VFS Global wins global contract for Slovakia Visa Processing
VFS Global has secured a five-year contract from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia to process both short stay (C) and long stay (D) visas from 83 countries, including India. The agreement will see 87 new visa application centres open across 41 countries in January 2026, followed by 72 more in 42 countries. With Slovakia recording over 2.16 million visitors in 2024, the expanded centres will support the rising demand.
‘Spectacular Saudi’ brings culture & festive excitement to India
Saudi Tourism Authority’s consumer brand, Saudi, Welcome to Arabia, returns with ‘Spectacular Saudi,’ a three-day, five-city experiential showcase from 21–23 November. Held simultaneously in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, the event is one of STA’s biggest destination activations in India. Visitors can explore immersive experiences highlighting Saudi culture, hospitality and entertainment, including Brewtopia: A Qahwa Experience and an Epicurean-Culinary Corner.
SriLankan Airlines wins APEX Award for Best Food & Beverage
SriLankan Airlines has been honoured with the 2026 APEX Best In Food and Beverage Award for Central/Southern Asia, recognising its exceptional onboard culinary experience blending global flavours with traditional Sri Lankan favourites. The airline also retained its prestigious Four-Star Major Airline ranking at the 2026 APEX Awards. Based on over one million verified passenger votes via the TripIt platform, APEX evaluates more than 600 airlines worldwide.
LOT Polish Airlines to launch Warsaw–San Francisco flights from May 2026
LOT Polish Airlines will expand its US network with the launch of seasonal flights to San Francisco starting 6 May 2026. The Star Alliance carrier will operate four weekly Boeing 787 Dreamliner services from Warsaw, offering two convenient departure timings. San Francisco becomes LOT’s seventh North American destination. The airline currently operates daily flights to Warsaw from India, with services from Delhi and Mumbai.
#First Opinion
“Our Travel Predictions 2026 research highlights that the year ahead is all about highly individual journeys that reflect travellers’ true interests. This trend is perfectly reflected in our list of top global destinations: the emergence of Kochi, alongside hotspots like Bilbao and Manaus, highlights a growing demand for places that blend rich culture, history and authentic natural beauty. From the heritage streets of Fort Kochi to the contemporary art of the Biennale and the serene backwaters of Kerala, travellers are clearly seeking experiences that are both inspiring and deeply meaningful.”
Santosh Kumar,
Regional Manager, South Asia, Booking.com
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
