Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Mumbai-based KKR World has been appointed as the India representative for BLS Interlaken Cruises. KKR World is a business venture of Kunal Kothari, former Head of Rail Europe India, and represents products like Rhaetian Railways (Glacier Express, Bernina Express) and Railtour Suisse, since 2019. Sharing this news is Niklaus Hotz, Sales Manager for BLS Interlaken Cruises who says, “We were looking for an experienced new partner to consolidate our market presence in India despite the challenging circumstances. KKR World represents already a supplier portfolio that fits perfectly with our product. Like this we can bundle knowledge and improve the quality in the consultation process for our customers. BLS Interlaken Lake Cruises wants to be ready to welcoming international guests as soon as borders reopen again. Therefore, we think it is very essential to keep in touch with relevant accounts in our key markets even in difficult times. Our ] objective is to increase the number of Indian visitors enjoying a cruise with BLS on Lakes Thun and Brienz during their visit to Interlaken.” BLS Interlaken Lake Cruises, operational since 1913, on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, operating hourly scheduled cruises from spring to autumn. During the winter season, BLS operate individual cruises on Lake Thun, such as the popular winter steamboat excursion on the paddle steamer Blümlisalp, welcoming around 1 million boat passengers and are therefore one of the biggest tourism operators in the Bernese Oberland. It not only operates scheduled cruises but also organises special culinary cruises, such as the Fondue Chinoise Cruise and the Lake Thun Brunch Cruise.

Jeh Wadia has stepped down as the Managing Director of GoAir and Ben Baldanza, the former CEO of Spirit Airlines, has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of the airline. Baldanza has been advising the board and management for GoAir, and will now work directly with CEO Kaushik Khona and Pankaj Chaturvedi, the Chief Financial Officer.

TRS member K R Suresh Reddy, during the recent Rajya Sabha session asked Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture, “I would advise that instead of selling PSUs, instead of selling LIC, why don’t you sell Indian tourism? That is where you will really get money. Convince the Prime Minister. Make him the face of tourism so that the Ministry can benefit.” Patel announced that they will be unveiling the new tourism policy soon.

Hotel Association of India (HAI) has urged industry stakeholders to treat tourism as a ‘common agenda’ and highlighted the need to make tourism viable, sustainable, accessible and affordable for all. The association has also suggested that the private sector and state governments should work together to usher the revival of the tourism sector and put it back on the track of recovery. KB Kachru, Vice President, Hotel Association of India and Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor-South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “This will help strengthen the sector to unlock its potential and generate employment to support the post-pandemic economic revival.”

IATO President, Rajiv Mehra has said that WhatsApp groups for efficient communication with all members are getting ready and he is hopeful that the first group will be functional in next 72 hours. “It takes time since manual feeding of all numbers has to be done to add members in the group. The data work is being done at the moment and it should be done very soon,” he said. The WhatsApp group for efficient communication with members was one of promise made by the new IATO President.

UAE cabinet chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced that UAE has approved a multiple-entry tourist visa for all nationalities of all countries to strengthen the UAE’s status as a global economic capital. The cabinet also adopted a new remote work visa that enables employees from all over the world to live and work remotely for one year from the UAE even if their companies are based in another country. The first-of-its-kind visa is aimed at establishing the UAE as a major ‘global tourism destination’.

Razaidi Abd Rahim, Director, Tourism Malaysia, South India and Sri Lanka, shares that they are looking forward to participate in the Gulf Travel Show 2021 which will be held from March 31-April 1. “It marks our inaugural participation, and not only refreshing and widening our contact base, but most importantly, strengthening brand Malaysia Truly Asia,” he says.

With the continuous rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, flight tickets are expected to cost more. HS Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, says, “There has been a continuous rise in price of ATF, so it has been decided to increase the lower fare band by 5 per cent, keeping the upper fare band unchanged.” 

As part of Tourism New Zealand’s virtual road trip series, the region to be covered this month is Northland. The webinar is scheduled for March 23, 2021 at 11am and will be similar to what it did with Auckland, Christchurch, West Coast, Nelson Tasman, Queenstown and Wellington wherein pre-recorded video content shared by the New Zealand product operators will be shared. Northland is New Zealand’s northernmost subtropical region. It is also a place of deep cultural and historical significance. To experience this road trip, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 or register directly at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/224/4v7gki13

IATO says that for members who have paid their annual subscription for FY2020-21, membership will be automatically renewed for FY2021-22 and they will not be charged the annual subscription fee. The Association also says that members who have not yet paid their annual subscription for FY2020-21 can pay till March 31 this year or even the next.