A recent survey by International Air Transport Association (IATA), air travellers are increasingly frustrated with the COVID-19 travel restrictions. The survey within 11 markets in September showed confidence that the risks of COVID-19 can be effectively managed and that the freedom to travel should be restored. 67% of respondents felt that most country borders should be opened now, up 12 percentage-points from the June 2021 survey.

Mark Willis, CEO – India, Middle East and Africa, Accor, has said that after Raffles Udaipur, India is soon to get its second Raffles property in Jaipur. “It’s wonderful to see India recovering. We recently opened the first Raffles there and we have a second raffles coming up as well, which is also interesting as there will be two ultra-luxury properties coming in the same country within a close time frame. The future looks bright for India,” he said.

GMJ Thampy, CMD of Riya Group, has been presented the prestigious UAE Golden Visa for 10 years by one of the highest authorities in the UAE government— General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. This visa, presented only to eminent entrepreneurs & personalities, allows Thampy multiple entries for 10 years. Otherwise, UAE offers a single-entry visa for limited days – 30 and 90 days. Thampy expressed his happiness saying, “I am extremely honoured for being able to establish a trustworthy footprint in the travel space in the UAE market and offer extraordinary services to its nationals and travellers.”

Baywatch Stayzz has been appointed as the GSA for The Fern Creek in Kodaikanal, which are experiential glam tents situated in the heart of Kodaikanal. Manish Kriplani, MD, Baywatch Stayzz and Baywatch Travels, says, “These are unique tents in 1.5 acres of land, offering experiential luxury for patrons. With 7 tents, one restaurant and indoor and outdoor lounge areas, they offer everything a traveller can ask for. We are also looking at expanding the number of tents in future.”

IRCTC is set to launch a special tourist train for exploring five North Eastern States under the initiative ‘Dekho Apna Desh’. The 14 nights and 15 days trip will take passengers to regular tourist places, but also untouched, unexplored and unimaginable destinations. The journey will start from Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station and will cover five states in Northeast, which would include places like Guwahati, Kaziranga and Johnhart in Assam, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, Kohima in Nagaland, Una Koti, Agartala and Udaipur in Tripura, Shillong and Cherapunji in Meghalaya.

Indian government will be opting for reciprocal treatment to foreigners applying for visa, depending on their country’s visa policy for Indian tourists, reports an official of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In a bid to iron out the issues arising due to the travel policies currently, MHA held a meeting under the Union Home Secretary, where it was decided that reciprocal treatment will be adopted for tourists visiting India. He added, “Many countries have opened for tourists from foreign countries but have posed several restrictions for Indian travellers. The issues have been raised with the diplomats of concerned countries to get issues resolved.”

Ministry of Tourism is shifting its overseas office in Paris to Moscow, revealed Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism. On being asked if there will be another office in France, she revealed that there will be another office in Frankfurt, Germany to manage promotions in the region.

Switzerland Tourism will conduct a webinar on Wednesday, 6 October, 2021, focusing on the vibrant city of Zurich. The cosmopolitan city located in the heart of Europe, is a melting pot of culture, and is a buzz with activities and experiences, day and night. This captivating webinar will take viewers live to Zurich and give them a glimpse of its popular highlights and attractions. To register, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532

A group of 18 inbound Tour operators from Delhi undertook a Trip to Dholpur and Ramsagar Lake with an appeal to the government for opening up Tourist Visas and regular international flights. People from the tourism and hospitality industry travelled to Dholpur in Rajasthan from 15th to 18th September to make an appeal to the government to initiate issuance of tourist visas under the banner of “Unlocking International Tourism”. Beginning of this month, the government announcement to extend the ban on international flights by another month put further jitters in the inbound tourism market from India. Already hit by the pandemic, the tourism industry has been suffering for more than 18 months now leading to massive job losses in the industry and multiple tour operators and hotels shutting shop. It is estimated that the tourism industry in India contributes to almost 10% of the GDP and more than 8 million livelihoods. As vaccination across the globe keep increasing by the hour, more countries are opening up borders to the people, especially the double vaccinated population. Multiple countries in Europe are now accessible to fully vaccinated Indians enabling them to restart travel to foreign destinations. However, the same has not been offered to tourists wanting to come to India as e-visas remain suspended, even though the government has indicated that the same would start soon. Around 25 people made their way to Dholpur in Rajasthan and also met 4 time Member of Parliament and a hospitality industry stalwart himself, Mr. Dushyant Singh. Dushyant Singh assured everyone that the government is working hard to come out with the new guidelines to reopen international travel towards India. Sanjay Razdan, Director – Razdan Holidays …

Uttar Pradesh government recognised the efforts of Prateek Hira in the field of Tourism on the occasion of World Tourism Day and to mark 50 years of the Department of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh Government. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath on 27 September conferred the State Award to Prateek Hira and his company Tornos, declaring it as the best tour company in the state of UP. Prateek has been in the travel trade since the last 27 years and apart from being in business of operating tours he also chairs the FICCI’s Tourism Committee in Uttar Pradesh and UP Chapter of IATO. Government of Uttar Pradesh in its citation has recognised his efforts in promoting the state of Uttar Pradesh and taking it to new heights in the field of Tourism. His cooperation with the department of tourism and involvement with tourism academia and researches is commendable. FICCI’s report on the potential of Culinary Tourism in Uttar Pradesh authored by Prateek Hira, Manish Ahuja and Anirban Chaterjee was also released and launched on this occasion by the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, in presence of Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ashutosh Tandon , Jal Shakti Minister , Dr. Mahendra Singh, Mayor of Lucknow, Mrs Sanyukta Bhaita and the Principal Secretary Tourism & Culture Mr. Mukesh Meshram.