Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Speaking at the TravTalk Digital Conclave, Mehernosh Colombowalla, Director – Beyond Borders Travel Management Company, has said, “A new paradigm of luxury travel that is life-enriching and values-based is emerging. It’s important to stay positive, believe in yourself and channelise your energy in finding opportunities during these difficult times. Don’t wait for others to help you. Help yourself. Inspire your customers during this long hiatus.”

Delhi has seen significant decline in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) YTD July 2020, declining 44.3% over the same period in the previous year, according to JLL India Hotels and Hospitality Group’s latest note.

WTM London is going to be a virtual-only event in November 2020. WTM Virtual will take place from 9-11 November, offering delegates the chance to arrange one-to-one virtual meetings to do business, attend conference sessions and roundtables, take part in speed networking and more. Simon Press, Senior Director, WTM London, said, “Sadly, this year will be the first time since we launched WTM London in 1980 that there will be no live event. We have worked tirelessly to organise a physical show, but the increasing number of travel restrictions and the uncertainty around the world means it will be impractical for many overseas visitors to attend in person. Additionally, there remains uncertainty around business events and conferences being allowed to take place in the UK. The official deadline for this decision being the 1st October. However, thousands of travel trade professionals from around the globe will still be able to meet and do business in an extensive range of virtual sessions, to help the industry recover, rebuild and innovate.”

In line with the safe and gradual resumption of economic activities in Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will start accepting applications for organisers to pilot MICE events of up to 250 attendees from October 1, 2020. It will review all proposals and organisers may proceed only upon obtaining the Ministry of Trade & Industry’s approval. There will be pilot events taking place under this arrangement, such as the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) Conference, in October 2020.

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State, Tourism & Culture (I/C), has told the parliament that there has been a massive loss of revenue, foreign exchange and jobs in tourism owing to the pandemic. “Several rounds of discussions and brainstorming sessions with industry stakeholders indicate massive loss of revenue and jobs. In view of the highly unorganised nature of the tourism sector, the impact in numerical terms can only be ascertained in due course,” he told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, met with the GST Commissioner to push for TCS. “We have already shared a document with the GST Commissioner on behalf of FAITH and I went personally also yesterday to give a letter to withdraw TCS, which is scheduled to be applicable from October 1. Also, we are wanting to discuss the GST reseller model, which has been approved, but it still needs to be implemented and it hasn’t come from the Government as a circular. So we are also following up on that,” she said.

India’s airlines could still have 250-300 surplus aircraft by March 2021, and could therefore be headed for an unprecedented consolidated loss of USD 4-4.5 billion in FY2021. Approximately 400-450 aircraft were grounded by end of Q2 2020. This figure is expected to improve slightly with 250-300 aircraft being grounded by end of Q4.

UNITE 2020 by Saleint is a collaborative endeavor to bring MICE and Leisure buyers to connect and meet the suppliers on a virtual trade show platform. Enabled with secure video, voice and text chat capabilities, these face-to-face virtual meetings can be held at mutually acceptable times. This global virtual trade show is scheduled to start at 0000 hrs Toronto time (EDT) on September 16, 2020 and will be live till 23:59 hrs on September 17, 2020. One can expect to connect with 34 exhibitors who are representing more than 39 countries and 45 brands. It is expected that 1,700+ meetings will take place over the two days. The show also features 10+ business sessions with speakers from around the world. Funds collected for donation will be matched by UNITE by Saleint between USD 1 to USD 6 per login ID. Are you ready to UNITE?

Indian travel technology company, Qtech Software and AI-based SaaS start-up Vervotech have entered in a strategic partnership to provide Vervotech’s UNICA – hotel mapping and room mapping platform – as an integrated solution within Qtech’s travel ERP platform. Customers of Qtech Software will now have the option to choose a mapping solution of their choice.

PATA India will conduct a webinar on September 17, 2020 at 3pm IST titled ‘Europe: The New Order’ to bring a European perspective on tourism. It will have key international as well as Indian thought leaders sharing their perspectives. Market expectations and opportunities from countries like Austria, Benelux, Germany, Spain and Switzerland will also be tabled.