Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

As the tourism industry bounces back with all safety protocols, the Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), South Chapter recently initiated a knowledge session for its members. Many crucial changes in travel agents booking systems which will initiate digitalisation were announced. The session was held at The Paul Hotel Bangalore on 26 November and was all about discussions of TIDS and The Paul John Hotels & Resorts familiarization tour at Domlur, Bengaluru. The Travel Industry Designatory Service (TIDS) is an identity management program designed by IATA, Canada for all non-IATA travel companies made available free of cost globally. On procuring ETAA recommendation letter, the TIDS procedure will be complete. Travel agents and tour operators availing the service will get updated on the IATA agency list. This additional agency listing in turn with benefit airlines and hotel industry globally.

Consulate General of Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia Mumbai organises a Langkawi SOP briefing session to select Travel Trade Associations, Educational and MICE Operators. Taking gradual, calibrated measures to reopen international borders, Malaysia will allow the entry of fully vaccinated foreign tourists in Langkawi without quarantine.  The Malaysian government is implementing a pilot international tourism bubble project which will initially run for 3 months started from 15 November 2021. According to the SOPs issued by the Malaysian government, Malaysia will target fully vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine for the bubble projects. Travellers will also have to present a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours before departure to Langkawi. They will also be required to hold travel insurance of a minimum USD 80,000 with them. It is also necessary for foreign tourists to engage tour operators and guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) for the trip.  Tourists must also register on the MySejahtera app before departing or upon arrival in KLIA 1. As a way forward strategy, Tourism Malaysia will be collaborating with its Airlines and product partners for many joint promotion campaigns, which will boost Indian footfalls in Malaysia. More than 97% of Malaysia’s 32 million population are vaccinated, government statistics show.

Carla Puverel, GM, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has revealed that Rangali Island and main restaurant Atoll Market, will be relaunched in December end. “It is all-water villa Adult Island that will be very popular with the Indian market for honeymoons and extended weekend getaways. The opening of ‘Teens club’ will also be a great addition to our family island,” she said.

Nagaland Ajay Bhatt, MoS, Tourism, along with Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, inaugurated the three day long 9th International Tourism Mart for the North East region at Kohima. Bhatt said that the ITM is focused on domestic tourism and there is a huge potential of Border and wildlife tourism. About 75 sellers from the NE and about 50 buyers from the country are participating in the mart. “Many parts of this region are still untouched from the point of view of tourists. There is a huge potential of border tourism and wildlife tourism,” he added. The event is focussed towards highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. Coffee table book on Nagaland was also launched on this occasion.

As per the WTTC report, 68 million travellers prefer to book a “Greener Choice” marked flight that is a lower-carbon flight option. In the long run ‘the country side’ destinations, will be the popular choice. The pause in travel has intensified people’s zeal to travel sustainably, with over eight out of 10 (83%) global travellers desiring sustainable travel in the future.

Ministry of Home Affairs has said that they will review the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international flight service amid the fear of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. MHA, in a high-level review meeting chaired by Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home secretary, has also decided to review the SOPs on testing and surveillance of the arriving international passengers, especially those coming from countries listed in the ‘at risk’ category.

FHRAI has submitted a representation to the FM, Nirmala Sitharaman. In spite of the fact that the scheme was announced for both the health and tourist sectors, the hotel industry has been waiting for the government to inform it for almost five months. The FHRAI has expressed its displeasure with the government’s lack of concern for the hospitality industry.

9th International Tourism Mart for the North East Region was held at Kohima, Nagaland recently, where Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State for Tourism & Defence inaugurated the event on Day 1 and addressed at the opening session of Day 2. The event was attended by over 300 delegates including government officials, industry stakeholders and local participants. H Khehovi Yeputhomi, MLA & Advisor Tourism, Government of Nagaland; Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism; Rupinder Brar, ADG Tourism, and other dignitaries of Central government and North Eastern States were also present on the occasion.

Accor has renewed its ongoing partnership with IndiGo to offer accelerated 6E Rewards, enhanced benefits and discounts on spends on stays and dining experiences across properties in India, Sri Lanka and selected hotels in Maldives. Through this partnership, IndiGo’s 6E Rewards members can now avail an exhilarating 15% discount, when they book directly with Accor and  earn up to 6% 6E Rewards as feature partner on any spends across Accor properties in India, Sri Lanka & participating hotels in Maldives with brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure ibis and ibis Styles. These offers are also valid at the newly launched Accor properties – Raffles Udaipur, Novotel Chandigarh Tribune Chowk and most recently launched ibis Mumbai Vikhroli. Special Welcome benefit vouchers for 6E Rewards members at Accor hotels in India & Srilanka hotels only: Flat 30% discount on room nights when booked through Accor and IndiGo booking page INR 1000 discount voucher for spends on Food & Beverages across Accor Hotels, Restaurants & Bar Through this partnership, Accor and 6E Rewards will be putting forward exclusive offers to members in addition to the other benefits across hotel stays, dining and events. 6E Rewards members can also earn additional Reward points on hotel stays and dining by signing up on to Accor’s ALL – Accor Live Limitless – loyalty program. Jad Doumet, VP Partnerships, India, Middle East & Africa and Turkey adds, “We are thrilled to renew Accor’s partnership with IndiGo as it relays our intentions of providing the best hospitality service to guests across the nation. Accor operates an extensive portfolio of properties across the country- ranging from the economy to midscale, further to the …

Poona Hoteliers Association, a body representing 60+ Star Hotels of Pune, 11 Hotel Management Institutes, and 10 Hospitality Vendor Members, elects Mr Sharan Shetty as President for 2021-22 at the Annual General Meeting held on 30th September, 2021 at Amanora The Fern Hotel. He continues his 3rd Year as President.