Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Speaking on the sidelines of the 3-day networking platform Virtual ATB 2021, Petra Stolba, CEO, Austrian National Tourist Office, said, ““Right now tourism faces many questions. Short-term ones, such as what Covid means for the coming summer season as well as long-term about the future of travel and opportunities through digitalisation. With the Austrian Tourism Days right at the restart of tourism in Austria, we are giving the industry valuable assistance and orientation.” The programme will focus on sales, innovation, safe holidays and the future of travel.

Turespaña has launched a new feature within the TRAVEL SAFE microsite of the official Spanish tourism portal www.spain.info, whereby international tourists who wish to go to Spain can consult the travel restrictions due to COVID-19 in the country, as well as the entry and exit requirements for their respective countries. TRAVEL SAFE microsite has included an information system, permanently updated on travel restrictions due to COVID-19, which allows to consult the information necessary to make any trip from 50 countries, including India, to Spain.

Winner of Amazon voucher on participating in all the webinars organised by the Tourism Office of Spain – Mumbai recently, Sonal Swamy, MD, Syrisa Travels, says, “The webinars were amazing, interactive, incredibly interesting, very useful and packed with great content. I enjoyed every bit of it especially the part of Seville which got back pleasant memories of my trip around the coast of Spain. I can’t wait to get back to Spain!”

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has introduced AlUla in Saudi Arabia as a heritage and cultural destination to the Indian market. Melanie de Souza, Executive Director, Destination Marketing, said, “We see great potential in promoting tourism to AlUla from India. Besides high-value, leisure travellers, we will promote AlUla as an extension to an Umrah tour.” Sharing details of their promotional strategy, she adds, “We have started our promotional activities with trade to promote and showcase AlUla as a leisure and MICE destination through our India partner, Beautiful Planet Destination Marketing. We have been working with travel trade to create awareness and interest in AlUla and build visitation. We have been engaging with travel trade through webinars, trainings and presentations. We will closely work with key travel trade partners on joint promotional activities. In addition, we will continue to participate in trade shows to showcase the destination. Furthermore, we will continue to disseminate monthly newsletters to travel agents across India to keep them updated about AlUla. Once the borders open, we will implement roadshows and travel trade famils.”  

Nepal has suspended all domestic flights from 3rd May midnight and all international flights from 6th May midnight until May 14 amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. “The decision on flight restrictions are in place until May 14. However, charter flights will be allowed,” said the Himalayan nation’s Health Minister, Hridayesh Tripathi. Nepal has also made quarantine mandatory for everyone arriving in the country.

While remaining confined to their homes for months, all people can do is dream about travelling to different exciting destinations across the globe. The outbreak of the pandemic has transformed the outlook of the people and way they look at travel. Considering the need of the hour, putting safety measures in place, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s premier leisure and entertainment hub, has geared up to welcome tourists with Safe Travel Protocols. The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures, including testing, tracing and travel health certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel. Safety Measures Undertaken For Safe Travel Over the past year, Yas Island has introduced comprehensive measures on health and safety protocol following UAE authorities’ guidance to ensure visitors feel confident to return to the destination like nowhere else. To ensure that the guests feel safe and secure while travelling to Yas Island, the authorities at Yas Island have undertaken extraordinary safety measures to make sure that island sanitization, physical distancing, and capacity guidelines are up to global standards. Thermal scanners at entry points will monitor guest temperatures and the island will take extra precautions high-traffic areas and frequent touch points with increased cleaning and disinfection practices. Yas Island awarded coveted WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ stamp In recognition of its advanced safety efforts, Yas Island has received the coveted WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, marking it the first destination in Abu Dhabi to receive the international honor, providing additional reassurance to visitors looking forward to experiencing Yas Island and its many offerings – all safe in the knowledge that the island is maintaining the highest standards of public health and safety. Vaccination Drive Demonstrating its commitment to …

The UAE has extended the suspension imposed on entry of passengers flying from India into the country until May 14 on account of the situation. It had announced the suspension from midnight on April 25 until May 4. The only exceptions to the ban on entry are UAE nationals, diplomats and persons holding golden residency visas.

Los Angeles is starting its comeback, safely reopening museums, indoor dining, theme parks and outdoor live events including spectator sports, with appropriate capacity controls and safety protocols. Now, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is inspiring lovers of LA to start their comeback, whenever they are ready, with the launch of an advertising campaign. Los Angeles Tourism has developed new advertising that presents the concept of LA being a movie; specifically, a comeback story. A double entendre, the comeback story is a nod to the challenges the destination has faced over the past year, while acknowledging the overflowing optimism for the future – with the campaign’s creative aiming to inspire visitors to come back to LA. Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism, says, “Our focus groups around the world have taught us that visitors view a trip to Los Angeles as a transformative experience. LA’s more than 300 days of healing sunshine, spirit-lifting champion sports teams, inspiring cultural attractions, electric new hotels and restaurants, and endless outdoor experiences are the balm travelers seek.”          

Speaking on the sidelines of Virtual Gulf Travel Show 2021, Manoharan Periasamy, senior director of International Promotion Asia & Africa Division, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board said, “Tourism Malaysia has pan-India presence, however, Gujarat remains one of our main markets for tourism. For this, our Mumbai-based office is touching base with international tourism operators in Ahmedabad.” Of the 5 lakh tourists visiting Malaysia every year, before the pandemic, a major chunk was from Gujarat.

The UAE has affirmed that it stands in full solidarity with India amidst the challenging health situation in the country. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s leisure and entertainment hub, lit up in solidarity with the people of India as the country faces a record surge in Covid-19 cases. In light of the current situation, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island displayed the flag of India on its grid shell light canopy last night, as Yas Island extended a message of hope and unity.