According to IATA, agents and advisors booking flights for clients through the association’s Passenger Agency Program must ask travelers if they want their contact information shared with airlines in the case of operational disruptions. Agents and advisors will be required to enter the passenger contact information when booking flights beginning June 1. Carriers will be able to use the information to advise passengers of irregular flight operations and disruptions. “In the event the passenger exercises his or her right not to provide contact details it is incumbent on the Agent to indicate that the passenger has declined to provide such details, and to enter the refusal in the PNR to limit any statutory liability,” the IATA rule now reads. “In such a case, the Agent must actively advise the passenger that they may not receive information from the airline relating to flight cancellation or schedule changes (including delay in departure).” For travelers who decline to share their phone number and/or email address, agents and advisors will have to report the client refused to provide the information. While the rule has been in place since 2013, it is now a requirement instead of a recommendation As for how the information will be used, IATA officials said it would not be utilized for marketing or sales purposes, but instead will be for flight cancellations, schedule changes and other related operational notifications. The IATA Passenger Agency Program provides a system for the accreditation of travel agents that meet specific industry standards and financial criteria. Currently there are some 56,261 IATA accredited travel agents operating in 207 countries and territories. (Source: Travel Pulse)

The Indian Hotels Company Limited has introduced the iconic Taj brand in Agra with the opening of Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra. The hotel is spread over 4.5 acres is ideally located within walking distance from the Taj Mahal. The 239 spacious rooms are elegantly designed in a contemporary style. The hotel offers multiple dining options such as Palato, the all-day diner, Daawat-e-Nawaab, the Indian specialty restaurant and two lounges – Liquid Lounge and Tea Lounge. The pièce de résistance is Infini – The Sky Lounge, a rooftop bar with stunning views of the Taj Mahal. Guests can enjoy a swim in the infinity pool which also overlooks the Taj Mahal. Rohit Khosla, Executive Vice President – Operations, North and West India, IHCL, said “We are excited to bring the Taj brand to the historic city of Agra. Agra is renowned world over for being one of the most culturally rich cities. Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra offering spectacular views of the Taj Mahal promises to be a great draw for both, domestic as well as international travellers.” This luxury hotel in Agra is an ideal destination for large conferences and destination weddings. It offers 40,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor banqueting space including a 14,000 sq. ft. pillar-less hall which is one of the largest in North India. “Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra is located in close proximity to major tourist attractions. It is ideally suited for leisure travellers and is the perfect venue for conferences and weddings. I am looking forward to welcoming guests to this new luxury address in the city.” said Rajat Tuli, General Manager, Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra. With …

Orchha, the historical town in district Niwari, Madhya Pradesh has been included in UNESCO’s tentative list of world heritage sites. Surendra Singh Baghel, Minister of Tourism & Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) shared in a statement that a detailed proposal was made by the tourism department in collaboration with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and was sent to the UNESCO in this regard. Mandu is already included in UNESCO’s tentative list.   Orchha is located in Niwari district on the banks of river Betwa. It was established in the 16th century by Bundela Rajput King, Rudra Pratap. This ancient town has two magnificent towers (Saavan and Bhadon), along with four palaces namely Jahangir Palace, Raj Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Rai Praveen Mahal. These magnificent buildings of Bundelkhand’s heritage are unparalleled depiction of cultural and charming devotional beauty. The stone carved idols of God and Goddess, along with the painting of animals and birds which reflects the master art of painters of those times, are fresh and attractive. In the southern part of city, on the bank of Betwa River at the Kanchan Ghat one could also explore 14 cenotaphs of different Bundela kings.   It is the only place in India where Lord Ram is worshipped as King and has a dedicated temple called Sri Ram Raja Mandir. Chaturbhuj Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple etc. are also beautiful and fine examples of stone carving and paintings. Apart from the tourists who visit Orchha for it architectural and historical magnificence, there is a constant flow of other tourists who are nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and those who like to experience the water sports (river-rafting) after the monsoon. Orchha has fairly good connectivity …

Lounge and transit hotel facilities at the Bengaluru airport will remain partially shut between June this year and March 2021, owing to the refurbishment work which commences from the next month, BIAL said in a statement. The refurbishment project will be executed in two phases spanning 18-20 months, Bengalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) said in the release. “Starting June 1, parts of the domestic and international lounges and transit hotel would be closed,” BIAL said. Billionaire Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Group-promoted Bengaluru airport currently has four lounges — two in international security hold area (SHA) and the other two in the domestic SHA. “Our vision is to improve lounge facilities to enhance the on-ground travel experience of our passengers. The new lounge concept is aimed at providing the ultimate hospitality experience,” said Kenneth R, chief commercial officer, BIAL. The refurbishment work will be executed in two phases spanning 18-20 months, a BIAL spokesperson said adding the AGL (above-ground level)lounge in domestic and international SHA will remain close from June 1 till April 31, 2020. The Plaza premium lounges in the international and domestic SHAs will not be available for services between April 1 and March 31, 2021, he said. The new lounge operator, a joint venture between Gate Group and Travel & Food Service (TFS) India, will take over operations of the facilities, BIAL said adding that all the four lounges will resume operations in a phased manner. Once the refurbishment of the facilities is completed, the users will have a new and exclusive lounge and transit hotel experience, the release said

India recently has issued a fresh advisory asking citizens travelling to Sri Lanka to be careful and vigilant in view of last month’s bombings in which over 250 people were killed. In the advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said security situation in Sri Lanka is gradually returning to normal with the lifting of curfew and restrictions on social media and the opening of schools. At the same time it said, “Indian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka are advised to be careful and vigilant.” It also asked Indian nationals requiring any assistance to get in touch round the clock with the Indian High Commission in Colombo and Assistant High Commission in Kandy as well as Consulates in Jaffna and Hambantota. In the aftermath of the blasts last month, the MEA had asked citizens not to undertake non-essential travel to the island nation. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people. (SOURCE: PTI)

Gold Stone Hotels and Resorts expands its portfolio in Dhanaulti, Uttrakhand under its  brand name, ‘Comfort’. Dhanaulti has emerged as a satellite hill station to Mussoorie and benefits from close proximity to the beautiful valley of Dehradun. The spread out  35 Keys Hotel has two Banquets, 01 Restaurant & Entertainment Zone apart from Fitness Centre & Spa. Housing facilities for all age groups, the Hotel is a Self Reliant option for the clientele intending to un-wing in the serene nature. The hospitality group has signed eight properties under its flagships in a spectacular short span of just four months.

V S Abdul Kareem, CEO & Managing Director, Creative Tours & Travels, has been conferred the Gallery of Legends trophy at the India Travel Awards South. Starting his career in 1976 with a passenger shipping company, Kareem had a clear aim to lead the travel and tourism industry. Within three years, he established a premium company in 1979 offering a comprehensive range of holidays, MiCE activities and other tourism services across South India. Accredited by IATA and approved by Government of India, he created a distinctive niche with focus on service excellence. He was quick to recognise the need of the travel industry and through his dedicated effort started another division of professionally managed B2B DMC for agents from North, East and Western India. As one of the first B2B organisations, he established his business on the basis of trust and reliability, offering clients, cost effective solutions and professional handling of their requirements.

Manish Kriplani, Managing Director of Baywatch Travels has been honoured with DDP Game Changer award. He joined his mother’s company in 1995 to learn the ropes of the travel industry. His enthusiasm soon saw him conceive the idea of a new company. Kriplani then travelled worldwide to inspect and identify contract suppliers to service the luxury segment and offer travellers bespoke holidays, MiCE facilities as well as destination weddings. He soon got into the online space where clients can book various services on his site at their convenience. He is the Chairman of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India—Southern region. He is also on the advisory committee of the Australian High commission.

Amarnath Reddy, Promoter, AR Group bagged the DDP Trailblazer award. Coming from a family which has successfully been in the leather industry for more than three decades, Reddy is a B.Tech in Leather Technology from Chennai and an M.Tech in Shoe Technology from Pirmasens, Germany. Having worked in Europe for a few years in reputed shoe factories, he has good command over German and Italian languages. Around 15 years ago, Reddy diversified into the real estate business and worked on various commercial and residential projects. In 2014, he established a company to promote Sheraton (Marriott) in East Coast Road, Chennai.

The sixth edition of India Travel Awards – South concluded at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa amidst the presence of the stalwarts of the travel and tourism industry. The chief guest for the evening was Shreevats Sanjay, Deputy Director General, & Regional Director – South, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, who not only felicitated the winners, but also congratulated them for their contribution to the industry. The award was given in a total of 41 categories, celebrating the achievements of travel professionals in travel and MiCE industries across South India. India Travel Awards celebrates the winners and achievers of the travel industry by honouring them at a glittering ceremony.