Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

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.

Ethiopia recently organised a seminar on tourism opportunities in the country, which was graced by HE Dr Tizita Mulugeta, Ambassador, Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, who shared, “India has a large number of travellers throughout the world. Hence, we hope that some of these travellers pass by Ethiopia and see Ethiopian sights, which includes nine UNESCO World Heritage sites.” The event, held at Ethiopian Cultural Centre, saw in presence tour operators and officials from Ethiopian Airlines.

To coincide with England’s ongoing cricket tour of India, Nijhawan Group, Travel Boutique Online (TBO) Group, Vistara, VFS Global and the UK government organised a cricket tournament at the Warriors Cricket Club in Gurugram. The tournament celebrated the unique living bridge of people who connect the UK and India, including through a shared love for sports and travel. The day saw 10-over matched played between four teams: The British High Commission Lions, and teams representing VFS Global, Vistara and the travel trade. A keen cricketer himself, British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, attended and played in the tournament. At the close of play, the Travel Trade Warriors team was declared winner.

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.

Reacting to a social media post by Air India on March 18, Pradip Lulla, Acting President, TAFI, said that the association has written to the national carrier, asking for clarification. The post said, ‘Passengers traveling on AI flights to Rome, Toronto and Vancouver from India may kindly note that booking for these flights will not be available through travel agencies based in India.’

Tourism Secretary, GOI, Arvind Singh at the Closing ceremony of ‘Hazaar Baar Dekho, North East Dekho’ event said for developing tourism infrastructure in the region, MOT has invested Rs 1,565 crore under Swadesh and PRASAD scheme in 22 projects covering all 8 northeast states. “A number of these projects are complete or are near completion,” he said.