Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, is planning to do small boutique roadshows, some of which will be led by the Minister, while others will be led by senior MOT officials or regional directors. “The idea is to do events which will have around 35-40, or maximum 50 people, including trade, hoteliers, media and we hope to showcase new and nearby itineraries. With this we are hoping to drive domestic demand and create confidence. Some of them will also involve citywalk, where citizens will also be invited. While some roadshows have already started at regional director level, and we are hoping that the minister will kickstart the same in early December. We are hoping to start from Ahmedabad and ten go to Kevadia.”

IATO and TravTalk are organising a motivational session by Roshan Suhail, the renowned communication coach and keynote speaker on Friday 27th November, 2020 at 11:30am. The session titled, ‘Staying up’ will be fruitful in helping the trade to sail through these tough times and prepare ahead. To register, call Jaspreet 9650196532 or email: jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), in an attempt to further enhance skilled youth in the hospitality sector, signed an MoU, on 12th November, 2020, for setting-up a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in the state. The MOU was signed digitally by G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC and Arja Srikanth, IRTS, Special Secretary to Govt. of AP, MD & CEO, APSSDC in the presence of other senior officials from ITDC & APSSDC.

IATO Elections will be held on 6th March 2021. In a communication released by IATO, on behalf of Homa Mistry, Returning Officer, IATO Elections -2020, it was revealed that in a meeting called by him, it was decided to hold the elections on 6th March 2021. It was also decided to take a call whether to hold the elections with physical presence of the members or to be done online. This will be decided as per prevailing pandemic conditions at that time for which the call will be taken in the beginning of February 2021.

Asit Tripathy, Chief Secretary, Odisha, has asked that the department of tourism to develop homestay facilities in remote areas untouched by hotel network. “Nature trail and experiential tourism is the current fad, and Odisha has much to offer in this sector,” he said. Tripathy has directed the tourism department to ensure quality, hospitality, hygiene and safety of tourists at these facilities.

Thomas Cook India has partnered with IndiGo to launch air-inclusive ‘Crazy Deals IndiGo Special’ that includes a range of options and value-adds at great prices. Domestic destinations include Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal, North East, etc. and start at Rs 9,990 while international destinations start at 29,990.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has written to Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of Tourism to request them to open tourist visas for foreigners to visit India; to make RTPCR tests mandatory for all arriving passengers with no quarantine; to absorb the costs of RTPCR test and waive it for travellers; should offer mandatory travel insurance for all incoming tourists, and allow travel to countries with which they don’t have air bubble agreement via flights through countries with which These agreements  are in place. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, had commented recently, “This would allow airlines to offer connecting flights to countries that are allowing Indians to visit. Many countries, which are not connected directly, like South Africa, South America, etc., but people want to travel there. Hence, there is a need to open beyond air bubbles. This would allow footfall on both sides.”

To educate the travel trade on Ireland’s products and COVID safety guidelines, Tourism Ireland India will conduct a webinar on Nov 19 at 3.30pm IST. It will have an interesting line-up of Irish suppliers including hotels, attractions and tours, with exciting gift hampers to be won! To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, has announced that the state is now open to visitors, but they have to follow the SOPs, that includes a COVID, negative report. Khandu tweeted regarding the same and stated, “Arunachal Pradesh opens today to welcome tourists. Get mesmerized by its beauty and rejuvenated by the purity of its nature. Those who dreamt—it’s time to explore.” Here’s what tourists have to keep in mind when visiting Arunachal Pradesh: As per the SOP, only pre-booked package tours, done exclusively via local tours operators of the state will be allowed to operate. All ground handling and tourist transport services, including pick up/drop, will also be authorised via local travel tour/agent operators. Since Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to visit the state, visitors will need to provide four other additional documents—tour itineraries and vehicle details, COVID-19 certificate, tour booking slips, and details of the guide and driver. Tourists should possess a valid COVID-19 negative certificate (RTPCR or True NAT test) from ICMR designated laboratory/facility, which they have undergone not more than 72 hours prior to the date of arrival, as per a government notification. All tourists, accompanying drivers and guides from outside the state should adhere to COVID-19 inter-state traveller testing protocol issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Arunachal Pradesh. As per the protocol, tourists should strictly observe adequate social distancing norms. Although family groups can stay together, they would have to ensure that they will remain 2 m away from other individuals or family groups. Visitors are expected to wear protective face masks when they are within the premises of any tourist destination and that all payments are processed via digital mode, …

India Tourism Mart (ITM), which was announced by the Tourism Minister to be held as a hybrid event, will not happen in November as was being planned earlier, revealed Subhash Goyal, Secretary General, FAITH. He said, “We had planned for the ITM to be held in November, but unfortunately, the Minister was not available owing to other commitments on those dates. We can now do it in end-December or beginning of January. We are in touch with the MOT for the same and will get a date very soon.”