InterContinental Hotels Group provides a business update in light of the rapidly evolving situation regarding Covid-19.Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, said: “At this unprecedented time, our top priority remains the health and wellbeing of our guests, colleagues and partners, and ensuring that in light of such a significant impact on the global economy and, in particular, on the travel industry, we take the right steps to protect the long-term health of our business. Demand for hotels is currently at the lowest levels we’ve ever seen. IHG has a robust business model and the measures we are announcing today to reduce costs and preserve cash give us the capacity to manage the business through this unique environment and to support our owners during this incredibly difficult time. These were not easy choices and we are mindful of the impact these decisions will have on our colleagues and shareholders. However, we believe that these are essential to ensuring that we come out of this as strong as we possibly can and ready to capitalise on what remains an industry with excellent long-term growth potential.”

Korea Tourism Organization is excited to host a webinar for the travel trade today at 3pm. The webinar will be a refresher course on South Korea as an overall tourism destination from the Indian customer perspective. For more information and to register, please contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com. It will cover all the basic destination information and highlight the popular places along with ideas on how to create a better South Korea tour product for the Indian consumer. The webinar will cover FIT and leisure travel but will also have valuable inputs for MICE groups. Jong Sool Kwon, Director – Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, says, “As we are all aware of the business slowdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak globally, I think it is best for the travel industry to utilise this time to better update itself with as much destination knowledge as possible. On that note, I have initiated the South Korea product webinar campaign so that travel agents can benefit themselves and be better prepared once the demand rises again.”

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has formed a Global Tourism Crisis Committee in response to the global outburst of COVID-19 and several countries announcing lockdown. In the coming days, UNWTO will release a set of recommendations for recovery. The document will highlight the steps governments and other authorities need to take to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector and to then accelerate recovery. The UNWTO-led Committee will hold regular virtual meetings, reflecting the need for coordinated and efficient action by the private and public sectors, governments and  international financing institutions. The world tourism body further emphasise the call for international cooperation to underscore a united response based on latest public health recommendations and reflecting the deep economic ripple effect and social cost of the pandemic.  

Vistara is constantly working to maintain the highest standards of safety and is taking all necessary precautions and measures to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the efforts, the airline had set up a Specialized Task Force in January 2020 to orchestrate various preventive, containment and decontamination measures. Vistara has adopted the WHO guidelines, stepped up safety measures on its aircraft, in offices and airport areas. The airline is reviewing this regularly as the situation continues to evolve. AIRCRAFT CLEANING: Vistara is now cleaning its aircraft at the turnaround of every single flight with disinfectants recommended by aircraft manufacturers and as prescribed by the authorities. This means all cabins of Vistara’s aircraft, including seats, tray tables, latches, galley, seatbelt buckles, all lavatories and flight deck etc. are being disinfected after every flight. Additionally, thorough deep cleaning of all aircraft in Vistara’s fleet is being carried out every 24 hours using approved higher concentration of disinfectant cleaner. Callington 2200 (CH2200) is being used as the disinfectant cleaner, and the cleaning procedures are carried out by teams equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as body suits, hand gloves, face masks, as required. OTHER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: Vistara is continuously monitoring flights across its network for risks. If a suspected case comes to the airline’s attention, either voluntarily or reported/observed by our crew (i.e. passengers exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19), Vistara’s operations and maintenance control centers are immediately informed for necessary action. This includes immediate sanitization of the affected row including three rows ahead and behind of it, lavatory, sidewalls, tray tables, overhead compartments and carpets by approved cleaners. If any confirmed cases are reported, Vistara will immediately carry …

Doing its bit to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Vistara today announced temporary fleet-wide removal of all reading material from seatback pockets, including the Vistara in-flight magazine, newspapers and other magazines of passengers’ interest. The step has been taken to prevent the spread of the virus.   Vistara is also proactively cleaning all aircraft in its fleet at the turnaround of every single flight. Disinfectant cleaners approved by aircraft manufacturers are being used for the purpose. This means all cabins of all of Vistara’s aircraft, including seats, tray tables, latches, galley, seatbelt buckles, all lavatories and flight deck etc. are being disinfected after every flight. Additionally, Vistara is carrying out thorough deep cleaning of all aircraft every 24 hours using approved higher concentration of disinfectant cleaner, Callington 2200 (CH2200). The airline’s teams wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hand gloves and face masks, as required, to perform the cleaning procedures.   OTHER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:   Vistara is continuously monitoring flights across its network for risks. If a suspected case (passengers exhibiting any symptoms of Covid-19) comes to the airline’s attention, either voluntarily or reported/observed by the crew, the airline’s operations and maintenance control centers are immediately informed for necessary action. The subsequent action includes immediate sanitization of the affected row including three rows ahead and behind, lavatory, sidewalls, tray tables, overhead compartments and carpets by approved disinfectant cleaners. If any confirmed cases are reported, Vistara will immediately carry out complete sanitization of the entire aircraft. Vistara’s cabin crew practice a high level of personal hygiene and wear disposable gloves during processes such as clearance of trays. Vistara’s fleet is equipped with the HEPA (High Efficiency-Particulate Arrestors) air recirculation filters that …

Aeroflot has adjusted its schedule of flights from Moscow. Aeroflot will continue to operate flights from Moscow to the following destinations in Europe: Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Dublin, Geneva, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome. Following the decision by Russian authorities to halt flights between Moscow and Dubai, from 23 March one flight will operate daily on this route. From 29 March, Aeroflot will continue to operate flights to the US only between Moscow and New York. Aeroflot is working hard to help Russian citizens return home. We ask all passengers holding tickets for cancelled flights to regularly check the email associated with the booking, or check the booking on the Aeroflot website, or contact the airline directly to make changes. Passengers (Russian citizens) holding tickets for later dates on routes where service is being suspended are requested to contact the airline as soon as possible to rebook their flight on the earliest operated regular or charter flight. Aeroflot has temporarily suspended flights between Moscow and the following cities: — Aktau (23 March to 23 April) — Aktobe (23 March to 23 April) — Almaty (23 March to 23 April) — Athens (24 March to 18 April) — Atyrau (24 March to 23 April) — Baku (29 March to 30 April) — Barcelona (21 March to 23 April) — Beirut (18 March to 29 March) — Belgrade (21 March to 23 April) — Budapest (23 March to 30 April) — Bukhara (16 March to 15 April) — Cairo (19 March to 31 March) — Chisinau (16 March to 31 March) — Copenhagen (21 March to 23 April) — Delhi (22 March to 28 March) — Frankfurt (19 March to 23 April) — Helsinki (24 March to 2 April) — Karagandy (19 March to 23 April) — Kostanay (21 March to 22 April) …

Etihad Airways will temporarily suspend all flights to, from, and via Abu Dhabi following a decision by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), to suspend all inbound, outbound, and transit passenger flights in the UAE. This decision has been made to limit the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus and to protect citizens, residents, and international travellers. The suspension of flights to and from Abu Dhabi International Airport will commence at 23:59 (UAE local time) on Wednesday 25 March, and will last for an initial 14 days, subject to further directives by the relevant authorities. Cargo and emergency evacuation flights are exempt and will continue. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “These are unprecedented times and unprecedented decisions are being made by governments, authorities and companies, including Etihad, to contain the spread of the coronavirus and to help minimise its effects around the world. “We stand with our loyal customers, who are having to endure disruption and inconvenience to their travel and their daily lives, and we dedicate all our efforts and resources to ensuring we do all we can to assist them with their travel planning during this challenging period. “As the national airline, we stand in full support of the UAE government’s decision, and are confident that we’re well prepared to weather the commercial and operational impact this suspension will have on our services.” Guests will be notified if their flight is cancelled. However, prior to proceeding to the airport, all guests should still check the status of their flights, using the Etihad Airways Flight Tracker at: https://www.etihad.com/en/manage/flight-tracker Etihad Airways continues to follow UAE and international …

The Poona Hoteliers Association, taking cognisance of the situation owing to the COVID-19 infection and steps taken by the Government to curb the spread of infection has written to the Hon’ble Chief Minister on behalf of its member Hotels, Restaurants and allied Institutions seeking relief given the huge losses facing the industry. The plea highlights the critical state that hoteliers and hospitality professionals find themselves due to dwindling revenues and pressures to service debt and fulfil financial obligations towards the government. PHA has also sent copies of the appeal to relevant departments like the Tourism Ministry, Maharashtra, Commissioners of PMC and PCMC and the Hon’ble Collector of Pune. Poona Hoteliers Association (PFA) is a non-profit entity working in the interest of industry stakeholders. In the light of the drastic fall in occupancies and customers at the restaurants, PHA in its submission has requested the Government for assistance in offering relief in licence fees, levies, taxes, duties and GST on various amenities including electricity, fuel, excise and municipal levies to tide over the current crisis. “Our effort is merely to draw the attention of the Government towards the plight of Hoteliers and the industry, which is the single largest generator of employment in the Country. A favourable consideration will help the industry save several jobs, which are under threat right now, apart from keeping several ancillary businesses afloat. There are many families dependent upon employment generated directly by the industry and we only seek to do our bit to ensure we keep the kitchen fuel burning in their homes”, said Sharan Shetty, President of PHA. PHA members include over 90 major star and independently operated Hotels and Hotel Management Institutes in …

Tourism, hospitality and aviation are among the worst affected sectors that are facing the maximum brunt of the present crisis, revealed a report on impact of COVID-19 on Indian economy by FICCI. The survey suggests that there has been a drop in both inbound and outbound tourism of about 67% and 52% respectively since January to February as compared to the same period last year, owing to large scale cancellation of travel plans by both foreign and domestic tourists. Of all the segments of the hospitality sector, the M!CE segment has been hit the most with the cancellation of major trade events. The tourism industry expects the situation to further deteriorate in March and in the forthcoming summer season i.e. April-June, says the report.

Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) has requested their members to refund 100% deposit on bookings made by travel agents. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI, and President of HRAWI, has said, “We have advised all our hotel members to give 100 per cent refunds to the travel agents through whom the bookings have come. Some of them may have not done so. But they are definitely deferring the dates. We have advised them not to do this because at the time of crisis to gain the confidence of the guest, one must offer immediate and 100 per cent refund whenever asked for. Of course, deferment of dates is already there. We request the travel agents to try and influence the airlines – certain airlines have not been kind enough to refund. They are only offering a change of date. Unfortunately, that is not how it will work specially at a time like this. We are a service industry and customers are of prime importance.”