Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, at the ITM in Aizawl, Mizoram, shared that sustainability has been a priority for the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector for some time, but it has become even more prominent due to the pandemic. “The Government of India is now focused on promoting the move towards green tourism. Green tourism has the potential to catalyse local economies, while also minimising the environmental and social impacts,” he added.

Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary Tourism and Director General, Uttar Pradesh Tourism, said that the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is ready to lease forts on a very nominal fee for them to be converted into heritage hotels. The state is also open for hosting weddings at these forts to promote the destination and leverage the potential of the state.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO while addressing the Interactive Luncheon Meeting said, “The way the preparations are going and the response the association is receiving, we’re expecting 1100-1200 people including member spouses as invitees.”

According to the Modern Retail Study, new independent research commissioned by Travelport, nearly half (46%) of travelers can’t remember which online travel agency (OTA) they used to book their last leisure trip. However, travelers who do remember the OTA they used, had an “above average” or “excellent” booking experience (78%).

With effect from November 22, international air travelers will no longer be required to fill the Air Suvidha form, according to revised protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under the revised guidelines of the health ministry, the submission of self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal stand discontinued, the aviation ministry said. It, however, added a statutory warning: The rule could be reviewed if needed in view of the Covid situation.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism has said that Indian tourism industry contributes to around 4.7 percent of the country’s GDP and provides employment to around 31.8 million of inhabitants. “If tourism’s contribution is increased to 10 per cent of GDP in India, it can create 26 million new jobs,” he added.

Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Goa, has said that the contribution to the GDP, from the tourism sector of Goa is about 16.43 per cent. “We need to grow that and boost employment opportunities through skilling, upskilling and re-skilling. These will be our priorities in the days to come,” he claimed.

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G Kishan Reddy, Union Tourism Minister, has said that Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of DoNER and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is developing 100 view-points in North East region. “22 view-points have been taken up for development at a cost of ₹49 crores. In Mizoram 9 viewpoints have been taken up for development at the cost of 12.78 crores,” he added.

ITA Airways continues to enhance its intercontinental network to better meet the needs of travellers and will be opening its new direct flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome Fiumicino on December 4. The new route will be operated with an Airbus A330, three times a week, departing from New Delhi, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 03:50 am and landing in Rome Fiumicino at 08:10 am. Return flights from Rome Fiumicino will depart every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:10 pm and will arrive in New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 02:00 am, local time. With the new intercontinental connection, ITA Airways is further expanding into the Asian market, while it continues to strengthen the ability to attract connecting customers, tapping into the flows between India and North America, Germany, Spain and France. To support the new intercontinental flight from New Delhi to Rome and to enhance local awareness of the new Italian flagship carrier, ITA Airways is launching a multi-channel advertising campaign, which will highlight the New Delhi-Rome connection as well as the beauty of Italy and its most iconic destinations. The “It’s A” campaign will be live until December 13. It is developed on digital billboards in the most renowned shopping centers of the city, train stations and in all the main business and commercial areas throughout Delhi. The billboards will be also supported by a radio campaign, both in English and Hindu, on the 3 most important radio stations of the country, Mirchi, Radio One, City FM. This combination will allow ITA Airways to reach a wide range of the population mainly concentrated in urban areas, …