Ashok Travels and Tours (ATT), the Travel division of India Tourism Development Corporation, New Delhi (ITDC) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have signed an MoU, under which ATT will provide online travel solution for booking air tickets and travel-related services to 414 units and commands of CISF during official journeys. The MoU was signed by Shri. Rajiv Anand GM (ATT) and Shri. V K Yadav, AIG Administrator on 16th June 2021, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC said, “The travel industry has been severely impacted with the ongoing pandemic. We are honoured that CISF has given us an opportunity to provide an essential service to them. We look forward to helping CISF in Resource optimization and facilitating optimal planning.”

FAITH has urged the chief ministers of all states for proportionate relief on statutory obligations to the pandemic hit tourism industry and other measures. With almost no business expected for tourism, travel and hospitality companies they have requested a complete waiver of all statutory expenses for FY 2021-22 without any penalties. These expenses include all fixed electricity and other utility charges, excise duties, property taxes, interstate tourist transport taxes, waiver of SGST, or any other local taxes. They have also asked for an automatic renewal of all licenses, permits, permissions, which were expiring in FY 2021-22 without any financial charges or penalties; Industry status for tourism travel & hospitality; refund of unutilised GST credit lying with state governments to the tourism, travel & hospitality players to get immediate liquidity; reduction of VAT on state aviation turbine fuel and special reduction of state level airport taxes to incentivize travel; reduction of license fees for performance & events to boost state MICE. For unorganised workers working with the tourism sector, who don’t have the safety net of PF/ ESI, coverage of sustenance wages and medical condition as a grant with ‘direct transfer’. Special recognition of tourism travel and hospitality micro small & medium enterprises choosing work from home services as an additional option under the relevant provisions. FAITH further asked for permission to leverage open spaces such as terraces and adjacent areas for F&B to enable compliance with social distancing norms while also enhancing the eating out experience to stimulate the industry demand. Other demands include state level tourism task force along with representatives all FAITH member associations; liquor VAT under GST and reduction of state liquor VAT / excise to stimulate …

Pramod Sawant, CM, Goa, has informed the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) that the state’s hospitality sector would open fully only after the positivity rate drops below 5%. Tourism activities will not be reopened in Goa until everybody in the state gets at least one dose of the vaccine, he said. The CM added that the administration is aiming to achieve this goal by 31 July. “The government will permit full-fledged opening of the industry when the case positivity rate is below 5%.”

The Korea Travel Expo, from 23rd-24th June, will have the famous tourist attraction in S. Korea— Lotte World. “They will have a 3-people team and showcase their array of Theme-Park, Aquariums and Observatory. They are exhibiting in India for the first time,” revealed Young-Geul Choi, Director, KTO, New Delhi. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email Jaspreet at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism has said that there is great concern at all relevant levels of MOT regarding SEIS, and they understand that it will be of great support to the industry. “Secretary, Tourism is himself leading all the discussions with the concerned officials, and we hope to get a positive news very soon on that,” she added.

Recognising the immense potential of rural tourism, Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has formulated a ‘Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India – An initiative towards Atmanirbhar Bharat’, which is driven by the spirit of Vocal4Local, revealed a recent tweet by MOT. The Ministry has been actively working on promotion & development of rural tourism, which can contribute significantly to the mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, added the tweet.

Considering the prevailing situation of COVID-19, it has been decided that all centrally protected monuments, sites and museums under, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), shall be opened from June 16, 2021, revealed Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture in a tweet. The order in this regard also mentions that appropriate guidelines and SOPs issued by Union and State/UT Ministries/Deptt. have to be scrupulously followed while regulating the flow of visitors.

Mauritius will be opening for international travellers from 15 July 2021 in phases. The first phase, from 15 July to 30 September 2021, will enable vaccinated travellers to enjoy a resort holiday on the island. They must undergo a PCR test between 5 and 7 days before departure and a negative result is required to travel to the island. Travellers will also have a PCR test on arrival at the airport in Mauritius and on day 7 and 14 of their resort holiday, as applicable. If guests stay over 14 days and have negative PCR tests during their stay in the resort, they will be able to explore the island’s attractions. However, for shorter stays, they may leave the resort earlier and travel back home. A list of pre-approved Covid-19 safe resorts will be available from 20 June 2021 at www.mauritiusnow.com Travellers to Mauritius aged 18 years or over must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. For Phase 2, from the 1st of October 2021, vaccinated travellers will be allowed entry without restrictions upon presentation of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. Unvaccinated travellers will be subject to 14 days in-room quarantine for both Phases 1 and 2 until further notice.

World Travel Market (WTM) will now be a hybrid event, with the physical event to be held in London from 1-3 November, 2021, while the virtual version of the event will be held from 8-9 Nov, 2021. WTM London is the leading global event for the travel industry, which was held virtually last year.

Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha said the Chief Minister is expected to soon announce financial packages for the tourism sector.On the other hand, members of several travel associations have urged the Telangana government to take measures to provide relief to the sector.