Mumbai to trial travel card project

Mumbai is to test out a new travel card project which will be called the Go India card.

Mumbai has announced it is to trial a new travel smartcard which will be called the Go India card.

As ticket vending machines and smartcards become popular in other regions of the country, the city is to try introducing the new product which has been developed by the Ministry of Railways.

So far, the project is still in its development stage but KH Muniyappa, minister of state for railways has said that it is yet to encounter any problems.

The system has been based on the Oyster card that is used on London's transport services.

"The new Go India card is a fool-proof national smart card that can be used as cashless ticket on all trains of any type across the country, including city’s suburban trains," explained an official.

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Sydney 'needs more hotel rooms to meet demand'

Sydney needs to have another 500 hotel rooms each year in order to keep up with demand.

Sydney needs to have an extra 500 hotel rooms created each year in order to keep up with the demand from tourists.

The city will need to have the additional number of rooms added to the city every year until 2020 as the tourism levels in the city is continuing to increase at a rapid pace, the Tourism Association of Australia stated.

It is predicted the number of people visiting the city will increase by 1.8 per cent every year to the end of the decade.

Sydney City Council chief executive officer Monica Barone echoed the need for there to be more rooms made in order to keep up with the demand.

However, some people have expressed concerns about creating additional rooms in case this over-saturates the market.

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Delhi Airport named best in India

Delhi International Airport has been named as the best in India at the World Airport Awards.

Delhi International Airport now holds the distinction of being the best airport in India after scooping the honour at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The terminal was given the prize during the Skytrax 2012 World Airport Awards, which took place at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Vienna.

PS Nair, chief executive officer of Delhi International Airport, was at the awards ceremony in person to pick up the award.

Commenting on the win, Edward Plaisted, chairman of Skytrax, said: "Coinciding with the opening of the new Terminal 3, there has been a significant improvement in product standards for passengers travelling into Delhi International Airport."

He added the airport has recently seen a marked improvement to the shopping and dining experiences offered.

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Indian Skies May See a New Airline Soon

With a new airline in prospect, Indian aviation can hope for the best. Founder of Air Deccan (later Kingfisher Red) is likely to start an airline that may offer cheap domestic travel to not only locals but also foreign vacationers with flights to India.

The struggling Indian aviation industry can surely afford a faint smile as the reports of a new airline launch do the rounds in the country. Captain G R Gopinath, the man credited with the introduction of no-frill airline concept in India by starting Air Deccan in 2003, is reportedly eyeing a comeback in the Indian airline space by launching another carrier.

Gopinath sold Air Deccan to Kingfisher's Vijay Mallya in 2007, who rechristened the carrier as Kingfisher Red. However, much water has passed under the bridge since then and Mallya has decided to cease the low cost brand Kingfisher Red and turn it into a full service airline. Low-cost Kingfisher Red offered cheap airfares not only on domestic circuit but also provided low-priced flights to India from few neighbouring countries.

And now years after selling Air Deccan, Capt G R Gopinath is looking for another foray into India's aviation sector. He has already secured a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the authorities to start a passenger airline.

Jayanth Pooviah, Director And Chief Executive Officer of Deccan Charters, validated the development.

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Garuda Airlines to Offer Direct Flights to India

Buoyed by growth in the bilateral trade between Indonesia and India, Indonesia's Garuda Airlines will commence flights to India from June this year, says Indonesia's Ambassador to India Andi M Ghalib.

In an effort to boost the bilateral trade relations between India and Indonesia, Garuda Airlines, Indonesia's national carrier, is expected to launch flights to India, connecting Chennai.

Apart from bilateral trade, the airline is also hoping to target holiday travellers who look for outbound and inbound cheap flights to India. It has been learnt that this flight launch may be a part of the countrywide operations.

The flight operations are likely to be launched in June this year.

Making the announcement at a press conference in Chennai on Sunday, the visiting Ambassador, Lt General (R) Andi M Ghalib told the reporters the airline would start the air travel from four metro cities in India to Indonesia.

"We want to raise the number of Indian tourists to Indonesia from the present 1.80 lakh to 2.40 lakh in the coming years. Also, the new air services would give a fillip for bilateral trade," he said. The Ambassador also added that a proposal has been presented to establish a Consulate General of Indonesia in Chennai, next only to Mumbai.

Speaking about the bilateral trade, he said the trade between two nations has been mounting rapidly and he wants Indian businessmen to visit Indonesia in a bid to explore investment possibilities.

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Warhorse set for Melbourne stage

The stage adaptation of Warhorse is to be performed in Melbourne.

The stage production of Warhorse is set to be performed in Melbourne later this year, with the play's impressive puppets already making an appearance in the city.

The play will represent the first time the National Theatre's play has been produced in Australia and will take place at the Arts Centre Melbourne's State Theatre.

Its first performance is scheduled to take place on December 31st and will run to February 10th 2013.

Warhorse tells the story of a horse named Joey that is sold into the cavalry at the start of the First World War and details the experiences it has when it is used by the soldiers on both sides.

It captured the imagination of the audience in London when it was adapted from Michael Morpurgo's novel of the same name and has since been adapted into a film that was produced by Steven Spielberg.

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Cape Town's V&A arcade to receive renovation

The V&A shopping and entertainment centre in Cape Town is set to see a major overhaul.

The V&A shopping and leisure centre in Cape Town is set to see a major renovation project to upgrade the site.

The area is already one of the city's premier consumer and commercial centres but it is hoped it will be able to expand further following the completion of works valued at 35 million South African rand (£2.7 million).

Alex Kabalin, retail executive at the V&A Waterfront, said the location has become one of the most popular family venues in the city, something which has brought about the need for the renovation works.

He explained changes to the dining facilities will be particularly significant.

"Diners will have spectacular views across the central entertainment hub, working harbour and Table Mountain," Mr Kabalin added.

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Beautiful handcrafted items to be showcased in Delhi

A showcase of stunning handcrafted items is being hosted in Delhi at the Bishnupur Festival.

A range of beautiful items that have been made by hand are currently being showcased to the people of Delhi as part of the Bishnupur Festival.

A collection of stunning items that have been made by the people of West Bengal are on display as part of the event, as the region looks to attract the attention of people living in the Indian capital.

Running to April 22nd at Dilli Haat, the event is the second instalment of the festival and includes a number of cultural events and activities to entertain visitors.

Among the items being shown are hand-woven Baluchari and Swaranachari silk sarees and terracotta items that bear the distinctive features of products made in the West Bengal region.

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Top Holiday Lures For Booking Cheap Flights to Brisbane

Synonymic to vivacity and unparalleled glory, Brisbane is a city to revel in splendid aura. The captivating culture of the city shines amid its utterly cosmopolitan ambience. The spectacular capital of the state of Queensland boasts the year-round warm climate and offers plenty of remarkable attractions for blissful holidays.

With towering skyscrapers, state-of-the-art airport, glitzy hotels and restaurants, chic shopping malls and uber-cool nightclubs, Brisbane is a popular holiday destination among travellers taking cheap flights to Australia. And once here, it is absolutely hard to resist the charm of its entrancing holiday attractions.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, located 8 km south-west of CBD in Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane, is the oldest and the largest Koala Sanctuary in the world. The fascinating sanctuary is home to over 130 koalas and about 100 species of Australian native animals and makes for an ideal stop for travel buffs hopping on cheap flights to Australia. The sanctuary operates several breeding and research programmes for nurturing the most loved animal of Australia. The place also features barbeque facilities and a picnic spot for visitors on the sanctuary tour.

Newstead House
If you are looking for a place for recapturing the wonderful past of Brisbane, Newstead House, the oldest surviving house in Brisbane, can prove to be a pretty good bet. The grand architecture, spellbinding interiors and the picturesque vistas of flowing Brisbane River all spell sheer bliss. Situated 15 minutes drive by car from CBD, the house has become a reason for hordes of historical aficionados to book air travel to Brisbane.

Mt Coot-tha
The tallest mountain in Brisbane, Mt Cool-tha shows on the itinerary of almost every holidaymaker booking cheap flights to Brisbane. The towering mountain makes for an apt vantage point for feasting the eyes on Brisbane’s skyline including the Moreton Bay and the Glass House Mountains. The soaring mountain boasts the fascinating Botanical Gardens containing Tropical Display Dome, Japanese Garden, Fern House, Exotic Rainforest and Temperate Garden. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, situated next to the entrance of the gardens, features several entertaining programmes and shows for all ages.

Queensland Cultural Centre
Queensland Cultural Centre is one of the prominent reasons that prompt culture fanatics to book tickets on cheap flights to Brisbane. The sprawling complex of Queensland Cultural Centre is a haven for taking delight in virtuoso performances and beholding the outstanding Australian art works. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre features musical, ballet and opera shows while the Queensland Art Gallery offers the golden opportunity of wallowing in the artworks of eminent painters like Renoir, Picasso, and van Gogh. The Queensland Museum flaunts an eclectic assortment of history specimens and fossils to a World War I German tank.

Alma Park Zoo
A trip to Alma Park Zoo leaves every visitor in awe. The vast range of 229 animals and other astounding 50 species of fauna, the zoo makes for a thrilling place to encounter the exotic animals like lemur, monkeys, baboons, capuchins, snakes, koala, sun bear and much more. The facility of barbeque and lush picnic lawns at the zoo offer perfect environment for joyous day tripping.

Cheap Flights to Melbourne - A Gateway to Blissful Holidays

The cultural and fashion capital of Australia, Melbourne features an ideal blend of sophisticated arts and culture with modern standards of living. The city is known for its jovial nature and welcomes millions of travellers every year with open arms!

Look below to know about the top holiday attractions that entice travellers from all corners to book cheap flights to Melbourne.

Great Ocean Road
Dotted with blissful surf beaches, wonderful whale lookouts, historic ports, overwhelming mountain ranges, lush rainforests and striking national parks, a drive on the Great Ocean Road is a great hit among the travellers booking tickets on cheap flights to Australia. With marvellous views, breathtaking ambience and cool breeze combing the hair, a tour to Great Ocean Road tops the travel itinerary of every traveller coming to the city!

National Gallery of Victoria
Located in St Kilda Road, the National Gallery of Victoria is a great wonder that depicts the rich collection of international art in Melbourne. Being the oldest and largest art gallery in the city, National Gallery of Victoria fascinates the heart of millions to book cheap flights to Melbourne and offers them a fantastic platform to learn about different glorious art forms. Furniture items, artefacts, textiles, ceramics, lithographs, etchings and photographs at the National Gallery of Victoria are fascinating too and make many jaws drop out of surprise!

Melbourne Museum
To dig into the rich culture and splendid history of Melbourne, a trip to the Melbourne Museum acts as an eye opener. The museum is one of the most popular holiday locations in the city and features many remarkable evidences of the past world such as skeletons of extinct animals, Melbourne Story exhibition, Forest Gallery, Mind Exhibition, Discovery Centre and much more. The museum lures millions of family vacationers to plan holidays and book cheap flights to Australia and tempts them to come to this amazing repository of history!

Melbourne Zoo
Opened in the year 1862, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo of Australia and houses over 350 animal species. Enclosed with eye pleasing landscapes and mesmerising gardens, the zoo offers a perfect backdrop to plan a day tour with family and friends. The travellers visiting the zoo get to see an array of animals including gorillas, kangaroos, wombats and koalas and spend some time enjoying the blessings of Mother Nature. Melbourne Zoo elevates the status of Melbourne in the world of tourism and makes it one of the most renowned holiday destinations on the globe.

Old Melbourne Gaol
Old Melbourne Gaol in the city is a great fascination among the travellers planning air travel and booking flights to Melbourne. It is the place where the convicts used to be imprisoned and sentenced to death in Australia. Many of the notorious characters of Australia such as bushranger Ned Kelly and gangster Squizzy Taylor have spent time within the walls of this remarkable precinct! It sure is an interesting place in your travel itinerary of Melbourne.

Dubai hosting peace conference

Dubai is currently helping to promote world harmony by hosting the International Peace Convention.

Dubai is helping to promote discussions on how to bring peace and harmony to the world by playing host to the International Peace Convention.

Delegates from around the world have travelled to the emirate to take part in the conference to discuss how steps can be taken to bring about a greater level of understanding between people of different race and religion.

Taking place on April 14th, the expo features a number of talks and discussions from eminent speakers.

There is also a bazaar which will allow companies and individuals to find products and services which comply with the rules of Halal.

In addition, there is also a kid's corner, which will allow youngsters to interact and take part in activities that will boost their creativity and provide exercise.

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Delhi Airport helps to boost Indian economy

The popularity of Delhi airport has had a big impact on the growth of the Indian economy.

The popularity of Delhi airport with people travelling to the country for business and holidays has helped the terminal to give a boost to the nation's economy.

New statistics from the Indian government have shown the airport alone helped to contribute 0.45 per cent to the country's gross domestic product in the financial year 2009-2010.

The National Council of Applied Economic Research found that the contribution made by the international airport is only likely to increase further between now and 2020.

As well as helping to contribute financially, the airport has also helped to generate 1,578,000 jobs, which contributes to a total of 0.34 per cent of national employment and 25.9 per cent of jobs in Delhi.

Dr Syed Nasim Ahmed Zaidi, secretary for civil aviation, said: "Delhi Airport is ranked first in the country in terms of passenger arrivals and second in terms of freight. It is also ranked as the second best airport worldwide in the 25 to 40 million passengers category."

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More Britons taking overseas holidays

An increase in the number of people from the UK taking overseas holidays has been recorded.

The number of people taking holidays overseas from the UK saw an increase last month after several years of decline.

The Office for National Statistic announced the number of people taking flights overseas increased by 0.8 per cent during February compared with the same month of 2011.

In total, 3.3 million trips abroad were made by British holidaymakers during the month, compared with the 3.2 million departures seen in the same month of the previous year.

Recording even a small increase is significant, as the numbers heading overseas have been stagnant for the past four years.

While people are taking more trips abroad, they are also spending less on their travel, suggesting they are looking for bargains on their flights and accommodation.

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South Africa sees most successful year to date for tourists

South Africa last year saw its most successful season ever for tourists visiting the country.

South Africa has announced a strong increase in the number of people travelling to the country over the past year.

Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced the country saw its best tourist season on record last year as it witnessed over eight million foreign tourists travel to the country.

This figure is 3.3 per cent more than the numbers that headed to the country for the 2010 World Cup.

As a result of hosting the football contest, the minister said the nation received international media exposure that helped the country to establish strong infrastructure.

Mr van Schalkwyk added that the tourism sector refused to become complacent as a result of these changes.

"Instead, we used it as a catalyst to work even harder to sustain that tourism growth, to defend our core tourist markets and to tap into the potential of new tourism markets," he added.

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Flights to Canada – An Ideal Spot for Family Vacationers

With heavenly amusement parks, marvellous natural wonders and amazing museums, Canada is a perfect land to plan a family holiday to. Mother Nature has blessed Canada with some awe-inspiring gifts that stimulate the feeling of love and passion in the hearts of the travellers. A trip to Canada opens a gateway to eternal fun and offers bag full of memories to one and all.

Read below to know about some fantastic flaunts of the country that make hordes of family vacationers book tickets on flights to Canada.

Santa's Village Family Entertainment Park
Situated at two hours drive from the city of Toronto, Santa's Village Family Entertainment Park is one of the best fun places in Canada that comes across as a fairyland where all your wishes come true! The park is beautifully decorated with a stroke of nature and boasts a rich collection of fun activities including thrilling games, breathtaking rides, a pleasant amphitheatre, cruise rides, paddleboats, Santa's train ride and art and craft workshops. Santa's Village Family Entertainment Park makes for an ideal backdrop to recollect vague childhood memories and stays highly popular among families booking flights to Canada!

Canadian National Exhibition
Popularly known as CNE by the Canadians, Canadian National Exhibition is as exciting as riding a high-speed rollercoaster ride! CNE tops the travel itinerary of every traveller booking cheap flights to Canada and floors them with its exhilarating rides, fascinating skill and arcade games, dazzling casino and vivacious nightclub. The mini-Mardi Gras parade and the Toronto Air Show of CNE are also highly popular among the travellers and entice them to book flights to relish memorable Canada holidays.

Museum Of Science and Technology
Located at Ottawa, Museum Of Science and Technology is a great feast for the science enthusiasts planning air travel and booking cheap flights to Canada. It is one of the best places in Canada and offers a wide collection of exhibits related to domestic technology, forestry, energy, graphic arts, marine transportation, land transportation, mining, and physical sciences & space. With over 40,000 artefacts, 60,000 pieces of trade literature and a million or so photographs, Museum Of Science and Technology of Ottawa is perfect to peep into the world of technology from a closer view.

La Ronde
Located in the wonderful city of Montreal, La Ronde is a perfect place for fun seekers. This Six Flags-owned amusement park is extended up to an area of 146 acres and makes millions plan tour to Montreal to visit this wonderland. Being Canada’s second largest amusement Park, La Ronde has become quite popular among locals and travellers alike and features over 40 thrilling rides.

Travellers visiting La Ronde never miss a chance to ride the nine roller coasters, including The Monstre (the highest double wooden roller coaster on the globe) and The Goliath (the biggest and fastest roller coaster of North America). To unwind and have some moments of peace, the travellers may head towards the various in-house cafes and snack bar at the La Ronde amusement park.

Pakistan lifestyle show to take place in Delhi

A lifestyle show of the best things on offer in Pakistan is to take place in Delhi.

Delhi is set to play host to a lifestyle show that will showcase the very best of what is on offer in Pakistan.

Taking place at the Pragati Maidan in the city from April 12th to 15th, it is hoped the event will attract people to the nation and also highlight the huge potential there is to trade with companies in the country.

Around 100 firms from the country are confirmed to attend, including some of the most popular brands and fashion companies.

The showcase was organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and comes after a similar event promoting India was hosted in Lahore.

In addition to seeing the offerings from companies, there will also be displays of some of Pakistan's cultural highlights and a food court selling its most delicious dishes.

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Gulf Film Festival opens in Dubai

The 5th Gulf Film Festival has opened in Dubai, with 155 films set to be shown across the event.

The 5th Gulf Film Festival is taking place in Dubai and film fans will have the choice of 155 new movies across the event.

This year's edition of the event opened in the emirate yesterday (April 10th) and will continue through to April 16th, with filmmakers and actors coming from 40 countries around the world to showcase their latest creations.

Held at Dubai Festival City, a number of other films also being screened at the venue include those by local producers and creations for the international short film contest.

A special selection of children's films from as far afield as Taiwan and Canada has also been put together.

Opened by Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the first night was held to honour Bahraini filmmaker Bassam Al-Thawadi and Iranian actor Behrouz Vossoughi.

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See stunning blooms during Perth Garden Week

A selection of the most stunning gardens in Australia will be showcased during Perth Garden Week.

Some of the most beautiful flowers and gardens to be seen across Australia are to be showcased at Perth Garden Week.

Taking place in the west Australian city from April 19th at the Perry Lakes Reserve, the event will offer a range of ideas on how to create the perfect garden, with celebrity presentations also scheduled to offer tips on getting the best from your blooms.

Stalls will also be set up with international and local brands selling everything from potting plants to gardening tools.

As the event falls during the school half-term celebrations, the organisers encourage people to bring their children along to take part in a number of outdoor activities and get the chance to see some farmyard animals at the petting zoo.

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Chennai is a metropolitan city, says Priya Anand

Actress Priya Anand has spoken about how she always knew she wanted to live in India despite spending most of her life in the US.

Priya Anand has spoken about her love of India and in particular how her fondness for Chennai encouraged her to return.

The actress had spent most of her life living in the US but told the Times of India she would travel back to Chennai to visit her grandparents.

It was during these stays that she realised she wanted to move to the city permanently, stating that the unique selling point of the city in India is the amount of art and culture that is available.

"Chennai is a metropolitan city in its truest sense - though we are aware of western trends, we never let go of our culture," Anand added.

Since returning to live in Chennai in 2008, she has appeared in a number of Tamil language films, including Leader and English Vinglish, which is due to be released later this year.

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Reasons for Rising Demands of Cheap Flights to Melbourne

The city of glorious past, splendid present and certainly brilliant future, Melbourne beats the rest of the world with its outstanding tourist attractions. The city embraces a whole world in itself and lures travellers to plan tour to this amazing holiday destination.

Melbourne Museum is a fascinating spot to learn about the remarkable facts related to Australian history and captivates millions to book tickets for cheap flights to Melbourne. The museum depicts the social history, indigenous civilizations and latest developments made in the country and is a must-visit holiday attraction for those taking cheap flights to Australia.

To relish some time away from the turmoil of the city, the Melbourne Zoo is the perfect place to plan trip to. The zoo is blessed with the showering of the Mother Nature and offers great sights of some remarkable animals including gorillas, kangaroos, wombats and koalas.

For art lovers planning air travel and booking cheap flights to Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria is a great feast. The gallery includes some incredible local and international artefacts and is counted among the most popular holiday locations in Melbourne.

National Sports Museum of Melbourne is perfect to know about the achievements of the city in sports and games, and exhibits remarkable artefacts reciting the prestigious moments in Australia’s sporting history. The museum is a dream of every sport enthusiast and tempts hordes of holiday makers to book cheap flights to Australia and land up in Melbourne.

With such marvellous attractions, it comes as no surprise that Melbourne tops the travel itinerary of millions and makes them crave to book flights to this amazing destination!

Worldhotels to Develop 10 Properties by 2013 in India

Offering more hotel options for luxury seekers taking flights to India, Worldhotels announced plans to develop 10 hotels in India by the next year. The hotels will be developed under 'Worldhotel' brand.

When it rains, it pours. This is what seems to be happening as yet another hospitality firm looks towards India to further their growth agenda.

Worldhotels announced that it plans to develop 10 hotels in India by 2013, offering increased options for business and leisure travellers taking flights to India apart from domestic travellers.

"We are looking at expanding our portfolio in India and are planning to develop 10 hotels by next year," Naresh Chandnani, Worldhotels Regional Director Business Development, Indian Subcontinent & Maldives, was quoted in India's leading financial daily.

These hotels will be developed under ‘Worldhotel' brand as part of the firm's newly launched brand license program throughout the world.

While these hotels may not appeal very highly to budget travellers taking tickets on cheap flights to India, they will surely tempt those who prefer luxury.

"In India, our focus will be mainly to expand in the branded hotels," Naresh Chandnani said.

At present, the firm provides its services to 10 hotel properties in India, including two Claridges hotels in Delhi and NCR, the Sahara Star in Mumbai and Aamby Valley in Pune. From all 10 properties, 4-5 are branded and the rest are affiliations, with a 50:50 mix of five star and four star properties.

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Grab Flights to Bangkok & Stay at Rewarding Riverside Hotels

Venice of the East, Bangkok dazzles with its awe-inspiring set of attractions. The glorious radiance of cultural magnificence and the contemporary lures of towering magnitude make Bangkok a must visit place for tourists!

A torrent of leisure holiday makers book flights to Bangkok to experience the chaotic charm of this Thai city. And Bangkok Riverside is perhaps the best place to do so! Pulsating with effervescence, the shores of Chao Phraya River features some of the most popular hotels in Bangkok, Thailand.

Peninsula Hotel Bangkok
Peninsula Hotel Bangkok is one of the finest riverside hotels in the city. The hotel offers 370 guest rooms and suites, each of which is replete with the most modern of luxuries and amenities. Each guestroom also allows the tourists to enjoy the incredible and all encompassing views of the Chao Phraya River and the city skyline. The hotel’s amenities and services include luxurious toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, wireless internet, mini bar, private safe, CD player and daily newspapers. Not surprisingly, many luxury seekers who are on a Bangkok trip make this hotel their place of stay!

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok
The Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok is a lavish property that stands on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya River. Be it business travellers or leisure vacationers, Shangri-La Hotel is the perfect option for all sorts of tourists who book flight tickets to Bangkok. This riverside hotel in Bangkok boasts facilities like health club and swimming pools. It is also popular among the foreign tourists for organising cruise tours on private riverboat.

Mandarin Oriental
If not the best, Mandarin Oriental is surely one of the best hotels on the planet! It sure is no exaggeration as any seasoned travel enthusiast would let you know! A hugely alluring property, this grand hotel entices many a great hedonists and lets them have a time of their lives. No wonder, most of the elitist who book flights to Thailand are more often than not found in one of the beautiful guest rooms and suites of this property. Mandarin Oriental’s architectural splendour is second to none and resonates with magnificence of unparallel quotient! The hotel is located within a convenient distance from the city airport.

P & R Residence Hotel
The most pocket friendly of hotels in this list, P & R Residence Hotel charms tourists with its simplicity and beauty! A good number of tourists who book cheap flights to Bangkok and look for an affordable riverside stay in Bangkok opt for P & R Residence Hotel. Accessibility to major city lures is yet another highlight of this hotel.

Millennium Hilton Bangkok
Millennium Hilton Bangkok is a contrast! It is a contrast of stunning display of gaudy modernism and the lush surrounding of vibrant verdure. Millennium Hilton Bangkok has won multiple awards, confirming the hotel’s supremacy over others. But what really sets this riverside hotel apart is the easy access to animated streets of Bangkok! Tourists on a Bangkok tour can take a short ride from the hotel to city’s most remarkable attractions, such as the Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and the Wat Arun.

Delhi sees hottest day of the year

Delhi has recorded the hottest day of the year so far as it reached temperatures of over 39 degrees C.

The temperature in Delhi has reached its highest point of the year so far as the city moves through its summer season.

The mercury in the city peaked at 39.7 degrees C in the Palam area of the city on April 3rd.

Overall, the city has been experiencing temperatures at five degrees C higher than average, with the minimum temperature standing at 24 degrees, the Indian Meteorological Department announced.

It comes as part of a heatwave for the city, as the temperature has been around the 38 degree mark for the past two days.

Although it was hot, the level of humidity was reported to be more manageable, as it was between 30 and 66 per cent.

It has been predicted it is likely to stay this hot for the coming days, although it will be cloudy, which may provide some respite to those in the city.

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Easter events planned for Johannesburg

A day of special events to celebrate Easter is to take place in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg.

Easter weekend is set to be celebrated in style in Johannesburg with a series of events to be hosted at Nelson Mandela Square.

Taking place on Monday April 8th, the event will see a number of impressive musical performers taking to the stage as part of a string of concerts.

The highlight of the event will be an African-inspired performance of Frederick Handel's Messiah, while conductor Richard Cock will lead the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra in their performances.

A number of other talented soloists and choirs will perform on the day, with the first acts to take to the stage at 15:00 local time.

As the event is free, it is ideal for both devoted fans of classic music to those who simply want to dip in to hear some of the performances and sample the food on offer in the restaurants around the square.

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Expansion Continues in India as Swiss International Makes A Foray

Switzerland-based brand, Swiss International Hotels & Resorts announced on Tuesday its plans to launch 45 hotels in the different star categories across India. The group hopes to cater both leisure and business travellers taking flights to India.

Hospitality industry continues to expand in India as the Switzerland-based Swiss International announced Tuesday that it is planning to open up 45 hotels in the country by 2017.

The 30-year-old Swiss hospitality brand aims to set up 50 hotels in the 3 star, 4 star and 5 star categories across India and South Asia. Some 6,000 hotel rooms will be added. The move is sure to delight holiday makers booking flights to India with added choices.

Swiss International Hotels & Resorts would be a 4/5 star, luxury brand with about 200 rooms, restaurants and other conveniences.

Spirit Hotel will be a 3 star, midscale hotel touted as affordable luxury. It will cater to budget travellers taking relatively cheap flights to India.

"We are looking at 50 hotels across India and south Asia. Of this, around 40-45 hotels will be in India and for the rest we are looking at countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Overall, we are looking at 6,000 rooms in three, four and five star categories," Swiss International Hotels and Resorts, South Asia, Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Narayan was quoted in news reports.

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Big name stars set for the IPL opening ceremony

Big names from the world for music and Bollywood are set to attend the opening of the Indian Premier League in Chennai.

Some of the biggest names from the world of music and Bollywood movie stars are all set to attend the opening ceremony for the latest series of the Indian Premier League cricket.

Taking place in Chennai, the opening event is set to be a star-studded event, with Katy Perry announced as the main performer.

The singer will showcase a number of her biggest hits and has already spoken of her excitement of performing for India for the first time.

"I know that everyone in India has waited for a very long time for me to come and perform professionally. I've enjoyed India on my own time personally and now it's time to give back to the fans," Perry said.

The event will also see appearances by Priyanka Chopra and actor Salman Khan, with the whole evening to be overseen by superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

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Sea gypsy museum to open in Phuket

A museum dedicated to the sea gypsies of Phuket is set to open on the island.

A museum dedicated to the life and culture of the sea gypsies living in Phuket is set to open in the city.

Located on the island of Koh Sireh and easily accessible from Phuket, the centre is due to open before the arrival of the next high season for visitors.

To date, a number of buildings which will be used to house the exhibits have already been constructed on the island and have been crafted to resemble upturned boats.

The gypsies are the Urak Lawoi people and comprise of around 6,000 aboriginal Malays who live in a number of locations along the coast of western Thailand who speak a form of Malay mixed with Thai.

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Thai AirAsia announces new routes from Bangkok

A range of new routes from Thai AirAisa are to depart from Bangkok Airport from the summer onwards.

A range of new flights with Thai AirAsia are to start departing from Bangkok Airport to other locations across Asia.

The carrier will have five flights a week from the Bangkok terminal to Chennai, which comes in addition to the daily flights that it already operates.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia,also announced the group will be commencing journeys between several other locations in China and India.

Commenting on the news, Mr Bijleveld said: "By linking Bangkok to a new and unique destination such as Chongqing, we are hoping to stimulate investment between the two cities while bringing new exciting travel experiences to the people of both places."

The route to Chongquing will be the first time that the airline has flown between the Thai capital and the Chinese city.

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Kerong Chok to perform in Bangkok

Talented jazz pianist Kerong Chok is to perform a concert in Bangkok later this month.

Kerong Chok is to give a concert showcasing his musical talents in Bangkok this month as part of a jazz group from the US.

The talent jazz pianist is to take to the stage at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel as part of the Shawn Kelley Trio from April 3rd to April 29th 2012.

The performances in the Living Room venue in the hotel will begin each evening at 21:30 local time.

Born and raised in Singapore, Chok started to play the piano at the age of four and became a professional musician at 18.

He has since travelled across Singapore and to the US, where he has given concerts showcasing his versatile abilities in playing jazz, RnB and rock music.

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First movies announced for Sydney Film Festival

The first films to be on the line up for Sydney Film Festival have been announced.

Sydney Film Festival has announced the first of the movies that will be shown during this year's event.

Cinema fans can now plan to see a number of award-winning titles, including Beasts of the Southern Wild, which took US Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival and Tabu, which scooped the Fipresci prize at Berlin Film Festival

A total of 25 films have been announced by the organisers of the event, which is to take place in the city between June 6th and 16th.

Nashen Moodley festival director for Sydney Film Festival, said: "This is just a cross-section and a taste of what we have in store, but you'll already see the extraordinary diversity in subject, style and geography that makes a great international film festival."

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