Himachal Pradesh has been included in Booking.com’s list of the world’s top 10 most welcoming regions in its Traveller Review Awards 2026, while also retaining its position as India’s most welcoming region for the third consecutive year, according to data released by the travel platform based on verified guest reviews.
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Destination wedding travel insurance rises 27%, Thailand tops overseas picks
Travel insurance purchases linked to destination weddings rose 27.4% year-on-year in 2024 and are up another 27.4% in 2025 year-to-date, with Thailand emerging as the most popular international destination, according to Policybazaar data, as overseas weddings increasingly reshape how Indians plan and insure their travel.
New customs baggage rules expand duty-free limits for UAE travellers
India has implemented revised customs baggage norms under the Baggage Rules, 2026 and Customs Baggage Regulations, 2026, effective February 2, expanding duty-free allowances and modifying gold carriage provisions for international passengers, with the changes expected to benefit travellers arriving from the UAE, including NRIs and people of Indian origin.
Gen Z shifts from screen time to real-world experiences, report finds
India’s Gen Z is increasingly opting for offline social experiences such as run clubs, live gigs, pottery cafés and solo dining, according to District by Zomato’s ‘Touching Grass 2026’ report, signalling a broader cultural shift away from digital saturation towards more tangible and community-driven activities.
Eating on GLP-1 goes beyond appetite suppression, experts say
GLP-1 medications are altering not just how much people eat but how food is experienced and tolerated, with users reporting changes in digestion, fullness and recovery after meals, suggesting that the drugs influence eating behaviour in more complex ways than simple appetite reduction.
Nearly 60% of urban Indians fall short on daily protein intake
Nearly 60% of urban Indians do not meet their recommended daily protein intake, a survey has found, highlighting persistent nutritional gaps even as policymakers and public health campaigns stress the importance of balanced diets, fitness and preventive healthcare.
International Booker winner Banu Mushtaq reflects on writing and responsibility
International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said global recognition has brought a deeper sense of responsibility rather than celebration, as the Kannada writer discussed her career, the importance of writing without apology, and the role of regional literature in addressing questions of dignity, gender and social hierarchy.
Manu Joseph on inequality, power and public opinion
Author and journalist Manu Joseph said he has a complicated relationship with public opinion as he reflected on his new non-fiction book Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us, which explores inequality, hierarchy and social resentment in contemporary India through a series of essays.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company to build Dubai’s underground Loop
Elon Musk’s Boring Company will partner with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to develop the Dubai Loop, a high-speed underground passenger transport system aimed at enabling point-to-point travel across the city, with the agreement announced during the World Governments Summit 2026.
Learning how to learn is the real skill in the age of AI: Pearson CEO
Artificial intelligence is making professional skills obsolete faster than ever, forcing workers to prioritise adaptability and continuous learning, Pearson Global CEO Omar Abbosh said, arguing that the ability to learn new skills may now matter more than any single qualification.
