VFS in India has started accepting visa applications for Croatia for categories including tourist, student, work permit and immediate family member. Applicants should have Negetive RT-PCR test report not older than 48 hours at the movement of entry in Croatia and they should be in self-isolation for 14 days. The cost of RT-PCR test should be brone by the travellers.

Owing to Covid 19 restrictions on international commercial flights, the government has extended visa validity of foreigners stuck in India since March last year to August 31, 2021. Earlier, these foreigners had to get their visa extended every month. These foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for extension of their visas.

Over 15 top Regional Tourism Boards, Attractions and DMCs of Korea are confirmed to exhibit at the Korea Travel Expo, to be held from 22-24 June 2021. This will include representatives from Seoul & Busan tourism boards, Jeju Convention & Visitor Bureau and Lotte World with its collection of theme park, aquariums and observatory. Young-Geul Choi, Director, Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, says that currently there are 16 confirmed exhibitors. “My office will also have a virtual booth so that makes it a total of 17 as of now. The exhibitors are a mix of Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs), DMCs and Tourist Attraction. Regions represented by RTO’s are Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Jeju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. In DMC’s, some of them are participating for the first time in the India market and are excited to meet Indian buyers. For tourist attractions, we have the famous Lotte World, which will have a 3-people team and showcase their array of Theme-Park, Aquariums and Observatory. They are also exhibiting in India for the first time. In fact, 1/3rd of the delegation is coming to explore the India market for the very first time or after many years,” he adds. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email Jaspreet at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Former Civil Aviation Minister and Rajya Sabha MP, Suresh Prabhu has requested the Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri to issue passports to fully vaccinated persons as has been done in other countries. In a letter shared on Twitter, Prabhu said that it is necessary to allow fully vaccinated persons to travel freely so as to restore normalcy.

During an online presentation organised by Indiatourism Mumbai on Recognition of Tourism Service providers by Ministry of Tourism, D Venkatesan, Regional Director (West & Central Region) Indiatourism Mumbai highlighted the importance of being a recognised tourism service provider and also enlightened the participants about various benefits that a travel agent is entitled to, on being recognised by MOT.

Focused on driving more sustainable travel in South Asia, TOFT India has launched the internationally recognised Travelife programme to help drive up tour operation standards in India’s tourism sector. “All TOFT current DMC members will gain free access to a range of online tools that they can use,” said Ritu Makhija, Manager Sustainability at TOFT India.

Leslie Thng, CEO, Vistara has said that his airline  is focussing on a leaner cost-structure as well as exploring newer avenues to supplement earnings. He also said that Vistara aims to have 70 planes by 2023. He further said that full service carriers look to be relevant more in the current scenario due to less density of seats in the cabins. Vistara currently has a fleet of 46 aircraft.

A delegation led by TAAI AP and Telangana Chairman Nagesh Pampati met Telangana Tourism Minister, V. Srinivas Goud and submitted representation seeking a revival package for the tourism industry. The minister has assured government support in reviving the sector. The delegation urged the minister and sought his support to advise the banks to offer tourism industry interest-free loans upto Rs 25 Lakhs to be repaid back in the next three financial years.

AirlinePros international is pleased to announce a partnership with Dex Group, an established name in India’s Travel & Tourism industry, with over 50 years of experience in Indian Aviation. This is extremely complementary to our existing network and significantly expand our presence in key cities across India. As the aviation industry makes a slow restart, partnerships are key to ensure sustainable growth, to provide superior results in terms of increasing revenues and reducing costs for all our existing and potential clients. Achma Asokan, CEO commented “Our vision to be the most trusted and innovative network for servicing the aviation industry involves global partnerships as the DNA that runs through our raison d’etre. Our local partners bring to AirlinePros International the opportunity to connect innovative ideas, cultural diversity, expertise and professionalism to add unparalleled value to AirlinePros, our Global Partners and Clients. We have been exceptionally fortunate to have continued our global expansion throughout the pandemic, adding many new relationships. So, our global teams are prepared and ready for the “Aviation Restart and Resurgence Phase.” Our India operations are particularly special due to the huge untapped potential that exists and the immense strengths of our partner, DEX Group, having been pioneers in the industry in India.” Ramesh Marwah, Director Dex Group commented, “We are proud to partner with AirlinePros and are extremely happy to join strengths with one of the most professional & globally recognized aviation network group. As a long-established business with a pan India presence, the opportunity to work with a global organization is a perfect fit for us both. For Dex Group to partner with AirlinePros seemed like an opportune move as our two organizations share similar values …

In a statement, IATO said that it is hugely disappointed that its request for rationalising GST and cascading impact it causes on the tourism industry was not even discussed in the GST Council meeting. The apex-inbound tourism association hoped that the government and GST council would sympathise and do its bit in providing relief to the tourism sector.