With the pandemic highlighting the need for greater sustainability in the travel and tourism supply chain, TOFTigers has relaunched its internationally-recognised PUG and Footprint certification programme to help accommodation providers improve their businesses, now that travel is slowly resuming. It is a globally-recognised standard, to show their operators, OTAs, agents and to clients that their business is a world-class operation that is conscious of its responsibilities to people and the planet. TOFTigers is also running tutorials on understanding sustainability and how to build better itineraries, the fourth in the series is today at 2pm led by Julian Matthews, Founder and Chairman, TOFTigers. To join, sign up at https://www.toftigers.org/toftigers-event.

According to the ‘Asia Pacific Visitor Forecast 2021-2023’ report released by PATA, growth prospect for international visitors arrivals reveal that the Asia Pacific region is expected to return to 96% of the volume of foreign arrivals received in 2019. Of immediate concern, for all of the Asia Pacific destination sub-regions, 2021 is likely to be another difficult year for international travel movements.

Accor has announced the opening of its 2nd Grand Mercure, at Gopalan Signature Mall, Bengaluru. This is Accor’s sixth hotel in Bengaluru and seventh property in Karnataka. The hotel with 212 rooms is inspired by the iconic Hoysala architecture, incorporating local touch points to the overall ambience.

IHG® Hotels & Resorts has announced the first opening of 2021 in India with Holiday Inn Chandigarh Zirakpur. The newest hotel in the tricity – Holiday Inn Chandigarh Zirakpur in association with ABC Sites features 131 keys with scenic city views and is located on Chandigarh- Ambala highway.

Sharing the aim and vision of the team Moving Forward for the upcoming IATO Elections scheduled on 6th March in Delhi, Rajiv Mehra, the current Vice President and the candidate for President for the next term said that his aim is to think big and not lure our members with small petty benefits.” We are going to work for revival of business for our esteemed membership. The need of the hour is to think lateral & logical with paramount aim focus on the revival of our businesses and ignore the petty issues. We are confident that our members are intelligent enough to choose the best team,” he said in a meet and greet event organised for travel trade media in Delhi. The short term and long-term Agenda of the team is as under:- To continue to follow up with Ministry of Finance/Commerce/DGFT regarding the release of SEIS Scrips for 2019-20. To get SEIS for the tour operators for the next 5 years by getting it included in Foreign Trade Policy 2021-25 with the easy terms and conditions suitable to our members. To remove the requirement of minimum Rs. 2 crores turnover of foreign exchange earnings in MDA Guidelines for overseas promotion so that all our members can be benefited. To get relaxation in qualification for MoT Recognition by adding diploma/certificate of Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council To request Ministry of Tourism to start marketing and promotions by organising roadshows, participation in international travel marts, organise fam trips for FTOs etc., as soon as the restriction on e-Visa is removed and international flights start operating, To get the IATO website linked with the MOT website so that members can receive queries/leads. …

ITC Rajputana invites its guests to immerse in the romance and majesty of the royal era. Celebrate the joy of togetherness with love, appreciation and gratitude this Valentine’s Day. Share the day of love with your dear one’s in the lap of luxury. Enjoy the romantic brunch at 3999+taxes for a couple (12.30 to 03.30) and 4-course TDH menu at Jaipur Pavilion at 3999+taxes for a couple (07.30 onwards) on 14th February. Curated with utmost love and care, ITC hotels has introduced Valentine’s hampers from 5th Feb to 14th Feb as well. Choose from cherry hazelnut and chocolate gateaux; hand-painted macarons and rose and cashew marzipans among others. Valentine’s hampers are available for home delivery and takeaway at select ITC Hotels from February 5 until February 14, 2021 in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Jaipur. Rediscover love all over again in the comfort and luxury of well-appointed settings. Savor the true essence of opulence with a blend of modern life and luxurious royalty. Enjoy cozy moments of stargazing and heartwarming conversations with your beloved in the private balcony overlooking the pool. Plan a private rendezvous with your special someone over a traditional high tea or intimate open-air dinner date exclusively curated in the poised ambience of your suite’s balcony. With exquisite décor and regal vibes, a romantic staycation is all that you need. The romance isn’t exclusively limited to the suite; the hotel’s spa provides pampering therapies which will have you feeling a natural high. The romantic staycation offer at ITC Rajputana includes accommodation in the chosen room category, Daily breakfast, Late check-out, Happy Hours (Buy one get one), One major meal OR one 60-minute spa treatment and …

Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group, with more than 52 hotels and resorts across India has announced up to 30% off on stays and dining experiences exclusively for members of its new lifestyle loyalty programme ALL – Accor Live Limitless. To start the year on a positive note, Accor is inviting its members to benefit from the 30% off on stays and dining experiences along with complimentary breakfast at participating properties region wide from now until 11 May 2021.   “We are witnessing an overdue pent-up demand to travel with people wanting to step out of their homes to relive the simple joy of having a relaxed vacation with family. ALL members can put to good use up to 30% discount on stays, dining experiences. Keeping in mind the safety and hygiene protocols that are practised across our properties, our guests can enjoy their stay and be safe at the same time.” said Kerrie Hannaford, VP-Commercial, Accor India and South Asia. At Fairmont, Jaipur members of ALL will find themselves immersed in a royal ambiance reflective of the rich culture and heritage of the pink city, inspired by Jaipur’s most celebrated rulers – the Mughals and the Rajput’s. The sprawling property with classic chandeliers dangling in every room, create a seamless combination of Rajasthani decor and state-of-the-art modern facilities. A blend of French culture, design and gastronomy with warm Indian hospitality is a signature art nouveau style that Sofitel, Mumbai offers. Pondichéry Café, the all-day dining offers  live counters serving the best of Asian, Continental, French, Indian, Mediterranean, Oriental, Western and more delicacies. A luxury destination for entrepreneurs, corporates, leisure travellers and residents in the capital city is the Pullman …

Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply to a query in Rajya Sabha said that the government is not considering any proposal to provide a special incentive to the tourism sector to overcome COVID impact. When asked about details for planning such an incentive, the minister said, ‘does not arise’ to the query.

The Ministry of Tourism is giving financial assistance to MOT and UT Tourism department approved tourism service providers in J&K and Ladakh for undertaking promotional activities including participation in international and domestic travel marts/fairs/exhibitions/road shows and undertaking online promotion/sales tours overseas to give boost to the tourism sector in the region, said Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel.

Air travel can get expensive as the prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) have increased by 3 per cent in a recent revision. This is the 5th increase in ATF prices in the last two months amid rising international crude oil prices. The price of ATF in Delhi has increased by Rs 1304.2 per kl to Rs 53795.41 per kl.