Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) brought together representatives from Jeju Tourism Organizations, wedding planners, Korea DMCs as well as KTO in an in-depth virtual discussion on possibilities on weddings, honeymoons and celebratory events in South Korea. Sandeep Datta, Marketing Manager, KTO New Delhi office says, “Only island in the world which is among the seven natural wonders of the world. It is a volcanic island.”

Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2020, will be held virtually this year. To be held from 23rd-27th November, KTM Virtual 2020 will be an online buyer-seller event. The flagship inbound event of ‘God’s Own Country’ is usually held biennially in Kochi, Kerala.

Speaking at the PATA India Chapter’s webinar ‘Europe-The New Order’, Margreet van Egmond, Director Spain, Travel Marketing Concept (TMC), has said that travel agencies and associations across Spain are asking for one focal point for information on India. “In India, many regions have different protocols when people enter, and hence agencies are asking for one focal point, so that people can go to one destination, which has all the inputs, which is very important,” she revealed.

Participate in the IPL Travel Agent Fantasy League organised by Tripjack, India’s largest B2B travel company, starting tomorrow to win prizes every day! Hasan Patel, Director, Tripjack, says, “There are about 60 matches in the IPL and the Fantasy league will have contests daily. Before every cricket match, travel partners need to log into the app or through tripjack.com and set up a team of the best 11 players. Top winners from every match can win hotel stays, air tickets, gifts, and loyalty points called ‘TJ Coins’.”

United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA), in its recently concluded mid-year forum, concluded that there was a need to persuade IATA to come up with a policy that safeguards financial interests of travel agents as well as the passengers during disasters or market situations in future that are similar to COVID-19. Delegates at the forum also presented plans on restructuring business approaches post-COVID.

During the Unlock 3.0, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has helped in the facilitation of over 570 charter flights during August 2020. The airport handled over 67,500 passengers by connecting to 34 international destinations operated by 26 airlines during that period.  

Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore in association with the Karnataka Tourism Forum and Indian Motorcycle Riders Group organised a Biker’s Rally from Bengaluru to Mysuru recently. The rally was flagged off from the Oakwood property in UB city. It is aimed at reviving tourism, instil confidence and showcase Indian roads as safe provided all safety measures are followed.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani has announced Heritage Tourism Policy 2020-2025 for the state to boost international as well as domestic tourism. According to the policy, historical monuments, palaces, and forts constructed before 1950 could be converted into hotels, heritage museums, heritage banquet halls and restaurants provided that ‘basic heritage’ structure is not altered.

TAFI has 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. It said that 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 and the next hearing is on September 23.

The tourism ministry has sanctioned two projects in Bihar and Kerala at a cost of Rs 125 crore under the Rural Circuit as part of its endeavour to take tourism to villages of the country. The ministry has identified Rural Circuit as one of the 15 thematic circuits for development under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ Scheme.