Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Tourism Office of Spain invites the travel trade to learn more about the destination through its webinar titled ‘The Spanish Travel Experience’ on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 1500 hrs. To participate, please contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532. Spain is famous for its tapas, flamenco, fiestas and endless beaches, but it is so much more. A country with four official languages, home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage cities, and diverse gastronomy and landscapes, Spain is also home to the most extraordinary architecture and a perfect wedding destination. Its cities are as diverse as the landscapes, but one thing that never changes is the Spanish lifestyle. But all this can wait. #SpainWillWait until the global crisis of COVID-19 is over.  

Sandeep Dwivedi, COO, ITQ, during the 2nd TravTalk Digital Conclave said that the working class and millennials sector will drive good growth in fueling tourism in the country.  He said, “Resilient and ‘bouncing back’ nature of the travel industry will secure the medium and long-term future of the industry. The working-class population will be crucial for that. Instant travel demand will be created by different demographics of the Indian population post COVID-19 crisis. India has grown considerably from the intra-country demand in recent times, which has helped more cash flow and the economy as well. No doubt that domestic tourism will be crucial in the short-term recovery plan.”

FAITH appeals to the Govt of India for immediate survival package as Indian tourism industry is on the brink of collapse. All the cash inflows of the industry have completely frozen and are likely to stay that way for the financial year 2020-21.  To address the issues of cash outflows, FAITH has recommended immediate measures for survival that need to be addressed parallelly. The industry is facing its biggest economic challenge with the larger and combined effect of 9/11 and the slowdown of 2009 and estimated bigger effect than the Economic Depression and World War II. Indian Tourism industry, in 2018-19 handled business of over 10.5 million foreign tourists, more than 5 million visiting NRIs, 1.8 billion domestic tourist visits & over 26 million outbound travellers.   A complete deferment for twelve months of all statutory dues payable by tourism, travel & hospitality industry at the Central Government level, state and municipal government level without attracting any penal interest. These would include GST, Advance Tax payments, PF, ESI, customs duties, excise fees, fixed power & water charges and any fees for licenses and renewal at the state level.   A support fund ‘Tourism COVID 19 Relief fund’ to be set up by RBI or Ministry of Finance or Tourism to support salaries and establishment costs. It should be either in the form of an interest free loan to Tourism companies for repayment of the principle over 10 years. The industry estimates the value of the fund to be minimum of Rs.50,000 crores which is almost equal to gross banking credit to the Indian Tourism industry.   RBI has already provided for three months moratorium on EMIs of principle and interest …

Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, VP, FHRAI, says, “Hospitality, Travel & Tourism’ has been worst hit and a strong push from the government is required to ensure that these sectors are not wiped out. The first thing that comes to my mind is to explore ways to promote domestic tourism among India’s 22 million outbound travellers. What we must focus on today along-with the various state governments is creating awareness and putting together fantastic attractive packages to promote domestic tourism. We can make this happen when each State in India pulls up its socks and considers the neighboring State its competitor. Mere words will not work. We will have to read ourselves now, for international as well as domestic competition. We need to focus now on projecting the market condition, when it eventually will open and offer the inbound and outbound travelers offers they can’t refuse. For this, we need the help of the Government, without which nothing can happen. We can plan a lot but without the right backing and implementation, nothing can happen.”

Struggling Air Mauritius has entered voluntary administration after the board resolved that with the coronavirus grounding it would not be able to meet its financial obligations in the foreseeable future. Air Mauritius had already embarked on a transformation programme in January this year under which it was reviewing its business model in a bid to secure sustainability. Air Mauritius has become the second airline to enter administration proceedings in as many days voluntarily. Yesterday Australian carrier Virgin Australia also entered voluntary administration caused by the current crisis. In a company statement the airline’s board of directors state that while “substantial progress” was made in developing its action plan, the closure of borders and halting of air services because of the coronavirus has led to a “complete erosion of the company’s revenue base”. Air Mauritius was forced to suspend flights at the start of April because of the coronavirus restrictions. The airline’s board came to a decision following “a complete erosion of the company’s revenue base.”  In its letter, the airline stated that its entire revenue base had been eroded. The erosion has been caused by a decrease in demand tied to many different travel bans enacted by separate national governments. The airline believes that demand will not begin to return until the end of 2020. “There is uncertainty as to when international air traffic will resume and all indications tend to show that normal activities will not pick up until late 2020,” the airline says.    

KD Singh, Founder & President, TravelBullz during the 2nd TravTalk Digital Conclave said that the way travel agents do business in the industry will change post the coronavirus pandemic is over. “2020 is a halt and not stop. No country can survive without tourism. According to me, we will start to see the first set of bookings starting from August-September and people might start travelling overseas from November-December if it is safe to travel. How travel agents do business will definitely change. According to me, by April 2021, we will be back on track and start growing again,” he said.

UNWTO has urged members to increase pressure on world leaders to rethink tax and employment policies related to tourism and help businesses survive and drive wider recovery efforts. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “This crisis has shown the strength of solidarity across borders. But nice words and gestures will not protect jobs or help the many millions of people whose lives are dependent on a thriving tourism sector. Governments have an opportunity to recognize tourism’s unique ability to not only provide employment but to drive equality and inclusivity. Our sector has proven its ability to bounce back and help societies recover. We ask that tourism is now given the right support to once again lead recovery efforts.”

New Zealand is the home of adventure tourism. If your clients enjoy adventure sports or extreme activities, they’ll love New Zealand. Whether they want heart-pounding excitement or to simply achieve something memorable. From canyoning, rafting and zip-lining, to bungee-jumps and skydiving, New Zealand has it all. Take their breath away with exhilarating experiences amidst spectacular scenery. Thrills and excitement can be found at every turn. For more inspiration on how to include adventure activities in your itineraries, sign up for the webinar today at 1430 hrs (2:30 pm). To participate, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

Showing the way forward, speaking at the 2nd session of the second Digital Conclave held by TravTalk, Arjun Sharma, Chairman, Select Group, said, “My suggestion to travel agents is to focus on packaging experiences, experiential travel can also be a luxury. Travel agents need to first build their database and then identify the potential clients and then create packages for them.” He also added that travel will not stop, but it will just take some time for it to build up again.

Speaking at the first session of the second Digital Conclave held by TravTalk, Lohani, Chairman, APTDC said, “Everybody needs to get ready for domestic tourism, travelling within the state as well as the region is likely to grow. People will be apprehensive to go far but will be willing to travel within the country. India has everything to offer, now is the right time to position domestic tourism in the country. We need to commission a study on domestic tourism and all states and stakeholders need to follow that.”