Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Turkey is all set to further ease the restrictions imposed on the travellers from 1st July. The new unlock rules also include the removal of the night curfew restrictions including weekends for locals and tourists. All dining options, restaurants and bars will be functional. Entertainment houses like cinema halls and concert venues can function without any restrictions subject to adherence to COVID-19 appropriated guidelines. The 14-day quarantine rule for anyone who has travelled to India within the last 14 days is still in place but travellers will now have the option of staying at the quarantine Hotel of their choice and at their own expense. Turkey is also undertaking one of the biggest vaccination drive where 40% of the country’s population has received the first dose and is working dedicatedly to fully vaccinate 70% of the total population by August. The new guidelines have been announced keeping into consideration the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country however hygiene, mask and social distancing rules will be followed throughout.

The Federal Council of Switzerland has lifted entry restrictions for persons from third countries. This including persons who have been vaccinated or have recovered and do not have to produce negative test even when travelling from countries where the Delta variant is widespread such as India and do not have to quarantine on entry. Meanwhile, The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi is currently accepting all visa categories for persons arriving from third countries like India, who can prove they have been fully vaccinated.

Singapore is all set to have three new tourist attractions in a few months, revealed GB Srithar, Regional Director-India, Middle East & South Africa. “Three new attractions are going to come up in Singapore, which travellers coming from India can experience soon. First is Museum of Ice Cream, for which Singapore will be the first-ever international location after US. It will open later this year. The second is Asia’s tallest Slingshot, which will be a new thrill-ride concept, and will be opening later this year in Clarke Quay area. Finally, the Sky Helix Sentosa, which will be Singapore’s first open air panoramic attraction, offering visitors scenic views of Sentosa and our southern island waterfront area. This is due to open in 2022,” he revealed.

As part of Tourism New Zealand’s virtual road trip series, the region to be covered this month is Southland. The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 11am. Southland is a region of contrasts – from mountain peaks, the deepest of lakes, meandering rivers, fertile farmlands, lush primordial forests, and captivating coastlines, to the wild Southern Ocean and its islands. It is a land of world-renowned Bluff oysters and the launching place for a visit to Stewart Island. To experience this road trip, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 or directly register here https://event.webinarjam.com/register/253/gw35lbnv

The 1st virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’, on its final day, will see buyers from North & East India having B2B meetings with over 15 exhibitors from South Korea. Representatives from around 9 DMCs, 6 regions and 1 attraction will be showcasing their offerings at the online event. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

The first virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ will see buyers from West and South India indulging in B2B meetings with over 15 exhibitors from South Korea. In fact, 1/3rd of the delegation from South Korea is looking to explore the India market for the very first time or after many years. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Tourism New Zealand has unveiled the winners of its inaugural Kaihāpai Awards which celebrate the achievements and commitment of Indian travel agents towards destination New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand’s objective over the past 14 months has been growing brand love for New Zealand with its trade partners by focusing on engagement and education. This has been achieved via webinars, wherein 10 Virtual Road Trips were conducted with overall attendance of 9000 travel agents across India, paid campaigns (New Zealand Specialist programme) and the launch of a members only/private Facebook group (Tourism New Zealand Travel Agents Facebook group). The awards were a community celebration for members of Tourism New Zealand’s Indian Travel Agents group on Facebook. The group has drawn significant interest and membership since its launch in June 2020 and recently achieved a milestone of 1000 Indian travel agent members. The first Kaihāpai Awards were a spectacular success and saw participation from 232 travel agents and 3 Tourism New Zealand representatives. The awards are imbued with New Zealand’s culture and values – Kaihāpai translates into being an advocate and the award’s logo represents Whānau (family). Whānau is one of the core Maori beliefs instilled in New Zealanders as they care for their guests as if they were their very own family, a concept which bears a striking similarity to Indian culture. New Zealand is a place where everyone is welcomed and accepted, a tradition passed down by ancestors who taught them to value love, friendship and camaraderie. When visitors (manuhiri) travel to New Zealand, they are sure to leave the country as family (whānau).  The agents are an important part of the extended Whānau (family), working together to make the …

The 1st virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ is all set to begin soon. The 3-day event will see a host of exhibitors including top Regional Tourism Boards, attractions and DMCs of Korea. Get ready to meet representatives from Seoul & Busan tourism boards, Jeju Convention & Visitor Bureau and Lotte World. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), New Delhi office is set to welcome buyers to the 1st virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ B2B event that starts tomorrow. Scheduled from 22-24 June, the event will commence with Day-1 dedicated to invite-only buyers, and will be open for all after that. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

This summer, Hong Kong’s great outdoors will be very much within reach to those who reside abroad — thanks to a series of uniquely soothing sensory videos created under the 360 Hong Kong Moments initiative by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), which have managed to capture and bottle the city’s auditory essence into highly immersive and pleasurable viewing experiences. A highlight of the Great Outdoors Hong Kong (GOHK) 2021-2022 summer campaign, four distinctly themed Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos will each feature 30-second snapshots of dreamy environmental acoustics heard in far-flung corners of the city. The videos are designed to stimulate the senses and heighten one’s sensitivity to the harmonic countryside symphonies just like a stone’s throw from the city. ASMR in Peng Chau invokes a ship’s horn, a temple’s chimes and the hypnotic kau cim (shaking of fortune sticks). Swaying leaves, dripping waterfalls, chirping birds and flapping wings angle for attention in ASMR in Shing Mun Reservoir. ASMR in Stanley spans splashing in the ocean and swooshing open a paper fan, to biting into a piece of deliciously warm French toast at a local cha chaan teng diner. Finally, ASMR in Sai Kung delves into the myriad tones and timbres of the open sea, which can be encountered during a lone stand-up paddle-boarding session. Both calming and provoking, the video series stars curious individuals exploring the outskirts of Hong Kong through a hyper-focused lens and culminates in a three-minute magnum opus, which brings all the contrasting elements together into one beautifully euphoric whole. The ASMR videos form part of the broader GOHK summer campaign, which will also showcase 13 seasonal routes, covering hiking and sightseeing destinations, island-hopping …