India has been focusing on confidence-building strategies post-pandemic to intensify its tourism sector in the Middle East region that has been one of its major targeted markets. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism said that India is focusing to ease the difficulties that were created for the tourists due to the spread of the coronavirus which impacted the world economy severely. “The Ministry has also been focusing on confidence-building strategies post- pandemic,” she said.

Resorts World Cruises, a new Asian luxury and lifestyle cruise brand will have its global debut in Singapore on 15 June 2022 with the Genting Dream. With its inception, Resorts World Cruises aims to position itself as the leading and best cruise line in the region for Asian and internationally sourced passengers, providing diverse international experiences, which can also be customised by the passengers. The 18-deck 150,695 gross tons Genting Dream can accommodate 3,352 passengers, with a generous space ratio of 45 gross tons per passenger, the most spacious ship in Asia. And with 1,600 crew, she will have the best service with the most crew per passenger compared with any other ship in the region. “The Palace” is a ‘luxury ship-within-a-ship’ at the top deck with 142 suites, including its own exclusive restaurant, bar, sundeck, spa, gym and other facilities with butler service. Genting Dream will cater to a wide Asian demographic that will provide an international cruise experience exceeding its peers. Resorts World Cruises is a brand extension of Resorts World, a global brand with 46 properties in 8 countries spanning 4 continents, welcoming over 80 million visitors a year and served by more than 30,000 employees. The latest Resorts World property, the US $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas opened in June 2021, the newest integrated resort and the only one to be built on the Las Vegas Strip after more than 10 years and features a 26,000 sq. feet Singapore-inspired Zouk Nightclub, the latest and most exciting nightlife attraction in Las Vegas. Resorts World Cruises is supported by a management with over 5 decades of international hospitality experience and close to 3 decades of global cruise …

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announces the new PATA Executive Board. Peter Semone has been formally endorsed as the Chair of the Association’s Executive Board. PATA also elected 6 new members: Benjamin Liao, Forte Hotel Group; Suman Pandey, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure; Tunku Iskandar, Mitra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd; SanJeet, DDP Publications; Luzi Matzig, Asian Trails, and Dr Fanny Vong, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM).

Union Tourism Minister, G. Kishan Reddy has said that river cruise industry could become a new tourism avenue in India in the coming years. He stressed the vast potential of the river cruise industry in the country. Aligning in the direction, he also invited domestic and international tourists to ‘Come, Cruise in India.’ According to him, the Government is currently working towards a comprehensive Indian National Tourism Policy and cruise tourism will be a priority sector. With Government initiatives like the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, tourism-related infrastructure is also being developed with a focus on shipping, river tourism, and forest and wildlife tourism.

With an aim to highlight the potential that the Indian outbound traveller poses for destinations post-Covid, TravTalk will organise a discussion titled ‘The Indian Traveller: Writing the global recovery sequel’. On the panel will be stalwarts from the Indian outbound sector such as MakeMyTrip, Travel Designer and InterGlobe Technology Quotient who will highlight new trends and redefine the evolved Indian traveller.

Speaking to International media on day two of ATM in Dubai, ADG Rupinder Brar said that the Middle East has been the major target market for Indian tourism and that large number of tourists from there visit India for MICE, medical, wellness, and luxury tourism. She added that her ministry has already undertaken ‘NamasteIndia’ campaign to encourage international visitors to travel to India.

Face masks will not have to be worn in airports and on flights in Europe from May 16, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said. From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport. Italy, France, Bulgaria and other European countries been relaxing or ending many or all of their measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, Satpal Maharaj, highlighted the importance of developing tourist destinations in Uttrakhand and revealed that the state is looking at creating a Beatles Ashram. He said, “The problem with that is that it is located within the forest. So we will request the PM to expedite the process so that we can preserve the Beatles memorabilia from their visits to India and their influences. More than 48 of their best songs were written in Rishikesh. We don’t understand its importance; it’s a heritage site.”

The New Zealand Government today announced further relaxations in border restrictions, allowing all fully vaccinated international travelers, including India, to travel to Aotearoa (New Zealand) from August 1, 2022. Fully vaccinated Indian visitors will be able to travel to New Zealand without self-isolation on provision of a negative pre-departure test. Negative Rapid Antigen Tests [RAT] will be required on arrival and on day 5/6. New Zealand had been progressively opening its borders from April, first to Australian visitors and then in May to visitors from visa waver countries. Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive, René de Monchy said “We look forward to welcoming manuhiri [visitors], family and friends back from August. New Zealand has plenty to offer international visitors from breathtaking landscapes, rare and remarkable wildlife to our rich culture and heritage; our people and place are what make us unique, and we look forward to sharing this with the world again”.  In 2020, Tourism New Zealand in India rolled out the “Messages from New Zealand” campaign which featured everyday New Zealanders sharing video messages of hope and care with their international whānau (family). Through this initiative New Zealand reached out in a heartfelt and genuine way by sending messages of positivity and optimism to Indian travelers. As part of efforts to prepare for the reopening of borders, Tourism New Zealand has also  been supporting travel partners with new resources such as a dedicated marketing hub, regular training sessions and most recently, the launch of a revamped travel trade website.

The New Zealand tourism industry re-connected with the world, this April on TRENZ Connect 2022 through a series of exciting online events. These events are part of TRENZ Connect, a digital marketplace launched by TIA (Tourism Industry Aotearoa) last September to connect international market-ready New Zealand tourism operators with the international travel trade. This year, almost 300 travel and tourism buyers from around the globe with almost 24 from India connected virtually and discussed latest updates from New Zealand, a great indication of the support from the trade for the New Zealand tourism industry. Organised by Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the three TRENZ Connect Online events were a valuable opportunity for participants to talk business and discover new international market-ready products and learn about new developments in New Zealand’s best accommodation, transport, activities, and attractions. “The beauty of the TRENZ Connect platform is that it’s ‘always on’. It allows the international travel trade to access the details of New Zealand tourism businesses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no matter what time zone they are in. Participants can start a conversation by sending a message at any time. So, all is not lost if you can’t make it to these particular events,” says Ann-Marie Johnson, Communications Manager, TIA. “TRENZ is a fabulous opportunity for New Zealand to showcase what it has to offer to international buyers. Indian travel trade are our key partners   in our efforts to promote and sell New Zealand to Indian travellers. Looking ahead at the reopening of borders to India later this year, this innovative platform will continue to help us to showcase our new tourism products and strengthen our relationship with the travel trade …