Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Venice is all set to become the world’s first city to make an entrance fee compulsory for its tourists from next January in a bid to tackle overtourism. Starting from Jan 16, 2023, tourists will have to pay an entrance fee if they want to visit Venice, jewel in Italy’s tourism crown. The ticket’s prices will range from a three-euro minimum right up to 10 euros. The price will not be fixed, but will vary according to the number of visitors: The more requests for entry, the higher the cost. If the entrance fee is not paid, the tourist may face a fine of 300 euros (£258), according to The Independent. Venice’s councilor for tourism Simone Venturini on Friday announced the date at a press conference. The councilor termed this a “great revolution,” and a solution for the over tourism problem that the lagoon city has been facing for decades. Residents and children aged under six will be exempt, as will disabled people, homeowners, those who come to the city for health reasons or to visit relatives, and those coming to attend a sporting or cultural event, according to CNN’s report.

Bhutan is set to reopen its borders for tourists from September 23, focusing on the sustainability of the tourism industry. Indian tourists, for now, will pay the previously stipulated fee of Nu 1,200 per person per night. The rate will be revised at a later date. “COVID-19 has allowed us to reset – to rethink how the sector can be best structured and operated so that it not only benefits Bhutan economically but socially as well while keeping carbon footprints low. In the long run, our goal is to create high-value experiences for visitors, and well-paying and professional jobs for our citizens,” said Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of Bhutan and Chairperson of the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Nepal’s government has appointed Jeevan Ram Shrestha as Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Shrestha had taken over the post that oversees the country’s vital tourism and civil aviation sectors, both primary sources of foreign exchange earnings for the landlocked country. He said his priority was to revive tourism marred by prolonged Covid-19.

Learn, be inspired and find everything you need to create new experiences in New Zealand for your clients at this webinar that will take place today at 11am IST. New Zealand’s bespoke experiences cater to a wide range of new interests and tastes ensuring your clients will encounter true warmth and uncompromising hospitality. To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Experience Hub, the trade and promotion arm of Yas Island Abu Dhabi and a subsidiary of Miral and Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT) partnered to host 45 Indian leisure and MICE travel agents on a four-day familiarization trip to Abu Dhabi. The group was invited to be part of the glitz and glamour of the IIFA Awards along with discovering and participating in all of Abu Dhabi’s and Yas Island’s attractions. Yas Island,  one of the world’s fastest growing leisure and leading entertainment destinations hosted one of the grandest celebration of the Indian Cinema; the 22nd International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) 2022. The event took place at the Etihad Arena, the Middle East’s largest state-of-art indoor entertainment venue and was organized in collaboration with the Department  of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. The trip saw the agents experiencing rides at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World™  Abu Dhabi to trying their hand at golf at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, venturing to Yas Mall for some shopping, appreciating the amazing artworks at the Louvre Museum, marvelling at historical landmark Qasr Al Hosn, the presidential palace Qasr Al Watan, and then visiting the largest mosque in the country, none other than the architectural masterpiece Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to learn about the Emirate’s culture. They had the opportunity to experience the best of hospitality as Yas Island has more than 2,000 rooms and suites across 10 hotels including the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. Located on the Waterfront, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island features a 545-room and around 2000 sqm …

Tourism Office of Spain – Mumbai has announced two winners to its Spain Specialist Program ‘Know Barcelona’ quiz held alongside its webinar on the city on June 15. The winners are Shreyanka Churiwalla from Nimbus Tours & Travels and Nitish Gupta from Zenith Holidays. They take away a five-day trip to Barcelona and the surrounds in October 2022. This includes the international airfare ex-India.

Department of Tourism & Culture (DCT)- Abu Dhabi is organising a webinar titled ‘Summer like you mean it’ today at 3pm (IST). The aim is to educate the Indian travel trade about the various offerings in Abu Dhabi for families and leisure travellers. Agents can learn about family friendly attractions, culture, entertainment & activities options. To register contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +919650196532.

Tourism Australia’s specialist business unit, Business Events Australia, is rolling out the second phase of its international brand campaign, including a suite of new brand films, to position Australia as a global leader in business events. Tourism Australia’s Executive GM of Commercial & Business Events Australia, Robin Mack said the new suite of film assets will be part of a highly targeted marketing campaign across trade and social media targeting customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South-South East Asia and New Zealand.

South Korea has announced that starting 8 June 2022, all international travellers to Korea are not required to quarantine regardless of their vaccination status. COVID-19 testing will still be in effect, making it necessary for travelers to submit a negative COVID-19 test result. Travellers must do a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test before departing to Korea.

Singapore has eased entry for travellers. At the ‘Reimagine Cruising from Singapore’ webinar, it was revealed that travelers will not require Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) or Vaccinated Travel Passport (VTP) for entering Singapore. Now, it’s only a three-step process which includes proof of vaccination for pax of age 12 and above; apply your visa (3-day approval process) and submit your arrival cards online three days before arrival.