A new entrant in cloud-based hotel management software domain StreetGooser is offering free tech support to help the industry recover from the pandemic. Shakthivelu M, its MD & Co-Founder, says, “Our focus is on small to mid-sized properties to provide them with technology that won’t break their banks. We tweak our technology based on the clients’ needs.”

A consumer survey of nearly 3,000 frequent travellers conducted by WTTC in US and Canadian market has revealed that 70 per cent respondents plan to take a holiday in 2021 while 45 per cent of respondents have already made plans or are starting to make finite plans for their next holiday.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have signed an MoU to open doors for tourists to the BMC headquarters on weekends in a few months’ time. Tourism Minister of Maharashtra, Aditya Thackeray on Twitter informed that not just tourists, but many Mumbaikars would also love to see the building of the BMC HQ, the way Mumbai is run from in here and seek inspiration from the historic figures that built the city from here.    

Goa Government has announced the Tourism Policy 2020 and Tourism Master Plan. The license fee for beach shacks has been reduced by 50%. Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar said under the tourism policy, a tourism board would be constituted having experts from various fields. The required infrastructure would be developed on the Public-Private Partnership mode to develop tourism in the state.

World tourism day which is marked every year on September 27 is just two days away. The day is held worldwide to highlight how tourism adds huge economic value and fosters social, cultural and political integration in the world. But unfortunately this year, it just acts as a reminder of stark reality facing the tourism sector. Highlighting the woes of the IATO, today submitted a memorandum to Meenakshi Sharma, DG Ministry of tourism bringing to her notice how in the event of complete halt of operations and no financial support from the government, the industry which contributes about Rs 15 lakh crore to the economy and provides direct/ indirect employment to more than 5 crore people is on the brink of closure. The pandemic has hit all the sectors of the economy but tourism has been the worst hit with inbound tourism taking the biggest hit. Since March when the flights and visas were cancelled, the business has been absolutely zero as a result a lot of small tour operators have shut and larger ones which are still running are working with skeleton staff which is required for maintenance, creditors and supplier’s payments and payment of mandatory government dues. The closure has led to a direct economic loss of Rs 6 lakh crores and indirectly the economy has lost Rs 15 lakh Crores which is about 9 % to 10 % of the economy. In terms of employment, more than 4 crore jobs have been lost. The situation becomes alarming as the situation does not look like improving in the next six months too. IATO has represented about the woes to different wings of the government but so far no relief …

The World Tourism Day celebration by MOT this year will be different as the event would take place virtually. Sharing details of the same, Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, said, “World Tourism Day 2020 celebration will happen differently this year. The new initiative- which endeavours to organise a PAN-India— SAATHI-System for Assessment, Awareness and Training for Hospitality Industry, will be launched. MOT will be showcasing a small audio-video clip on IITFC initiative by MOT. IITFC aims at employment generation at the PAN-India grass-root level. An AV will also be shown on the MICE potential of India. Since the focus this year is on domestic tourism, small snippets of the Dekho Apna Desh webinars will be showcased, MOT will be giving an e-certificate of participation for these webinars for the first participant.”

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the winners of the PATA Gold Awards 2020. The winners were announced during the Online PATA Gold Awards Presentation as part of Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2020, taking place from September 23-27. Kerala Tourism, India received the PATA Gold Award 2020 Grand Title Winner in Marketing for Education and Training for its “Human by Nature Print Campaign”. Also, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka won the PATA Gold Award 2020 for its campaign, “Script Your Adventure” in the Marketing Campaign (State and city – Global) category.  The PATA Gold Awards 2020 attracted 121 entries from 62 organisations and individuals worldwide. The winners were selected by an independent judging committee of 16 personalities from various destinations.

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has permitted airlines to decide baggage limitations for domestic passenger flights. An MoCA order said the “baggage limitation would be as per airlines’ policies. The matter has been reviewed based on feedback/inputs received from concerned stakeholders”. Currently, only 1 check-in baggage & 1 hand baggage per passenger is allowed.

Riya Group’s Marine Travel division has seen tremendous growth in the past few months. Manoj Samuel, Director, Riya Group, says, “This is the only unit which has not gone down since the pandemic. We do marine charters all over the world. Riya Marine Travel has been facilitating travel for seafarers since 16 years, offering services like special airfares for seamen, visa, insurance, hotel accommodations near ports, calling cards, etc for crew working on offshore rigs, commercial vessels, and cruise ships.”

Nikhil Gandhi, Proprietor of Mangotrip in Bengaluru, loves cricket. So when Tripjack launched the IPL Fantasy League contest, he jumped on the idea. “We have been associated with Tripjack for more than two years and we really like their product offerings and their service. Now that IPL is back on, Tripjack has made it even more interesting with their IPL Fantasy League app on which I can create my own team and ensure I win!” Gandhi says. Weekly winners also win 2-night on Jalesh cruise for a couple. Visit tripjack.com now!