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    TRAVEL & TOURISM                                                      AUGUST 14, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 43

                        Namibia Tourism Board                                                                         Spanish Village

                  Strengthens India Outreach                                                                       Prepares for a Rare
                                                                                                                        Double Night

            WINDHOEK:                                                                                             BURGOS:

                  he Namibia Tourism Board                                                                              tiny village in northern Spain
                                                                                                                        is preparing to witness one
                  (NTB) is stepping up its engage-                                                                A
            Tment with the Indian market as                                                                             of the world’s rarest celestial
            it seeks to attract high-value travellers                                                             events on August 12, when residents
            through a renewed focus on luxury                                                                     and visitors will experience darkness
            tourism, strategic trade partnerships                                                                 twice in a single evening as a total
            and destination marketing initiatives.                                                                solar  eclipse  coincides  with  sunset.
                The tourism authority has iden-                                                                   The phenomenon is expected to
            tified India as one of its priority out-                                                              transform the quiet hamlet of Avel-
            bound markets and is repositioning                                                                    lanosa de Muñó, in Burgos province,
            Namibia as a premium destination                                                                      into an unexpected destination for
            for wildlife safaris, adventure experi-                                                               astronomy enthusiasts and eclipse
            ences, conservation-led tourism and                                                                   chasers.
            exclusive  luxury  holidays.  As  part                                                                    The village, home to only a
            of this strategy, the NTB is increas-                                                                 handful of permanent residents, is
            ing collaborations with Indian travel                                                                 known for its peaceful surroundings,
            partners, tour operators and trade                                                                    abandoned buildings and near-silent
            stakeholders to improve destination   economic  growth  through  tourism.  travel exhibitions and trade events   streets. However, for a brief period,
            awareness and boost visitor arrivals.  Industry leaders say India’s   across Europe, Asia and other global   it will become one of the best loca-
                A key pillar of the campaign is the   growing base of affluent internation-  markets to expand its international   tions in Europe to witness the rare
            launch of the Namibia Luxury Travel   al travellers presents a significant op-  footprint.            overlap of a total solar eclipse and
            Market (NLTM), envisioned as the   portunity for Namibia. The country’s   Tourism remains a key contribu-  the natural setting of the Sun. As
            country’s flagship tourism trade plat-  tourism  strategy  is now focused on   tor to Namibia’s economy, support-  the Moon completely blocks sun-
            form. The event will bring together   attracting discerning visitors seeking   ing  employment,  foreign  exchange   light moments before sunset, the
            international buyers, luxury travel   exclusive experiences, including lux-  earnings and local businesses.   landscape will plunge into an eerie
            specialists and tourism suppliers,   ury lodges, desert landscapes, wild-  Through its intensified outreach and   darkness before the Sun briefly reap-
            providing an opportunity to showcase   life encounters, cultural heritage and   luxury-focused positioning, the coun-  pears and then disappears below the
            Namibia’s premium hospitality offer-  sustainable tourism experiences that   try hopes to capture a larger share of   horizon, creating the illusion of night
            ings and strengthen business-to-busi-  distinguish Namibia from traditional   India’s rapidly expanding outbound   arriving twice.
            ness  partnerships.  Officials  believe   long-haul destinations.   travel market while reinforcing its   Astronomers describe the event
            the initiative will help position the   Beyond India, the Namibia Tour-  reputation as a destination offering   as exceptionally uncommon because
            country as a leading luxury desti-  ism Board has lined up an extensive   exclusive,  sustainable  and  authentic   it combines two distinct twilight ef-
            nation  in  Africa  while  supporting   calendar of international roadshows,   African experiences.   fects. The Moon’s shadow rapidly
                                                                                                                  darkens the sky from above during
            Kusha Kapila Sparks Interest in Scenic European Escapes                                               totality, while the setting Sun simul-
                                                                                                                  taneously dims the horizon, produc-
                                                                                                                  ing a dramatic visual spectacle unlike
            GENEVA:                           of iconic locations have also drawn   encouraging travellers to spend more   an ordinary sunset.
                                              praise from followers seeking both   time exploring destinations at a lei-  Depending on atmospheric con-
                  ontent creator and actor Ku-  travel and fashion inspiration.  surely pace.                     ditions, observers may also witness
                  sha Kapila’s recent vacation    Switzerland continues to remain   Kapila’s latest getaway joins a   striking colours, unusual shadows
            Cin Switzerland has caught        a preferred destination for Indian   growing trend of celebrities using so-  and a rapidly changing sky.
            the attention of travel enthusiasts,   tourists, particularly among families,   cial media to document experiential   Spain is expected to attract thou-
            with her social media posts showcas-  luxury travellers and honeymooners.   travel, inspiring audiences to priori-  sands of domestic and international
            ing the country’s picturesque alpine   Tourism authorities have increasing-  tise meaningful holidays over packed   visitors for the  eclipse,  with sever-
            landscapes, charming towns and re-  ly collaborated with celebrities, in-  itineraries. Industry observers believe   al regions along the path of totality
            laxed lifestyle. The trip has reignit-  fluencers and digital creators to pro-  such content not only boosts desti-  making special viewing arrange-
            ed interest among Indian travellers   mote the country through authentic   nation visibility but also encourages   ments. Experts advise spectators to
            looking for immersive international   storytelling, helping inspire a new   personalised travel planning cen-  use  certified  eclipse  glasses  during
            experiences  beyond  conventional   generation of travellers.       tred on culture, wellness and nature.  the partial phases and avoid looking
            sightseeing.                          Travel  experts  say  that  influ-  As international travel demand   directly at the Sun without proper
                From serene lakes and mountain   encer-led travel content is playing a   from India continues to grow, desti-  protection.
            railways to quaint villages and café-  significant  role  in  shaping  destina-  nations like Switzerland are expected   For  Avellanosa  de  Muñó,  the
            lined  streets,  Kapila’s  travel  diary   tion preferences. Instead of focusing   to benefit from the increasing influ-  extraordinary event offers a rare mo-
            highlighted Switzerland’s appeal as a   solely on famous landmarks, creators   ence of digital creators whose trav-  ment in the global spotlight, proving
            destination that blends natural beau-  are increasingly showcasing local   el narratives resonate strongly with   that even the smallest villages can
            ty with slow-paced exploration. Her   experiences, scenic train journeys,   younger audiences planning their   become the centre of a once-in-a-
            effortless vacation style and glimpses   boutique stays and regional cuisine,   next overseas vacation.  lifetime astronomical experience.

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