Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, is still very popular, especially with business visitors. However, most also find time to enjoy its cultural delights, such as the historic Municipal Market, where foreign visitors have been known to splurge on local products and other goods.

The Minister of Tourism of Brazil, Celso Sabino, indicated that his country is full of potential. He is optimistic that with the proper steps, it will attract many more Chinese tourists to Brazil and experience the country’s different foods and lively culture.

With such efforts, Brazil targets a manifold expansion of its tourist industry to new markets and greater cultural exchange.

The atmosphere was charged with energy as Indian travel trade professionals engaged in meaningful dialogues with Oman Tourism officials. The message was clear: Oman is not just a destination; it is a luxurious haven of natural beauty, rich heritage, and extraordinary experiences that promise to leave a lasting impression.
His Excellency (H.E.) Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, underscored the importance of the Indian market, noting that India ranks as Oman’s second-largest source market. In 2023, Indian visitor numbers soared past 625,000—a remarkable growth of over 70% compared to the previous year. This momentum shows no signs of slowing, with the first five months of 2024 already seeing a 15% increase in arrivals.

With direct flights from more than 10 Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, Oman is more accessible than ever. The short flight duration of under 3.5 hours and over 100 weekly flights operated by premier airlines like Oman Air, Salam Air, Vistara, Indigo, and Air India Express make Oman a convenient and compelling choice for luxury travellers.

Oman offers a wealth of experiences tailoured for the luxury traveller. The roadshow highlighted
Oman’s sun-kissed beaches, where exclusive resorts offer private stretches of sand and personalized
service, as well as its majestic deserts, where visitors can stay in lavish tents under the stars,
surrounded by the tranquillity of the dunes. The rugged mountains provide a stunning backdrop for
luxury eco-lodges that offer both adventure and relaxation.

Attendees were also introduced to Oman’s rich cultural heritage, with tours of historic forts and castles and the enchanting Omani village life. The story of the Land of Frankincense captivated the audience, showcasing Oman’s deep-rooted history and its significance as a cultural crossroads.

Oman is a playground for adventure enthusiasts who crave both excitement and luxury. The roadshow spotlighted activities such as private paragliding sessions, kite surfing on secluded beaches, guided mountain biking trails, and exclusive caving expeditions. Snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and camping in bespoke setups under the stars are just a few of the experiences that Oman offers.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism announced plans to further enhance Oman’s appeal in India through residential workshops, consumer promotions, and luxury brand campaigns. These initiatives are designed to elevate Oman’s status as a premier destination and ensure it remains the top choice for Indian travellers seeking a luxurious escape. Oman is not just a destination; it’s an experience of a lifetime. Whether you’re searching for luxury, adventure, culture, or tranquillity, Oman promises to exceed expectations at every turn.

Assistant Secretary of Tourism Doug Bourgeois said, “We’re excited to be working with Sartha Global Marketing on sharing all the ways you can Feed Your Soul in Louisiana. India is a wonderful country, home to people who love to experience culture, food, the outdoors, and more. Louisiana is the perfect destination to find those authentic experiences.”

Sheema Vohra, Managing Director of Sartha Global Marketing LLP, added, “We are indeed elated to take this opportunity to promote the Louisiana Office of Tourism in India. With its deep history, rich culture, and vibrant celebrations, Louisiana is an unusual destination that would simply conquer the hearts of all travellers seeking a deeper, richer cultural experience. Bayou State, an addition to all itineraries on the East Coast and the South, offers many attractions and experiences for Indian visitors to soak in.”

An initial opening was planned for last year but was delayed due to flooding. Now, the Vermont Agency of Transportation confirms the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a four-season, multi-purpose corridor that enormously expands recreational and transportation opportunities around the state.

Specifically, the trail connects to a great many regional and local trail systems, including the Vast snowmobile trail network, Long Trail, Catamount Trail, Velomont, Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, Hardwick Trails, Three Rivers Bike Path, and Cambridge Greenway. Indeed, the connectivity reaches trails in Canada and thus offers more space to explore.

Vermont hosts other four-season rail trails, including the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, which stretches some 42 km through Franklin County. It’s one of the most beautiful rides through villages, farms, forests, and fields that the countryside offers. Reopening the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail will enable major outdoor fun while further supporting Vermont’s commitment to preserving and promoting its natural beauty and heritage.

According to Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer at the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, “The achievement of accreditation through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Programme is a great success for Al-Ula in our drive to set up a world-class, progressive tourism industry and ecosystem. This seals our commitment to the highest standards for our destination, thus building trust with visitors, the community, stakeholders, and our partners.” It’s in participation with Destinations International—a centre of best practice—that we can share our unique approach with the world and demonstrate why Al-Ula, at the present moment, is one of the most innovative and sought-after luxury destinations in the world.

These destination organisations must accredit more than 100 performance standards in the governance, financial, human resource, sales and marketing, stakeholder engagement, and destination development areas to achieve DMAP accreditation. The standards have been prescribed by an independent panel of industry experts and destination organisations’ representatives. They have periodic revisions to keep them relevant in relation to the changing best practices within the industry.

These are not the first recognitions that Al-Ula has received in recent times. The 2024 World Travel Awards awarded Al-Ula the Middle East’s Leading Festival and Event Destination, Saudi Arabia’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project, and the Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project during May. Last May, the Royal Commission for Al-Ula acquired a five-star rating for organisational excellence from the European Foundation for Quality Management and the Middle East Facility Management Association Excellence Award.

With regional and global honours, Al-Ula continues to further assert its top position as a luxury boutique heritage destination with deep connections to arts and culture, natural beauty, holistic wellness, and exciting adventures.

The Tower of London was top of the list, with 2.8 million visitors, the most visits to a paid-for attraction, down 6% on the total for 2011. Other events for paid-for attractions were placed by Kew Gardens and Chester Zoo at 2 million and 1.9 million respectively. In the same quarter, the British Museum was the most visited free attraction and had 5.8 million visitors, a rise of 42% on 2022 but still down 7% on 2019 figures. Big movers described in these visitors contrasting with the overall trend include dramatic increases at the Natural History Museum and Tate Modern.

It also emerged that museums and art galleries—two of the areas worst hit by the pandemic—had 20% more visitors in 2023. In addition, it showed that places of worship visits were up 19% and visitor heritage centres by 14%.

The extra funds obtained from the elevated fees would be allocated to support vital initiatives in the realms of education and migration, as outlined by the Federal government. These measures encompass the Universities Accord, which aims to enhance the Higher Education Contribution Scheme’s fairness, facilitate the provision of paid industry practical training, and introduce free university preparatory courses. Within the ambit of the vocational education and training sector, the funds will be allotted to support apprentices and employers of apprentices in line with the Migration Strategy. The government is also expected to shut the loopholes in visa conditions that have allowed international students to continue their stay in Australia as long as they want. The number of students who held a second or subsequent student visa jumped more than 30 percent to over 150,000 in the 2022–23 period.

There will be greater mobility for temporary skilled migrants, with the maximum time they can spend working in Australia between employer sponsors increased from 60 to 180 days. The Strengthening Employer Compliance Bill 2023 establishes various new criminal measures against employers who exploit migrants. The Workplace Justice Visa Pilot allows temporary visa holders to remain in Australia while pursuing workplace justice.

As the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, said, “The quality of the education being provided to the international students had to be maintained and the unscrupulous providers weeded out.” Jason Clare stated that the national asset of international education is of immense importance and has to be protected for its integrity and quality. According to the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil, there is a need for reforms in the international education system to restore integrity and have a fairer migration system. For Minister of Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles, these changes will give voice to vulnerable workers but crack down on dodgy employers.

Why India?

India a significant tourist attraction due to its vast and varied landscapes which has distinct things to offer for every traveller. India is a land of incredible diversity and beauty; it is the cultural extravaganza. Renowned for its festivals, cuisine, and hospitality, India can provide Thai tourists to immerse themselves in the colourful celebrations of Diwali, Holi, and other regional festivals. Indian cuisine, known for its diverse flavours and spices, promises a culinary adventure that will delight any food lover.

How to Apply:

To take advantage of this visa fee exemption scheme, Thai passport holders must apply for an e-Tourist visa in advance. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Visit [ Indian Visa Online- https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ]
2. Fill out the e-Tourist visa application form.
3. Upload the required documents.
4. Submit the application and await approval.

Once approved, you will receive your e-Tourist visa via email, allowing you to plan your Indian adventure with ease.

This scheme is a testament to strengthen friendly relations between the to countries. This is a start of better cooperative ties. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the enchanting land of India. With the visa fee exemption scheme in place, there has never been a better time for Thai tourists to discover the magic and mystique of India.

For more information and to apply for your e-Tourist visa, visit [Indian Visa Online](https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html).