Virgin Atlantic has introduced free COVID-19 insurance cover on all new and existing bookings. The policy, which applies to all flights booked with Virgin Atlantic, is designed to complement existing travel insurance and provide additional peace of mind for upcoming trips. In the event that they or anyone else on their booking becomes ill with COVID-19 while travelling, Virgin Atlantic COVID-19 Cover ensures related costs are covered, no matter how long the trip is or even if they’re visiting another destination on the same overseas trip. The insurance policy is fulfilled by Allianz Assistance and covers emergency medical and associated expenses while abroad totalling £500,000 per customer – the highest value of policy offered by any airline to date, with no excess payment required. The policy also covers expenses incurred up to £3,000 if a customer is denied boarding, at either departure or in destination, or has to quarantine due to positive or suspected COVID-19 during a trip. Customers booked to travel from 24 August, 2020 up to and including 31 March, 2021 will automatically receive the cover. It also applies on flights operated by partner airline or a JV carrier such as Delta Air Lines or Air France-KLM. Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic says, “Following our return to the skies to much-loved destinations like Barbados, we’re planning more services including London Heathrow to Delhi, Mumbai, Lagos and Tel Aviv.” The cover starts from the point of booking and ends when the customer returns home or to a hospital or nursing home in their home country. One-way trips are also included, with the insurance cover valid until the end of the journey, which is defined as 12 hours after the arrival of the customer’s final flight.

According to a research and analysis conducted by CAPA India recently, all funding options need to be on the table and fully explored by the Indian airlines to identify the most appropriate and viable for implementation. It includes the element of Original Equipment Manufacturing compensation. The industry’s financial challenges will become increasingly apparent from September-October. Promoters, bankers, private equity and the government are all unwilling to provide support given demand risk and uncertainty.

The Union Civil Aviation ministry has decided to increase the aviation security fee (ASF) for embarking domestic and international passengers with effect from September 1. The aviation security fee has been hiked by Rs 10 to Rs 160 from Rs 150 for domestic passengers and to $5.20 from $4.85 for international passengers. The fee has been increased in view of rise in cost of security at airports and enhanced security deployment requirements.

As part of the panel during a webinar on risk management recently, Anoop Kanuga, MC Member of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Head of its Tourism Council, said, “Training existing talent to improve efficiencies will take precedence in the current situation. Digitization will play an important role and travel agencies will have to ensure that they are equipped with appropriate digital infrastructure to be ahead of the curve. Those who are nimble and are able to move quickly and address the changing needs of the traveller will emerge as winners in the long run.”

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), along with its Managing Committee, has decided to reduce its annual subscription for its agents by 25 per cent across the board in view of the current situation. Pradip Lulla, President, TAFI, says, “We realise that there isn’t much business for the trade right now. Keeping this in mind we decided to reduce our fee.” The association is looking to conduct its virtual convention in November and will shortly finalise the details.

Thailand has topped the list of the world’s safest destinations to visit during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a study by Germany-based travel company Tourane. based on various criteria including the 14-day notification rate of new COVID-19 cases and deaths per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), International Health Regulations score, population density of the country, hours of sunshine per day for outdoor activities, and flight connections with Germany.

Sharing his experience and perception of Thailand as a holiday destination, Rajeev Sabharwal, CEO, Gaurav Travels, says, “We have had wonderful experiences on our trips to Thailand over the years, whether it is destination weddings, MICE movements, or holidays with family and friends. The Thai hospitality and its cuisine are the reasons that make Thailand a great destination.”

Speaking about his experience and perception of Thailand, Guldeep Singh Sahni, MD, Weldon Tours & Travels, says, “Serene beaches, fantastic attractions, and delicious food. Thailand has everything one needs for a vacation. The country is very welcoming and safe for visitors. For many, Thailand is a weekend destination. But for me and my family, we think of Thailand when we want to take some time off. We love holidaying here. Come together with Thailand.”  

In a series of tweets, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, announced that MoCA has proposed air bubbles with neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan. “We are now taking these efforts forward and are negotiating with 13 more countries to establish such arrangements. These countries include Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. We continue to further strengthen the reach and scope of ‘Vande Bharat Mission’. Air travel arrangements are already in place with USA, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar and Maldives,” he tweeted.

Rajan Sehgal, President, Indian Golf Tourism Association (IGTA) and MC member of TAAI, believes that golf tourism in India will be in great demand after the monsoons are over. “The first thing that opened after Unlock 1.0 were the golf courses. They opened all over the world. Even the ones in Delhi-NCR are full. This is because they offer open spaces, give us a chance to connect with nature, and physical distancing is maintained. I think, golf tourism in India will be in great demand after the monsoons  because Indian golfers, who used to travel to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam for golf, will now travel within India. It will give a big boost as Delhi golfers will travel to Rajasthan, South India, and Central India to play golf. We had a serious session with the advisor to Governor of Kashmir, and we requested him to open tourism at the earliest in the UT, so that we can attract a lot of visitors from across India to Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.