Asia has had, and will continue to have, a much more cautious approach to dealing with the pandemic. This, when combined with the likely resurgence in cases in the Asian region, there is little sign that Asia Pacific states will be rushing to reopen borders in 2021. It will be well into 2022 before substantial changes occur, according to CAPA Centre for Aviation analysis.

Indian carriers can now operate 15% more domestic flights with the government raising the cap on the same from 50% of pre-Covid level to 65% from this week. During the pandemic, the aviation ministry has been regulating both domestic fares and capacity. Now that the second wave is ebbing and daily cases have fallen, the domestic capacity — which was reduced from 80% of pre-Covid to 50% on June 1 — has been increased.

Gujarat Tourism recently organised a familiarisation tour for members of IATO and ADTOI associations in Ahmedabad city. Titled ‘Dekho Ahmedabad’ the agents toured the city on a double decker Bus. The tourism board will conduct another fam this month for 24 members to Velavadar that has the Blackbuck National Park.

Aviareps India successfully concluded its first 3D digital roadshow in India with 12 partners on board representing destinations namely Brussels, Miami, Moscow and St. Petersburg, hotel brands namely Radisson Hotels and Rocco Forte Hotels, tourism products offering in Brussels namely Choco Story and the biggest tourism attractions – Atomium and Mini Europe, car rentals services of Budget Rent a Car and finally important suppliers namely MP Benelux and Get to Belgium. Held from 23-24 June 2021, the virtual roadshow saw presence of industry visitors from all corners of India. Over the two days of the virtual fair, a total of 250+ attendees from the vibrant Indian outbound travel fraternity ensured 350+ pre-scheduled meetings and 1,710 contacts exchanged via booth visitations as well as allowing agents to interact amongst themselves thus making this a highly interactive platform. “The maiden virtual edition of Aviareps India Travel Connect is a clear indication that it is time for us to shift gears and focus on development and continuity of business. And, while it is the first of its kind in India, I hope all the attendees benefit from the interesting discussions and virtual connections during these two days which we will soon transform into face-to-face encounters in the near immediate future”, stated Ellona Pereira, Head, Aviareps India.

Displaying keen appetite in India’s high growth international education segment, Thomas Cook (India), has announced its ‘Study Buddy’ program – with special offers on all student remittances made until September 30, 2021. The offers are available across the company’s omnichannel touch points – over 1100 retail outlets (both owned and FX Mate B2B partner outlets), toll free contact centre # 1800 2099 100, and portal www.thomascook.in With Indian students having lost out on their academic year due to the pandemic, 2021 has witnessed a significant resurgence in the overseas study opportunity. The increasing uptick in admissions for the upcoming semester commencing July-August 2021, offers Thomas Cook India strong potential. To maximise on this opportunity, the company’s Foreign Exchange business has launched its special ‘Study Buddy’ program to benefit students on every education remittance made until September 30, 2021. Highlights of the Study Buddy offer include a Grand Prize – One Free* Air Ticket to study destination per month (for travel up to Sept 2022), daily prize to be won – a bluetooth headphone, and assured gifts including a Lenskart Gold membership, P&G vouchers. Deepesh Varma, Senior Vice President, Foreign Exchange, Thomas Cook (India) said, “The international study segment is a highly opportune one and we are already witnessing growth of over 20%. Our Study Buddy program with attractive offers has hence been specially designed to benefit our students and thereby increase our share of the education remittances business.”

Imaginative nature play is the order of the day at the Koala Conservation Reserve, Phillip Island Nature Parks, with a new nature play area opening on Saturday 26 June, just in time for the school holidays. The play area is designed so that kids will create their own fun and be imaginative as they jump, run, sit, crawl and climb throughout the different areas that showcase some of the island’s native species – an Eastern barred bandicoot burrow, a honeyeater nest and a koala deck. Recycled timbers were sourced from the plantation at the Koala Conservation Reserve, as well as Churchill Island, to allow for a sustainable and aesthetic design that complemented the surrounding woodland. The new nature play area is located at the front of the Koala Conservation Reserve, so paid entry is not required. It’s the perfect place for families to bring along a picnic and spend some time getting back to nature with the kids. Nature will also be a feature of a new mural artwork being created by renowned contemporary artist Jimmy Dvate. Wildlife will be celebrated in this mural that is set to feature native species including a honeyeater, a curlew and more. Work will be starting on the walls of the old Chisholm centre on Wednesday 30 June, and Jimmy is expecting the project to take approximately ten days to complete.

The first virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ will see buyers from West and South India indulging in B2B meetings with over 15 exhibitors from South Korea. In fact, 1/3rd of the delegation from South Korea is looking to explore the India market for the very first time or after many years. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani visited Nadabet on India-Pakistan border and inspected various border tourism development works under the ‘Seema Darshan’ project. It is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 125 crore and is expected to be completed before 15 August, 2021. Under this project, the Gujarat Tourism Corporation has completed the work of shelter development near Nadeshwari Mata temple. Tourism amenities are being developed in four phases.

Highlighting the importance of yoga on International Yoga Day, Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/C), said, “We know that the discussion around the world regarding mental health as well as post-Covid wellness – if anyone has a permanent solution for that it is India – whether it is in the form of Yoga, Ayurveda or Ayush.”

Despite the adverse impact of the pandemic, Thomas Cook India (TCIL) has witnessed sequential business recovery during the last nine months of fiscal 2021. This has resulted in sequential reduction in operating losses. The fund infusion TCIL received from its parent Fairfax of Rs 436 crore of optionally convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares during March 2021 has also mitigated impact of operating losses and provided support to its liquidity. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India), said, “The reaffirmation of the rating from CRISIL is a reassurance of our sound business fundamentals and financial management, despite the headwinds brought on by the pandemic. Factored in equally, is our strong brand equity and leadership positioning in the forex and travel businesses; as also the strong support from our parent Fairfax. Our consistent efforts at reimagining our businesses coupled with effective cost management have played a key role in navigating through the past 15 months and we will continue to focus on innovation and digitisation as we build momentum towards recovery.”