Travel Guides & Articles
South Africa visa update: South Africa to soon implement a new visa scheme for Indians; all details here
Planning a trip to South Africa soon? Well, it’s all set to become easier from next year. As per the latest news reports, South Africa has announced the launch of a new initiative to boost the number of incoming travellers from India and China. The new initiative, called the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which will be tasked in doing so.
As per the reports, the said initiative is all set to run from 2025. This TTOS is expected to streamline the visa process, and will help in providing a significant boost in job creation in South Africa.
Reportedly, the TTOS has been designed to address issues that have been creating roadblocks for South Africa’s tourism sector and hampering its growth in becoming a top tourism destination. If one goes by the records, currently, Indian tourists make up just 3.9% of international visitors to South Africa, which is deemed as an insignificant number. To sort this issue, the Department of Home Affairs will work in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the Presidency, and Operation Vulindlela, and try to make the tourism market more accessible for tourists from India and China, and push the growth numbers.
Read more: A guide to 5 must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe
The yet-to-be launched initiative has been designed keeping in mind the success of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), which helped in simplifying the visa processing for those businesses that are seeking to attract critical skills. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber proposed a similar approach to improve efficiency for non-visa-exempt countries like India and China.
With regard to how this initiative will work, it has been informed that those tour operators selected from India and China will be invited to register with the Department of Home Affairs. These operators, once approved, will be responsible for overseeing tourists in their groups. They will also take the responsibility for their travel.
Read more: 10 birdwatching hotspots in North India
In response, the Department will be handling the task of fast-tracking group visa applications, which will mark the first time such a system has been used for tourists. There will be a dedicated team working to handle the visa applications, to ensure swift processing, and eliminate all the restrictions that have been previously hampering tourism from these markets.
With regard to this, Minister Schreiber added that there will be economic benefits from this initiative, noting that the tourism sector will likely see significant growth if this initiative turns into a success, which will eventually lead to job creation for South Africans.
Travel Guides & Articles
The Hottest ‘Coolcation’ Destinations, Jurassic Journeys And Other Travel News
The Hottest ‘Coolcation’ Destinations for 2025
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The ‘coolcation’ travel trend that started last year shows no signs of cooling down—particularly in summer, when cold-weather destinations often look very appealing. From the Austrian Alps to the lakes of Finland, here are some of the hottest coolcation destinations for summer—and beyond.
Six Senses Unveils A Women’s Wellness Initiative
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Putting its money where its mantra is, the Six Senses resort group recently launched a new women’s wellness program at five of its properties. The new initiative—rolled out in Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Vietnam and the Maldives—was developed with holistic wellness expert Dr. Mindy Pelz. The three-, five- and seven-day programs are built around each guest’s hormonal stage and focus on nutrition, sleep, stress, movement and recovery. Other Six Senses locations are expected to be added the female wellness initiative later this year.
The European Countries with the Cleanest Swimming Water
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As summer travel continues to heat up, a new report reveals the cleanest swimming water in Europe. The testing is done by the EU Bathing Water Directive and ratings are based on four years’ worth of data. An excellent rating indicates that the water meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, making it ideal for swimming and other recreational activities. From the shores of Slovenia to the lakes of Bulgaria, here are the European countries with the cleanest water for swimming.
“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who has been swimming naked.”
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TravelWise
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First-time cruise passengers often find some of the onboard rituals confusing. From sailaway parties to formal nights to hiding rubber ducks, here are five cruise traditions to help you find your sea legs.
Dig These Jurassic Journeys
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It only feels like Hollywood has been making Jurassic Park movies for around 200 million years. With the seventh film in the series now in theaters, Tyrranosaurus-loving travelers are sure to get the urge to go digging for fossils of their own. That’s where Dinosaur Trips comes in. Founded in 2022, Dinosaur Trips creates paleontology expeditions at some of the most famous fossil sites around the world. From Alberta, Canada to Patagonia, dig these fossil-hunting itineraries.
Travel Guides & Articles
UP students to get Rs 6000 yearly travel allowance if school is over 5 km away
In a significant step towards improving access to education, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new scheme to provide an annual travel allowance of rs 6000 to students who live at least five kilometres away from their schools.
This initiative aims to help students from six districts of Bundelkhand and remote Sonbhadra reach their government secondary schools without facing travel hardship.
Under the scheme, students from Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Sonbhadra will be eligible for a 6000 annual travel allowance.
The benefit will be given to students of classes 9 to 12 who live five kilometres or more from the nearest government secondary school.
The scheme is being rolled out in the current academic session and is expected to give immediate relief to thousands of students struggling with long commutes.
FUNDS TO BE SENT THROUGH DIRECT TRANSFER
The annual assistance will be credited directly into the students’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). According to the plan, the first instalment of the allowance could be released as early as 5 September.
Girl students from 146 government schools chosen under the Pradhan Mantri School Vikas Yojana (PM Shri) will also benefit from this new travel allowance scheme.
This inclusion ensures broader support for female students, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
SIMPLE APPLICATION AND VERIFICATION PROCESS
To receive the benefit, students must fill out a declaration form (pro forma) stating that there is no government secondary school within a five-kilometre radius of their home.
This form will then be verified by the Gram Pradhan (village head) at the village level and by the school principal.
In urban areas, local councillors will be responsible for verifying the declarations. Once approved, the eligible students will start receiving the allowance.
A key condition of the scheme is regular school attendance. Students must also show at least a 10 percent increase in their attendance to continue receiving the allowance. This measure is designed to improve not only access but also student engagement and discipline.
THOUSANDS TO BENEFIT
The scheme is expected to benefit around 24,000 students across Bundelkhand and Sonbhadra. In addition, approximately 4,000 girl students from PM Shri schools will also receive travel support.
This scheme highlights the government’s focus on removing barriers to education and improving enrolment and attendance, especially in remote and underserved areas.
(With inputs from Ankit Mishra)
– Ends
Travel Guides & Articles
OYO and Yatra Partner to Expand Business Travel Solutions Across India: Here is Everything You Need to Know Now
Friday, July 11, 2025
In a strategic joint venture, Yatra and OYO have come together to restructure the segment of business travel solutions for India. Under the joint venture, the two firms look forward to meeting the rising expectations of corporate travel customers by building a seamless, effective process for the management of business travel. By offering effortless bookings as well as personalized deals, the joint venture aims at making the entire travel process convenient for corporate customers.
Enhancing Business Travel Solutions Experience
OYO’s collaboration with Yatra targets offering corporate travelers the best combination of comfort, affordability, and convenience. With the cooperation, corporates can benefit from the wide hotel chain of OYO across India while simultaneously benefitting from the travel services of Yatra for convenient bookings of flights, transportation, and others. Through the cooperation, corporate clients can organize their complete business travel needs through a single platform, thereby saving significant administration effort as well as travel inconvenience.
Through the marrying of these two brand strengths, the streamlining process occurs and corporations are provided a single-source, one-stop-shop for everything from accommodation to transportation. Business travel solutions are more readily accessible than ever, with flexible offerings specifically created to meet the individualized needs of the corporate marketplace.
Customized Solutions for Business Travelers
Time and convenience are two major areas of interest for corporate visitors, and the joint venture is dedicated to taking both into consideration. Yatra and OYO have designed customized bundles that are aligned to the diversified requirements of corporate clients.
They have customized hotel deals, flexible bookings, and upgraded services, so that corporate visitors have a convenient, comfortable stay while away from their homes. Organizations are now able to provide their employees the option of having an effective, convenient travel process, beginning with budget accommodation and extending all the way to quick check-ins, travel assistance, and full-range business travel management.
This partnership helps the business corporations to focus on the performances and productivity of the business without the botheration of travel-related affairs, thereby ensuring convenient and comfortable business travel for all concerned.
Expanded Reach Across India
The joint venture does not just enrich the corporate clientele, but it seriously widens the reach of the two brands immensely. As much as OYO has been a standout when it comes to affordable stay facilities, the joint venture now has the opportunity to target corporate clients via Yatra’s already established base of corporate travel. By expanding, the joint venture now gets to target companies of all sorts, offering the complete spectrum of accommodation, starting with budget stays all the way through suites.
As the travel needs are increasing for business, especially for tier 3 and tier 2 cities, the joint venture is perfectly positioned to capture a larger percentage of the corporate travel segment. Through customized services, Yatra and OYO look forward to targeting corporates with consistent travel needs, such that their employees get the best prices along with the best services.
A Business Travel Booking Solution Game-Changer
In case of organizations that manage multiple business tours, the Yatra and OYO joint venture guarantees a single window eliminating the use of multiple bookings. Employees are now able to book hotel rooms, airplane tickets, and multiple other services through a single window, thus making the process of booking simpler and time-saving.
Through the central process of booking, employees are now able to organize their schedules for trips easily, as well as have the advantage of real-time information regarding flight schedules, hotel rooms, and multiple services.
The user-friendly system serves to facilitate better management of corporate travel as a whole, enabling workers to track their schedules better and handle changes with ease.
Strengthening Business Travel Solutions Relationships
As a part of the joint venture, Yatra and OYO are also strengthening their relationship with corporate clients. The flexibility of such a partnership enables corporates to offer personalized experiences to their employees, taking care of the individual needs of all the companies.
With the corporate travel management capabilities of Yatra and the wide hotel offerings of OYO, the joint venture ensures corporates can offer a seamless personalized travel experience.
Further, the adaptable business travel services offered as a consequence of the partnership allow corporations to scale their travel requirements without the need to compromise quality, budget, or service. By opting for the choice of bespoke bundles and corporate rates, corporations are upgrading their travel policies to better match the precise requirements of their employees.
Key Benefits for Companies Obtaining Business Travel Solutions
- Economic Travel Options: OYO’s affordable chain of accommodation enables businesses to save money while offering their workers comfortable lodging.
- Seamless Travel Integration: Yatra’s website integrates airline, hotel, and transportation services by a single booking process, which enhances efficiency and minimizes admin time.
- Flexible Policies: The venture has flexible booking policies, e.g., last-minute bookings, cancellations, and customized travel combinations to adapt to changing business demands.
- National Cover: Each brand has broad coverage throughout India, hence corporate clients get to enjoy countrywide cheap and luxury travel services.
How the Partnership Impacts India’s Business Travel Solutions Industry
This alliance of Yatra and OYO solves a number of issues which were otherwise faced by companies while facilitating corporate travel. Previously, corporate journeys used to be facilitated through different portals for booking air, hotel, and transportation.
But now, through the alliance, corporate clients enjoy the advantage of a single platform for all their corporate travel needs, which has indeed streamlined the process a lot. Besides, as corporate travel needs are increasing further, specifically in new emerging India cities, the venture appropriately addresses the needs of corporate players operating in both cities and towns.
By specializing corporate client services, Yatra and OYO are better aligned to address the needs of corporate commuters today, while, at the same time, boosting local tourist and business activity.
Final Words on Business Travel Solutions
This Yatra-OYO joint venture is not just a joint venture, but a game-changer that redefines the business travel space in India. By marrying the budget chain of OYO hotels and the full-service corporate travel offerings of Yatra, the joint venture offers corporations a lower-cost, seamless method to handle corporate travel. The joint venture is a giant stride towards India’s business travel infrastructure maturing, empowering corporations of all sizes with the capabilities they need to handle corporate travel efficiently.
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