Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Sandeep Dwivedi, COO, InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ), has said that they have been helping agents with online tools that aid in swift cancellations, reissue and refunds. “ITQ is doing what we have always done i.e. be a responsible intermediary between airlines and travel agents, communicating all developments, especially those related to GDS (Global Distribution System) and flight bookings; even more in these tough times. Further, teams at ITQ are providing 24*7 support to travel agents for reissue and cancellation of flight bookings, and even helping install system online for agents to work smoothly from home. In addition, following these sudden developments, we are providing handy Travelport Smartpoint hacks such as refunds using linear entry to make transacting easier and swifter for our agents. We are on the edge, serving agents by resolving queries and recording apprehensions and issues for future in order to accommodate the same in our system, if adversity worsens or for when it smoothens out. On priority, we are taking all necessary actions to prepare ourselves and our system for managing any probable or unexpected requirements smoothly,” he said.  

Subhash Goyal, Secretary General, FAITH, has revealed that in the wake of the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on travel and tourism industry, they will be approaching Ministry of Tourism (MOT) and urge them to use their unutilised funds for immediate relief of the industry. “2020 should be declared a tourism draught year because we are sure that in the entire year, tourism is not going to be revived. All the airlines would remain grounded, and we know that all visas have been cancelled. Hence, our revenues have totally dried up. We had a meeting through video conferencing of the FAITH board members, which consists of all the presidents of all the associations, and it has unanimously decided to approach our parent ministry—MOT—to utilise its unutilised funds of the MOT for immediate relief for the tour operators, travel agents and particularly the small and medium operators. We do not have money to pay the salaries and the various statutory obligation. Hence, it is very important that at least Rs. 1,500 crores from the old budget of the tourism ministry and the new budget should be given as immediate relief. The TCS, which has been extended at the moratorium of loans and interest, should be extended for at least one year and TCS should be completely scrapped because it will kill the outbound tourism of the country.”

As part of India’s fight against COVID-19, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched ‘Lifeline Udan’ flights for movement of medical and essential supplies across the country and beyond. Under this initiative, 62 Lifeline Udan flights have been operated during the five day period from 26th to 30th March 2020, transporting over 15.4 tons of essential medical supplies. 45 out of the 62 flights have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. The carriers involved in Lifeline Udan operations include Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pawan Hans. Support is being provided by Airports Authority of India (AAI), AAICLAS (cargo and logistics subsidiary of AAI), AI Airports Services (AIASL), PPP airports and private ground handling entities. Private carriers like IndiGo, Spicejet and Blue Dart are operating medical cargo flights on a commercial basis.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published new analysis showing that airlines may burn through $61 billion of their cash reserves during the second quarter ending 30th June 2020, while posting a quarterly net loss of $39 billion. The analysis is based on the impact assessment released by IATA, under a scenario in which severe travel restrictions last for three months. In this scenario, full-year demand will fall by 38 per cent and full-year passenger revenues drop by $252 billion compared to 2019. The fall in demand would be the deepest in the second quarter, with a 71 per cent drop. Revenues are expected to fall by 68 per cent. This is less than the expected 71 per cent fall in demand due to the continuation of cargo operations, albeit at reduced levels of activity. Variable costs are expected to drop sharply—by some 70 per cent in the second quarter—largely in line with the reduction of an expected 65 per cent cut in second-quarter capacity. The price of jet fuel has also fallen sharply, although we estimate that fuel hedging will limit the benefit to a 31 per cent decline. These changes to revenues and costs result in an estimated net loss of $39 billion in the second quarter.

Government has decided to extend the regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation of foreign nationals who have been stranded in India because of the spread of COVID-19 till 30th April 2020. “Those foreigners whose visas have expired or would be expiring during April 1- April 30, would be extended till midnight of 30th April on GRATIS basis after making online application by the foreigner. The exit of such foreign nationals, if so requested by them during this period, will be granted without levy of overstay penalty,” read the circular issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. It has been decided to provide the essential consular services by the office of the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers and Foreigners Registration Officers to foreign nationals, presently in India.

As of March 2020, out of 4,632 meetings scheduled for the year 2020, ICCA and CIMERT have found a total of 393 international association meetings which have been identified for postponements, cancellations and relocation due to COVID-19, which is 8.5% of the total events. Out of these 41 per cent are in the Asia Pacific. The unfolding COVID-19 crisis has significantly affected the meetings industry with events being postponed, relocated or cancelled. Since February 2020, ICCA and CIMERT have embarked on a joint research project to bring their connected expertise together to monitor the status of meetings in the ICCA Association Database. This is part of ICCA’s wider initiative to work with CIMERT (Center of International Meetings Research and Training, Supported by ICCA) to track meetings which have been affected by the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease now called COVID-19.

Keeping the health and safety of its guests and crew, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has made some necessary decisions such as extending the temporary suspension of voyages to help contain the spread of the virus as well as offer credit and even a full refund on bookings. Steve Odell, SVP & Managing Director Asia Pacific, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, stated, “All our affected guests will automatically receive a 100 per cent ‘Future Cruise Credit’ and a bonus 25 per cent Future Cruise Credit. These Future Cruise Credits are valid for one year from issue date and applicable towards all voyages through 31st December, 2022. Clients taking the automatic Future Cruise Credits will also receive full Seven Seas Society loyalty night credit for the suspended voyage. For those who prefer a 100 per cent refund must complete the refund request online by 13 April, 2020 and the refund will be processed within 90 days.” The newly suspended voyages are Seven Seas Splendor (16 April, 30 April 2020), Seven Seas Explorer (17 April, 27 April, 4 May 2020), Seven Seas Voyager (16 April 2020), and Seven Seas Navigator (25 April 2020).

Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India’s (HRAWI) has offered the State Government access to over 500 of its member hotel rooms in the city. Amidst the lockdown, hotels across the country are doing their bit to instill hope and spread the message of love in the ensuing Novel Coronavirus outbreak. Part of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India’s (HRAWI) attempt to keep its members tethered and united during a crises which has affected the hospitality sector the most, hotels are displaying the symbolic heart across the front facades of their building properties. The heart is also a show of support and appreciation to all the women and men working across disciplines to keep the wheels of humanity moving. “These are the most trying times for us humans, as a race. Knowing that there is someone out there for you if you need them, gives hope. At this juncture, we all need hope and we are doing everything that we can to offer it. The lit up heart is a symbolic representation of the hospitality and tourism industry and we want to tell everyone that we’re here for them,” says Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, President, HRAWI.

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, with an aim to extend support to the foreign tourists who are stranded in our country because of the COVID-19 pandemic, has set up a portal to disseminate information regarding the services that can be availed by them. The portal is titled ‘Stranded in India’. And it is also hosted on Incredible India website also. The portal will help tourists get information/details of State Tourism departments and Regional offices of Ministry of tourism to help you to stay safe and healthy while in India. It will also help you find information on ways of getting back to your home country. Please visit strandedinindia.com or incredibleindia.org for further details.

Expo 2020 Dubai has been postponed, and will now take place next year. The event’s Steering Committee convened a second virtual meeting, with representatives of the countries taking part in the event, as part of ongoing consultations that the impact of COVID-19 will have on global preparations of Expo 2020 Dubai. The Committee collectively agreed to explore with the BIE, the World Expo governing body, the possibility of a one-year delay to the opening of Expo 2020. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), will now work with its Member States and Expo 2020 Dubai organisers to establish a change in dates. A final decision on postponement can only be made by the BIE’s Executive Committee and the General Assembly. Article 28 of the BIE Convention stipulates that, a change of dates requires a two-thirds majority vote from Member States of the Organisation. Participating countries briefed the Steering Committee on the global precautionary measures that have to be taken to ensure the health and safety of all those involved in the preparation of this mega event. The Steering Committee reviewed with grave concern the major impact that the spread of COVID-19 is having on global public, social, and economic health. The members reaffirmed their solidarity with the international community as it navigates through the ramifications that have resulted from this unprecedented global crisis. Expo 2020 organisers reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates commitment to working hand in hand with its international partners to deliver a World Expo which holds true to its founding purpose: providing an inclusive global platform to address shared challenges, and seek solutions in the spirit of international cooperation and global solidarity. The global platform that Expo 2020 will …