The Government has announced to clear all pending dues of exporters worth Rs. 56,000, which includes SEIS. An official release states, “Service sector exporters, including those in the travel, tourism and hospitality segments will be able to claim SEIS benefits for FY 2019-2020, for which Rs 2,061 crore has been provisioned. The SEIS for FY 2019-20 with certain revisions in service categories and rates is being notified. This support would have a multiplier effect and spur employment generation.” Piyush Goyal, Union Minister, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced that the Government has decided to budget Rs 56,027 crore in this Financial Year (FY22) itself in order to disburse all pending export incentives due to exports. The final date of filing application of due scrips for SEIS is 31st December. There will also be a dedicated portal for filing scrips dues and it will be made live soon.

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Madhya Pradesh Chapter conducted a physical meeting for its members in Pune recently over two days. It was led by Chapter Chairman TK Jose along with the National Committee team led by President Ajay Prakash. The team met in Pune in order to promote the destination along with nearby places like Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar after IndiGo started a direct Indore-Pune-Indore flight.

As the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Yas Island Abu Dhabi for UFC 267, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, the leading entertainment and leisure destination has unveiled staycation deals for visitors coming to see the latest and much anticipated bout, due to take place on October 30th, 2021 at Etihad Arena. With only limited number of packages available to purchase on Yasisland.ae, fans of UFC from across the UAE are encouraged to get into the fighting spirit and book quickly for action-packed experience. With UFC 267 having confirmed fighters including Blachowicz, Oleksiejczuk, Ankalaev, Volkov, and Li “Leech” Jing Liang expected to take place in the upcoming bout, the Abu Dhabi Showdown Week promises to bring thumping drama to Yas Island. Packages start from AED 1,380 for two people with two bronze tickets for UFC 267*. Upgrades are available in ticket category, ranging from Silver through to Floor – VVIP*. Guests can choose from a range of Yas Island’s iconic hotels* for a one-night stay with breakfast included – W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Crowne Plaza Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Rotana, Centro Yas Island by Rotana, Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Yas Island. Guests can choose to visit one of Yas Island’s leading theme parks – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, or Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi – for only an additional AED 125 per person. For those looking to really up their UFC experience and enjoy a fully-loaded weekend, fight fans can also include attractions at Yas Marina Circuit, with karting, a venue tour, and …

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Thursday informed that the state government has started giving Rs 2,000 to employees of hotels, restaurants and homestays registered with the tourism department. It will be distributed for five months through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). As per the release, the tourism department is transferring permissible assistance to the accounts of the employees whose names are uploaded by the respective hotels, restaurants and homestays on the tourism department’s portal.

The Philippines will lift travel restrictions on passengers coming from 10 countries beginning September 6, Malacañang announced on Saturday.”President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to lift the current travel restrictions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia starting Sept. 6, 2021,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Travelbullz has set out a mission to make them the largest market place in the world that will connect supply to the distribution and make both sides tech savvy. They also aim to empower the traditional DMCs and the travel agencies and plan to shift from an offline model of buying and selling to digital. “All our customers are tech savvy, thanks to COVID, what would have happened 5 to 7 years later has already happened” says KD Singh.

As part of its ‘Thailand Build Back Better Together’ campaign, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) India, will promote its exotic beaches & attractions in Thailand this week. The destinations in focus would be Koh Samui- Koh Tao & Koh PhaNgan. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director, TAT, New Delhi, shares, “These 3 islands are popular for honeymooners and diving enthusiasts. There are many other things also for people to enjoy”.

As Abu Dhabi starts welcoming fully vaccinated travellers from India, rediscover M!CE in Abu Dhabi during an exclusive webinar on Tuesday, 7th September 2021, at 3pm IST. The webinar will highlight the Abu Dhabi Advantage programme that supports M!CE groups with nearly US$100 in benefits per person. For more information contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.  

Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (“YIAPL”) has been granted the right to develop, operate and maintain the Noida International Airport (“NIA”) on DBFOT basis. YIAPL intends to select a Licensee to award the right to “Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer the City Side Hotel” at NIA (the “Project”) pursuant to and in accordance with open bidding process. YIAPL wishes to receive Applications in response to this RFQ to short-list experienced and capable Bidders for the RFP Stage. In line with the same, YIAPL has Published RFQ(Request for Qualification)for above captioned project on NIA e-tendering Platform. Interested parties can download the RFQ upon successfully registering at YIAPL’s e-portal, accessible at: https://niairport.abcprocure.com For further clarification, interested parties can communicate at tenders@niairport.in.

The Republic of Turkey has declared that fully vaccinated travellers from India will no longer be subjected to mandatory 14-day quarantine rule, with effect from 4th of September 2021. The announcement will ease the travel restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers of 12 years of age and older travelling from India or stayed in India in last 14 days. The vaccines that have been approved by WHO or Turkish Government are covered under this exemption. In addition to WHO approved vaccines, the vaccines approved by Turkish Government are Pzifer Biontech, Sputnik V and Sinovac. For the same, a traveller must be taken the second dose (if Johnson&Johnson one dose is sufficient) at least 14 days prior to the date of travel. For Indian travellers who are vaccinated with Covishield will also be allowed to travel to Turkey. Once, Covaxin get a nod from WHO, travellers vaccinated with the same will also be able to visit Turkey. The fully vaccinated travellers are also required to submit their negative PCR test report taken 72 hours before departure in order to exempt the quarantine. Non-vaccinated travellers are required to undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days in a hotel or a location mentioned in the declaration. The Republic of Turkey usually announces changes to the travel list, after assessing its criteria like corona virus cases, vaccination roll-outs and possible threats from variants to determine restrictions on different countries. By the 4th of September the Turkish government has successfully vaccinated 79% of its population above 18 of age with first dose and 62 % population above 18 of age with both the doses. Despite the fluctuating global scenario of COVID-19 strain, Turkey has kept a strong …