Austrian authorities have announced that Indian travellers with proof of full vaccination, will not be required to register for pre-travel clearance, and will not be required to undergo self-isolation. Exemption will also be made for travellers who have stayed in a safe country for 10 days prior to their arrival in Austria.They will also need to carry fully-vaccinated proof or proof of past infection. However, travellers who provide proof of past infection or show a negative test report, will need to register digitally in advance to obtain pre-travel clearance. They will also be required to self-isolate for 10 days, but can end their quarantine period early if they have a test after the 5th day of isolation.

Sanjay Agrawal, President, Ph.D. Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said that that the unrest in Afghanistan may lead to a huge loss for Indian medical tourism. He revealed that Afghan patients and their friends and family members contribute around Rs 1.5-2 billion to the Indian economy. It is believed that for citizens from Afghanistan, India is a cheap healthcare destination where hospitals offer quality treatment at reasonable rates.

Germany plans to sell up to a quarter of its 20% stake in Lufthansa over the coming weeks, the German finance agency said on Monday, citing positive developments at the bailed-out airline. Lufthansa shares fell as much as 4.9% to 8.81 euros in early trade after the announcement. The state’s 20% stake was acquired for 300 million euros ($353.67 million) as part of a bailout for the German carrier as the company and the entire aviation sector took a battering from the coronavirus crisis.

Nearly after 59 years, the Government of Uttarakhand has now opened the Gartang Gali trek for the tourists after completing the required restoration and repair work. Gartang Gali is 500-meter long timber-lined stairway in the Nelang, built by the Peshawari Pathans. Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Satpal Maharaj said, “The opening of Gatang Gali trek has added a new dimension to the adventure tourism activities in the state of Uttarakhand. The bridge has historical and strategic importance in the history of Uttarakhand and demonstrates the coordinal trade relations of the country with its neighbours since ancient times.” Gartang Gali was used as a route between India and Tibet by Dorji’s  (Tibetan merchants) to reach Uttarkashi via Sumla, Mandi to trade items like Salt, Jaggery, Spices, Gold, Pashmina wool etc. However after the Indo-China war in Year 1962, Nelang valley was closed for the general tourists and visitors, as the place came under the inner line area of Uttarkashi. In 2015, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India granted permission for opening up the Nelang Ghati and Jadung for tourists, however the wooden bridge remained inaccessible to the public due to its bad conditions. Tourists can now visit the place and have pleasant walk over the wooden bridge build in the traditional style by cutting through a single rock.  This bridge gives an exciting view of Nelang Valley, which is rich in flora and fauna and is home to rare animals such as snow leopards and blue sheep. Dilip Jawalkar, Tourism Secretary, Uttarakhand said, “The government of Uttarakhand is working consistently to revive the tourism sector of the state which has been affected by the pandemic. …

M!CEtalk Digital Conclave, powered by Cvent India, on rebooting Indian MICE landscape will be held on 25th August, 2021 at 11am IST. The panelists include Nikhil Desai, MD, Goa Tourism Development Corporation; Sabbas Joseph, Founder-Director at Wizcraft International Entertainment; Rajdev Bhattacharya, Global Head (Travel and Hospitality ) & Business Head, WAY2GO and GM, Global Travel Services- WIPRO Limited; Arif Patel, Regional VP, Sales & Marketing, Hyatt India; and Sandeep Nagpal, VP & Head of Marketing, Cvent India. To register write to jaspreet, kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 96501 96532.

In a Twitter post, Air India has informed that the passengers travelling to the UAE from India are requested to report at the airport at least 6 hours prior to the departure. As per the entry requirement of the UAE, a rapid PCR test will be conducted for every passenger at the respective Indian departure airport. The test counters will start 4 hours before the departure time and would close 2 hours prior to departure.

Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister, Maharashtra, on Tuesday launched many initiatives of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to boost tourism in the state. The projects include initiatives such as a new boat club at Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri, a renovated MTDC resort at Sinhagad fort in Pune, and a new website of MTDC that will go live from Wednesday. MTDC also signed Memoranda of Understanding with online travel companies MakeMyTrip and Goibibo to promote MTDC properties and with M/s SkyHigh India to start skydiving and adventure sports activities. A MoU was also signed with Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune, for annual training of MTDC staff.

Pramod Sawant, CM, Goa, has said that they have no plans to open the tourism sector in the state, and the state curfew has been extended for another week. He said, “We are seeing an average of one or two COVID deaths daily and the case positivity rate has been down around 2%.” While curfew restrictions are in force since May, the state has seen increased tourist arrivals. Sawant has requested people to take precautions.

Swiss Government, and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has announced that children travelling with fully vaccinated adults will not be required to quarantine from 4th August 2021. Only children between 16 and 18 will need an RT-PCR report before boarding the plane and upon arrival. Switzerland started welcoming fully vaccinated tourists across its border starting 23rd June 2021.

Hyatt  has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Apple Leisure Group (ALG), a leading luxury resort-management services, travel and hospitality group, from affiliates of each of KKR and KSL Capital Partners, LLC for $2.7 billion in cash. The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.  Mark Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt, said, “The addition of ALG’s properties will immediately double Hyatt’s global resorts footprint.”