New research by Collinson reveals that four in five business travellers have seen their jobs affected by a lack of cross-border business travel, and a third of respondents stated that not seeing clients face-to-face has negatively affected the way they do business. It is commonly thought that business travel recovery will be slower than that of leisure travel, due to businesses continuing to function during the pandemic without travel.

Arun Kumar, Director General of Civil Aviation, has released an order that states that operation of B-737 Max aircraft will not take place from/to Indian airports and transit or enter into Indian airspace for the purpose of securing safety of aircraft operations till further notice. Special flight permits will be issued.

Spree Hotels celebrated the launch of three hotels – Zip by Spree Hotels Avishi Greens in Manali, Spree Hotel Kriday in Dehradun, and Zip by Spree Hotels The Claire in Gurugram, with the NCR  fraternity in Gurgaon. The event was Covid-compliant. It was outdoors with adequate social distancing. Spree showcased its care for Covid-compliant travel to the travel community, and it looks forward to welcoming their guest to Spree to enjoy the three new hotels.

Team North East India has reached Moscow to participate in the Indo-Russia Friendship Car Rally, organised by International Friendship Car Rally Association. The three-day rally was flagged off in New Delhi and is being sponsored by North East Council under the Ministry of DoNER. The members are from the 8 North-Eastern states and will showcase the potential of their unexplored region.

The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) and Hotel & Restaurant Association of Gujarat (HRA Gujarat) have submitted a representation to PM Narendra Modi to allow takeaway and home delivery services till 12am for hotels and restaurants in the state. The 2 associations have expressed agreement with the Gujarat government’s decision to impose restrictions for controlling the spread. However, taking into consideration the industry’s year-long crises, they have pleaded for some leeway.

Mizoram Tourism recently organised a training programme for Prescribed Authorities under the Mizoram Registration of Tourist Trade Act 2020. The Government of Mizoram has designated Sub-Divisional Officers as Prescribed Authorities under their jurisdiction to regulate and supervise the tourism service providers in the state.

Addressing a webinar ‘India’s Heritage: Powering Tourism’ organized by Ministry of Tourism on World Heritage Day, Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, said “We have several ancient sites and temples but they have not received their due they deserve on the global platform. It is essential to bring together our pool of conservationists, archaeologists and historians who can throw light on our heritage on the world platform.”

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has reviewed its annual membership subscription renewal for the year 2021-22 in view of the pandemic’s second wave. It has therefore decided to reduce its renewal fee by 40% for all active, associate and allied members. The rebated annual membership subscription shall be only applicable if the same is paid and credited to TAAI account latest by 31 May, 2021. Thereafter normal annual fees shall be payable.

The Tourism Office of Spain – Mumbai will conduct their next webinar “I Travel Because Its My Turn” for travel trade professionals on April 22 at 3pm IST. This interactive session will be conducted by representatives from the AVE Cities Network. Attendees stand a chance to win Amazon vouchers on attending all the webinars. To register, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Three female bikers — from Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram – are on a road journey to promote tourism in the north east region. The trio who are promoting their trip on social media are touring all the 7 sister states of the Northeast Indian region within a span of 7 days.