s rankings is traveller confidence. Despite global uncertainties, Israel has emerged not just as a popular destination but as a trusted one—where safety, culture, food, and hospitality come together seamlessly.
This recognition is more than just a spot on a list—it’s a signal that Israel continues to inspire, surprise, and welcome with open arms.
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