Modi Ji… have you really understood the problems of our travel industry? Time to dive into the problems and turbulences industry has faced in the last 15 Years. There is no doubt that this government is proactive and quick at decision making, Trying to bring in a positive change but things have certainly gone wrong somewhere for our already suffering travel industry especially for offline players. Perhaps this government hasn’t done deep research on this industry and taken one-sided decisions and damaged it more. You would ask How? Let’s look back and evaluate a bit. Abolishment of IATA commissions by most of the Airlines (2001Onwards) Travel agents were paid 9% commission till 2000. From 2001 the commission was reduced to 7%. In May 2005, the commission was reduced to 5%. In November same year, 16 airlines cut the commission to zero, a move followed by others. In December 2008, the commission was rolled back to 3% by Indian carriers Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines, which is now defunct. Subsequently, others followed suit, and now airlines have again reduced it to 1%.  This was probably the first a big blow to our tourism industry as these commissions were a major source of their incomes. Information Source: Economic Times http://bit.ly/39ELDtF OTA & Other Intermediaries predatory pricing, w major disruptor (2006 Onwards) Biggest change, biggest disruption. The Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) have been one major disruptor to online distribution but other intermediaries have also come along and have further impacted the industry, such as Google, Facebook, Trip Advisor, metasearch sites and Airbnb. Tourism business which was synonyms to service-oriented experience has now become a commodity. Even the hoteliers are presented with …

IMEX Frankfurt, one of the largest annual trade exhibitions for the meetings, conventions, events and incentive travel industry, has been cancelled, due to the coronavirus outbreak. The event was scheduled to take place May 12-14 in Frankfurt, Germany. The announcement comes soon after IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom and CEO Carina Bauer said they were confident the show would go on. The statement reads, “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of this year’s IMEX in Frankfurt (due to take place 12-14 May). We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment, not only to the exhibitors, buyers and industry professionals who were due to attend the show, but also to the global business events community. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and there are two overriding concerns that have caused us to make this decision at this time. First is the uncertainty caused by the fact that the German health minister has recently called for the ban on events with over 1,000 people which some German states have already endorsed, including the state of Hesse where Frankfurt is located. This announcement makes the probability of factors outside our control forcing us to cancel the show at the last minute much higher. Second, our primary concern is always the responsibility we feel towards our exhibitors and partners, who fund the show – not only by purchasing stand space but also in the considerable additional investment they make in everything from the build of stunning stands to the hosting of buyer events. Whilst only a short time ago we felt optimistic that May was far enough away to confidently proceed with our …

The Indian government has decided not to let any cruise ship from any foreign destination dock at any of its port. The measure has been taken keeping in mind the growing threat of COVID-19. Any international cruise ship or any member of its crew or passenger having a travel history of visiting any of the COVID-19 affected countries since 1st February 2020; will not be permitted to enter any Indian port till 31st March 2020. 25 cruise liners were scheduled to arrive in Indian ports till April-end. “Only those international cruise ships which had planned and intimated their call to an Indian Port not later than 1st January 2020 will be allowed to call on such port,” the Ministry of Shipping said. The government said international cruise ships will be allowed only at ports having thermal screening facilities for passengers and crew members. If any passenger/crew member of cruise ships show symptoms of coronavirus, disembarking will not be permitted, it added.

According to HVS India Hospitality Overview 2019, Chandigarh recorded the highest growth in RevPAR (12.3%) in 2019. However, Mumbai continued to record the highest RevPAR of ₹6,464 in 2019. The report also states that Goa and Bengaluru remain the top markets for brand signings. However, increasing supply poses a concern for the Goa hotel market performance in the near future.

Tourism New Zealand welcomes Indians with its new campaign creative and announces the expansion of tourism industry partnership for quicker visitor visa application processing. Inspired by the fact that New Zealand is one of the first places to see the sunlight of a new day, Tourism New Zealand, as part of its 100% Pure Welcome – 100% Pure New Zealand, has released a content series with ‘Good Morning World’ messages shared by locals welcoming visitors from their favourite spots across the country. The campaign showcases what makes New Zealand unique as a holiday destination – the warm and friendly people, stunning landscapes and variety of things to do. In order to support this, a trade webinar is being hosted on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 1430hrs to help increase the travel agents’ destination knowledge of New Zealand.

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of a new hotel in Bhimtal, Uttrakhand. The hotel aims to promote tourism in the area and offer high-quality service and stay options. The banquet hall offers the ideal for weddings to private parties, exhibitions to business meets. The hotel also offers multi-cuisine restaurant and also has a bar and lounge where guests can relax and sip innovative cocktails and nibble on delicious snacks. In addition, the hotel has activity center, travel desk and complimentary Wi-Fi. The admirers of picturesque scenic beauty can visit Bhimtal Lake, Victoria Dam, Hidimba Parvat, and Butterfly research centre and surely not miss Bhimeshwar and Karkotaka Temples.

The Indian government has announced the suspension of all regular visas to India in view of rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in the country. In an order, the Health Ministry said all existing visas except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visa are suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure. Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian mission, visa-free travel facility granted to OCI cardholders is also kept in abeyance till 15th April,” read a communique, issued after a meeting of a Group of Ministers. All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15th February 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. Incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India. The notification also strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic.

Mayfair Hotels & Resorts will open ‘Mayfair Tea Resort Siliguri’ in 2020.  Pradipta Mohapatra, Assistant Vice President (Sales & Marketing), Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, said, “In 2020, Mayfair will be establishing India’s first boutique tea resort in Siliguri, which is expected to be operations by mid-2020. Situated amidst thousands of acres of aromatic tea gardens, the property is being exquisitely designed and exclusively developed to take tea tourism in India to new heights. Going ahead, in 2021, our group will also establish a 252-Key five-star deluxe property in Kolkata, the work for which is expeditiously underway.”

Starting 27th March 2020, Genting Dream Cruise will again start sailing from Singapore. The ship had announced voluntary suspension of Genting Dream’s operations from Singapore from February 23 amidst rising travel concerns after coronavirus outbreak. Genting Dream features all the comforts of authentic Asian hospitality, combined with the finest experiences from around the world.

Extending visa restrictions on three more countries, the government has asked people to refrain from travelling to France, Germany and Spain apart from Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and China. Issuing additional travel advisory in view of the COVID-19, the Health Ministry advised them to avoid non-essential travel abroad. Regular visas including e-Visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travel history to these countries on or after February 1 and who have not yet entered India also stands suspended. The advisory further said that all incoming international passengers returning to India should self-monitor their health and follow required Dos and Dont’s. Besides, all passengers having travel history to China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival. With regard to restrictions on visa, besides the already issued instructions, all regular visas which have been granted to nationals of France, Germany and Spain on or before 11th of this month and were these foreigners have not yet entered India, stands suspended.