Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Mahendra Vakharia, MD, Pathfinders Holidays, believes that the key to do business in the time of crisis, as well as after it. “We generated business and revenue during COVID because we remained connected with our clients, kept in touch with them and showcasing them the possibilities and options. Going forward, we will have to do a lot of handholding of our clients throughout the journey, especially regarding their safety and educating them about the protocols and rules,” he said while speaking at the 5th TravTalk Digital Conclave.

Steve Borgia, CMD, INDeco Leisure Hotels, has said that it was constant innovation and doing what was permissible during the lockdown, that has made them make profit in June, and survive the lockdown. Speaking at the 5th TravTalk Digital Conclave, he said, “After a lot of problems, continuous innovation and continuous cost cuts, we are now comfortable. We launched a number of packages for weddings, local guests, parents of NRIs, young women with babies, as well as for bachelors. All this helped us make profit. We need to constantly transform and innovate, and create a price advantage.”

Korea Tourism Organization will be conducting a webinar on Thursday, August 13 at 3pm for the Indian travel trade. The session will focus on Korea as a perfect destination for luxury experiences. Jong Sool Kwon, Director – Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, says, “South Korea has been one of the few nations which have successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve without any lockdown. Once travel opens up, there will be a demand for travel to places which not only entertain but provide safe and superior facilities and services. With this webinar, the aim is for travel agents to know the extraordinary experiences Korea has to offer and recommend South Korea as a first choice to travellers.” The tourism board invites members of the trade to sign up for this by contacting Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

As physical distancing continues to be a norm, South Korea is making health safety its top priority. It is promoting its Hanok – a traditional house accommodation – as a preferred choice of stay for visitors since it ensures a secluded stay with minimal interaction with service staff and other guests. A Hanok also lends an authentic Korean experience with thorough privacy for tourists.

Get insights on profitability, marketing approach and inspiring the confidence to travel at TravTalk’s 5th Digital Conclave today at 3 pm. Panellists include international speakers and real heroes who lead by example. Two power-packed sessions will exclusively focus on money and profitability. To register for the sessions, email to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +919650196532.

Himmat Anand, Founder, Tree of Life Resorts & Hotels, has revealed that they managed to do an occupancy of 68% at their Jaipur property in July, and that too at an ARR of Rs.10,700. “At Tree of Life Resort & Spa Jaipur, we did better occupancy than last July. Presently, in August we have 58% booked occupancy,” he said.

In a major development, Embassies of Spain and Slovakia have agreed to issue ‘Gratis Visa’ to all Indians who were issued a visa earlier this year but could not undertake travel in the last few months because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision came following the appeal by OTOAI, which had sent a letter to European Embassies in India, requesting them to issue Gratis Visas to all those travellers who despite having received valid travel visas this year could not undertake the planned visits. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “We are pleased with this development and remain hopeful that in times to come, more European Embassies agree to issuing Gratis Visa. We understand that it will take some time for outbound travel to pick up from India but moves such as these will help in building people’s confidence for international travel while also offering some relief to their pocket. This is the time to show solidarity so that together we can get travel and tourism back on its feet.” This will benefit a lot of Indian travellers who couldn’t travel due to the Covid restrictions. Ivan Lancaric, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India said, “Applicants, who could not travel on their Schengen visas to Slovakia, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, can apply for this visa fee waiver individually at the time of the submission of their new application. This possibility covers not only tourists, but all the Schengen visa categories. We are keen on promoting travel destinations in Slovakia, my visa section will assist the tourists travelling to Slovakia in this matter once they reapply for a Schengen visa.” “Please be informed that the Embassy of Spain will reissue …

TAAI has voiced its dejection on Air India’s social media post as well as communications to travellers to book on their website and verify airfares with the airlines before booking with agents. The airline has also stated that agents block inventory on GDS. The association has written to MoCA & Air India to withdraw the same.

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, has said that the tourism minister will be starting series of next round of discussions to further discuss the preparedness to deal with COVID-199 from 10th August. There will be layers of discussions with a common goal for the ministry and the stakeholders to work together, she said.

7M Tours has launched a global job search portal, Tourism Jobs primarily for companies in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The portal was launched virtually amidst the presence of travel trade leaders from around the world. From India, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI among others took part and lauded the noble initiative. The portal is live at www.tourismojobs.com.