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Hotel construction in the capital city of the archipelago (IKN) continues, one of which is Hotel Nusantara. The construction of the Nusantara Hotel has been under construction since November 2023.

Head of the IKN Authority, Bambang Susantono, said that the infrastructure building at IKN was not only from the Ministry of PUPR, but also from private investors, one of which was the Nusantara Consortium which built the Nusantara Hotel. Hotel Nusantara is targeted to be ready for use in August 2024.

“So there will indeed be infrastructure buildings built by the PUPR Ministry, but there will also be several private investors whose buildings may already be visible, especially for the Nusantara Hotel which is expected to be completed in August and can start operating with 200 rooms,” he explained in DPR RI Commission II Building, Monday (18/3/2024).

Not only Hotel Nusantara, there will also be a 3-star hotel with a capacity of 200 rooms which is targeted for completion in August 2024, namely Qubika. “And then the others are still in progress so they may not be available at the time of the ceremony in August 2024,” he said.

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21 March: Bank Rate Hold May Prompt Lenders To Trim Charges

Mortgage interest rate cuts by the summer are looking increasingly likely, according to brokers and lenders, which would come as welcome relief to beleaguered borrowers.

The Bank of England held the Bank Rate at 5.25% today, in a widely expected move. But the vote among the Monetary Policy Committee (which decides on the rate) was split, with 8 out of 9 committee members voting to maintain the Bank Rate, and one member voting for a cut of 0.25 percentage points to 5%.

Nick Mendes at broker John Charcol says that, while a reduction to the Bank Rate may not be on the cards until at least June, the direction of travel for rates now looks more certain: “Markets have reacted positively following this week’s lower inflation figure, and NatWest was quick to cut its five-year fixed rate deals (see story below). 

“I expect similar

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Ryanair has said it will reduce its fares and warned of empty seats on its aircraft after several leading online ticket agents “suddenly” stopped selling the low-cost carrier’s flights.

The announcement follows years of tension between Ryanair and online agents, whom the airline has branded “pirates” and accused of overcharging customers by taking a commission on flights and additions to bookings such as luggage or seat reservations.

In the update on Wednesday, Ryanair said that in early December “most of the larger” travel agent sites, including Booking.com, Kayak and Kiwi, had suddenly removed their flights from sale. All three companies did not comment.

Ryanair said it expected the changes to lead to a small number of extra empty seats on its flights in December and January, and added that it had lowered fares to encourage more people on to its planes.

But the airline added that it did not anticipate a “material” impact on its forecast for passenger numbers or profit in its current financial year, which ends in March. Shares fell almost 4 per cent in early afternoon trading

Looking for a budget-friendly getaway this Easter? You might wonder when is the best time to travel without breaking the bank.

Easter 2024, which in Spain runs from Sunday, March 24 to Sunday, March 31, offers a prime opportunity for exploration and relaxation amidst cultural and religious festivities.

Yet, with costs often being a major concern, recent findings offer insightful guidance for cost-conscious adventurers.

Optimal travel date revealed

A comprehensive analysis by Kayak, a leading travel search engine, has pinpointed Good Friday, March 29, as the most economical day for air travel during the Easter period.

This trend is attributed to the reduced recreational activities on this solemn day, resulting in lower flight and accommodation rates. Flight fares for this date may be significantly more affordable, presenting a savings opportunity for travelers.

Conversely, Tuesday, March 26, emerges as the priciest day for Easter travels, with the desire for extended holiday breaks contributing to increased costs.

Flight trends and destination insights

Kayak’s report also highlights a 12 per cent surge in Easter travel searches compared to the previous year, signaling a growing interest in holiday tourism.

Notably, there’s been a 7 per cent reduction in

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The least desirable seats on a plane have been revealed by cabin crew and the beloved window seat could land travelers with long wait times.

Flight attendants from leading airlines partnered with luxury guide platform Velloy to reveal 10 savvy travel hacks for comfort inside the cabin, including the seats to swerve.

The middle row, particularly window seats 11A and 11F, were identified as the worst spots for travelers.

Often these are the last seats to deplane and receive meal service during a flight.

A member of Tui’s cabin crew, Tara, said: “If you are heading on a short-haul flight, you’re likely to fall short on food by sitting in the middle of the plane too. If you are planning on getting any form of drink or snack from the bar on board a short-mid haul flight, then sitting towards the front or toward the back is 100% the way to go.”

In fact, you could miss out on your favorite in-flight snacks completely by choosing row 11.

Tara added: “If you sit in the middle, especially on your way home,

As the calendar turns a fresh page, beckoning new adventures and discoveries, it’s time to chart your course for the year ahead. 2024 is full of long weekends, providing ample opportunities to plan a getaway with family or friends. However, choosing the perfect destination for the much-awaited vacation is not an easy task.

Here’s a list of 8 travel destinations for those who are drawn to cultural wonders, natural marvels, or historical treasures.

1. Kyoto, Japan: Sanctuary for Souls

Kyoto, Japan is famous for its age-old majestic temples, verdant gardens, and traditional tea ceremonies. Japan is famous for its hospitable people, while in Kyoto one can experience Japan’s rich cultural tapestry. The must-explore places include Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the majestic cherry blossoms at Maruyama Park. With its timeless charm and serene ambiance, Kyoto is a sanctuary for the soul.

2. Kerala, India: God’s Own Country

India’s southwestern gem, Kerala is among the ten paradises of the world as per National Geographic Traveler. Kerala also known as God’s own country is famous for its languid backwaters, lush tea plantations, palm-fringed beaches, and mouth-watering cuisine. When in Kerala one must trek through the hills of Munnar and unwind

The US Department of State has issued an important travel advisory for a popular travel destination.

The advisory, posted on Friday, warns travelers to “exercise increased caution” when traveling to The Bahamas due to crime. The alert is a Level 2 indicating the presence of widespread violent or organized crime with limited ability by law enforcement to respond.

The state department “rates the criminal threat level in New Providence Island (includes Nassau and Paradise Island) as critical. The vast majority of crimes occur on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) Islands. Criminal activity on the outlying Family Islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence or Grand Bahama,” the alert noted.

In tourist hot-spot Nassau, people were urged to exercise caution in the “Over the Hill” area south of Shirley Street due to violent crimes such as armed robberies and sexual assaults.

The alert came after the US Embassy in The Bahamas posted an alert urging citizens to be aware that “18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024,” USA Today reported. The murders have occurred in broad daylight and are believed to be motivated by retaliatory gang violence.

The embassy