Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, has said that MOT will be working very closely with both Ayush and Home Ministry to make sure that this visa gets enabled very fast. She also said, “As seen in the last few years, e-visa facility has grown for not just tourism but medical visa as well. It has only helped India forge its position in these sectors.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO has requested the government to remove hurdles which are creating hindrances in revival of inbound tourism to our country and also has requested to help in in getting refund of travel agents from Jet Airways. He has requested to MoCA that directives should be issued to all domestic airlines, not to make it compulsory for the travelers to do web check-in.

Spree Hospitality launches its bold and unconventional brand with the opening of Zip by Spree Hotels Mangala Towers in Thrissur, Kerala. This 4-star property is located near Thrissur business centers and is one of the top business hotels, fully equipped to meet corporate and business needs.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, UNWTO, speaking at the 116th Executive Council of the UNWTO said, “We’ve succeeded in putting tourism on the UN agenda as a top priority.” Over 200 participants from 32 countries stand together for tourism at the 116th UNWTO Executive Council.

Singapore has eased entry for travellers. At the ‘Reimagine Cruising from Singapore’ webinar, it was revealed that travelers will not require Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) or Vaccinated Travel Passport (VTP) for entering Singapore. Now, it’s only a three-step process which includes proof of vaccination for pax of age 12 and above; apply your visa (3-day approval process) and submit your arrival cards online three days before arrival.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, has revealed that all three ministers of tourism will be leading the event at major sites on behalf of MOT. “Union Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy will be at the Anand Sagar Lake in Hyderabad and State Tourism Ministers Ajay Bhatt and Shripad Yesso Naik will be at Wagah Border in Punjab and Churches and Convents of Goa in Old Goa respectively.

The recent Economic Impact Report of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlighted that India’s contribution of travel and tourism for the economy of the country is expected to surpass the levels that existed before the pandemic times, registering a YOY progression of 20.7 per cent.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that we need to make use of cleaner fuels. “State tourism policies should recognise sustainability principles and the Sustainable Development Goals in their vision and strategic direction for tourism. With the vision to create a sustainable future for tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has also taken various steps in this direction”, he added.

After a day-long workshop conducted by West Bengal Tourism for industry, a detailed ideation was undertaken with officials led by Tourism Secretary. Dr. Saumitra Mohan. A milestone and timeline-based implementation roadmap will be put in place by the joint task force for subsequent consideration by the Government of West Bengal.

Vinayak Koul, Honorary Secretary, ATOAI, has emphasized that adventure tourism is one of the niches of tourism in which 60-90 per cent money is retained in the region and goes to the local communities. To realize the vision of Responsible Tourism, he brought forth the significance of following SOPs and guidelines.