Goa seems to have lost some favour with both domestic and international tourists.
With 2019, firmly in the second half and fast sprinting towards a close, it’s time to take a first look back at the most popular destinations of the year, travel-wise so far. According to a survey by Booking.com, the four metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai - came on top in the first six months of 2019 for inbound international tourists. Not very surprising perhaps. But beach town Goa, usually a popular destination for foreign visitors, was conspicuously absent in the top 10 list.
In fact, even with local travellers, Goa seems to have lost some favour. Top picks for domestic travellers included destinations like Jaipur, Kochi, Mysore, Ahmedabad and Ooty. As per the survey, “For Indians travelling domestically, destinations like Amristar and Agra which were a popular choice last year during this time have been replaced with destinations like Coimbatore and Varanasi.” Kochi was among the top picks for domestic travellers. The fastest growing destinations in the first half of 2019 were Rishikesh, Varanasi and Chandigarh. Tiruchchirappalli, Palolem and Nedumbassery were some of the other fastest growing destinations.
Rishikesh was among the fastest growing destinations in the first half of 2019. Commenting on the trends, Ritu Mehrotra, country manager - India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “India with a vibrant kaleidoscope of traditions, cultures and geographies is by itself a soul-stirring destination for both international tourists visiting India as well as domestic travellers travelling within the country. The market is increasingly growing, thriving with opportunities as a consequence of well informed and conscious travellers, wanting to explore newer destinations and accommodation options. While we’ve seen travel as a category grow in the first half of 2019, with increased digital penetration and social media usage this trend looks set to continue, with travellers seeking frequent contemporary getaways.”
Most Powerful Passports Of 2019: India Loses Charm; Singapore, Japan Among Travel-Friendly Countries
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The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the index, but this month 4 more countries were added to the list.
Several countries climbed the list to have most powerful passports, while few slipped from their positions, including India.
The ranking is determined on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It is based on the exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information.
Here's a look at all the top ranking passports of this year.
The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the in..
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Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-friendly passport due to the document's access to 189 countries.
Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-fr..
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While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009, when it held 12th place with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 144.
While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009,..
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With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index with access to 181 destinations.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index wit..
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Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
