Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Sharing an update on the ongoing discussion with the GST Council, Pradip Lulla, Acting President and Vice President, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), has said, “We had requested the GST Council and the Finance Ministry to review the refund of GST on air ticket refunds, and extend the date applicable for refund GST till March 31, 2021 due to the delay in total refunds by airlines. However, we have received no update on this. In fact, we even took this matter up during the APJC meeting. Unfortunately, the airlines argued that the government is not abiding by that. So agents who have submitted refunds after October 1, 2020 will not receive any refunds and GST will be deducted, because the airline has to pay to the government. Those who have submitted before October 1, their GST will not be cut, and will be duly refunded. The government is not willing to extend any leniency in this matter; since its a liability to the government, they will not allow anything to agents.” As per rule, if tickets are not refunded till September 30, 2020, then GST will not be refunded and customers will end up losing 5% in the economy class ticket and 12% in business class of the ticket value. TAFI has also filed a case in Supreme Court for airline refunds.

John Koldowski, Special Advisor, PATA and Professor, Leshan Normal University, Sichuan, China in a webinar has revealed that in terms of countries that are expecting economic conditions in home country will be better in 6 months, India is second in line after Greater China, with 6% more people optimistic about the same since September 2020. Koldowski was speaking at a webinar by PATA, titled, ‘IVAs into Asia-Pacific in 2020 and Expectations for 2021-2023. “Those regions and countries that believe it will be better in 6 months, Greater China leads the pack, then India, followed by Asia-Pacific and North America. In Europe, it is trending in the other way, as they are feeling a bit gloomier,” he said.

Tourism Ireland India is organising a webinar on Nov 19 at 3.30 pm to educate the trade on its offerings and COVID safety guidelines. Huzan Fraser Motivala, its India Representative, says, “It will see participation from four Irish suppliers and attendees can win gift hampers.” Contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +91-9650196532 to attend.

The Tourism Office of Spain in India is organising its annual travel show virtually for the first time with 18 Spanish companies. Elisa Robles-Fraga, its Director in Mumbai, says, “The Virtual Spanish Travel Show will be held over two days on December 2-3, 2020 and will include private meetings between buyers and sellers, presentations and knowledge sessions.”   

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that air travel in India will reach pre-COVID level by the end of current year or early January. He also urged people to continue to maintain safety protocol with self-discipline.

Lufthansa Group (LHG) airlines, Lufthansa, and SWISS will be the first to use the new Star Alliance Biometrics for elected flights in Frankfurt and Munich from mid-November. The new system is available via the app and Lufthansa Miles & More members will be able to pass through boarding and security without contact and have a touchless experience at airport.

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), in an attempt to further enhance skilled youth in the hospitality sector, signed an MoU, on 12th November, 2020, for setting-up a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in the state. The MOU was signed digitally by G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC and Arja Srikanth, IRTS, Special Secretary to Govt. of AP, MD & CEO, APSSDC in the presence of other senior officials from ITDC & APSSDC.

IATO Elections will be held on 6th March 2021. In a communication released by IATO, on behalf of Homa Mistry, Returning Officer, IATO Elections -2020, it was revealed that in a meeting called by him, it was decided to hold the elections on 6th March 2021. It was also decided to take a call whether to hold the elections with physical presence of the members or to be done online. This will be decided as per prevailing pandemic conditions at that time for which the call will be taken in the beginning of February 2021.

Thomas Cook India has partnered with IndiGo to launch air-inclusive ‘Crazy Deals IndiGo Special’ that includes a range of options and value-adds at great prices. Domestic destinations include Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal, North East, etc. and start at Rs 9,990 while international destinations start at 29,990.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has written to Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of Tourism to request them to open tourist visas for foreigners to visit India; to make RTPCR tests mandatory for all arriving passengers with no quarantine; to absorb the costs of RTPCR test and waive it for travellers; should offer mandatory travel insurance for all incoming tourists, and allow travel to countries with which they don’t have air bubble agreement via flights through countries with which These agreements  are in place. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, had commented recently, “This would allow airlines to offer connecting flights to countries that are allowing Indians to visit. Many countries, which are not connected directly, like South Africa, South America, etc., but people want to travel there. Hence, there is a need to open beyond air bubbles. This would allow footfall on both sides.”