Travel Unpacked: Dark week for aviation to close out 2024 and New Year's Eve updates around the world

The National rounds up the most interesting tourism news you might have missed

Buddhist monks mourn lives lost in Sunday's Jeju Air crash, the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. AFP

The last week of the year was a dark one for global aviation, with deadly plane crashes in South Korea and Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, Dubai has been crowned the most Instagrammable New Year’s Eve destination by travel company Travel Bag. Other destinations have cancelled celebrations or put new rules in place. And a private island destination exclusively for cruise passengers has opened in Saudi Arabia.

Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

A dark week for aviation to close out 2024

While statistics show that flying is safer than driving, the last week of the year was a dark one for aviation.

In South Korea, a Jeju Air flight crashed at Muan Airport while attempting to land without its landing gear deployed. Of the 181 passengers and crew on board, only two cabin crew survived. A bird strike is the suspected cause of the country's worst aviation disaster.

That tragedy followed a plane crash in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight is thought to have been accidentally shot down by Russian defence systems, killing 38 people on-board. Twenty-nine survived.

On Monday, a Swiss International Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Graz, Austria, after a suspected engine issue saw the cabin fill with smoke. An emergency evacuation was carried out and all passengers survived. However, three sustained minor injuries and one crew member remains in hospital on life support.

There have been other tragic incidents in 2024. In August, a Voepass Airlines flight crashed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, killing 62 people. In July, a Saurya Airlines flight crashed in Nepal, resulting in 18 fatalities. The pilot was the only survivor.

In May, a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence en route from London to Singapore. One person was killed and at least 30 others were injured. And in January, a Japan Airlines flight collided with a coastguard jet at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Passengers on the commercial jet were successfully evacuated, but five of the coastguard crew died.

Dubai tops wish lists for New Year's Eve picture posts

Fireworks lighting up the sky at Burj Khalifa are a big New Year's Eve attraction in Dubai. AFP

Travellers will be flocking to Dubai for New Year’s Eve celebrations after the city was ranked as the most Instagrammable New Year’s Eve destination by travel company Travel Bag.

With fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and on Palm Jumeirah, the city has no shortage of celebrations planned, and is proving popular on Instagram.

Travel Bag found there were more than 10,000 hashtags for #NewYearinDubai on Instagram. New York comes a close second, with more than 5,600 hashtags. Paris, London and Prague round up the top five Instagrammable destinations for New Year's Eve, according to the study.

In terms of Google Searches, Sydney in Australia tops the list for New Year's destinations. One of the first major cities to ring in the new year, it is renowned for its Sydney Harbour fireworks display. Dubai ranks third in the Google Searches list behind second-placed Nashville, which is known for its Big Bash party at Bicentennial Park.

Saudi Arabia unveils private island for cruise ship guests

A private island beach dedicated to cruise passengers has opened in the Red Sea. Photo: Cruise Saudi

A private island exclusively for cruise passengers has opened in Saudi Arabia. The development, with beach clubs, private villas, shops, a floating park and restaurant, when fully complete, will be accessible to all Cruise Saudi passengers.

Saba Beach, part of the Jebal Al-Sabaya Island development, welcomed its first cruise passengers on December 21. It is located in the Red Sea, 220 nautical miles from Jeddah. Lars Klassen, chief executive of Cruise Saudi, described Jebal Al-Sabaya Island as a “world-class destination”.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s first cruise liner took to the ocean this week. Aroya, which has 19 decks, 1,678 cabins, 20 entertainment venues, 12 restaurants and 17 lounges, is currently sailing around the Red Sea and will soon offer trips to Egypt and Jordan.

New Year cancellations and restrictions around the world

Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations have been cancelled. Getty

Destinations around the world are implementing new rules and cancelling festivities ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations.

Edinburgh's December 30 torchlight procession has been cancelled due to high winds. Some 20,000 torchbearers had been expected to make their way through the Scottish capital's streets for the annual parade. The city's street party on Hogmanay which was to feature live music from Texas and a fireworks display in front of Edinburgh Castle, has also been cancelled on public safety grounds.

In Venice, where thousands traditionally flock to St Mark's Square every year, people will not be able to buy alcohol in glass bottles, closed cans or capped plastic bottles after 7pm on New Year's Eve. The new rule applies to shops, restaurants and bars, and will remain in place until 6am on January 1. The Italian destination is also banning the consumption of drinks in glass containers in public places over the New Year period.

Authorities in Lyon, too, have banned the consumption of alcohol in public from 5pm on December 31 until 11am on January 1. Fireworks are also banned for revellers in the French destination, with restrictions on the sale, purchase, possession and transportation of fireworks in place from now until January 3.

In India, New Year's Eve celebrations at Mysore Palace have been cancelled as a mark of respect for late prime minister, Manmohan Singh, who died on Friday. Typically, the Karnataka landmark is illuminated in colour and hosts a fireworks display to usher in the new year.

Events are also being curtailed in South Korea following Sunday's airline disaster. The Korean Broadcasting Corporation's huge K-pop-inspired festival, set to take place on December 31 in Jung-gu, has been cancelled.

In Rio de Janeiro, home to the world's biggest New Year's Eve celebration, new traffic restrictions are being rolled out. Avenida Atlantica, an avenue that spans Copacabana Beach, will be closed to traffic from 8am on December 31. In previous years, roads remained accessible until the afternoon. Parking is also prohibited along the same route from 6am on December 30 until January 2.