Tag Archives: India

The United Arab Emirates has lifted the ban on transit flights from India. Travellers will have to still submit a negative RT-PCR report of a test taken 72 hours prior to departure. Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers. The ban has been lifted for 10 other countries as well, including Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism, India Office will conduct a virtual presentation for the Indian travel trade on Tuesday, 13 July at 3pm IST. The session will highlight various offerings on leisure and MICE. To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com. Highlighting the importance of the India market for Israel, Sammy Yahia, Director of Tourism (India & Philippines), Israel Tourism, says, “In the last year, the travel industry around the world has experienced significant challenges, especially in the Indian trade. With new travel relaxations being introduced every day I believe that in the next few years, India will lead the international travel boom with many Indian travellers itching to experience new international destinations.  Before the pandemic, Israel welcomed over 65,000 tourists from India, setting a new record for us. I feel that in the coming months and year, when things normalise, we will double the number of arrivals from India to Israel.”

Etihad Airways and EL AL Israel Airlines have launched their joint codeshare network and reciprocal loyalty agreement for frequent flyers. EL AL will add its ‘LY’ code to Etihad’s existing twice weekly service between Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv. This new partnership is planned to include India as well from August 1 besides five other countries.

India has finalised an air bubble agreement with Sri Lanka, making it the sixth such arrangement in SAARC region and the 28th in total, which would allow the operation of special international passenger flights between the two countries. All the eligible passengers will be able to travel between the countries in the near future, according to a tweet from Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Haitham Mattar, who presently serves as Senior Advisor at Saudi Ministry of Tourism, will take over as Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) at IHG Hotels & Resorts April 18th onwards and will be based at their Dubai office. This is Mattar’s second stint at IHG, having previously spent 11 years at the company between 2000 and 2011 in different capacities.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is set to connect virtually with Indian stakeholders through CruiseWorld India 2021 on April 6, 2021, revealed GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East and South, STB. Themed ‘Charting our Pathway to Cruise Recovery’, the event will bring together key cruise lines and cruise agents stakeholders, highlight the safe, gradual resumption of cruise operations in Singapore and provide destination updates.

Asia Travel Show (ATS), from March 15-16, will see select buyers from South Asia – India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – in attendance. They will be a mix of travel agents, corporate and M!CE buyers, as well as wedding planners.

India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Nepal will soon hold a discussion to determine a possible course of action for the revival of tourism in the region. India has proposed to resume tourism and aviation activities with appropriate restrictions through the travel bubble concept. India and Sri Lanka decided this during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s Colombo visit.

GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board, has revealed that the theme of the STB India Virtual Tradeshow 2021 will be ‘Charting Our Pathways to Tourism Recovery’ which, according to him, will heighten or hasten the pace for increased partnerships and alliances among NTOs and their partner friends.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB)’s upcoming Virtual Tradeshow (to be held on 12th, 15th, 19th and 21st January for South, North, West and East India, respectively) aims to have profound interactions with the travel industry from each region. GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, ME & South Asia, STB, says, “With the intent to have deeper and focused dialogues, including pre-scheduled meetings, the roadshow will be held by region.”