IATO Elections will be held on 6th March 2021. In a communication released by IATO, on behalf of Homa Mistry, Returning Officer, IATO Elections -2020, it was revealed that in a meeting called by him, it was decided to hold the elections on 6th March 2021. It was also decided to take a call whether to hold the elections with physical presence of the members or to be done online. This will be decided as per prevailing pandemic conditions at that time for which the call will be taken in the beginning of February 2021.

Asit Tripathy, Chief Secretary, Odisha, has asked that the department of tourism to develop homestay facilities in remote areas untouched by hotel network. “Nature trail and experiential tourism is the current fad, and Odisha has much to offer in this sector,” he said. Tripathy has directed the tourism department to ensure quality, hospitality, hygiene and safety of tourists at these facilities.

Thomas Cook India has partnered with IndiGo to launch air-inclusive ‘Crazy Deals IndiGo Special’ that includes a range of options and value-adds at great prices. Domestic destinations include Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal, North East, etc. and start at Rs 9,990 while international destinations start at 29,990.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has written to Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of Tourism to request them to open tourist visas for foreigners to visit India; to make RTPCR tests mandatory for all arriving passengers with no quarantine; to absorb the costs of RTPCR test and waive it for travellers; should offer mandatory travel insurance for all incoming tourists, and allow travel to countries with which they don’t have air bubble agreement via flights through countries with which These agreements  are in place. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, had commented recently, “This would allow airlines to offer connecting flights to countries that are allowing Indians to visit. Many countries, which are not connected directly, like South Africa, South America, etc., but people want to travel there. Hence, there is a need to open beyond air bubbles. This would allow footfall on both sides.”

To educate the travel trade on Ireland’s products and COVID safety guidelines, Tourism Ireland India will conduct a webinar on Nov 19 at 3.30pm IST. It will have an interesting line-up of Irish suppliers including hotels, attractions and tours, with exciting gift hampers to be won! To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, has announced that the state is now open to visitors, but they have to follow the SOPs, that includes a COVID, negative report. Khandu tweeted regarding the same and stated, “Arunachal Pradesh opens today to welcome tourists. Get mesmerized by its beauty and rejuvenated by the purity of its nature. Those who dreamt—it’s time to explore.” Here’s what tourists have to keep in mind when visiting Arunachal Pradesh: As per the SOP, only pre-booked package tours, done exclusively via local tours operators of the state will be allowed to operate. All ground handling and tourist transport services, including pick up/drop, will also be authorised via local travel tour/agent operators. Since Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to visit the state, visitors will need to provide four other additional documents—tour itineraries and vehicle details, COVID-19 certificate, tour booking slips, and details of the guide and driver. Tourists should possess a valid COVID-19 negative certificate (RTPCR or True NAT test) from ICMR designated laboratory/facility, which they have undergone not more than 72 hours prior to the date of arrival, as per a government notification. All tourists, accompanying drivers and guides from outside the state should adhere to COVID-19 inter-state traveller testing protocol issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Arunachal Pradesh. As per the protocol, tourists should strictly observe adequate social distancing norms. Although family groups can stay together, they would have to ensure that they will remain 2 m away from other individuals or family groups. Visitors are expected to wear protective face masks when they are within the premises of any tourist destination and that all payments are processed via digital mode, …

India Tourism Mart (ITM), which was announced by the Tourism Minister to be held as a hybrid event, will not happen in November as was being planned earlier, revealed Subhash Goyal, Secretary General, FAITH. He said, “We had planned for the ITM to be held in November, but unfortunately, the Minister was not available owing to other commitments on those dates. We can now do it in end-December or beginning of January. We are in touch with the MOT for the same and will get a date very soon.”

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray and Minister of State Aditi Tatkare yesterday unveiled the new logo and new feedback QR code of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). They also unveiled the logo of Boat Club in Nashik. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed with Airbnb, an online marketplace company, to boost tourism in the state. Speaking on this occasion, Mr Thackeray said that the culture of Maharashtra is reflected in a meaningful way in the new logo of MTDC. He said, there is a huge scope for the development of the tourism sector in the state in the post-Corona period. He noted that in such a scenario, the role of MTDC’s resorts and various initiatives in the state are important. He said that employment generation from tourism in the state would be boosted in future. Minister of State Aditi Tatkare said that at present, the Department of Tourism and MTDC are jointly implementing innovative initiatives to boost the tourism and hospitality business in the state. She said, the new logo of MTDC is a testament to the culture, bravery and richness of nature of the state. Ms Tatkare said, this will introduce a new dimension to tourism in Maharashtra. She said that the new initiatives being implemented by the corporation would provide more facilities to the tourists coming to the state. The Ministers applauded Head of the Indian School of Design and Innovation Dr. Indu Shahani and her team for creating the new logo.

The Indian Rail Catering Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced tour packages between Mumbai and Vadodara-Ahmedabad in Gujarat to boost occupancy on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Express. Speaking at a press conference Rahul Himalian, Group General Manager, IRCTC West Zone, revealed that the packages might be launched in December, and they haven’t yet decided on the rates for the same. However, it could cost around ₹2000 per person per day. “The travel includes optional tourist itineraries of 3 nights/4 days and 4 nights/5 days covering historical, cultural and exotic destinations in and around Vadodara and Ahmedabad with the Statue of Unity in Kevadia as one of the main attractions. Passengers can travel on board the Tejas Express and explore Vadodara and Ahmedabad from Mumbai. Similar packages for Mumbai for passengers traveling from Gujarat are also being prepared by IRCTC. These tours will have accommodation in three or four star hotels and vehicles for sightseeing,” he said. He also revealed that the occupancy of the train, which has 736 seats, was at just 25 to 40 per cent as against 50-80 per cent before the outbreak.

Air India will operate additional flights between India and the UK from December 11, 2020 until March 27, 2021. Also, the national carrier will operate additional flights between India & France from 3rd January to 22nd March, 2021 under the air bubble agreement. The UK flight will be Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham every Friday and Birmingham-Amritsar-Delhi every Saturday. Bookings are now open. These flights are in addition to the existing flights operating between India and the UK.  The new Delhi-Paris flights will be operating four days a week in the new year – from Delhi to Paris on Thursdays and Sundays, and from Paris to Delhi on Mondays and Fridays