Tourism stakeholders of the Andaman Islands, Gujarat and Karnataka have sought urgent financial relief from their respective state governments and tourism departments, while also suggesting measures of revival. Said representations have been made by Andaman Association of Tour Operators, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Karnataka Tourism Society, respectively.

Beginning July, on recommendation of Tourism Authority of Thailand, the government of Thailand has said that fully vaccinated international visitors to Phuket province of Thailand, or those who have tested negative upon arrival, will be allowed to enter. There will be no quarantine for international travellers who must remain in Phuket for at least 7 nights before travelling elsewhere, under the proposed Phuket Sandbox programme.  

Emirates has extended the temporary suspension of carriage of passengers from India till June 30. Furthermore, passengers who have transited through India in the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE. However, UAE nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with COVID-19 protocols will be exempt. Passenger carriage from Dubai to India will continue as per available flight schedule.

FHRAI has stated that the RBI’s latest policy measures are grossly inadequate to address the problems of the hospitality industry and that the sector has yet again been ignored. Tourism and hospitality business being seasonal and dynamic, the industry is looking to receive specific tweaks in Resolution Framework 2.0 and has even submitted a representation to the RBI Governor.

Emirates has extended its suspension of passenger flights from India up to June 14, 2021. Furthermore, passengers who have transited through India in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE. However, UAE nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with COVID-19 protocols will be exempt.

Sudha Murty, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, has donated Rs10,000 each to 300 tourist guides from seven heritage hubs of the state of Karnataka that include Hampi, Belur, Halebid, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Chitra. The latest wave of COVID-19 has left tour guides destitute, especially after the ray of hope that the opening up of tourism beginning late 2020 had brought.

PA Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, Government of Kerala, has emphasised that it is vitally important to straightaway work out strategies and implement them fast to reactivate tourism. A meeting is also expected to be held with State Level Bankers Committee to explore what top lenders can do to support the sector from a crisis that could eventually harm the whole economy of the state.

IATA has said that it supports the unrestricted access to travel for vaccinated travellers as a growing number of countries make data and evidence-driven decisions to open their borders to them. In cases where vaccination is not possible, access to quarantine-free travel should be provided through COVID-19 testing strategies based on widely available, free-of-charge tests, the Associations suggests.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippines has proposed the possibility of setting up a Green Lane that will facilitate the entry of foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as part of the national government’s effort to reopen the economy. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that she is optimistic about the prospect. “The Green Lane will pave the way for the reopening of our tourist destinations to leisure travellers who are now fully vaccinated,” she added. The Green Lane will make it easier for such travellers to visit the country for leisure as quarantine rules are being relaxed with the progress of the vaccination worldwide.

In a recent notice to members of trade and industry, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has announced the introduction of an online e-EPCG Committee module on their website https://dgft.gov.in/ wherein members of trade can file applications for seeking relaxation in policy/ procedure in terms of para 2.58 of FTP 2015-20.