Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Suprio Banerjee, Vice President and Sector Head, ICRA Limited, says, “With the onset of the second wave of the pandemic and the later emergence of the Omicron variant, the recovery in passenger traffic remained gradual, in the current fiscal. Further, elevated aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices (higher by ~68% on Y-o-Y basis in 11M FY2022) and continued fare caps continue to pose a major challenge for the profitability of the airlines. Thus, the Indian aviation industry is expected to report a net loss of ~Rs 250-260 billion in FY2022 as per earlier estimates of ICRA. However, expected commencement of scheduled international operations and the waning ‘Omicron’ wave, will result in a notable recovery in passenger traffic in FY2023 

Costa Cruises will conduct a webinar for the travel trade highlighting new opportunities for them on Tuesday, March 8 at 11 am IST. The webinar will showcase new sailing itineraries to Europe, Dubai and Singapore, offers, fleet introductions, and Covid safety protocols. They will also get a certificate and a chance to win prizes. To register, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. Register directly at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/379/yy8npb8x

In order to acknowledge the efforts undertaken by the State Governments, Union Territory Administrations and various implementation agencies, the Ministry of Tourism has constituted Swadesh Darshan Awards in different categories. The awards will highlight best practices including achievement of planned objectives, innovative approach, adoption of sustainability principals in planning, design and operations, efficient project monitoring, ability to attract private investments in peripheral development and efforts undertaken to ensure optimal operations and maintenance etc. 

Cordelia Cruises introduces first time ever cruising experience from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka– a never seen before journey, an unforgettable experience and a journey as beautiful as the destination!  Cordelia Cruises, the only one of its kind holiday destination, makes Her debut in Chennai. It is from here that you could opt for a scintillating holiday by sea to Sri Lanka. The itineraries they offer are versatile with options that are spread over a number of days as well as room categories to meet everybody’s needs and requirements.  Cordelia Cruises by Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt ltd is India’s only premium Cruise liner. True to its name, Cordelia Cruises promotes and drives the Cruises culture in India through experiences that are curated for Indian families, customized, stylish, luxurious, and most importantly, inherently Indian. 

From 1ST March 2022, there will no longer be a quarantine obligation requirement even for those arriving from non-EU countries. To enter Italy, any of one of the Green pass certificates like vaccination certificate, certificate of Covid 19 recovery or negative test result will be sufficient. This was established by an ordinance signed by the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza. We are moving more and more towards the relaxation of the Covid containment measures. The Italian government has decided to further simplify arrivals from abroad to support the tourism sector. The end of the quarantine regime for arrivals from abroad is another fundamental step in the government’s plan, for a new phase of co-existence with the virus. The executive order has already lifted the mandate to have a swab test for those arriving from European Union countries. The measure goes hand in hand with an improvement in the epidemiological situation after the recent re-opening of night clubs and the end of the mandate to wear a mask outdoors. This will put an end to the state of emergency by 31st March 2022. Among the measures envisaged in the Government roadmap that is put forth by the Minister of Tourism Mr. Garavaglia, is the elimination of the Super Green Pass mandate in hotels. At the moment, this law mandate which was enforced in Christmas 2021 still remains in force in all hotels and accommodation facilities. Starting April 2022, in view of the Easter holidays, it should be easier for Italian and foreign tourists to stay in hotels with the abolishment of the mandatory use of the Reinforced Green Pass as it will be no longer necessary to have a Covid vaccination …

Kerala Tourism will roll out aggressive promotional campaigns across the country, targeting diverse segments. The campaigns will be based on various themes and will be bolstered by a series of travel trade networking activities, including participation in trade fairs, and B2B roadshows. Dr. Venu V, Addl. Chief Secretary (Tourism), said, “The theme-based projects have been made after meticulous planning. Some of the new projects, like the biodiversity circuit, and Caravan Holidays, in particular, will take the travellers to Kerala’s unexplored areas while observing all the pandemic protocols, thus helping the state go beyond established destinations.”

With Maharashtra opening up for tourists, its tourism department has started rigorously promoting various tourism segments. Maharashtra tourism department has organised 20 mini festivals all through February and March. It will also conduct FAM tours for tour operators in March from various cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru.

Europe’s travelling activity will be on the rise despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the aerospace company Airbus has said. According to the CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, the 27-nation-bloc will witness a surge in travel this summer as the conflict on the Eastern part of the continent won’t impact the internal European markets.

Two weeks after he was appointed Air India chief executive officer, Ilker Ayci has declined the offer to join the Tata Group-owned airline. Ayci, former chairman of Turkish Airlines, had earlier served as advisor to Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has decided to include cruise ride, water and adventure activities at 20 tourist destinations in the state. Scuba diving, water rafting, speed boats and banana boats among other activities are expected to begin soon as a regular sport for tourists at 20 water bodies of the state. It has invited expression of interest (EOI) from investors for organising cruises. Umakant Choudhary, deputy director of adventure and water tourism at MPTB, said, “We have 22 notified water bodies. Recently we have issued expression of interest for cruise operations. Other water sports such as scuba diving, water rafting, speed boats and banana boats will also be introduced at selected locations.”