Krishna Murthy, Founder & Managing Director, SWT Club, shares that they have developed an authentic-time solution platform potentiated with technology and customisable product offerings for agents across India. “It is supplemented with a team of enthusiasts who handhold travel agent partners’ business growth with zeal and transparency. The year 2020 gave us enough time to redesign our business process by harnessing technology,” he says. SWT is a Global DMC, empowering Travel Agents in India to connect with travel service providers worldwide through a dynamic two-way online interface. With an industry experience of more than 18 years, the company has a vast network of travel supplier across the globe.

Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel recently chaired a hybrid meeting of the Central Advisory Board on Culture (CABC) in New Delhi. In the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the ongoing activities undertaken by the government and the way ahead in the celebration of 75 years of India’s independence – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Members of the CABC took cognizance of the activities and gave their valuable suggestions in this regard.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel surveyed over 4000 customers across India’s Tier I-III cities in a recent survey to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the COVID era. The survey revealed that as many as 66% respondents are willing to spend additional towards personal health & safety, while 19% cite uncertainty as a concern. Safety seems to be a key parameter for at least 70% respondents.

Ministry of Tourism and its field offices have initiated week-long online activities within the country and abroad to celebrate International Yoga Day 2021. Besides organising a webinar titled ‘Yoga for Immunity’, various programmes ensuring the wide participation of people from different segments of society and age groups have also been planned to create more awareness about Yoga.

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has drafted separate national strategies and roadmaps for MICE as well as medical & wellness tourism. Before proceeding to finalise the draft strategy document and to make the document more comprehensive, MOT has invited feedback/ comments/ suggestions to be sent to the Ministry on or before June 30, 2021.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), New Delhi office is set to welcome buyers to the 1st virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ B2B event that starts tomorrow. Scheduled from 22-24 June, the event will commence with Day-1 dedicated to invite-only buyers, and will be open for all after that. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Urging the industry to plan for the future now, Madhavan Menon, CMD, Thomas Cook India, speaking at the company’s ‘Mission Tomorrow’ event, said, “Q4 2021 and all of 2022 are going to see a rush. I believe we are going to enter that phase where people are going to go into revenge mode. I can see domestic travel and international travel bouncing back. Please plan your trips!”

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has funded a training course and manual to help both Thai and ASEAN travel and tourism executives understand the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The course, conceptualised and compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire, will facilitate brainstorming of ideas to enhance the visibility of the SDGs. The training manual will be available free of cost.

In the ongoing row over unethical business practices involving MakeMyTrip and Goibibo (Go-MMT) giving the preferential listing to Oyo and putting other budget hotel franchises at disadvantage, a division bench of the Gujarat High Court has directed the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to afford Oyo Rooms an opportunity of hearing. On the said matter, FHRAI is pitching for open and fair competition in the market and intends to put an end to the disruption caused by Oyo.

Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTM) is organising a COVID vaccination drive in collaboration with the Kerala Tourism Department, to give priority to those who are working in the tourism sector. The aim is to make Kerala the first 100% tourism vaccinated state in India by providing complete vaccination to those working in the tourism sector and other tourism associates. The motive of KTM is to declare the tourism sector safe by vaccinating everyone who is a part of it. This is essential for the re-opening of tourism in Kerala. To reach this goal, the tourism department has introduced priority vaccination for the age group of 18-44 years and has appointed nodal officers to carry out this task. In addition to this, district-wise KTM members have been appointed as liaison officers to assist nodal officers with this initiative. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President, KTM Society, has informed that KTM has also launched a vaccination drive in collaboration with private sector hospitals to expedite the vaccination of people of all age groups who are working in the tourism sector. For more information on this vaccination drive and its coordination, KTM has launched a help desk (Phone No. 9747720077). Somatheeram has requested all members of the tourism sector to utilise this opportunity and get vaccinated. This will help the industry prepare for a safe re-opening of the tourism sector in Kerala and restart businesses soon.