India and Australia have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Tourism cooperation in the field of Tourism on 11th February 2022 in New Delhi. The MoU on behalf of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, was signed by Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles and on behalf of Government of Australia it was signed by The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment. The MoU will facilitate Exchange of information and data related to tourism, Cooperation between tourism stakeholders, particularly hotels and tour operators, Cooperation and exchanges between training and education providers in tourism and hospitality, Investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Visits of tour operators and wholesalers, media and opinion makers, High quality, safe, ethical and sustainable tourism development, Interest in major cultural, artistic and sporting events, Opportunities for traveler education on applicable laws, rules and instructions in each other’s country and Enhanced tourism engagement in multilateral fora

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has given the greenlight to an agreement on an air “travel bubble” scheme between Thailand and India, so passenger services can resume after their suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision is, however, pending a cabinet approval. CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said today (Friday) that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed relevant agencies to speed up the promotion of tourism and economic development in Thailand.

Abu Dhabi and Kerala have agreed to work together for development of tourism, giving a big boost to the state’s initiatives to revive travel and hospitality sector from the pandemic-induced downturn. The understanding was reached during the discussions Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas had with Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism Chairman HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak in Abu Dhabi. “This understanding will impart great momentum to our tourism initiatives. Kerala tourism is now recovering from the Covid-induced crisis and this tie-up comes as a breakthrough”, Riyas said.

SpiceJet has offered to pay Rs.600 crore in cash in the share transfer case with its former promoter Kalanithi Maran and his firm KAL Airways for a full and final settlement of all disputes. The offer was made during the hearing in the Supreme Court today. Out of the principal amount of Rs. 578 crore awarded in arbitration, SpiceJet has already paid Rs. 308 crore in cash and deposited a bank guarantee of Rs.270 crore. Mukul Rohatgi, Senior Counsel appearing for SpiceJet proposed to pay the bank guarantee equivalent amount of Rs.270 crore in cash and top it up with additional Rs.22 crore aggregating the total payout to Rs.600 crore as full and final settlement of all disputes between the Parties. The Court has advised the other side to consider the proposal of SpiceJet and has listed the matter on 14 Feb 2022. Earlier an arbitration tribunal consisting of three retired judges from the Supreme Court, Arijit Pasayat, Hemant Laxman Gokhale and KSP Radhakrishnan in a unanimous decision had rejected the damages claim of Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways against SpiceJet.   

Anirban Chakraborty, MD & CEO, Tourism Finance Corp India (TFCI) has praised the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Policy, saying that instead of tinkering with Reverse Repo Rate, RBI has continued its accommodative stance. “The decision of status-quo shall provide relief to the economy, especially affected sectors like hospitality, retail, real estate, auto, etc., for some more time. Further, allocation of Rs. 2,400 crore to the Ministry of Tourism in the Union Budget this year (18.42% higher than the previous year), coupled with low interest rate regime, shall greatly benefit the hospitality sector. 

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has submitted a representation to the Maharashtra Government requesting for an immediate rollback of the 15 per cent hike in the Excise Licence Fee for FY 2022-23. Citing the unpredictable nature of restrictions and other measures that may come into effect, if and when another pandemic wave breaks out, the Association has also requested that the Government offers a 50 per cent waiver on the fee for FY 2022-23. “Through the last two years, restaurants continued paying for salaries, property taxes, statutory fees, electricity, water and other overheads. However, license holders were unable to carry out the business due to the restrictions imposed by the State. The restaurant industry was severely affected with none to low footfalls. In the pre-pandemic days, the industry did not flinch while paying the excise licence fees but today, it is a different story,” concludes Mr Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice President, HRAWI. 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have released a new set of protocols and SOPs for international travellers, airlines and all points of entry (airports, seaports and land border), under which, effective February 14, there will be a uniform health protocol applicable to all international travellers. Travellers entering India would have to upload self-declaration form on Air Suvidha along with a copy of RT-PCR report within 72hrs OR Certificate of full vaccination. Two per cent of pax on flight will be randomly selected for screening. However, the government has removed the requirement for quarantine unless tested positive during random screening. A reciprocal agreement for recognition of vaccination certificates between India and 82 named countries has been released and the ‘at risk’ doesn’t exist anymore for any country, with rules being uniform for all countries. The countries are Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, Chile, Columbia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Oman, Paraguay, Panama, Portugal, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, St. Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The United Kingdom, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe. 

Malaysia’s coronavirus recovery council on Tuesday said it has recommended a full reopening of borders as early as March 1 without mandatory quarantine for travellers, as part of plans to accelerate economic recovery. The Southeast Asian nation has shut its borders since March 2020 and froze the entry of foreign workers to try to contain novel coronavirus outbreaks. The recommendation comes as neighbours waive quarantine requirements to attract vaccinated tourists, including Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore. 

Since The Sigmund Project’s launch in June 2021, it has seen surprising growth receiving over 18,000 unique visitors to the site from over 108 countries. Developed by travel and tourism industry expert Alan Elliott Merschen, The Sigmund Project is a not-for-profit online platform, open to anyone who has a great idea to advance the global tourism industry; from small entrepreneurs to large multinational companies, from accommodation providers to the transportation sector, from universities to startups. 

Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has formed seven committees intending to involve more members in leadership roles in TAFI’s activities. The Educational & Communication Committee that produces TAFI fortnightly has tied up with Marriott Hotels and is encouraging its members to sign up for Marriott Hotels Excellence programme. Sensitive and Sustainable Tourism is another thrust area for TAFI, said Ajay Prakash, president, TAFI. The committee is organizing a session on  Sustainable Tourism for its members and training will be imparted to the frontline staff to improve their competence in day-to-day operations.