Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Association of Domestic Tour Operators (ADTOI) might have to postpone their election due to COVID-19, which was scheduled for August 2020, revealed PP Khanna, President, ADTOI. “We cannot have electronic elections or get ballots through post of members in Delhi, only the members outside Delhi can post the ballots. With restrictions, it would be best to postpone the election. The final date of election will be announced soon,” he said.

Rare India has unveiled three new initiatives for sustainable living- RARE Travel Agency Network (RATAN), RARE Influencers Network (RAIN) and Beautiful Planet. The company is also open to partnership with travel agencies to promote a sustainable way of living.  

President & Vice President of IATO along with Presidents of ATOAI and ADTOI met Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog today to seek government’s support for the survival and revival of tour operators and other stakeholders of the industry. During the meeting financial support was sought along with long term loans and a hike in SEIS incentive from 7% to 10%. The NITI Aayog CEO gave a patient hearing and has assured full support. During the meeting, Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO emphasised that Inbound Tour Operators who bring in foreign tourists and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country are on the verge of collapsing due to Covid-19 pandemic and need urgent help to survive as there is zero billing and consequently zero cash flow.  Apart from Sarkar, Rajiv Mehra, Vice President was representing IATO. Capt. Swadesh Kumar, President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators Association of India (ADTOI) were also present. The delegation sought financial support to tour operators so that tour operators do not close down and continue their business with their experienced staff after the COVID – 19 is controlled and tourism is back to business, under MSME Special Non-collateral and interest-free long term loans (5-10 years) to be provided to the tour operators for the survival of the business and aggressive marketing once tourism is back to business.  In addition, IATO sought an increase in incentive offered in Service Export from India Scheme (SEIS) from 7% to 10 % which will allow them to offer competitive packages vis a vis neighbouring countries. Kant gave a very patient hearing and assured the delegation full support to the tourism …

Tourism & Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has announced that all monuments and world heritage sites across the country can reopen from July 6 after adhering to complete safety measures and relevant SOPs in place. It also means that monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Sanchi, Khajuraho and others can also reopen. Earlier the government had decided to reopen only 820 ASI-protected monuments where place of worship is available. Making the announcement on Twitter, the minister said he took the decision after consultation with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

VFS Global is re-opening Visa Application Centres in some cities for specific visa categories. Countries for which visa services will resume are United Kingdom (from July 6), Italy (July 3), UAE, Turkey, Ireland, Belarus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Norway, Portugal and South Korea. Applicants will have to schedule an appointment in advance on www.vfsglobal.com. After specific Embassies/Consulates as well as local authorities have given their approval, VFS Global’s centres will accept visa applications for select countries with strict health and hygiene SOPs in place.

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Tourism Development Authority has confirmed that RAK has become the first city in the world to be certified as a ‘Safe’ destination by Bureau Veritas, the global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, having completed the ‘Safeguard Assurance’ programme. It has also become the first emirate to receive World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC’s) Safe Travels Stamp. Through a strategic partnership with Bureau Veritas, the Authority has led the way in implementing stringent health, safety and hygiene measures across all Ras Al Khaimah hotels to mitigate any possible risk for employees and guests, and provide complete confidence in the destination. Through an ongoing series of independent audits of all its hotels in the Emirate, the partnership was designed to further validate the measures and processes already in place, and takes RAKTDA’s ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification Program to the next level. In addition, the almost-50,000sqft Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center is following the detailed protocols developed by Bureau Veritas’ global health, safety and hygiene specialists, and will become the first certified MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions & events) facility in the region. Adding to the global validation, Ras Al Khaimah is the first Emirate in the UAE to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp, the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for the travel and tourism industry, designed specifically to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks. The protocols were developed in collaboration with WTTC members (including RAKTDA), leading industry associations and international organisations, and covers operational and staff preparedness, ensuring a safe experience, re-building trust and confidence and implementing enabling policies. It also follows the current guidelines of the …

A Travel Consul study reveals that agents, while they wish to create partnerships with new buyers and suppliers, and diversify their product offerings, they will considerably refrain from increasing their marketing & advertising spend (45% respondents) and offering price reductions (37% respondents). The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed travel businesses to alter their products, enhance their reach, modify their policies and much more. With online travel agencies not being able to cope with consumer grievances on booking cancellations, refunds, etc., during the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, it was the traditional travel agent who came to his clients’ rescue. Now, it seems, people feel safer booking with their friendly neighbourhood travel agent rather than going through the online booking process, especially when COVID-19 has turned the industry upside down.

GPS has partnered with EASEBUZZ to bring a contactless payment collection solution for travel agencies, with payment link and payment gateway options available free of cost and with competitive TDR rates. Solutions like webstore and invoicing will also be offered, and agents can get activated and start collecting payments within 24 hours and with minimum documentation.

Expanding its portfolio in Gujarat to seven hotels, Sarovar Hotels has announced the opening of its latest project in the temple town, Somnath. Sarovar Portico, Somnath is spread in beautiful landscaped terrain and has aesthetically designed Presidential and Royal suites, Studio rooms, superior rooms and executive rooms. Culinary highlights at the hotel include ‘Flavours’ that offers a multi-cuisine menu served with flair. Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are delighted to further strengthen our presence in Gujarat; Somnath will be our seventh hotel in the state. This development allows us to establish ourselves in the state more strongly. We look forward to welcoming guests to Sarovar Portico, Somnath and offering them our signature Sarovar hospitality.”

Redefining the art of bespoke luxury holidays for perceptive travellers – A Travel Circle launches today in India. For Pritish Shah – Founder & CEO, A Travel Circle, this is the newest addition to his successfully established experiential travel brands in India for the high-end traveller – including A Travel Duet that has been specialising in exclusive travel for couples for almost a decade. “This pandemic has fast-tracked us to launch A Travel Circle, as the changing travel expectations in the new normal world align very well with our product offerings – private villas for social distancing, private jets to avoid commercial airports, highest standards in safety with our carefully selected hospitality partners and other service vendors,” he said. Offering thoughtfully designed, private journeys to the most desirable destinations around the world, A Travel Circle helps guests celebrate close bonds and togetherness with their circle of loved ones. The in-house creative team has the calibre to exclusively create an array of special interest vacations and unique bonding experiences for guests. Celebrating the spirit of wanderlust, this bespoke travel brand is dedicated to crafting the most carefully planned holidays, away from the rigmarole of urban life with those who matter. With a meticulously handpicked selection of the finest private villas or small boutique hotels for buy-outs, offering customised service that suit the lifestyle preferences of each guest, A Travel Circle is a preferred partner in India for prominent luxury hospitality brands located across idyllic destinations globally, such as – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and more.