In an exclusive interaction with TravTalk, PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, said that during their meeting with the Tourism Minister, he suggested that MOT bring out a comprehensive study on domestic tourism so that trade members are aware about hotels, transporters, communication and infrastructure in a particular state, to help avoid chaos and confusion.

Airline & travel management company InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT) has launched its new user-friendly brand website to refurbish its digital presence and address the need of the hour.  The new website has been revamped to address the need of the current business landscape and is in-line with the company’s mission to provide its customers with the resources and tools to understand the experience and gain knowledge about the company’s three decades in the business. The website is designed to deliver a smooth experience by enabling efficient navigation between passenger services, cargo services, car rental and other pages. InterGlobe Air Transport has worked with Multia – the design division of Multiversity Group to completely revamp its website – www.interglobeairtransport.com.

A new report by McKinsey & Company states that in addition to table-stakes safety initiatives, brands must differentiate themselves and re-engage their travellers with visible, communications-based cues, such as notifications about health status of destination city and personalised notes on importance of testing and other safety measures.

Korea Tourism Organization will be conducting a webinar on Thursday, August 13 at 3pm for the Indian travel trade. The session will focus on Korea as a perfect destination for luxury experiences. Jong Sool Kwon, Director – Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, says, “South Korea has been one of the few nations which have successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve without any lockdown. Once travel opens up, there will be a demand for travel to places which not only entertain but provide safe and superior facilities and services. With this webinar, the aim is for travel agents to know the extraordinary experiences Korea has to offer and recommend South Korea as a first choice to travellers.” The tourism board invites members of the trade to sign up for this by contacting Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

Get insights on profitability and inspiring the confidence to travel at TravTalk’s 5th Digital Conclave on August 7, Friday, at 3 pm. Panellists include international speakers and real heroes who lead by example. To register for the sessions, email to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +919650196532.

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, has said that there is a great opportunity to boost domestic tourism or regional tourism by creating synergy between neighbouring states, since most of the people today feel safer while opting for self-drive holidays instead of travelling by air or train. She also said that safety and hygiene will be priorities for tourists because they will travel to destinations only if they are assured that the place they are visiting, eating at and staying in is safe.

In a bid to comply with demands from travellers and travel agents regarding information on an airline’s health and safety measures, Travelport has launched the Airline Health & Safety Tracker. This free-of-charge tool is available to both Travelport customers and the wider industry. It highlights the safety measures being undertaken by more than 80 of the world’s largest airlines – all available immediately. Data is delivered to both online and offline travel agencies through the recently launched Travelport COVID API-COVID-19 Resource Hub, which is also available to the general public. The new tool provides detailed information on a range of topics, including lockdown rules, entry requirements and quarantine measures for travellers. Country-level information can be displayed at the click of a button, allowing agents to advise their customers easily and instantly. Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer at InterGlobe Technology Quotient, says, “Gradual shifts towards safer journeys with refined safety measures is leading us to an evolving industry. To be able to track and match these safety measures with respective requirements shall lay genesis for a better travel booking experience, one that is frequently ensured by Travelport, lately with the Airline Health & Safety Tracker. This readily-accessible aid shall undoubtedly bring much respite from tedious manual searching and help travellers meet their respective requirements.

jüSTa Hotels & Resorts has opened doors to its four properties in Rajasthan. Rohit Katyal, National Sales Head, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, says that these properties are already getting some leisure bookings from Delhi, Jaipur and some parts of Gujarat, with most guests driving in. This Monsoon season, explore the Mewar kingdom of Rajasthan with jüSTa Hotels & Resorts. Spend some quality time with your loved ones at the gorgeous Lake Nahargarh Palace in Chittorgarh, dwell in the divinity of Shrinathji at Brij Bhoomi in Nathdwara, or simply experience the Venice of East at Sajjangarh Resort & Spa and Rajputana in Udaipur.

According to the Global COVID-19 Index published on July 28, Thailand leads out of 184 countries for its ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort. It received an index score of 82.06 that put it on the top of the global chart.

In its webinar, ‘Reinventing the Airport Business Model in India’, CAPA India said that the current crisis must force a re-think and re-invention of the airport business model over the next five years. To increase aero and non-aero revenue, airports need to attract more non-stop, long-haul and wide-body services. Post-COVID, passengers may prefer non-stop flights instead of flights via a hub. CAPA India also talked about the need to reinvent the approach to route development, which should be more holistic and include forward bookings, travel search trends, consumer survey and travel trade research.