Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will conduct its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election on January 20, 2021. The event, which will be organised virtually, will allow the association to discuss the proceedings and events of the past year, and also help it plan the agenda for 2021, informs Vinayak Koul, Hony. Secretary, ATOAI.

In order to further strengthen domestic connectivity, IndiGo plans to initiate flights from seven new stations subject to regulatory approvals and slot allocation. Ronojoy Dutta, CEO, IndiGo, says, “We plan to open Leh and Darbhanga in February, followed by Kurnool and Agra in March, Bareilly and Durgapur in April, and Rajkot in May 2021.”

Kenya is now open to Indian tourists. Passengers are required to undertake a COVID-19 test at least 72 hours prior to their departure and produce the physical copies of the same on arrival. The Yellow fever vaccine continues to be a mandate. Visa applications are to be done online at a charge of $50. At present, there are scheduled direct flights from Mumbai to Nairobi by Kenya Airways three times a week.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism recently conducted a two-day agent familiarisation trip to Jal Mahotsav, India’s biggest water carnival in the state. Around 14 travel agents from the state travelled to Hanuwantiya Island in Madhya Pradesh for this event, which will conclude on January 15. The month-long water fest was inaugurated by Forest Minister Vijay Shah.

Tourism Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel informed that they are developing Tourism Maps for tourists to get alerts for monuments and tourism destinations on their route. “We have asked Google to make tourism maps. Google Maps is already there, but if someone is on a tourism highway, it would give an alert,” he said.

IATO in association with TravTalk University will organise a webinar on Human Resource (HR) strategies in the post-COVID world, today at 11:30 am (IST), where renowned labour law expert, Dr Aditi Kaushal will speak on HR policies, draft of the new appointment letter and help understand new labour laws. Register now at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/210/0vz1oik4

The Northern India Chapter and Pune Chapter of TAFI has elected a new team after elections. Khushvinder Sarna of The Federal Travels & Tours has been elected as the Chairman of Northern India Chapter whereas the new team in Pune Chapter was elected unopposed where Sunil Uttam will remain the Chapter Chairman.

TOFTigers, the Travel Operators for Tigers India Wildlife Association, will conduct a 10-part series of virtual destination knowledge and sustainability sessions, starting from January 13, 2021 at 2pm to educate the trade about nature destinations and sustainable travel. Ritu Makhija, Sustainability Manager says, “The idea is to share knowledge and expertise to the entire travel community.”

Around 80 travel agents from Mumbai got together for a casual sun downer at the open-air restaurant Canto in Lower Parel while observing all safety protocols. The event held on Sunday January 10, 2021 evening was co-hosted by Guideline Travels, Dream Cruises and One Above. With beach wear as the dress code, the party gave the fraternity a chance to let their hair down, play some fun games and indulge in team-building activities.

The Kerala Government is set to begin a Rs 100-crore Travancore Heritage Tourism Project that envisages conservation of the region’s palaces, mansions and temples. “The project is an attempt to boost tourism, creating a new circuit for visitors to explore Kerala”, said State Tourism Minister Kadakampally  Surendran. Phase one of THTP will give a facelift to the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and adjoining East Fort, besides 19 majestic building complexes on either side of arterial MG Road up till Vellayambalam, spanning five kilometres. These structures will be illuminated by employing state-of-the-art techniques. As part of the project, the state secretariat will be made more attractive with laser project.  Simultaneously, a 14-km stretch from East Fort, to Enjakkal will have 21 heritage-value structures lit up aesthetically.