Scots lack confidence in SNP’s business policies, poll suggests

Business News

Just 36 per cent said the Scottish Government has the right policies in placeScots lack confidence in the SNP Government’s business policies, a new poll suggests.A Survation poll for True North Advisors found just 36 per cent of respondents agreed that the Scottish Government has the right policies in place to make Scotland a competitive place to do business. A total of 42 per cent said the opposite, and 22 per cent did not know.Scottish Financial Enterprise said public-private partnerships could kickstart economic growth

Bhutan gets 145,065 tourists in 2024

Travel

Indian tourists dominate Bhutan’s tourism market in 2024 India continues to assert its dominance in the tourism market, contributing an overwhelming 94,280 visitors in 2024. This accounts for 65% of the total tourist arrivals in Bhutan. Bhutan recorded a total of 145,065 tourist arrivals in 2024, marking a 40.7% increase compared to the 103,066 visitors…

Robert Eggers has no interest in making a contemporary film

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Robert Eggers has claimed the idea of making a contemporary movie makes him “ill”.The 41-year-old filmmaker, whose previous works have covered New England in the 1630s and 1890s, with ‘The Witch’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ respectively, the Viking era with ‘The Northman’ and 1830s Transylvania with latest offering ‘Nosferatu’, can’t bear the idea of having to film modern inventions such as cars and mobile phones.He told Rotten Tomatoes: “The idea of having to photograph a car makes me ill.“And the idea of photographing a cellphone is just death. And to make a contemporary story you have to photograph a cellphone — it’s just how life is — so no.”The filmmaker admitted he is unlikely to stray beyond World War II – which took place between 1939 and 1945 – for a future project.Asked if there’s a specific time period “ceiling” he would travel to, he said: “I don’t know. I might go potentially to 1950 but before World War II is more inviting for my imagination.”Robert recently teased he may be working on a sequel to 1986 fantasy cult classic ‘Labyrinth’.Asked about the project rumours by ComicBook.com, he said: “The thing is, I always have a ton of things in development because you need to survive this industry, and you don’t know what is going to hit next. But I definitely want the next film I make to be an original movie.”Deadline has since reported the director is indeed set to direct a new ‘Labyrinth’ film for TriStar Pictures, which the outlet claims will be a sequel instead of a remake of Jim Henson’s original movie.While plot details about the movie are currently unknown, the filmmaker is said to be writing the script with his ‘The Northman’ co-writer Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson, known as Sjón.‘Nosferatu’ producer Chris Columbus and his daughter Eleanor are seemingly set to produce the next ‘Labyrinth’ picture, with Jim Henson’s children Lisa and Brian serving as executive producers.‘Labyrinth’ – which starred the late David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Frank Oz and Toby Froud – follows 16-year-old Sarah as she ventures into an otherworldly maze to find her younger brother Toby, whom she had inadvertently wished away to the realm of Goblin King Jareth.Jareth promises he will return the young boy to his sister if she can solve his labyrinth in less than 13 hours.On top of his apparent ‘Labyrinth’ movie, Eggers is also said to be working on a werewolf horror titled ‘Werwulf’, which the director is also writing with Sjón.

Prayagraj Travel Boom: Popular Routes And Booking Trends During The Maha Kumbh

Travel

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, currently underway in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, has captivated millions of devotees and tourists worldwide. This once-in-144-years spiritual gathering, marked by rare celestial alignments, is one of the largest religious events on the planet. Beyond its cultural and spiritual essence, it has sparked a significant travel boom, drawing both domestic and international travelers to the holy city of Prayagraj.Domestic Travel Trends

The event’s popularity has led to a massive surge in domestic travel interest. According to recent data from Skyscanner, travel bookings from January 12 to February 26 have seen a sharp rise, particularly during key dates of the holy rituals, such as the Second Shahi Snan (royal bath) on January 29. This date stands out, with January 28 experiencing a staggering 675% increase in booking volumes compared to regular days.

The enthusiasm for the Maha Kumbh is evident in the 1,776% surge in bookings compared to the same period last year, when no event was held in Prayagraj. Key domestic routes with the highest demand include:

► Bengaluru to Varanasi

► Mumbai to Varanasi

► Mumbai to Prayagraj

Interestingly, searches for indirect travel routes through nearby airports like Varanasi have also seen significant growth, highlighting the creative ways travelers are reaching the event.

In terms of week-on-week growth in travel interest (as of January 20), the following routes are witnessing an unprecedented spike in searches, as per Skyscanner data:

► Hyderabad to Prayagraj: Up by 2,815%

► Pune to Prayagraj: Up by 1,345%

► Prayagraj to Mumbai: Up by 870%

International Travel Interest

The global appeal of the Maha Kumbh Mela is evident, with significant interest from international travelers. Pilgrims from cities like Dubai, London, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and Doha are planning their visits to align with key ritual dates such as January 29 and February 12. This trend underscores the universal spiritual significance of the event, drawing people from diverse backgrounds and regions.

Making the Journey Easier

The surge in travel demand reflects the anticipation and excitement surrounding the Maha Kumbh Mela. Online platforms have helped travelers explore various routes and booking options, ensuring seamless planning for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is not just a spiritual gathering but also a momentous travel phenomenon. With millions of visitors flocking to Prayagraj, the event underscores India’s rich cultural heritage while boosting its tourism industry. Whether you’re traveling from within India or overseas, the Maha Kumbh offers a unique opportunity to witness a profound blend of faith, culture, and global unity.

Prayagraj Travel Boom: Popular Routes And Booking Trends During The Maha Kumbh

Travel

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, currently underway in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, has captivated millions of devotees and tourists worldwide. This once-in-144-years spiritual gathering, marked by rare celestial alignments, is one of the largest religious events on the planet. Beyond its cultural and spiritual essence, it has sparked a significant travel boom, drawing both domestic and international travelers to the holy city of Prayagraj.Domestic Travel Trends

The event’s popularity has led to a massive surge in domestic travel interest. According to recent data from Skyscanner, travel bookings from January 12 to February 26 have seen a sharp rise, particularly during key dates of the holy rituals, such as the Second Shahi Snan (royal bath) on January 29. This date stands out, with January 28 experiencing a staggering 675% increase in booking volumes compared to regular days.

The enthusiasm for the Maha Kumbh is evident in the 1,776% surge in bookings compared to the same period last year, when no event was held in Prayagraj. Key domestic routes with the highest demand include:

► Bengaluru to Varanasi

► Mumbai to Varanasi

► Mumbai to Prayagraj

Interestingly, searches for indirect travel routes through nearby airports like Varanasi have also seen significant growth, highlighting the creative ways travelers are reaching the event.

In terms of week-on-week growth in travel interest (as of January 20), the following routes are witnessing an unprecedented spike in searches, as per Skyscanner data:

► Hyderabad to Prayagraj: Up by 2,815%

► Pune to Prayagraj: Up by 1,345%

► Prayagraj to Mumbai: Up by 870%

International Travel Interest

The global appeal of the Maha Kumbh Mela is evident, with significant interest from international travelers. Pilgrims from cities like Dubai, London, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and Doha are planning their visits to align with key ritual dates such as January 29 and February 12. This trend underscores the universal spiritual significance of the event, drawing people from diverse backgrounds and regions.

Making the Journey Easier

The surge in travel demand reflects the anticipation and excitement surrounding the Maha Kumbh Mela. Online platforms have helped travelers explore various routes and booking options, ensuring seamless planning for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is not just a spiritual gathering but also a momentous travel phenomenon. With millions of visitors flocking to Prayagraj, the event underscores India’s rich cultural heritage while boosting its tourism industry. Whether you’re traveling from within India or overseas, the Maha Kumbh offers a unique opportunity to witness a profound blend of faith, culture, and global unity.

SA franchises to get travel relief

Travel

From next season, South Africa’s franchise players will no longer have to cram into economy class when travelling to and from Europe.
This will be a result of SA Rugby becoming full EPCR shareholders on 1 July.
MyPlayers, the SA professional rugby players’ organisation, confirmed to Rapport that at least 15 players per team will fly in business class for matches in the Vodacom URC, Investec Champions Cup or EPCR Challenge Cup, with the rest of the squad in premier economy class.

Currently, only the Vodacom Bulls travel in business class thanks to the financial support from their billionaire shareholders, Johann Rupert and Patrice Motsepe.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism, Antiquities Holds Global Press Conference at FITUR 2025 in Madrid

Travel

Sun 26 Jan 2025 | 10:43 AM

Ali abo dashish- Ahmed Emam

As part of his official visit to Madrid, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, held a global press conference during his participation in the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR 2025). The event was attended by numerous representatives from Spanish, Latin American, and international media outlets. The conference was also attended by Mr. Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, Mr. Ahmed Nabil, Assistant to the Minister for Aviation and Monitoring, Mr. Mohamed Mohsen, Director of External Offices at the Central Administration of the Tourism Authority, and Ms. Samar Al-Sayaf, responsible for the Spanish and Portuguese markets at the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board. During the conference, Mr. Fathi delivered a presentation showcasing Egypt’s unmatched diversity as a year-round tourist destination. He emphasized the ministry’s current vision and strategy, which aim to highlight Egypt’s unparalleled variety of tourism experiences, making it the most diverse destination in the world. The minister detailed Egypt’s array of tourism offerings, including cultural, desert, coastal, religious, wellness, and adventure tourism. He also highlighted unique experiences such as visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is currently in its trial operation phase, and the iconic Giza Pyramids, where a comprehensive service development project will soon be fully operational. Other highlights included exploring the historic cities of Luxor and Aswan, diving and water activities in the Red Sea, camping in the White Desert, visiting Siwa Oasis, and enjoying the North Coast and New Alamein City, which welcomed visitors from 106 nationalities during the past summer season. Fathi also shared the remarkable growth in Egypt’s inbound tourism, reporting that 15.75 million tourists visited the country in 2024—a 6% increase from the previous year.This growth underscores Egypt’s safety and appeal as a tourist destination. He outlined the key source markets contributing to this success. Additionally, the minister highlighted Egypt’s commitment to sustainability in tourism, noting that 41% of hotels and 30% of diving centers in the country now adhere to green practices. This initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to transform Egypt’s tourism sector into an environmentally friendly industry. The press conference reinforced Egypt’s position as a leading global tourism destination, showcasing its rich heritage, diverse experiences, and commitment to sustainable practices.