Did You Know? The Balinese New Year on March 29, will bring Bali to a standstill for 24h, with no lights, music, transport halted, and everyone must stay home.
The Guardian Quote “After days of raucous celebrations, the Indonesian island shuts down for a day of silence – and tourists aren’t exempt. Try to sneak off to the beach and expect to meet the pecalang police
In Ubud, where I’m staying, shops are closing early, ATMs aren’t working and streets are being closed. From 6am tomorrow (28 March) until 6am on Wednesday (the date changes annually following the lunar calendar), no one will leave their home. Religious rules state there should be no traffic, no fire, no work and no pleasure. Streets are eerily empty, shops and restaurants remain closed, the beaches are shut, use of electricity is kept to a minimum, there’s no transport – even the airport closes – and the pecalang community police go on patrol, ensuring compliance and reprimanding anyone who steps outside their premises.” End of quote.
The Balinese New Year, known as Nyepi or the “Day of Silence,” is a unique and deeply spiritual celebration observed by the Balinese Hindu community. It marks the start of the new year according to the Balinese Saka calendar. Nyepi is a day dedicated to self-reflection, meditation, and purification.
Here are some key aspects of Nyepi:
- Date and Duration: Nyepi begins at 6 a.m. and lasts for 24 hours. In 2025, it will be observed from March 29th to March 30th2.
- Silence and Stillness: During Nyepi, the entire island of Bali comes to a standstill. No public activities are permitted, and everyone must stay indoors. There is no lighting, no noise, no travel, and no work2.
- Pre-Nyepi Celebrations: The day before Nyepi, known as Pengrupukan Day, is marked by loud and vibrant celebrations, including the Ogoh-Ogoh parade, where giant demon effigies are carried through the streets and later burned to drive away evil spirits2.
- Melasti Ceremony: A few days before Nyepi, the Melasti ceremony is performed, where sacred objects from temples are taken to the sea for purification2.
- Post-Nyepi: The day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activities resume, and families and friends gather to ask for forgiveness and perform religious rituals together2.
Nyepi is a time for introspection, spiritual renewal, and reconnecting with loved ones. It offers a unique opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
If you ever get the chance to be in Bali during Nyepi, it’s an experience unlike any other!
LONDON, March 5 — The British government announced on Wednesday that European visitors will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) starting April 2, as part of the final phase of a global rollout aimed at enhancing border security and streamlining entry processes.
According to the Home Office, eligible people can apply for the ETA – a digital travel permit linked to their passports – starting on Wednesday. This replaces traditional visa requirements for short-term visits.
The policy follows the system’s implementation for non-European travelers, including those from the United States, Canada, and Australia. To date, more than 1.1 million ETAs have been issued globally.
“Expanding the ETA worldwide underscores our commitment to a secure, contactless border system while ensuring a seamless travel experience,” Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra said. She added that the digital approach strengthens immigration controls and aligns with Britain’s broader strategy to innovate through technology.
Applicants can obtain an ETA via the British government’s official website or mobile application by submitting biometric and biographic details, along with responses to eligibility questions. The government is working with airlines, ferry operators, and rail carriers to ensure smooth compliance with the new requirements, the Home Office said in a statement
Few links for few countries: https://www.passportsandvisas.com/travel-blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-eta-visa-to-canada.
ETIAS
ETIAS is required for citizens of countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Area. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, among others.
The system is not yet operational. It is expected to be launched in mid-2025.
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
Once available, you can fill out the application form using either this official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation will cost approximately EUR 7, though some travellers are exempt from paying this fee.
Do Canadians need ETIAS to enter Europe?
However, if their stay exceeds 90 days, a visa is required. When it launches, the ETIAS travel authorization – which is not a visa – will be required for Canadian passport holders planning to stay in the 30 EU member states and Schengen associated countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.1
Do US citizens need an ETIAS visa?
If you are an American citizen planning to travel to countries in the Schengen area, and Cyprus, you will need to apply for ETIAS authorization. (The “Schengen area” refers to a border agreement between countries in Europe.)Dec 31, 2024
More information about what to expect when crossing EU borders is available here.
Romania and Bulgaria join EU
01 January 2025
Jan 1 (Reuters) – Romania and Bulgaria scrapped land border controls to become full members of the European Union’s Schengen free-travel area on Wednesday, joining an expanded bloc of countries whose residents can travel without passport checks.
Abu Dhabi: The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has called on the public to take the initiative to download its electronic application “UAE Fast Track”, which facilitates entry procedures for those arriving in the country speedily.
The authority stated in a video clip that the “UAE Fast Track” application allows the public, through pre-registration, to complete travel procedures in a matter of seconds without the need to wait at registration counters, by using smart gates.
It pointed out that the application can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, following which the user can enter all the required details related to their trip to complete the application submission.
ETIAS & EES
European Union: New Rules & System
In Brief:
EES: ENTRY EXIT SYSTEM
- Register visa-free and visa-required travelers entering Europe for a short stay, (EU call a ‘third country’) i.e. NON- EU citizens or a citizen of Schengen area.
- EES collects FACIAL IMAGE, FINGERPRINTS, Travel Document Data, DATE and PLACE where the traveler entered and exited the EU.
- It identifies overstayers and provides reliable data on entries, exits, and refusals of entry.
- EES will replace the manual stamping of passports.
- Target Date: 10 November 2024.
ETIAS:
- New entry requirement for travelers who do NOT need a visa to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.
- With ETIAS, visa-free travelers need to apply for an AUTHORISATION prior to travel. ETIAS is NOT a visa.
- For ETIAS: Provide personal information, address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions. NO biometric data, such as fingerprints, is collected with ETIAS.
In Details:
Both systems aim to strengthen European security and security of those who travel.
Why?
ETIAS is a new entry requirement for travellers who do not need a visa to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. These include the 27 countries belonging to the Schengen Area as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania. With ETIAS, visa-free travellers will need to apply for a travel authorisation before starting their trip. ETIAS is not a visa, and its introduction does not modify the visa-free status of travellers.
The EES will register visa-free and visa-required travellers entering Europe for a short stay. No action will be required from travellers before they start their trip, as registration will be done at the external border of any of the 29 European countries using the system. The countries in question include the 27 Schengen countries, Bulgaria, and Romania. Registration on the EES will be done every time travellers cross external borders and will replace the manual stamping of passports.
How?
When applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers will need to provide their personal information, including address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions. No biometric data, such as fingerprints, is collected with ETIAS.
The EES, on the other hand, will collect travellers’ facial image and fingerprints. It will also collect travel document data as well as the date and place where the traveller entered and exited the territory of European countries using the system.
When?
Travellers will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of starting their trip to Europe, whereas registration with the EES occurs at the external border of the 29 countries using the system.
ETIAS and the EES will not be launched at the same time. The EES will become operational first and ETIAS will follow a few months after.
The exact dates will be announced by the EU later this year.
What is an EES?
The Entry/Exit System modernises the management of the EU’s external borders, gradually improving the experience for travellers. It identifies overstayers and provides reliable data on entries, exits, and refusals of entry. This system will effectively combat identity fraud by collecting biometric data.
On 10th November 2024, the EES (Entry Exit System) will be deployed within the Schengen area. The EES is a new automated IT system for digitally collecting personal data of non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, whether they require a short-stay visa or not, each time they cross the borders of the Schengen area.Sep 6, 2024
Who needs EES?
The EU has a target date of 10 November 2024 for the EES to go live. Who will it apply to? It will apply to those travelling for a short stay, from what the EU call a ‘third country’. This is people who are not an EU citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area.
EasyJet holidays has updated its animal welfare policy, ditching all tours that include animal-based attractions. Animal welfare is a key priority of its business operations, it says. After consulting animal welfare charities including World Animal Protection, it has scrapped all animal attraction focused tours. This includes animal rides, zoos, animal performances, and marine parks. These attractions will no longer be promoted by easyJet. The move has been applauded by animal rights group PETA.
Additionally, easyJet says it will encourage hotel partners to follow its animal welfare policy. Matt Callaghan, easyJet holidays’ COO, said: “Our own research tells us that sustainable travel experiences are important to our customers, so we want to make it easy for them to holiday better.”
Katheryn Wise, wildlife campaigns manager at World Animal Protection UK, said: “EasyJet holidays has really stepped up for animals with this strong and ambitious animal welfare policy.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with a company focused on listening to their customers.”
Related News Stories: easyJet and easyJet holidays launch Winter Sun sale as part of … Fred. Holidays – TravelMole Newmarket Holidays – TravelMole Nium – TravelMole Holiday Extras – TravelMole Air Transat – TravelMole Allianz Travel
TRAVEL NEWS in a Nutshell
Political:
ROMANIA & BULGARIA will partially join the Schengen zone on March 31. This includes arrivals by air and sea but not land. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/romania and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria
Strikes:
AUSTRIA: Dozens of Austrian Airlines flights cancelled on March 8 ahead of possible strike. Link: https://www.thelocal.at/20240305/austrian-airlines-staff-to-hold-crunch-meeting-ahead-of-possible-strike
GERMANY: Verdi union calls on Lufthansa ground staff to stage fresh strike on March 7 and 8 after rejecting revised wage offer. Link: https://www.xm.com/research/markets/allNews/reuters/union-calls-on-lufthansa-ground-staff-to-strike-again-this-week-53780680
FRANKFURT AIRPORT: will be closed to departing passengers on March 7 due to a strike by security staff. Due to a planned strike by the Union Verdi on March 7-8, flight disruptions and cancellations for Lufthansa flights will occur at Frankfurt Airport.
Link: https://www.frankfurt-airport.com/en.html.
Link: https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/flight-information.html
ITALY: A public transport strike is scheduled for Mar 8 in Italy. Possible delays and cancellations of buses, metro, trains and trams throughout the national territory.
Link: https://www.trasporti-italia.com/mobilita/scioperi/sciopero-mezzi-8-marzo-2024/128694/
Travel News in a nutshell
TRAVEL NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
23 Feb. 2024
Spain hits Booking.com with record €530 million fine
Booking.com is facing a huge $530 million fine in Spain.
The Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) issued a draft decision over competition law violations.
22 Feb. 2024
EasyJet admits ‘error’ in paying some staff below minimum wage
Leisure airline easyJet is among hundreds of UK firms outed for not paying the national minimum wage to employees.
The airline underpaid nearly 4,000 staff.
It was temporary and impacted each employee by just.
Over a five-year period, some cabin crew were paid less than the minimum wage during the first few weeks of training, it said.
The airline said it fixed the issue quickly.
“This was a genuine error which we immediately rectified and issued back payments to all affected crew.”
Overall, it underpaid staff by a total of £338,876.46
The airline was far from being the worst offender.
The Government released a list of over 500 businesses which failed to pay national minimum wage.
Staffline Recruitment Limited of Nottingham underpaid more than £5 million to over 36,000 workers, while Greggs short-changed almost 5,000 workers by £219,000.
The Department for Business and Trade said a total of 172,000 workers were underpaid,
“Employees deserve to get paid properly for the hard work they put in,” said Kevin Hollinrake, minister for enterprise, markets and small business.
Starting on Feb. 14, all inbound foreign tourists will be required to pay Bali’s new tourist tax.
The tax, which is 150,000 rupiah around ($9.60 USD or $12.90 CAD), will apply to all visitors, including children, heading not only to mainland Bali, but also to any of its surrounding islands including Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Penida. It also applies to all visitors, including those coming via land, cruise ship, or airplane.
Bali says the taxes will go towards “protecting the nature of Bali,” including the environment and the culture on the islands.
the foreign tourist fee will be used to: 1) protect Bali tradition, culture and local wisdoms; 2) supporting sustainable tourism; 3) implementing quality tourism governance; 4) creating cleanliness, safety and comfort for tourist; and 5) build quality public transportation facilities and infrastructure,” Love Bali, the destination’s tourist board, said when it initially announced the tax last year.
Bali has set up a space on Love Bali to pay the tax—credit cards, bank transfers, BPD Bali Channel, and more are all acceptable forms of payment.
Link: https://www.travelmarketreport.com/Destinations/articles/New-Bali-Tourist-Tax-Will-Go-Live-Next-Week?
