Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Sharing details of the safety precautions taken by the destination, Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, South African Tourism, says, “We continue to prioritise visitor safety by promoting socially-distanced, safe holidays in natural settings. We have devised bio-safety systems at all private game lodges and national parks, shopping hubs, restaurants and accommodation facilities.” This will be highlighted during its virtual roadshow from 20th to 22nd October.

Deloitte, in its Global State of the Consumer Tracker analysis, divulged wave 22, indicating a consumption revival in India.Decreasing number of COVID-19 cases and an aggressive vaccination drive have brought in a new surge of confidence amongst Indian consumers. Latest findings reveal that the Indian consumer is ready to spend more on discretionary items, feels safe about returning to work place, wants to spend on travel and is less hesitant about in-person events and activities—all of which are positive trends for India’s economic revival.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, MOT, has said that in the first week of October, we will be taking a domestic FAM tour on the Buddhist train from Delhi to Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Varanasi and then coming back to Delhi. “The idea is to showcase the IRCTC Buddhist train as a product and these destinations as important part of the Buddhist circuit and beyond. Hon. Minister will also be present in the Varanasi leg of the journey,” she updated.

Alison Cryer, Founder & MD, Representation Plus, has said that the industry needs to innovate and come up with new experiences to meet the new needs. “The modern global traveller is much more conscious than before,” she added while speaking at the PATA India webinar recently. She also advised that regular communication from the industry as well as the tourism boards is expected by UK tour operators when it comes to destination India.

Oyo Hotels have filed for a local listing, seeking a valuation of $10 billion to $12 billion that could be the first for a hospitality firm since 2019. The initial public offering (IPO) comes as travel restrictions are being alleviated worldwide and the tourism sector sees a rebound, with stuck-at-home people heading out on vacations. The offering will consist of a fresh issue of shares of up to 70 billion rupees and an offer for sale of as much as 14.30 billion rupees, as per a copy of its draft red herring.

French hospitality major Accor is launching a full-service 120-room Novotel property in Chandigarh, with an outdoor plunge pool, a gymnasium and multiple meeting, wedding venues, that marks addition of 21st Novotel in India. “India presents substantial opportunities to grow our midscale brands. We believe that Novotel will be an ideal brand for the Chandigarh market as it caters to both corporate and leisure travellers. We are excited to enter a new market which further bolsters our position in North Indi,” said Puneet Dhawan, Senior Vice President of Operations, India and South Asia, Accor.

A group of 18 inbound Tour operators from Delhi undertook a Trip to Dholpur and Ramsagar Lake with an appeal to the government for opening up Tourist Visas and regular international flights. People from the tourism and hospitality industry travelled to Dholpur in Rajasthan from 15th to 18th September to make an appeal to the government to initiate issuance of tourist visas under the banner of “Unlocking International Tourism”. Beginning of this month, the government announcement to extend the ban on international flights by another month put further jitters in the inbound tourism market from India. Already hit by the pandemic, the tourism industry has been suffering for more than 18 months now leading to massive job losses in the industry and multiple tour operators and hotels shutting shop. It is estimated that the tourism industry in India contributes to almost 10% of the GDP and more than 8 million livelihoods. As vaccination across the globe keep increasing by the hour, more countries are opening up borders to the people, especially the double vaccinated population. Multiple countries in Europe are now accessible to fully vaccinated Indians enabling them to restart travel to foreign destinations. However, the same has not been offered to tourists wanting to come to India as e-visas remain suspended, even though the government has indicated that the same would start soon. Around 25 people made their way to Dholpur in Rajasthan and also met 4 time Member of Parliament and a hospitality industry stalwart himself, Mr. Dushyant Singh. Dushyant Singh assured everyone that the government is working hard to come out with the new guidelines to reopen international travel towards India. Sanjay Razdan, Director – Razdan Holidays …

Uttar Pradesh government recognised the efforts of Prateek Hira in the field of Tourism on the occasion of World Tourism Day and to mark 50 years of the Department of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh Government. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath on 27 September conferred the State Award to Prateek Hira and his company Tornos, declaring it as the best tour company in the state of UP. Prateek has been in the travel trade since the last 27 years and apart from being in business of operating tours he also chairs the FICCI’s Tourism Committee in Uttar Pradesh and UP Chapter of IATO. Government of Uttar Pradesh in its citation has recognised his efforts in promoting the state of Uttar Pradesh and taking it to new heights in the field of Tourism. His cooperation with the department of tourism and involvement with tourism academia and researches is commendable. FICCI’s report on the potential of Culinary Tourism in Uttar Pradesh authored by Prateek Hira, Manish Ahuja and Anirban Chaterjee was also released and launched on this occasion by the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, in presence of Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ashutosh Tandon , Jal Shakti Minister , Dr. Mahendra Singh, Mayor of Lucknow, Mrs Sanyukta Bhaita and the Principal Secretary Tourism & Culture Mr. Mukesh Meshram.

As Thailand prepares to re-open its borders to the World, TravelBullz and the Tourism Authority of Thailand prepares to welcome Indian guests back to Amazing Thailand. In the first phase of the destination re-opening, the Indian Travel League (ITL), a fun-filled quiz program aimed at engaging the travel agent community in India will focus on Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Khao Lak, Koh Yao Yai & Noi. The goal would be to generate interest, awareness and educate sellers about the destinations and hotel & attraction partners. To help achieve the above objective we welcome the Indian travel agent’s fraternity to join us in the Indian Travel League (ITL) & The Amazing Thailand Grand Re-Opening Sale!! While ITL would focus on generating interest in destinations, hotels, resorts, attractions & sightseeing options “The Amazing Thailand Grand Reopening Sale” is aimed at helping agents in India to increase their margins while selling these destinations. There would be Exclusive Deals on offer (discount of 30-50%) for agents to Buy Now & Travel Later, not only increasing their margins but also enhancing the traveller experiences given the range of value adds on offers. ITL will be a weekly campaign with a total of 4 rounds, starting on 20th of October. Each week a match would conclude with a wordplay format quiz. Minimum scores would be tallied to qualify for the next round. Winners will be announced on 19th of November, on social media. There would be a lot of prizes up for the winners of the quarter-final & semi-final matches. The final 10 winners would win: 4 Nights Package for Stay in Phuket (Flights excluded) A Trophy A Certificate Vachirachai  Sirisumpan, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand …

Air India will be opening Automated Refund through GDS effective 1st Oct 2021, revealed the national carrier in a recent circular shared with the travel trade. “However, there is an out-flow limit been set –the total per-week refund for your agency is limited to average one day sale of the previous week. Refund of one day sale from weekly Sale/remittance is allowed,” mentioned the official communication.