Haitham Mattar, who presently serves as Senior Advisor at Saudi Ministry of Tourism, will take over as Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) at IHG Hotels & Resorts April 18th onwards and will be based at their Dubai office. This is Mattar’s second stint at IHG, having previously spent 11 years at the company between 2000 and 2011 in different capacities.

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled a new safety video, filmed on location at Louvre Abu Dhabi, to give passengers across the globe, a glimpse of what attractions the capital has to offer. Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways said: “Our safety video needed a refresh including the safety messaging requirements due to COVID. This new video goes beyond its main purpose of educating guests about essential safety information, it also reflects our brand and personality, while leveraging the very best of our beautiful home, Abu Dhabi.” The video is set at Louvre Abu Dhabi, with Etihad’s very own cabin crew demonstrating safety features of the aircraft and other Etihad employees acting as guests. Emirati voice-over artists were used to voice the video in English and Arabic. To further ensure a consistent guest experience, the accompanying music is part of Etihad’s new signature sound collection which is used across the airline for a variety of touch points. The sonic branding is inspired by Abu Dhabi and is an eclectic mix of Emirati and international instrumentation and arrangements, played by musicians from the UAE and around the world. Etihad’s new safety video will be progressively rolled out starting with the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners in April 2021. To protect health and safety, the new video was filmed following strict COVID safety protocols, including all cast and crew having to present a negative PCR test.

Indian flag carrier Air India has announced that it will operate a direct flight between Moscow’s Sheremetyevo AS Pushkin Airport and Goa airport every Thursday from April 14 to October 28, 2021. The carrier has opened bookings for the flight via its website, booking offices, call centre and authorised travel agents.

Karnataka Tourism Directorate has decided to consider 62 Star Classified Hotels, and also those applying and registering in future as a Star Classified Hotel, as Industry status. These hotels have to apply and get Industry certificate from Commissioner, Industrial Development and Director, Industry and Commercial Department. The order is applicable April 1, 2021 onwards.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is set to connect virtually with Indian stakeholders through CruiseWorld India 2021 on April 6, 2021, revealed GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East and South, STB. Themed ‘Charting our Pathway to Cruise Recovery’, the event will bring together key cruise lines and cruise agents stakeholders, highlight the safe, gradual resumption of cruise operations in Singapore and provide destination updates.

Opening in 2022, Amaala will be an ultra-luxury resort destination spanning three sites – a first for the region. Its pristine natural environment and temperate climate will provide a magnificent backdrop to premium facilities, diverse offerings and engaging experiences. Hidden in plain sight on Saudi Arabia’s north western coast, Amaala will be a place of self-transformation inspired by the arts, wellness and the purity of the Red Sea.

Hyatt Hotels plans to grow its brand footprint in India by more than 70% by 2023. With over 20 executed managed and franchised agreements, Hyatt will add more than 3,600 keys to its existing portfolio across eight distinct brands in the country, including the Andaz, Alila, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Place.

The Gujarat chapter of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has tied up with Samved Hospital in Ahmedabad to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination of its accredited members as well as their spouse. The first round of the inoculation drive has already been completed successfully. With this, the Association aims to always be at the forefront for the betterment and benefit of its members.

The latest air ticket data analysed by ForwardKeys reveals that comparing April-September 2021 against the same six months in 2019, a significant shift in source markets is evident. The USA, which used to account for 31% of actual air tickets into India pre-COVID has doubled. The UK, a traditional source market, has shrunk by more than half to only 6%.

Dr. Dhananjay Regmi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board, has said that their government may soon open land borders with India so that the number of tourists visiting can grow. “There are immigration points between India and Nepal near Darjeeling, Siliguri, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Bihar. I have suggested to the industry in India that they make land transport packages to Nepal,” he said.