In a re-shuffle of the state cabinet, the Odisha government has posted Surendra Kumar, who was the Principal Secretary – Steel and Mines, in the General Administration department with the additional charge of the Tourism department as its Principal Secretary. Vishal Dev, who was the Principal Secretary of Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs in the Odisha government, has been appointed as the new Principal Secretary of the Finance department.

CAPA India reveals that among PPP airports, Hyderabad is expected to recover closest to pre-COVID traffic at 31.3 per cent, while Mumbai will be the furthest behind at 52.3 per cent. This is according to its updated outlook for airports for FY2022. And though Mumbai’s recovery underperforms other metro airports, it may be possible for the airport to accelerate during the year and achieve higher volumes.

Conrad Clifford, IATA’s Deputy Director General and Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, believes that vaccination and testing have a role to play in the recovery of international travel, and it is not sustainable to maintain a ‘zero caseload’ approach. He says, “It is not an option to wait for vaccines to be widely available before reopening borders. The global vaccine roll-out is likely to take time.”

Indian flag carrier Air India has launched non-stop flights from Delhi to Kathmandu that will be operated thrice a week, every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The flight will depart from Delhi at 12:55 pm and arrive in Kathmandu at 2:35 pm. Air travellers entering Nepal are required to submit a COVID-19 negative report of swab taken within 72 hours of boarding and unless exempted, a proof of hotel booking for 10 days of hotel quarantine or confirmation of home quarantine.

G Kishan Reddy, Cabinet Minister for Tourism & Culture, held a review meeting with ministers and senior officials of the northeastern states on development of tourism and promotion of the culture of the region. At the meeting held in the Assamese city of Guwahati, representatives shared their commitment to the holistic and inclusive development of the tourism sector in the Northeast.

The World Health Organization, under its Temporary Recommendations to State Parties, has said that it is critical for all countries to recognise all COVID-19 vaccines that have received WHO Emergency Use Listing in the context of international travel. In addition, State Parties should consider a risk-based approach to the facilitation of international travel by lifting measures, when appropriate, in accordance with the WHO guidance.

Indian LCC SpiceJet has introduced new exclusive non-stop flights from Patna to Surat and Bagdogra. The thrice-weekly flight to Surat and back will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while the Patna-Bagdogra-Patna route will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The airline has also launched new flights between Patna and Kolkata that will operate thrice weekly.

Cabinet Minister for Tourism & Culture, G Kishan Reddy, recently met with Alok Ranjan, Minister of Art Culture & Youth Department, Government of Bihar, to discuss the several initiatives undertaken by the state for the promotion of its culture and heritage. As part of the continued efforts, Bihar Museum is also all set to open its largest gallery for visitors from September.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Cabinet Minister for Civil Aviation, chaired the first discussion of the advisory group on airport operators as well as airlines to deliberate on issues and the way forward for the sector. Early last week, the Minister had announced three advisory groups to work out such matters and help solve challenges that the civil aviation sector of India faces.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report which reveals how destinations can grow responsibly, using the Destination Stewardship model. It lays out how destinations can balance the needs of visitors and residents, with the involvement of both the public and private sector based on the responsible use of shared or ‘common pool’ resources.