Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

According to a Reuters news report, Singapore is looking to allow quarantine-free travel for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from September, when 80% of the city-state’s population should be inoculated. Singapore will establish travel corridors with countries or regions where COVID-19 is under control, and those who are vaccinated may not have to quarantine or may be allowed to isolate at home. The city-state will also review whether to loosen curbs in early August.

The past year has brought about significant changes and challenges due to the global pandemic, with travel and tourism being amongst the most impacted sectors. As the travel and tourism industry adapts to the new realities of working remotely, reduced travel business and other factors, it has become more important than ever to look after mental wellness, as well as physical health. To assist the travel industry in looking after their mental wellbeing, Tourism Australia is organising a series of Wellness Workshops in India aimed at providing a toolkit of practical tips that will help build confidence in the ability to maintain and build mental wellbeing. Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India and Gulf, Tourism Australia said, ‘Pre-COVID our travel industry was focused on promoting the many benefits of travel to consumers, including the positive effects of travel to overall wellness and mental wellbeing. Now with travel on hold, the workshops have been planned to impart effective strategies, techniques and mechanisms for our travel industry colleagues to manage stress and maintain their general mental wellbeing in the challenging times. It is also a positive step towards supporting the resilience of our industry and our tourism partners in these challenging times.’ This first-of-a-kind initiative in the travel industry includes a curated set of sessions featuring veteran motivational speakers and mental health experts and will be open to Aussie Specialist Agents and all members of the Indian travel trade.

Nepal Tourism Board has announced the second edition of its Mt. Everest Fashion Runway scheduled to be held in the Everest region with 20 super models and 200 ‘super audience’ from September 22, 2021. The event promotes sustainable fashion and responsible consumerism addressing climate change and global warming. The fashion show will kickstart in September 2021 at an altitude of over 5,800 metres in the Mt Everest region at -30-degree Celsius and less than 50 per cent oxygen present in the atmosphere.

Tourism Fiji has announced the appointment of experienced tourism marketing senior executive, Brent Hill as Chief Executive Officer. Hill, who most recently was the Executive Director of Marketing for the South Australian Tourism Commission, brings over 16 years of experience in tourism and digital marketing, advertising, branding, communications, campaign, and executive strategy to Fiji’s National Tourism Office. He replaces former CEO Matt Stoeckel, whose tenure ended in December 2020. Commenting on Hill’s appointment, Tourism Fiji Chairman  Andre Viljoen said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Brent’s calibre to this critically important role not just for Fijian tourism, but for the Fijian economy. Brent shone through in the extremely rigorous recruitment process initiated and conducted by the Board with PwC’s assistance, for a CEO to lead Tourism Fiji in these unprecedented times, where international tourism activity has been zero for over a year now. His proven expertise, experience and ideas for the industry’s revival are a perfect fit for Fiji’s current requirements. Viljoen added: “When border restrictions ease and travel resumes, Fiji will need dynamism and creativity in marketing itself as an attractive, aspirational and safe destination. We are in the same situation as every other leisure tourism destination in the world. All of us are going for the same markets, which are now smaller with lower discretionary spending ability. Brent is highly regarded in the industry given his many accomplishments, and we will need his wide range of existing relationships and management skills with key global trade partners to market our destination, and his excellent communications skills to rally our industry and stakeholders to a common purpose. His immediate focus will be to work with the Board and Fiji’s extremely …

Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency has announced that since July 17, all fully vaccinated travellers coming from countries classified as green, orange or red can enter France without restriction or without a compelling reason irrespective of the red, amber or green classification implemented by France. This implies that fully vaccinated Indians can travel to France. As of 18th July, France has also recognised Covishield in its list of approved vaccines. Travel is possible only 2 weeks after the second dose of Covishield has been administered. India has been classified as ‘red’ as of now. A random test may be performed upon arrival at the port of entry. Further information on visas and travel modalities will be shared once more details are available.

A team from the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s India Office led by Director Sammy Yahia, along with Consul General of Israel and Govardhan Eco Village’s Director – Shri Gauranga Das Prabhu met with Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra, to inaugurate the Indo-Israel Partnership for Experimental Learning between the Israel Ministry of Tourism and Govardhan Eco Village. The Ministry of Tourism and Govardhan Eco Village are working closely together to curate a comprehensive 10-day course for the students that will expose them to Sustainable Ecosystems in India (3 days) – at the Govardhan Eco Village, and in Israel (3 days), as well as an immersive cultural experience in Israel (4 days).  The Experimental Learning Partnership courses are being curated to attract approximately 5,000 young Indian adults, over the next 3 years, in higher levels of education, to offer them the opportunity to experience Israel. While the education program is still be designed, scholars will study the different aspects of sustainability in Israel, while increasing awareness of Israel’s excellent education system.  The cultural aspects of the course will include immersive experiences in different parts of Israel.  This could include visiting the Dead Sea Region – for its unique ecosystem; Jerusalem for its interesting history, architecture and cultural diversity; and Tel Aviv for its leading start-up ecosystem. Sammy Yahia, Israel’s Director of Tourism for India and Philippines said, “I am elated by the interest of the Govardhan Eco Village to exploit Israel’s immense potential and making it available to young Indian adults, who can come to Israel and learn about environmental sustainability and ecotourism, while experiencing the unique culture of Israel.”

Louvre Abu Dhabi and Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille have launched a new annual exhibition – Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here – and the creation of The Richard Mille Art Prize, with the aim of promoting the best of contemporary art. For its inaugural year, the exhibition and prize will shine a spotlight on Emirati and UAE-based artists as part of the UAE’s wider 50-year Jubilee celebrations.

With Qatar now open for tourism to fully vaccinated travellers, Discover Qatar, the destination management division of Qatar Airways, has partnered with Qatar Airways Holidays and launched specially curated packages to welcome international travellers visiting friends and family in Qatar for a much-awaited reunion. As part of the conditions of entry, the State of Qatar has mandated that all tourist arrivals must have a confirmed hotel reservation. To help meet this requirement, Discover Qatar in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays is offering exclusive deals with significant savings on a range of hotels that will enhance the customer’s family and friends’ experience, helping them make new memories as they reunite in Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are very proud to be playing our part in the reopening of our country to visitors in the safest way possible and supporting the next step in the development of Qatar’s tourism industry. Surrounded by crystal waters and a unique biodiverse ecosystem, Qatar has so much to offer when it comes to rediscovering nature, stellar architecture and offering a world that is inspired by modernism and traditions alike. “The city and desert tours will allow our passengers to enjoy every step of their journey with us, and we hope many get to experience Qatar’s renowned hospitality, culture and heritage, and the vibrant city of Doha through Discover Qatar’s exclusive packages.” The ‘Family and Friends’ packages start at QAR 1,721 per person and are available for a five, seven, or ten-night stay at leading, luxury hotels in Qatar such as the Hilton Doha, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, the Ritz-Carton Doha, Mondrian Doha, the Westin Doha Hotel & Spa …

The State of Qatar has re-opened its borders to international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with vaccines that are approved for use by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar. A new streamlined set of measures designed to make travelling to Qatar as easy as possible, while maintaining the necessary precautions to continue to protect against the spread of COVID-19, has been implemented and is effective immediately. The new measures will allow people who are fully vaccinated to visit Qatar without the need for quarantine. The new arrangements will also make it easier for citizens and residents of Qatar to travel in and out of the country, enabling fully vaccinated people to bypass the quarantine requirement when returning to Qatar. All visitors – vaccinated or non-vaccinated – will be required to undertake a PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel. However, travellers are advised to check the entry requirements of the country they are travelling from and will return to from Qatar, before booking any flights and should understand that those policies can change with very little notice. In order to visit Qatar – international visitors, citizens and residents – must register and upload required documentation such as a vaccination certificate, valid PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel, and personal details through the ‘Ehteraz’ website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa). Travellers have to apply for the authorization through the ‘Ehteraz’ website (free of charge), at least 12 hours before their planned departure to Qatar. All in-bound travellers are advised to submit their application as soon as they have all their required documentation, to ensure they can board their flights as planned. Airlines are advised to only …

Thailand continues to be a dream destination for golfers from all around the world. In a recent survey, more than 97% respondents from India reveal that they rate Thailand as a top-quality destination for a golfing break. Besides world-class golf courses, factors contributing to this choice include warm hospitality, value for money, affordable luxury and proximity to India. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director TAT, New Delhi, says, “It is expected that Thailand would be the first destination where the majority of golfers would travel for their first golf holiday post two years of COVID-19.”