Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Civil Aviation Minister, has said that he has never been more confident and hopeful about Air India’s divestment plan as he is now. Speaking at a press conference, he said, “Air India is a first-class asset. It has excellent engineers, excellent pilots, covering various destinations, or be it the evacuation of people from Wuhan, Air India has been at the heart of it. I think, we need to make some decisions on nationalisation. We may have lost two or three months because of the pandemic, but we have gained a lot of experience in terms of the value and how to take this forward.”

Turkish Airlines has been the busiest operator in Europe last week after successfully restarting domestic and international passenger operations. On 17th June, 2020, Turkish Airlines had 400 flights in Eurocontrol area, which was the first time an airline recorded that number since 24th March 2020. EUROCONTROL is a pan-European, civil-military organisation dedicated to supporting European aviation. They confirmed that Turkey’s national flag carrier operated 359 flights during the first week of June from its home at Istanbul Airport. On 14th June three aircraft were able to take off simultaneously with the opening of Istanbul Airport’s third independent runway, a momentous occasion for the future of Turkish aviation. M. Ilker Ayci, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Turkish Airlines, said, “It is our firm belief that once the world overcomes the crisis, air travel will bounce back stronger than ever and Turkish Airlines will be more than eager to welcome you aboard with our trademark hospitality as we connect continents, people and cultures. We fully adapted our customer touchpoints according to new normal standards.” With the resumption of services, Turkish Airlines also announced new ‘Guidelines for Safe Travel’ and two new inflight services to protect the health of its guests. Prepared with scientific data in mind, the flag carrier is distributing ‘Hygiene Kits’ containing a face mask, disinfectant and antiseptic tissue to its guests, while ‘Hygiene Expert’ cabin crews were appointed to flights to enforce all on-board hygiene and social distancing measures for the healthy travel of passengers. Turkish Airlines’ aircrafts are disinfected prior to every flight via thorough cleaning methods. Hygiene in the cabin is ensured as all contact points in the aircraft are comprehensively cleaned using chemicals …

Meenakshi Sharma, Director General, Ministry of Tourism (MOT), claimed that she is against regulation and prefers collaboration with the industry. Speaking at 4th TravTalk Digital Conclave, she said, “I believe in partnering and working together. However, I would like a database to be created where we can connect with each other. I am against regulation, but all for collaboration. I would be very happy if the industry takes that initiative and bring everyone together, so that we can talk.”

Madhya Pradesh has re-opened its State Tourism Development Corporation Hotels, Resorts and many private hotels at tourist destinations for tourists and hoteliers, promoting domestic tourism allowing in tourists from within the country. Madhya Pradesh forest department has also issued a circular regarding re-opening of national parks from 15th June 2020. National Park’s Buffer Zone will remain open during monsoon season.  Sonia Meena, IAS, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board said: “Madhya Pradesh being into inbound tourism promotion is very strong with its domestic tourism products, wildlife is one of them. Opening up tourist attractions would also give a sense of ‘returning to normalcy’. We see great potential after re-opening our destinations like wildlife, heritage, pilgrimage, leisure, and adventure tourism opportunities. Following the Health protection, safety and hygiene guidelines. We have sanitised and fumigated our premises. We are ensuring all hygiene and social-distancing norms and SOP issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. The first segment of the travellers we are looking to attract, are people from within and neighbouring states coming to visit our tourist destinations. Madhya Pradesh is surrounded by 5 states and it is very easy to travel by car from neighbouring states to our state, we also have a very good road network, which connects major tourist destinations in the state. To begin with, people will start taking small/ weekend tours with 3/4 Days ITINERARY and MP will be perfect for that.”

Thomas Cook (India), along with its Group Company SOTC Travel Ltd., jointly launched ‘Assured’ – a comprehensive program to safe travel in the COVID-19 era, and the companies have partnered with Apollo Clinics for the same. Thomas Cook India and SOTC took customer opinion to understand their concerns and priorities when it comes to travel in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant 75% of the respondents of the Thomas Cook India & SOTC Holiday Readiness Survey stated that health & safety was their overriding concern. To build confidence that it is safe to travel again, the companies have worked jointly with partners across the travel eco-system to create the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured program, that ensures meticulous health and safety protocols – at every stage of the customer journey – from the various contactless booking processes, safe physical outlets & processes at the sales/servicing pre tour stage, as well as the on-tour stage. Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook India said, “Across Thomas Cook India & SOTC, our customers have been clear that health, hygiene and safety is their prime concern when it comes to travel in the COVID-19 era. Hence, our teams have spent a significant time at the drawing board and worked jointly with key travel partners/stakeholders to create this very comprehensive initiative. I am proud today to launch of The Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Safe Travel Program, in association with Apollo Clinics – the most respected brand in the healthcare sector, to jointly set a benchmark for customer safety in this new normal for travel.”

Abu Dhabi has launched its exclusive online training programme for travel professionals—Abu Dhabi Specialist programme, which can be accessed on www.abudhabispecialist.com. To become a specialist, agents or tour operators have to successfully complete the training and earn a certificate of achievement plus a window sticker or digital badge that certifies their status as an Abu Dhabi Specialist. The online training allows the professionals to study about Abu Dhabi’s offerings at their own pace and at their own time. They can access course content on mobile, tablet or desktop whenever and wherever they have an internet connection. Qualified Abu Dhabi Specialists will be included on a preferred supplier list. They will be the first to know about destination news and be on the invite list for exclusive events and competitions. The e-learning programme allows the users to stay up to date with everything new and exciting going on in Abu Dhabi and offers the resources and downloads to help them sell the destination.

Sri Lanka, the island nation, is all set to welcome travellers from across the world starting August 1, 2020, as the country has successfully contained COVID-19. Announcing the same, Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism, has said, “Sri Lanka Tourism will provide international visitors with the highest standards of safety as we embrace tourists from across the world to experience the beauty of our paradise island once more. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has put in place all precautions recommended by global health and travel authorities to re-open the country to tourists.” Sri Lanka has been on most of the travellers’ wish list for a long time, as it offers a diverse range of attractions, right from pristine beaches to lush green mountains and is known as an island that offers ‘unmissable experiences’. The country has announced that Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Ratmalana International Airport (RIA) as well as Hambantota’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) will be opened from 1st August 2020 for international travellers from all nations. The issuing of visas will be only online and must be applied for prior to travel. T he online visa procedure and requirements for tourists from August 1, 2020 include: A negative PCR test report from an accredited laboratory taken within 72 hours prior to landing in Sri Lanka. A confirmed travel itinerary covering at least 5 nights at certified accommodations. A valid return air ticket Travel insurance with health and hospitalization cover A visa fee of USD 100 will be applicable Tourists will not have to undergo quarantine procedures. A mandatory health screening and sanitising process including a PCR test will be conducted at arrival Airports free …

The Odisha government plans to organise cruises in selected water bodies of the state with participation of players in order to promote tourism. Proposals invited to develop daily cruise services at Mahanadi, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia Gorge and Hirakud reservoir. Last date for submission is July 10.

Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI and President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), voices his members’ opinions and says that hotels and restaurants are the unsung COVID-19 warriors for serving the country by offering their rooms and their kitchens. “Unfortunately, we are not being recognized. Hotels are being used by all states for housing the health workers. For almost two months now, hotels are being used for the purpose without any compensation or payment. Also, the compensation marked for this requisition is next to nothing. It tantamounts to further burdening a sector which is already on the verge of extinction. None of the hotels have been paid for the occupation since more than two months and although we have approached the authorities several times verbally and expressed to fix a reasonable compensation and make payment immediately, there is no revert from them till date.”

Travelport Worldwide Limited has announced that it has received commitments for $500 million in financing from affiliates of existing owners, Siris Capital Group, LLC and Evergreen Coast Capital Corp., the private equity affiliate of Elliott Management Corporation, and an additional $500 million of available financing capacity. The investment provides Travelport with the liquidity needed to continue to exceed the expectations of its customers despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also allows Travelport to continue to invest in its industry-leading technology and next-generation platform to ensure it is positioned for growth as travel returns.