Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Tourism is in an upswing as Himachal Pradesh has seen 2.57 lakh vehicles entering the state in the last two weeks. On average around 18370 vehicles are entering Himachal Pradesh since the COVID curfew has been lifted on 14th June. 1,31,276 vehicles entered the state between June 13 and June 20 while 1,25,963 vehicles entered between June 20 and June 27. Almost all tourists places in the state are getting a huge influx of visitors.

According to Michael Lobo, Minister in the Goa government, the state will make it mandatory for tourists to be fully vaccinated with both doses and a COVID negative RT-PCR report. “We have to wait till July and let the number of cases go down to zero. We will reopen Goa for tourists with proper screening. Both doses of vaccines and a negative RT-PCR report will be made mandatory for tourists for the first three months after reopening of tourism in the state,” he said.

Turkey is all set to further ease the restrictions imposed on the travellers from 1st July. The new unlock rules also include the removal of the night curfew restrictions including weekends for locals and tourists. All dining options, restaurants and bars will be functional. Entertainment houses like cinema halls and concert venues can function without any restrictions subject to adherence to COVID-19 appropriated guidelines. The 14-day quarantine rule for anyone who has travelled to India within the last 14 days is still in place but travellers will now have the option of staying at the quarantine Hotel of their choice and at their own expense. Turkey is also undertaking one of the biggest vaccination drive where 40% of the country’s population has received the first dose and is working dedicatedly to fully vaccinate 70% of the total population by August. The new guidelines have been announced keeping into consideration the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country however hygiene, mask and social distancing rules will be followed throughout.

After operations being paused for the last few months, Fairmont Jaipur is back and ready to welcome guests with its signature engaging service, from 27th June 2021. Along with the re-launch of the property, the team has also announced several attractive stay deals, especially for the joy of the monsoons, to make every holiday an unforgettable Fairmont experience. On the auspicious occasion of the re-opening of the palace, General Manager, Rajiv Kapoor said, “The Heartists of Fairmont Jaipur are proud to re-open the gates of this breathtaking palace. We have missed our treasured guests and now look forward to creating unforgettable memories for every guest through handcrafted stays and curated experiences, all with the necessary ALLSAFE safety and hygiene protocols. As they say in Rajasthan, Padhaaro Mhare Des…!” Gleaming under the watchful eyes of the verdant Aravalli hills, glittering with history and culture of Rajasthan, the hotel is a sophisticated chateau that gracefully combines the glories of the past with modern day comforts. The story of Fairmont Jaipur inspires a vision of timeless hospitality, inviting guests to join them in imagining a place that is steeped in a rich and privileged heritage, yet is effortlessly modern. Every aspect of the hotel – the architecture, the layout, the décor and the hospitality has been inspired by the legends of two of India’s most celebrated rulers – the Mughals and the Rajputs. The magnificent façade stands tall as the ancient gates of the hotel open to welcome guests to this royal abode. Every unparalleled stay at Fairmont Jaipur is certified to be safe and hygienic, with Accor’s ALLSAFE Guidelines for the highest standards, including and going beyond local and international recommendations for …

Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has requested Arun Singhal, CEO, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to extend the timeline to implement the mentioning of FSSAI License number on bills for FBOs on the backdrop of the pandemic’s impact to Hospitality businesses. The association says that it is in favour of the FSSAI’s latest order, which will help set up a robust customer grievance system in the country. “FHRAI appreciates the FSSAI’s endeavour to set up a robust customer grievance system in the country. This will also improve the overall awareness of FSSAI and its underlying objectives of creating a safe and hygienic ecosystem for FBOs. While this is a great initiative, it has to be taken into account that at present, the tourism and hospitality is the most impacted sector by the COVID19 pandemic. In all probabilities, it will be the last one to recover as well. During such times of deep crisis, the implementation of this order would entail a lot of additional expenses on businesses. Printing new receipts, invoices, bills, cash memos as well as updating software and PMS, among other ancillary activities will only burden the cash-strapped industry even more. Hence, we request the FSSAI to extend the timeline for implementation of the order until such time that some normalcy returns to the sector,” says Mr Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.

The Federal Council of Switzerland has lifted entry restrictions for persons from third countries. This including persons who have been vaccinated or have recovered and do not have to produce negative test even when travelling from countries where the Delta variant is widespread such as India and do not have to quarantine on entry. Meanwhile, The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi is currently accepting all visa categories for persons arriving from third countries like India, who can prove they have been fully vaccinated.

Thanking the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Tourism Minister for announcement of relief measures for the tourism sector and taking up issues concerning the industry, Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, said, “We welcome the financial help for tourist guides and tour operators. It is also good that the recognised entities are being supported. The support that has come in terms of visa being announced free for the first 500,000 e-Tourist visas that will be applied for, will be a gamechanger. It sends a positive signal to the whole word that India is getting ready to open, the vaccination drive has picked up, number of cases are going down. Through this, we also want to send a message to the industry that please get recognised, so that you can be benefitted by any of the schemes of the government.”

As part of Tourism New Zealand’s virtual road trip series, the region to be covered this month is Southland. The webinar is scheduled for today at 11am. Southland is a region of contrasts – from mountain peaks, the deepest of lakes, meandering rivers, fertile farmlands, lush primordial forests, and captivating coastlines, to the wild Southern Ocean and its islands. It is a land of world-renowned Bluff oysters and the launching place for a visit to Stewart Island. To experience this road trip, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 or directly register here https://event.webinarjam.com/register/253/gw35lbnv

MP Bezbaruah, Secretary-General, Hotel Association of India (HAI), has said that the FM’s announcement on free visas has a very strong symbolic message that we have the confidence to welcome visitors and that tourism and hospitality is a strong pillar of post-Covid economic recovery strategy. “We sincerely hope that such measures will be logically followed by measures to make the industry recover and be ready to welcome tourists. Measures like liquidity support and exemption from statutory taxes. HAI would like to compliment the FM on this initiative and look forward to some more pragmatic initiatives to create jobs and livelihoods through a rejuvenated Tourism and Hospitality industry. As always HAI will be there for a committed role to be played by the Tourism and Hospitality industry in the national economic development programme,” he added.

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, has said that it’s a welcome move by the Finance Minister to announce package or relief for the travel agents and the tourism people, especially the tourist guides, who are registered on the MOT website. “However, I still feel that more should have come for the tourism sector, which is really suffering a huge cash flow crunch, seeing low business and are not even looking at any business coming and reviving quickly. I think more needs to be done, as the 10% which will be useful to some of the smallest players, will not go far for the majority. Hence, the industry in general, has not been helped. However, it’s a small light at the end of the tunnel. We are also looking at the ECLGS scheme and we hope that something more will be added to it. In addition, SEIS would be another perspective that would be looked at. Hence, let’s hope there is some more coming and we keep our fingers crossed that whatever they have announced will be distributed easily and doesn’t just remain on paper. We need ease of getting that amount also. Overall it’s a good move and we are looking for more and I hope it’s the beginning to get more respite,” she added.