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.

The UK-India market has recovered strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the week commencing 16-May-2022, seat capacity in this market is at 94% of the equivalent week of 2019. This compares with a figure of 84% for the total Europe market and just 42% for the market between Europe and all of Asia Pacific. It is also ahead of the total UK market, which has recovered to 85%, and India’s international market, which is at 87% (although its domestic market is at 105%). After Jet Airways’ demise in 2019 the leading incumbents Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic began to expand into the gap it left. The pandemic interrupted this, but the new entrant Vistara began operations in this market in 2020 and the incumbents have now resumed growth. The low cost long haul start-up ‘flypop’ could also soon be ready to enter, as too could another start-up: Hans Airways.

Nandivardhan Jain, CEO, NOESIS, has said, “If 80 new airports by 2025 come, then this will give a massive boost to the hospitality sector as there will be demand for 25,000 more hotel rooms in these markets. Subject to concerned authorities successfully managing to plan & build hospitality districts around these airports, the effective implementation of local tourism programs at these destinations will lead to an opportunity to create millions of job opportunities.”

FHRAI has clarified that service charge, like any other charge collected by an establishment, is a part of the invitation offered by the restaurant to the potential customers. It is for the customers to decide whether they wish to patronise the said restaurant or not. To discuss and seek clarity on the matter, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has called FHRAI for a meeting on June 02.