Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has proposed 392 routes under UDAN 4.1 bidding process, and is focused on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and seaplane routes. Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, MoCA, says, “This round invites bids for priority routes which have not been covered under UDAN so far.”

Swiss Travel System launches a new e-learning platform called the ‘Swiss Travel System Excellence Program’ for travel agents where they can learn everything about Swiss public transport. Gain knowledge and win attractive prizes with Heidi and Peter as they take the travel trade on a learning journey through the new Swiss Travel System Excellence Program. Sign up by 31 March, 2021 and four lucky winners will win Bucherer watches worth €400 each. Register at https://elearning.mystsnet.com/?utm_source=traveltrendstoday&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=stsexcellence2021

TOFTigers will launch the world’s best-known global Travelife Certification for travel operators and DMCs in the Indian market on April 7. The programme helps travel businesses evaluate, set targets, prove and communicate their sustainable mission and achievements. The tools are free with TOFTigers membership. To know more, contact Ritu Makhija at ritu.makhija@toftindia.org.

Travel Designer Group has entered into a direct dynamic distribution agreement with Hilton to distribute Hilton’s global hotel inventory on its B2B hotel reservation platform Rezlive.com. The agreement will allow Rezlive.com to access real-time availability and prices of Hilton’s hotel inventories.

Indiatourism Port Blair, in collaboration with Association of Andaman Tour Operators (AATO), has launched ‘India@75’, an industry-led movement which brings together different stakeholders of society to create a morally, economically and technologically advanced country. The programme, called ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ will commence 75 weeks prior to August 15, 2022 – the day independent India turns 75 – and end on August 15, 2023. The programme will also promote 2022 as ‘Visit India Year’ through various promotional campaigns highlighting India’s strengths like heritage, culture, art, wellness and yoga.

Speaking exclusively to TravTalk on the sidelines of the annual five-day global trade event ExploreGB, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain, said, “We expect 2022 to be a stellar year. The event will see around 30 buyers from India this year and we are expecting huge numbers from India when international travel resumes. India is one of the fastest growing markets for us.”

HVS ANAROCK’s monthly report titled ‘Hotels & Hospitality Overview’ reveals that in the month of January 2021, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Goa witnessed the highest increase in occupancy compared to the previous month. In fact, for the Indian hotel sector, occupancy remained between 46-48% on average, almost a 2% growth over December 2020.

In a discussion hosted by Indiatourism Guwahati on World NGO Day, panellists concurred that active participation of NGOs in the tourism sector has been a successful phenomenon in the First World, and that their role in the Northeast is evolving. ‘Such associations for the sustainable development of tourism industry has now gradually started in India,’ the MOT also Tweeted.

Rani George, Principal Secretary – Tourism, Government of Kerala, has said that the new tourism campaigns by the state government are helping Kerala resume tourism and that Ayurveda can be an added attraction for tourists arriving in the state. “We are also seeking suggestions from tourism stakeholders on how we can further promote domestic tourism in Kerala,” she added.

About 700 participants are expected at the SingapoReimagine MICE Virtual Show, an event organised by Singapore Tourism Board for local and international MICE players to connect and showcase their offerings. This is its first such collaboration with local MICE players. The two-day event will be held from 3 to 4 March 2021 and is part of Singapore’s efforts to catalyse the MICE industry’s recovery and generate business opportunities for its partners. The event will see up to 40 suppliers like hotels, convention centres and tour operators. Exhibitors include Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Airlines and Sentosa Development Corporation. The top 5 voted buyers will each win a hosted trip to Singapore on Singapore Airlines, inclusive of a hosted stay and exclusive experiences.