Author: Travel and Tourism Desk

By: Ananth Venkatesh When I visited Fatehpur Sikri, the former Mughal capital built by Emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century, I was immediately struck by its scale and architectural presence. The red sandstone structures rise with quiet authority. They reflect an imperial vision that still commands respect centuries later. As I walked through the Diwan i Aam, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Buland Darwaza, Anup Talao and Panch Mahal, I felt the historical weight of the place. The layout is vast and carefully planned. Courtyards open into corridors. Pillars frame the skyline. For anyone interested in India’s past, Fatehpur Sikri offers genuine…

Marriott International Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) has unveiled an expanded line-up of curated guest experiences under Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™, reinforcing its commitment to intentional and meaningful travel across the region. Announced on 10 February 2026, the enhanced programme features nearly 100 unique experiences across close to 80 hotels in 12 APEC markets, offering travelers opportunities to connect deeply with local communities and environments. Designed around two core pillars Community and Environment Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™ encourages guests to explore destinations beyond conventional tourism. The programme enables travelers to understand local cultures, contribute positively to ecosystems, and…

Building on the momentum generated at OTM Mumbai, South African Tourism successfully concluded the Bengaluru leg of its Annual India Roadshow, reaffirming India’s growing importance as a key source market. The multi-city initiative aims to strengthen partnerships with the Indian travel trade while unlocking new opportunities across leisure, corporate, and MICE travel segments. Led by Ms. Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), the Bengaluru roadshow brought together more than 40 South African exhibitors and witnessed strong participation from over 235 travel trade professionals. The platform enabled direct engagement, knowledge exchange, and discussions around evolving Indian traveller preferences, positioning South…

The Indian Railways may soon have to rethink how it charges passengers traveling on RAC tickets. A parliamentary committee has flagged the practice of collecting full ticket fares from passengers who do not get a full berth as unfair and recommended a partial refund system. RAC, or Reservation Against Cancellation, allows passengers to book a ticket when the train is already fully booked. While the ticket guarantees the right to travel, it does not guarantee a full berth. Many passengers end up sharing a berth or remaining in a half-seat arrangement for the entire journey yet they are charged the…

Marriott Hotels, the namesake brand of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, today announced the opening of Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR. Nestled within the timeless Aravali range, the resort offers a nature-led escape close to the capital, thoughtfully designed for discerning travellers, destination celebrations, corporate offsites and immersive stay experiences. This opening marks Marriott Hotels’ continued expansion in North India and reinforces the brand’s commitment to delivering world-class hospitality in key urban and leisure markets. Strategically located within easy driving distance of Delhi NCR and Faridabad, the resort offers a convenient yet immersive escape…

Discover Bahrain’s newest cultural experience: a curated collection of pearl adventures, now open to visitors. Go beyond the Pearling Path — one of Bahrain’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and dive into the Kingdom’s maritime legacy. This unique programme combines authentic pearl diving and snorkelling with storytelling tours along the historic three-kilometre trail in Muharraq, linking restored merchant houses, traditional pearl shops, and landmarks. Choose from diving experiences for certified divers (18+), snorkelling experiences for confident swimmers aged 16+, or heritage trips exploring Bahrain’s cultural roots. Across all sea experiences, participants keep any natural pearls they find, making this a…

Mumbai’s suburban railway network once again highlighted serious safety concerns after three passengers fell from an overcrowded local train near Sion station during peak hours. One of the injured commuters remains in critical condition, while the others suffered injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment. According to railway officials, the incident occurred when the train was heavily packed with office-goers travelling during rush hour. Due to overcrowding, several passengers were standing near the doors. During the movement of the train, three people lost their balance and fell onto the tracks. Emergency teams quickly reached the spot and shifted the…

Delhi’s public transport landscape is set to receive a significant boost as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to expanding the Metro network. Speaking at the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Electric Receiving Sub-Station (RSS) near the Central Vista Project on Park Street, the Chief Minister highlighted the strategic importance of investing in Metro infrastructure as a key component of urban mobility. The newly inaugurated sub-station, completed in just 18 months, will play a pivotal role in ensuring uninterrupted power supply to critical Metro routes. By providing stable and reliable electricity, the facility is expected to support the…

On 17 January 2026, Indian Railways launched the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Howrah Junction in West Bengal and Kamakhya Junction near Guwahati in Assam. This new service represents a major improvement in rail travel for eastern India and the North East, providing faster and more comfortable overnight journeys between two important regions separated by nearly 1,000 kilometres. The train covers this distance in about 14 hours, allowing passengers to travel overnight and reach their destination refreshed. Previously, trains on this route took much longer and offered only basic sleeper services. The Vande Bharat Sleeper changes this by providing…

अमेरिका ने 21 जनवरी 2026 से 75 देशों के नागरिकों के लिए स्थायी आव्रजन वीज़ा प्रक्रिया पर अस्थायी रोक लगाकर एक बार फिर यह स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा आप्रवासी राष्ट्र अब अपने ही मूल विचार से पीछे हटता दिख रहा है। यह फैसला सिर्फ़ काग़ज़ी नियमों का बदलाव नहीं है, बल्कि उस मानसिकता का संकेत है जिसमें डर, संसाधनों की चिंता और घरेलू राजनीति इंसानी कहानियों से ऊपर रख दी जाती हैं। सरकारी तर्क सीधा है। ऐसे लोग न आएँ जो भविष्य में सरकारी सहायता पर निर्भर हो सकते हैं। सुनने में यह बात व्यावहारिक…