Category: Travel & Tourism

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Bangladesh India News Travel & Tourism

Direct air connectivity with Dhaka pushes for India’s medical tourism

Indigo’s maiden direct flight service from Hyderabad to Dhaka took off at 12.45 p.m from GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) Ltd. Senior officials from GHIAL along with Indigo officials and other stakeholders flagged off the first flight amidst a festive atmosphere…reports Asian Lite News

The Hyderabad international airport has added yet another international destination to its portfolio with the launch of Indigo’s direct flight service from Hyderabad to Dhaka on Monday.

Apart from boosting tourism and leisure travel between Bangladesh and Telangana, the direct flights are expected to give a fillip to medical travel to Hyderabad.

The IndiGo Flight 6E 1931 will depart from GMR Hyderabad International Airport at 12.45 p.m. The return IndiGo Flight 6E 1932 from Dhaka will arrive in Hyderabad at 6.50 p.m. The two hours forty-five minutes flight will operate between GMR Hyderabad International Airport and Dhaka twice a week – Saturday and Monday.

As per data released by the Indian tourism ministry, about 54 per cent of all international medical visitors to India for treatment are from Bangladesh. With some of the finest medical facilities in the region, Hyderabad has emerged as one of the preferred destinations for medical tourists from Bangladesh. To attract medical tourists to the city, airlines are adding new flight routes connecting to the popular international destinations catering to the medical tourists.

Pradeep Panicker, CEO- GHIAL, said: “Apart from many tourist places to visit in Hyderabad, the city has also been a major hub for medical tourism. Over the years we have seen a massive influx of medical tourists along with leisure travellers. There is a great demand for direct connectivity between Hyderabad and Dhaka. This new connectivity will not only allow Bangladeshis to explore our city and medical facilities but also give a chance for the Hyderabadis to experience the unique charm of Dhaka.”

Indigo’s maiden direct flight service from Hyderabad to Dhaka took off at 12.45 p.m from GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) Ltd. Senior officials from GHIAL along with Indigo officials and other stakeholders flagged off the first flight amidst a festive atmosphere.

Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, Indigo said: “We are pleased to commence new flights connecting the Indian hub of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to the cultural and economic capital of Bangladesh. Hyderabad has seen significant recovery in air traffic over the last few weeks, even surpassing the pre-covid levels on some days. Travellers from Dhaka could also use Hyderabad as the hub to connect more than 70 cities within the country. We are very confident that these flights will command high traffic, promoting leisure and medical tourism across both countries.”

Hyderabad International Airport is now connected to over 70 domestic destinations, from the pre Covid period of 55 domestic destinations and 16 international destinations. Though the overall international travel was subdued during the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic, Hyderabad International Airport is now connected to its earlier favorite destinations like London, Singapore, Kualalumpur, Colombo, Dubai, Qatar to name a few.

Hyderabad is the only airport in the country where all ten domestic airlines fly. For the ‘Summer-22’ schedule, International Airlines have filed flight slots to 20 International destinations. The international summer slots filed is 103 per cent of the pre-Covid times. Flights from Hyderabad to Thailand and Hongkong will resume soon, GHIAL stated.

Domestic air passenger traffic crosses 4L mark

India’s daily domestic air passenger traffic crossed the 4 lakh mark on Sunday – for the first time in the last two years, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said on Monday.

In a tweet, he said: “And we hit the 4 lakh mark for the first time in the last two years!”

On Sunday, 407,975 domestic passengers were ferried on 2,838 flights. The total flight movement stood at 5,672.

According to industry experts, lower Covid infection rate as well as lesser restrictions and holiday travel propped up the passenger numbers.

ALSO READ-Aviation ministry eases Covid rules for air travel

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India News Lite Blogs Travel & Tourism

With plains sizzling, holidaymakers rush to Himachal for long weekend

Manali remains a favourite for tourists due nearby chuckling snow-laden mountains…reports Asian Lite News

Amid a decline in Covid-19 cases and to escape the early setting of scorching heat in plains, hordes of holidaymakers converged across destinations in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, the first day of the onset of a long weekend that lasts till April 17.

As per the hospitality industry, the state capital and its nearby picnic spots have been geared up to play host to over 50,000 tourists in the extended four-day weekend.

Keeping in mind to set cash registers ringing, several private hoteliers in prominent destinations like Shimla, Kufri, Manali, Dharamsala, Palampur, Kasauli and Chail have hiked room tariffs.

Available information suggests a room fetching Rs 1,000 last year owing to the pandemic is sold off at Rs 5,000 a day in most of the hotels in Shimla, Kufri, Chail, Narkanda and Kasauli.

Apart from the weekend, Thursday is B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and also festival of Baisakhi and the following day is Good Friday. So by combining this with the weekend, people could celebrate for four days at a stretch.

“Almost all our properties in Shimla and its nearby destinations like Chail, Kufri, Narkanda and Kasauli are packed to capacity till this weekend,” a senior official with Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) said.

He said most tourists prefer to visit those destinations from where they can enjoy the view of snow-laden hills.

Besides Shimla and Manali, the most sought after destinations are Narkanda, Sangla, Kasauli, Chail, Palampur, Dharamsala and Dalhousie, he said.

Chandigarh-based entrepreneur Rakesh Bhandari said: “After a long gap of fear and anxiety owing to the pandemic, we got an opportunity for a family vacation. Since media reports say the entire Kashmir is packed to capacity, we decided to travel to Shimla.”

His daughter Neha added: “What a pleasant weather in the hills from the scorching conditions in Chandigarh.”

Manali remains a favourite for tourists due nearby chuckling snow-laden mountains.

“Nearby hills of Manali still have plenty of snow where the tourists can enjoy,” a Manali-based travel agent told IANS over the phone.

Seeing the rush of tourists, taxi drivers and guides are openly fleecing the tourists by quoting high rates, pinching the pockets of holidaymakers.

“In Kufri, pony owners are virtually trying to poach you despite your refusals. You will end up getting charged hefty for a ride,” said tourist Deepak Talwar.

According to various reports, there has been an increase of 80-90 per cent in the tourist inflow to the state compared to last year.

But a word of caution for the motorists travelling towards the Kunzum Pass.

Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar has advised tourists and locals to avoid travelling through Kaza-Losar-Gramphu-Koksar highway as the road is not restored for traffic.

The highway passes through 14,931 feet (4,551m) Kunzum Pass.

The state economy is highly dependent on hydroelectric power, horticulture and tourism.

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Arab News News Travel & Tourism

Tourist arrival in Israel nearly double in first quarter of 2022

Tourist arrival in Israel nearly double in first quarter of 2022

The number of tourist arrivals in Israel during the first quarter of 2022 has jumped by 98.2 per cent year on year, according to data issued by the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics…reports Asian Lite News

The number of arrivals in January-March reached 303,400, up from 153,100 in October-December 2021 and 16,800 in the first quarter last year, reports Xinhua news agency.

In March alone, 167,300 tourists arrived in Israel, a gradual rise from 89,900 in February and 46,200 in January.

In March 2020, following the Covid-19 outbreak, Israel closed its borders to foreign nationals, apart from exceptional cases.

ALSO READ: ‘Visit Abu Dhabi Roadshow’ in Israel

In 2021, Israel gradually allowed the entry of tourists, but in late November it closed the borders again after the spread of the Omicron variant.

At the beginning of 2022, Israel permitted entry of vaccinated and recovered tourists and then in March, of all tourists, vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, leading to the recent jump in tourist arrivals.

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Arab News Travel & Tourism

Egypt Offers New Tourism Package

A man floats on a salt lake at Siwa Oasis in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt

Egypt introduces tourism incentives to ease losses from Russia-Ukraine crisis

 Egypt has introduced a package of incentives to attract more tourists to ease the losses caused by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, as according to official statistics, one-third of Egypt’s inbound visitors come from the two countries.

“Egypt has taken swift and positive steps to stimulate the tourism sector, which plays a significant role in the country’s economy,” said Basem Halaqah, chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Syndicate.

Tourism used to account for up to 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Egypt before the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, according to official statistics.

In March, Egypt’s Tourism Development Authority launched on social media the tourists-oriented Follow the Sun campaign, which will run through May.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities organized trips for Egyptian and foreign bloggers to archeological sites in the North African country. Egypt has also expanded the e-visa portal list to cover more than 180 countries.

Ilhamy Al-Zayat, former chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Chamber, said enlarging the electronic entry list will encourage more tourists to come so that at least the costs of operating the tourist facilities could be covered.

Israel and Egypt have agreed to expand direct flights between the two countries by launching a new route between Tel Aviv and Sharm El-Sheikh. The new flights are expected to open this month.

On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi directed the government to continue supporting the tourism sector amid the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

ALSO READ: Digital technology to shore up tourism in Africa

“The loss of Russian and Ukrainian visitors is a big hit to the tourism sector,” Halaqah said, adding campaigns targeting western European and other Arab countries, especially those that are easing travel restrictions, are being carried out for the upcoming tourist season.

However, Al-Zayat warned that the replacement of tourists from Russia and Ukraine is probably not easy in the short run.

Egypt received only 3.5 million tourists in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, down from a record 13.1 million in 2019.

In 2021, tourism, one of the main sources of foreign currency in Egypt, saw a steady recovery, as 3.5 million tourists already visited the country in the first six months.

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Africa News Travel & Tourism

Digital technology to shore up tourism in Africa

African executives say technology key to hasten tourism recovery

The recovery of Africa’s travel and hospitality sectors after pandemic-related slump will be dependent on greater adoption of digital tools to ensure key operations like bookings were seamless, executives said.

Speaking at a forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, convened by Pesapal, a pan African payment solutions provider, the officials stressed that technology was key to hastening post-pandemic recovery of the continent’s tourism industry.

Agosta Liko, the executive director of Pesapal said that by investing in digital tools, tourism players will place their enterprises on a recovery trajectory, besides strengthening their resilience and agility in the face of unpredictable shocks.

The Nairobi forum themed “Adapt & Thrive: Harnessing technology in travel and hospitality”, convened by Pesapal in partnership with Oracle Hospitality, a technology solutions firm, brought together hoteliers, tour operators, restaurant and bar owners to discuss integration of digital tools in their recovery agenda.

Liko said that a partnership between Pesapal and Oracle Hospitality has facilitated seamless deployment of digital infrastructure to revolutionize travel and hospitality sectors in Africa, ensuring they were profitable and resilient.

He added that these technology solutions have enabled hotels in the continent to accept real-time payment, online sales and virtual booking, in a post-pandemic era.

Oliver Menzel, Oracle Hospitality Alliances & Channels Manager for Middle East and Africa said that if hotels and tour operators integrate modern technology and innovations in key operations, they are likely to reap profits and withstand shocks like pandemics, geopolitical tensions and climate change.

ALSO READ: Digital technology to shore up tourism in Africa

According to Menzel, digital payment solutions and virtual tours have improved the revenue base for investors in the hospitality sector besides providing a satisfactory experience to local and foreign tourists.

Felix Musa, the revenue manager at Kenya’s Sarova Hotel Group said that adoption of smart technologies that accelerated at the peak of the pandemic ensured that travel and hospitality sectors remained profitable and responsive to emerging needs of their clients like enhanced safety.xxx

Tourists in Tanzania

At least 922,692 foreign tourists visited Tanzania in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Damas Ndumbaro said.

Addressing a press conference in the capital Dodoma, Ndumbaro said 620,867 foreign tourists visited the east African nation in 2020, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ndumbaro said the number of domestic tourists visiting the country’s attractions increased to 788,933 tourists in 2021 from 562,549 recorded the previous year.

He said revenue collected from foreign tourists increased from $714.59 million in 2020 to about $1.3 billion in 2021.

Tanzania is a country with many tourist attractions.  Approximately 38 per cent of Tanzania’s land area is set aside in protected areas for conservation.  There are 17 national parks, 29 game reserves, 40 controlled conservation areas and marine parks. Tanzania is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.

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-Top News Arab News Travel & Tourism

Emirates ramps up global operations

Emirates

In line with the easing of travel restrictions worldwide, Emirates continues to rebuild and expand its global network to meet travel demand…reports Asian Lite News

Emirates has announced it will ramp up its global operations with the restart of services to four destinations, including Bali, London Stansted, Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires.

The airline has also announced it will boost services to Nigeria, Mauritius and Singapore to serve market demand.

In line with the easing of travel restrictions worldwide, Emirates continues to rebuild and expand its global network to meet travel demand.

Starting from 1st May, 2022, Emirates will operate five weekly flights to Bali, utilising a two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline will also scale up its operations from 1st July, 2022 to serve the island destination with a daily service.

Starting from 1st August, 2022, Emirates will resume flight operations to London Stansted with five weekly flights, utilising Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class product. From 1st September, the airline will increase its services to offer a daily flight. By October 2022, the airline will be serving the UK with 110 weekly flights.

Emirates will operate four weekly flights to Buenos Aires via Rio de Janeiro, on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 2nd November, 2022 – offering customers from Argentina and Brazil direct connectivity to popular business and leisure destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

From 1st February 2023, Emirates will scale up its operations to a daily service.

ALSO READ: Emirates ID replaces residency stickers for expats

Emirates is ramping up its services to Lagos with 11 weekly flights, starting from 1st July, 2022. The airline will ramp up its operations to the Nigerian city to offer a double daily service starting from 1st September, 2022 – taking the airline’s services to pre-pandemic levels. Emirates will also increase its services to Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, to offer 5 weekly flights starting 1st May, 2022 and then a daily service from 1st September, 2022.

In line with rising demand, the airline will be scaling up flights to Mauritius from daily to nine weekly flights between 9th April 2022 and the end of June 2022, and then moving up to double daily flights from July 2022.

The airline will also increase passenger services to Singapore from seven weekly flights, to 14 weekly flights, starting from 23rd June, 2022. The added service will meet the increased demand for travel, since the country safely reopened to international tourists and eased travel restrictions.

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Africa News Travel Travel & Tourism

Over 920K foreign tourists visit Tanzania in 2021 amid Covid

Over 920K foreign tourists visit Tanzania in 2021 amid Covid

At least 922,692 foreign tourists visited Tanzania in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Damas Ndumbaro said…reports Asian Lite News

Addressing a press conference in the capital Dodoma, Ndumbaro said 620,867 foreign tourists visited the east African nation in 2020, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ndumbaro said the number of domestic tourists visiting the country’s attractions increased to 788,933 tourists in 2021 from 562,549 recorded the previous year.

He said revenue collected from foreign tourists increased from $714.59 million in 2020 to about $1.3 billion in 2021.

Tanzania is a country with many tourist attractions.

ALSO READ: 1.4mn tourists visit Tanzania in 2021

Approximately 38 per cent of Tanzania’s land area is set aside in protected areas for conservation.

There are 17 national parks, 29 game reserves, 40 controlled conservation areas and marine parks.

Tanzania is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.

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Lite Blogs Travel Travel & Tourism

Mood swings? Come on…let’s have a trip

Varkala, a coastal town in southern Kerala, is a hipster’s paradise, with palm-covered red cliffs, pristine golden beaches, and pilgrimage sites…reports Asian Lite News

Taking a vacation is the ultimate way to feel good, with 85 per cent of Indian travellers stating that their motivation for travelling is to improve their mood. Travel can lift spirits and boost happiness levels for weeks after returning home.

Booking.com has chosen five of the top destinations with the best mood-boosting activities based on traveller reviews. From scuba diving in the Andamans to yoga on the beach in Varkala, adventure sports to wellness therapies and delectable food, include a mood-boosting activity in your next vacation to make it the most joyful yet.

Outdoor activities in Neil Island

Neil Island is a perfect gem of the Andaman Islands, blessed with magnificent biodiversity, unexplored coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and tropical woodlands. Officially known as ‘Shaheed Dweep,’ it is one of the platforms travellers’ top-recommended outdoor activity destinations. It’s the ideal place to find happiness, with activities ranging from surfing to scuba diving and paddleboarding. Explore the easy cycling trails immersed in nature inland, or head to the beach to sunbathe, read, or simply lie down.

Wellness in Auroville, Tamil Nadu

Auroville is a quiet town in Tamil Nadu that is an experimental township. It’s well-known for hosting weekly workshops, therapies, and community yoga, making it the ideal vacation for rest and relaxation – and one of the top destinations for wellness according to Booking.com travellers, which is a key factor in feeling content. Visitors can de-stress and relax in its wet and dry tropical climate, as well as take walks on its open roads to instill inner peace. The township’s community is very close-knit, and the atmosphere is very welcoming. Matrimandir is a secular gathering place in town where people can meditate and experience tranquillity in peaceful silence. This lovely town has become synonymous with community healing and is a haven for those seeking inner peace.

Yoga in Varkala, Kerala

Varkala, a coastal town in southern Kerala, is a hipster’s paradise, with palm-covered red cliffs, pristine golden beaches, and pilgrimage sites. Varkala is more of a state of mind than a location, but it is one of the top recommended yoga destinations on the travel site, according to travellers. Head to Papanasam Beach, ten kilometres from Varkala, where visitors can enjoy sunset sun salutations by a natural spring, or sunrise for early risers. Whether you practise Vinyasa or Bikram, a yogi novice or a yogi master will find a relaxing retreat.

Waterfalls in Shillong, Meghalaya

Shillong, known as the “Scotland of the East,” is home to several scenic waterfalls and has been named one of the best waterfall destinations by the platforms travellers. Meghalaya has 16 major waterfalls, one of which, Nohkalikai Falls, at 1,115 feet, is said to be India’s tallest plunge waterfall. This waterfall is fed by rainwater that collects on the top, making the once-in-a-lifetime sound of water plunging to the earth difficult to forget. The city is also notable for its towering pine conifers, pineapple shrubs, and undulating terrain. Along with the breathtaking waterfalls, visitors can stroll through Mawlynnong, Asia’s cleanest village known for its wood carvings and traditional craftsmanship.

Nature in Munnar, Kerala

Munnar, located 1,600 metres above sea level and a few hours from Alleppey, is one of Kerala’s most scenic areas. With its vast tea plantations, beautiful cottages, and vibrant hiking trails, it’s no surprise that the city is one of the top destinations for nature walks. Few people visit the lush green mountains, eat authentic food, or indulge in an ayurvedic spa while still embracing the sheer magnificence and raw natural beauty of this town.

ALSO READ-From sarees to stripes – true stories of commercial women pilots in India

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News Travel & Tourism UAE News

Israel now open to travellers from UAE

Israel now open to travellers from UAE

The announcement follows an exceptional bilateral collaboration marked on 01 October 2022, declaring a visa-free route for all UAE nationals visiting Israel…reports Asian Lite News

For the first time around, Israel is now open to all travellers residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As of 01 March 2022, vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists of all ages are permitted to enter Israel upon presenting a negative PCR test before departure and after arriving in Israel. The Israel Ministry of Tourism made the official announcement at the Expo 2020 Israeli Pavilion on 15 March 2022. The announcement follows a recent agreement between the UAE and Israel extending visa-free entry to all UAE nationals as part of the ongoing strategic partnership between both countries.  

Following the announcement, the Israel Ministry of Tourism hosted a B2B workshop for travel partners in the UAE. Dignitaries from the Ministry shared an informative destination presentation showcasing exceptional prospects for post-covid tourism. The workshop attracted over 65 agents from the travel industry, followed by a pavilion tour to the travel trade partners and media. The event concluded with a networking gala serving Israeli delicacies and music that welcomed top travel stakeholders in the market.

Bahai Gardens Hifa

Israel’s tourism offering: Israel is a global destination attracting over 4.5 million tourists in 2019 alone. The country provides the perfect conditions to accommodate all UAE visitors, including halal food restaurants. The local Israeli Kosher food is halal-friendly and is liked by many tourists. Additionally, the country offers diverse family-oriented hotels and heritage sites which can be explored with the help of Arabic tour guides.

Speaking at the event, Ksenia Kobiakov, New Markets Development Department Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism, said, “There is a tremendous potential in the UAE to drive incoming tourists to Israel. I hope travellers from the UAE will appreciate Israel’s unique offerings, and I believe they will want to visit more than once. We look forward to welcoming UAE tourists to witness the wonders of our country. This year, our focus would be to introduce the hidden gem to the travellers from this market. We are looking to promote the country as a destination targeting families, FIT experiential travellers, religious, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and leisure travellers through various B2B and B2C activities like media and trade familiarization trips, roadshows, cooperation with travel trade and airlines.”

Israel is a country of contrasts, bridging the ancient and historical with an intricate blend of modern and contemporary architecture. In this small country lies a rich landscape encompassing nine climate zones, which all together set the ground for vivid surroundings, representing a perfect holiday destination.

Connectivity between both destinations: The new travel corridor between Israel and the UAE will strengthen bilateral ties whilst building more efficient services to ease travel between both countries. Flydubai operates 14 flights a week, twice a day, between Dubai and Tel Aviv-Yafo. Etihad Airways and Wizz Air offer direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv-Yafo. In addition, travellers can also opt for Israeli airlines like El-AL, Israir, Arkia Airlines for direct connectivity between both destinations. Furthermore, Emirates Airlines is expected to operate UAE – Israel route in the near future.

Press Meet Israel

Promoting Tourism: Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, as part of its wider promotional activities in this region, is all set to launch a one-of-a-kind adventure TV production for Amazon Prime and the global inflight entertainment sector entitled “Guy in the Sky”. In collaboration with the UAE, the new TV show will promote the culture, people, and unique adventures to experience in Israel. Furthermore, the Mistry is organizing a B2C promotion at the Israel Pavilion starting this week until 31 March, where participants can win goodies. Two lucky winners will get a chance to win free tickets to Israel. Additionally, Israel has signed a partnership with VFS Global as their tourism representation agency in the UAE.

Israel B2B Workshop

Concluding the event, Zippi Brand, Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv- Yafo, said, “We are excited to be welcoming tourists from the members of the Abraham Accords. The opening of the sky is bringing Israel back to the forefront of tourism as an attractive destination, and there is no doubt that Tel Aviv can offer travellers a genuine Israeli experience enriched by culture, nightlife, and sports. We are doing everything we can to offer a high-class experience fitting to all expectations.”

For travel information and guidelines, visit:

•             https://israelsafe.com/

•             https://new.goisrael.com/eu/ 

•             https://www.facebook.com/visit.israel.ar

•             https://www.instagram.com/visit_israel_ar/

ALSO READ: Finally, all Covid travel curbs to be removed  

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Lite Blogs Travel & Tourism

Untapped New Zealand landscapes for a nature-friendly getaway

The east coast lends itself to calm, turquoise waters and white sand beaches like Pakiri, perfect for horse riding…reports Asian Lite News

New Zealand’s landscapes are breath-taking and are a true delight to the eyes. One is certain to be astonished by beautiful landscapes at every bend. While the entire country is gorgeous, there are a few areas that stand out for being the most unique and untouched places in New Zealand.

Home to mountains like skyscrapers, waterfalls cascading like velvet and the quiet, stillness of a land before time, it’s a place to experience the true, raw beauty of nature. New Zealand is full of these marvels which is sure to awaken your inner explorer. We present to you 4 beautiful & untapped New Zealand landscapes that are sure to leave you in awe of the beauty of nature:

Mt Cook/Mackenzie

The Mackenzie region is tucked nicely halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, but if feels like a world all of its own. It’s one of few International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, known for transforming into a crystal-clear blanket of stars by night. Gaze at the milky way from a hot pool at Tekapo Springs or if you want a closer look at the planets, the Dark Sky Reserve offers tours at Mt John Observatory, New Zealand’s premier astronomical research centre. By day, the region offers sights just as spectacular with remarkable glaciers set amongst towering mountains.

Southern Coastline (Catlins, Waitaki, Dunedin)

Throwback to a time when nature felt raw, untouched and unchartered; the Southern end of the country wraps around a moody coastline and lends itself to panoramic views, endlessly stretched horizons and other worldly landscapes. Nugget Point offers striking ocean views dotted by rocky islets named by Captain Cook for looking like pieces of gold, and a pathway leading to the towering lighthouse perched on the edge of the cliff. With nature comes wildlife and this region is bursting with cute and furry animals. Whether it’s Oamaru’s Little Blue Penguins adorably running in from shore to find shelter or Dunedin’s Fur Seals and Yellow Eyed Penguins parading on the beach, there’s plenty to discover.

Auckland

The largest city in the country is more commonly known for its urban centre, but just a short drive beyond the high-end stores and bustling city streets is a tale of nature from two diverse coasts. The east coast lends itself to calm, turquoise waters and white sand beaches like Pakiri, perfect for horse riding. While the west attracts scenes of raw, moody nature with black sand beaches at Piha and Karekare, towering sand dunes at Bethell’s beach and dense forests filled with immersive walking tracks in the Hunua Ranges. Both attract wildlife, off the east coast islands in the Hauraki Gulf like Motuihe, Rotoroa and Rangitoto are sanctuaries for native birds, meaning you can spot Kiwi, Takahe and Pateke in their protected environments.

Hamilton Waikato

Famous for its rolling, green hills and for its beautiful and entrancing entrance to the world of Hobbits, the mighty Waikato is also an opening to an undiscovered world of natural marvels. The blinking stars of glow worms light up the caves as one wander through the natural magic of Waitomo. Above ground, Lake Arapuni is a lush, vividly green forest to immerse yourself in whether by foot or bike on the Waikato River Cycle Trail or head into the Hamilton Gardens. From an Indian Garden to Japanese to Modernist to a replica of Katherine Mansfield’s garden, the entire grounds are an immersion into another landscape.

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