Daily Archives: December 19, 2024

For travellers ‘Music for Airports’ is now a thing of the past

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreBackground music is no longer an afterthought at many airports, which are hiring local musicians and carefully curating playlists to help lighten travelers’ moods.London’s Heathrow Airport built a stage to showcase emerging British performers for the first time this summer. The program was so successful the airport hopes to bring it back in 2025. Nashville International Airport has five stages that host more than 800 performances per year, from country musicians to jazz combos. In the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana International Airport greets passengers with live merengue music.Tiffany Idiart and her two nieces were delighted to hear musicians during a recent layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.“I like it. There’s a lot of people here and they can all hear it,” said Grace Idiart, 9. “If their flight got delayed or something like that, they could have had a hard day. And so the music could have made them feel better.”Airports are also carefully curating their recorded playlists. Detroit Metro Airport plays Motown hits in a tunnel connecting its terminals. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas has a playlist of local artists compiled by an area radio station. Singapore’s Changi Airport commissioned a special piano accompaniment for its giant digital waterfall.Roz McCommen sings at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on November 26

Andy Burnham to have ‘honest review’ into Manchester travel chaos

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowAndy Burnham will hold an ‘honest review’ into traffic chaos seen in the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.Motorists and public transport passengers faced long delays with standstill traffic seen across the city centre last weekend. A ‘do not drive’ into town warning was issued ahead of what was billed as ‘Manchester’s busiest weekend of the year’ as thousands flocked to the Christmas Markets, Manchester derby, and Paul McCartney gigs at Co-op Live.Anger has been directed at a roadwork scheme on Deansgate in particular, however. The project, which started in August, will finish in the spring and install a new cycle lane and make the road a one-way, southbound-only for motor traffic.Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy BurnhamManchester council says it will assess the impact of the cycle lane once it opens next year. However, Andy Burnham says he will meet with Bev Craig, leader of Manchester city council, and Paul Dennett, mayor of Salford city council, next month for an ‘honest review’.“I have called a meeting in mid-January with the leader of Manchester city council and the Salford city council mayor,” the Greater Manchester mayor said on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday (December 19).“I think we have to review everything and come up with a plan to make it sustainable. We need to have an honest look at everything after December. December is always the hardest because the pressure on the roads is huge.“I am going to have an honest review to look at it and come back to [this programme] with how we will make the whole place function better.”While Mr Burnham recognised there were ‘significant roadworks on Deansgate’, he put the chaos down to ‘other things’. He went on: “The Christmas Markets have been hugely popular and Co-op Live has changed things. It’s put more footfall into the city and put more cars into the city as the audience is older so more people are driving. People also do not trust the trains.”His belief is problems will ease in the long-run if more people ‘get public transport into the city centre like they do in London’.Continue Reading

How travel insurance helps safeguard your dream vacation

Whether you require travel insurance while travelling from India or not depends on the policies of the country you are visiting for your international holiday. International travel insurance is not mandatory in all countries, but there are at least 38 countries where it is a legal requirement.Governments impose travel insurance mandates primarily to ensure the safety of visitors and reduce the financial burden on their domestic healthcare systems.What is mandatory travel insurance?When a country mandates travel insurance, it becomes a legal requirement to enter the country or apply for a visa. These mandatory policies usually provide the same benefits as regular travel insurance, such as coverage for medical emergencies, delayed flights, lost baggage/passports, liability for property damage or bodily injury, etc.Certain countries impose additional requirements on mandatory insurance for travellers. For instance, you may be required to get a policy with a minimum coverage value for a minimum duration. Similarly, travel insurance is necessary in some countries for taking part in adventure activities or during emergencies like pandemics or civil unrest. At times, these mandates are temporary. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, countries like Singapore and Bhutan required travellers to have insurance with COVID-19 coverage. However, such restrictions have since been lifted in many places as the pandemic subsided.Why do countries make travel insurance mandatory? Here are some key reasons for that countries require travel insurance:1. To provide immediate medical help to tourists: Countries mandate international travel insurance to ensure that tourists can get immediate medical help without a heavy financial burden. Having your insurer cover the cost of medicines and hospitalisation can be a lifesaver, especially in countries that lack government-funded healthcare infrastructure.2. To mitigate financial risks to local healthcare systems: If a tourist without travel insurance falls ill during their stay, the financial burden of providing them with medical care falls on local healthcare facilities. In countries with public healthcare, this could result in higher costs for local taxpayers. 3. To enhance public safety and health: If a tourist fails to get medical assistance, especially in cases like infectious diseases, there’s a high risk of infection spreading among the locals. Travel insurance ensures immediate aid without worrying about its financial impact, ensuring your own and the public’s safety.4. To reduce burden on the government: In emergencies such as natural disasters, civil unrest, and wars, local governments may not always be willing to use public funds on tourists. However, if you have travel insurance, you can be rest assured as it covers the cost of medical assistance, emergency transport, and evacuation.5. To provide a seamless travel experience: Imagine visiting a country for a vacation and being slapped with additional expenses due to health emergencies, flight delays, or delayed or stolen baggage. It’ll ruin your experience, and you may even avoid that destination in the future. However, travel insurance covers any emergencies that may occur.Countries where travel insurance is mandatorySeveral countries mandate international travel insurance for Indian travellers, often specifying coverage for medical emergencies, COVID-19 treatment, or evacuation. These include Cuba, Ecuador (for Galapagos), Aruba, Jordan, Nepal (trekking/mountaineering), Vietnam, Iran, Laos, Qatar, Rwanda, and Seychelles. Schengen countries require at least €30,000 coverage, while Russia, Turkey, UAE (multiple-entry visas), Saudi Arabia, and the USA (students) also have specific requirements. In remote destinations like Antarctica, comprehensive medical evacuation coverage is essential. Always check updated regulations with embassies or official websites before planning your trip.Consequences of not having travel insurance when it’s mandatoryFailing to furnish valid travel insurance in countries where it is mandatory can result in severe repercussions, including:1. Denial of entry: Travellers without travel insurance may be denied entry. In cases where insurance is necessary for visa applications, the visa will be rejected.2. Legal penalties: Depending on local laws, travellers may face fines or other legal consequences for failing to comply with insurance requirements.3. Financial strain: Uninsured travellers might face immediate financial obligations, such as purchasing a new insurance policy or booking a return flight. Expenses can quickly add up in the event of medical emergencies or lost belongings.4. Travel interruptions: Without mandatory travel insurance, travellers risk significant disruptions to their plans. This could mean rescheduling accommodations, transport, or activities, leading to avoidable stress and inconvenience.In conclusion, secure your travel insurance well in advance when visiting countries with mandatory requirements. Make sure your policy aligns with local regulations, covering the required amount, duration, and scope. Trusted platforms offer seamless processes and comprehensive coverage to purchase and manage travel insurance so you can travel confidently and enjoy your journey.(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory)

‘I wanted to love India, but…’: British Indian’s scathing review after 3 years of travel, moves to Vietnam

A British Indian traveler who spent three years exploring India has shared a critical account of his experiences, highlighting issues with infrastructure, civic sense, and hospitality. He shared a detailed post on reddit titled: “I wasted three years travelling around India”. His observations have sparked a debate, especially as he compared his time in India with his recent arrival in Vietnam – which has emerged as a new tourist hotspot in Southeast Asia.  “India is a dump, and Indians objectively treat it like a dump,” the person wrote. 

The traveler, who started his journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, said he was disheartened by what they described as a lack of civic responsibility and poor upkeep of public spaces in India. He pointed to crumbling roads, neglected heritage sites, and widespread apathy among locals toward community issues.

The person further said that when you bring up these criticisms, locals either strongly agree or are in the camp of, “we just got our independence, we are still a baby nation”. “For the fifth wealthiest economy, with nearly 1.6 billion people and a quite clearly astonishingly rich elite class; this is no excuse.”

He described Indian cities as riddled with filth and accused residents of treating the country like a “dump”. High living costs and poor service standards in hotels were also highlighted, with the traveler stating that basic accommodations often charged significantly more than what would be expected in neighboring Asian countries.  

“Hotels, even of a basic standard, in areas where a property sits for $300 a month are charging their firangi tourist customers a whopping $30-$40 a night, offering a subpar service and standard to that which you would get in a place like Thailand.”

British Indian tourist goes to India for 3 years and calls it “a dump”.He says even other poorer countries in Asia like Vietnam are better.India is in denial about it’s global reputation. pic.twitter.com/0TKyz1w85H
— Deedy (@deedydas) December 19, 2024

The traveler said heritage sites, which are often celebrated as a point of pride in India, were marred by graffiti, stains, and trash. They added that even basic explanations about the significance of these landmarks often came with extra charges. “As a British Indian myself, I really wanted to love India – I can’t.” 

After arriving in Vietnam, the traveler noted stark differences, praising the cleanliness, affordability, and sense of order. He expressed relief at being able to walk on clean pavements and use taxis without feeling harassed. He also highlighted the quality of services and food in Vietnam, contrasting it with their experience in India.  

“I’ve just landed in Vietnam, a nation that should be in complete disrepair after its history with poverty and communism, contrary to India. Needless to say; like other destinations in Asia that are significantly poorer than India; it sure does feel nice being able to walk on pavements again; being able to sit in a proper taxi without having some random driver try and harass you for more money.”

Deedy, a venture capitalist, shared this post on X, saying India is in denial about its global reputation. The criticism has drawn mixed reactions on social media. Some Indians have acknowledged the problems, while others have defended the country.

Sid, a cloud technology professional, said it seems to have become a trend for some expats to criticise everything about India while portraying life outside Asia as flawless. “Reality, however, is far more nuanced.” He further said that no country has everything sorted — every place has its flaws and strengths. “Acknowledging areas that need improvement, like cleanliness, is fair, but dismissing an entire culture or exaggerating experiences to seek attention feels unproductive.”

One social media user pointed out that Vietnam’s per capita GDP ($4,346.77) is nearly double that of India’s ($2,484.85). 

Deedy said GDP per capita is not the best metric. “You could look at Delhi per capita but it doesn’t make everything pleasant. Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka are all in and around India by that metric and are largely regarded as more pleasant.” 

Fair, but GDP per capita is not the best metric. You could look at Delhi per capita but it doesn’t make everything pleasant!Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka are all in and around India by that metric and are largely regarded as more pleasant
— Deedy (@deedydas) December 19, 2024

Travel disruption likely as yellow weather warning issued

PA MediaWeather warnings for strong winds have been issued for Northern Ireland this weekend, potentially causing Christmas travel disruption.