Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture, will be having a virtual interaction with state/UT tourism ministers on October 15 and 16. The aim behind these meetings is to discuss post-COVID protocols and put plans in motion to ensure that the tourism sector opens up with safety measures in place. The Minister will be interacting with tourism ministers of the northern and western states and Union territories on October 15 and those of the southern, eastern and north-eastern states on October 16. These meetings will be in line with the meetings held with the tourism stakeholders in the last two months.

FAITH organised the India Tourism Vision Day, which saw the Presidents of 10 member associations of FAITH discussing the way forward. In his address, Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH, said, “Like the way GST council is structured, Indian tourism needs to be structured through a constitutionally empowered legislative body-A national tourism council headed by our Honourable Prime Minister along with the presence of all chief ministers.” Also, he shared that a tourism Covid 19 Fund should be set up by the MOT where interest free funds are given to support the employees and the operating costs of tourism companies.

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, has said that domestic airlines may soon increase their capacity to 75 per cent and it may reach more than pre-COVID levels in the first quarter of 2021. “I had earlier said that pre-COVID domestic numbers will be achieved between Diwali and New Year. Now I am confident that by the first quarter next year, we will be able to surpass the pre-COVID number,” the civil aviation minister said. Currently, the capacity is around 65%.

In a tweet directed at some of the Indian airlines as well as MoCA and the DGCA, TAFI said that it is the duty of MoCA and DGCA India under the leadership of Hardeep S Puri to ensure that the Supreme Court orders for refund of tickets are followed by all airlines. This would amount to contempt of court if not followed. We request the DGCAIndia and MoCA to intervene to ensure rightful credit.

Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) has elected Farooq A Kuthoo as its new President for the term 2020-22. The association held its elections recently, and the results were declared on Saturday during its 11th and 12th Annual General Meeting, attended by majority of members. Habibullah Pandow has been re-elected Vice President; Showket A Khankashi is the new Secretary General, Mohammad Shafi Jan also retained Secretary Finance post; Sajad Ahmad Kralyari has been chosen as the Joint Secretary, Irshad Ahmad Hazari is elected as Chief Organiser, while Ghulam Nabi Bhat is the Publicity Secretary. Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez was the chief guest for the AGM while, Nisar Ahmad Wani, Director Tourism, Kashmir, was the guest of honour. Other deputy directors also graced the occasion.

With borders gradually opening, VFS Global has started re-opening its Visa Application Centres and resuming services for around 25 countries in accordance with the rules set by the respective governments. “Over the last few weeks, VFS Global’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) resumed operations, with a few countries opening up the application process for limited categories. Since then, visa applications for around 25 countries have resumed at select Centres across India,” according to an update from VFS Global

Meenakshi Sharma, Director General, Tourism, has said that apart from coming out with the incentive schemes for tour operators in the form of MDA for promotions nationally or internationally, they are also relaxing the rules for approval of tour operators, so that the benefits can go to those who haven’t been involved with us and also for the start-ups. “This is because the promotion and marketing budget for the smaller formations are not burdened to them and the Government can pick up some of that tab,” she added, while addressing a CII Webinar recently.

After winning points from this ongoing game, Pankaj Sharma, Partner, Shubh Yatra, located in Jaipur, says, “This contest by Tripjack is a very exciting concept and a lot of agents are enjoying participating in it. I have recommended my colleagues and friends in the industry to sign up for this. Not only it does it provide some entertainment, but you can also win great prizes and use the Tripjack points on their website – whether it is hotels, air tickets, or packages. Tripjack also offers great rates and amazing deals.” Top winners every week also get Jalesh Cruise Package, AirAsia Tickets, & Hotels Stays. Visit tripjack.com now!

More than nine out of 10 (92%) of consumers trust personal recommendations with regards to health and hygiene, according to a new WTTC report titled, ‘To recovery and beyond- the future of travel & tourism in the wake of COVID-19’.

Jitendra Jadhav, Asst. Director (Niche Tourism Division), Government of India, Ministry of Tourism, has said that the Ministry has been directed by Sectoral Group of Secretaries to form guidelines on wedding tourism. “For this, inputs of industry stakeholders such as ICPB and wedding planners including Rashi Entertainment have been sought. Rajeev Jain, MD, Raashi Entertainment has been instrumental in quickly providing us detailed inputs as sought from the industry. The proposed guidelines on wedding tourism/destination weddings are under process and is expected to be finalised soon by the Ministry after getting approval from competent authority,” he said.