Ministry of Tourism is organising a 12-episode web-series on Dekho Apna Desh in collaboration with the Association of Universities (AIU) to celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. “I am sure that the nation-wide, 12 episode-based series that we are launching today will give them this opportunity and take the participants on a virtual journey of India. Since the format of the activity requires active participation, the follow up interactive sessions will inspire even greater interest and excitement about India@75,” said Reddy.

UAE authorities recognised and approved vaccinations done in India. Anil Punjabi, Chairman (East), Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI) has revealed, “UAE’s National Emergency & Crisis Management Authority has informed that passengers who have taken both doses of either Covishield or Covaxin in India to fly back if they have residency permits. The only requirement is that they should have completed the vaccination at least 14 days prior to travel.” Adding that the move will help hundreds of people who were stranded in India since March.

TAFI holds a meeting to discuss their plan of action with newly elected members. The agenda of the meeting was to introduce the members to the new team elected for the North India chapter and to introduce the newly elected National committee office bearers and MC members. ‘The new team has come with a vision to reconnect with the members to work with the principals, the government, embassies and tourism boards. We want our members connect with TAFI to get results in the core areas and we want to rejuvenate TAFI with communication and action’ said Anil Kalsi, Joint Secretary and Managing committee member

Valsa Nair, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Excise & Civil Aviation Govt Of Maharashtra, said, “The policy that has really led the tourism revival in Maharashtra is the vacation rental policy, which was a new discovery in the COVID times. A lot of independent houses and farmhouses in the state have now been thrown open to tourists. While many are ordinary ones, some are exclusive and owned by HNIs. There are many categories and the prices have skyrocketed. There are also operators who are now running such homes. As government, we are in the final stages to make it easier for the tourists to book into these vacation homes and make it easier for the owners to ensure that the right tourists come. We are also building in the food and civil supplies department. We are also bringing in the police to ensure that these are exactly used for the right purposes. The vacation rental I think is going to be the backbone of tourism revival in Maharashtra.”

Experience AlUla will conduct another exciting webinar for the Indian travel trade to educate and give an update on the various leisure offerings, MICE facilities, hotels and suppliers in AlUla. It will be held on Wednesday, August 18 at 3pm IST where attendees will stand a chance to win exciting prizes. To register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 or register here directly https://event.webinarjam.com/register/270/lxq25trq

G Kamala Vardhan Rao has been given additional charge of the post of Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism. He would remain as the Chairman & Managing Director, India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. till appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The announcement was made by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

AAI has taken up development programme to spend around Rs. 25,000 crores in next 4-5 years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, new terminals, expansion or strengthening of existing runways, aprons, Airport Navigation Services (ANS), control towers, technical blocks etc. to meet the expected growth in aviation sector. It was revealed by General (Retd.) Dr. VK Singh, Minister of State, Civil Aviation, in Rajya Sabha.

Senior delegation from PATA India Chapter met with G Kishan Reddy, Cabinet Minister, Tourism & Culture, and put forth their recommendations and requests for his consideration. The minister gave them enough time, a patient hearing and has agreed to implement many of their suggestions. He also mentioned that he will have another meeting soon.

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, EBIXCASH Travel Services, has said that in the last one and a half years, he has seen a surge in private stays and private flying, with people preferring resort stays, exclusive pool and water villas over city hotels and increasingly opting for chartered flights like never before. He also added that as soon as borders open, Indians would be travelling everywhere.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, has revealed that they are developing a narrative with carbon free or relatively less carbon footprint-based tourism. She added, “Ladakh would be the first state, for which we are writing a vision document.” The MOT will be soon having an event in Ladakh for the same.