Author: Tourism News live

The US government has said it will block Chinese airlines from flying into the US in response to what it says is a policy that has prevented US carriers from service between the two countries. The Transportation Department restrictions will take effect June 16 but could be enacted earlier if President Donald Trump decides to do so. It says the Chinese government is violating an agreement between the two countries for international travel by preventing United Airlines and Delta Air Lines from resuming the trans-oceanic flights. Those airlines had asked to resume service on June 1. United, Delta, and American ... Read more

Greek health authorities announced a revised set of rules to be implemented on all Greek beaches for protection against the coronavirus pandemic. Among other things, social distancing rules still apply while beach bars are now allowed to serve food and beverages but are still prohibited for playing music and holding events. Following are the specific guidelines : – Only two people can be seated under a single umbrella with the exception of families with young children. – Beach beds should be placed at least 1.5 metres apart from neighbouring umbrella; umbrellas should be placed 4 metres apart. – Team sports ... Read more

Hubloft Vacation Rentals has introduced a ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ initiative, under which it is implementing strict cleaning practices and guidelines before reopening. SOPs have been laid out for staff while dealing with guests on all its properties. The guidance will include specific instructions on best practices such as contactless check-in, mandatory use of face masks while in contact with guests and enhanced cleaning standards. “As we work to reopen, we want to assure travellers that our homes will be cleaner and safer than ever before when they are ready to travel again,” says Raiyaan Nayeem. “In order to build confidence ... Read more

Medical tourism will revive faster in India than that in many other countries, a senior India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) official has said. “Indian medical tourism industry is likely to revive faster than even some developed nations in Europe, and probably USA too. India has shown comparatively better handling of the pandemic situation as compared to these nations,” said Piyush Tiwari, director (commercial and marketing), ITDC. “Medical tourists will look at countries which seem relatively safer. They will look at a country that has better health protocols. Countries like India that have had a lower number of Covid-19 deaths, are ... Read more

Global air passenger traffic plunged by 94.3% in April this year as compared to the same month a year ago as the coronavirus pandemic virtually shut down air travel across the world, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said. “This is a rate of decline never seen in the history of IATA’s traffic series, which dates back to 1990,” said a press release from the organisation that has around 300 airlines as its members. “Passenger demand in April plunged 94.3% compared to April 2019, as the Covid-19-related travel restrictions virtually shut down domestic and international air travel,” the airlines ... Read more

Nearly three months after it suspended visas granted to foreigners, India has finally allowed arrival of foreigners for purposes of business, healthcare, engineering and technical works. It has said they would be allowed to fly into India on non-scheduled chartered flights. In an order issued on Monday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, “Foreign businessmen coming to India on a business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial/ chartered flights would be permitted.” The ministry said certain other category of foreigners who could avail of this relaxation included “foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and ... Read more

Marriott International, which has reopened all its hotels in China, is seeing a steady recovery in the United States, its biggest market. Chief Executive Officer Arne Sorenson said, “It’s not just leisure travel growing, but it is business travel. Chinese are flying again.” Sorenson said the occupancy rate in China was 40% currently, up from 7% to 8% in February, when COVID-19 started spreading. In the United States, Marriott’s hotels that have remained open, crossed the 20% occupancy threshold and continue to see an improvement, Sorenson said. The company had an occupancy rate of about 12% in North America in ... Read more

With the spread of coronavirus under control and domestic leisure travel growing, Middle East travel professionals are now looking to China to initiate international tourism. A joint survey conducted by the Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, China Comfort Travel Group (CCT), and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), was discussed by a panel of experts during the three-day ATM Virtual event that is currently taking place. Danielle Curtis, the exhibition director (Middle East) of the Arabian Travel Market, said: “In China we are already witnessing the green-shoots of recovery and many industry experts are looking to China to kickstart international tourism.” Moderated ... Read more

Jalesh Cruises, India’s first premium cruise liner, has launched an industry-first application programme interface (API) with leading travel companies like Akbar Travels, Riya Travels, and Jagsons Travel Pvt Ltd. Through this partnership, Jalesh Cruises will integrate with the travel agencies’ existing systems by providing them with a convenient and seamless experience and update on a real-time basis. This will be done by connecting the data streams and allowing travel partners to access products, services on their portal, by corresponding the data flow across the connected supply chain. Through the API integration, the travel agents can avail of the benefits of ... Read more

The number of flights on offer from Munich Airport will be increased over the next few weeks. In the past few months, international air travel in particular had come to a virtual standstill on account of the numerous travel restrictions. Now, many airlines are starting to ramp up their operations again, starting June. Lufthansa will be flying regularly from Munich to Brussels, Milan, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich again within the next few days. On Tuesday, June 2, the airline reopened its route from Munich to Chicago. The first flight to Los Angeles is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. Initially, ... Read more

Assam’s travel and tourism sector had to initially grapple with curfew and violence during the anti-CAA protests in December. And now the coronavirus pandemic has given it another body blow. Tourism in Assam has been battered so much this season (October to April) that those depending on it now fear massive jobs losses in the sector, without urgent financial assistance from the government. It is estimated that 80% of people will lose jobs this season, with hardly any income coming into the travel and tourism sector. Most of the tourism businesses in Assam are run by first generation entrepreneurs/start-ups with ... Read more

After over two months of closure due to the coronavirus lockdown, monuments and tourist attractions in Rajasthan have reopened. But there hasn’t been any footfalls yet. Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the government decision to allow reopening of these places but are also concerned as the pandemic continues to rage. “On the first day of reopening, we organised a cultural performance by folk artistes at 32 monuments in the state including in capital city. It was to mark the reopening of the monuments,” Prakash Chandra Sharma, Director, Department of Archaeology and Museum, told PTI. He said that domestic tourists mostly visit ... Read more

Madhya Pradesh, the central Indian state, is ready to welcome tourists back again after the relaxation of lockdown measures. Madhya Pradesh Tourism has shared a photo of luxury caravans on its Instagram page to invite tourists who would be interested in exploring the state without compromising on social distancing norms. “Rent a homely caravan with Madhya Pradesh (MP) tourism and go on to explore the Heart of India. This well-equipped vehicle ensures a chamber for the driver and you can enjoy a safe ride in your own bubbled space. A journey via caravan is all the more comforting and also ... Read more

Arabian Travel Market’s virtual panel has advised hoteliers not to drop room rates, but focus on sanitisation and technology to build consumer trust. Hotels must not drop rates to increase occupancy, instead they should adapt to ‘new normal’ – embracing innovative technologies and being creative with offerings, the panel suggested. Global set of transparent hospitality standards relating to health, safety and hygiene will be key in regaining trust of travellers, industry experts who took part in the panel said on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market’s inaugural virtual event, ATM Virtual, on Monday. The panel was moderated by ... Read more

In accordance with relaxations in lockdown conditions as announced by the West Bengal government, Sinclairs Burdwan is reopening its property from June 5. The rooms, suite and the restaurant will start functioning from that date, but the bar will remain closed till further notice. The swimming pool also will not be operational. At Sinclairs Burdwan, high standards of cleanliness will be  maintained with special emphasis on hand washing hygiene to sanitising of guestrooms and common areas, the hotel said in a press release on Tuesday.  Sinclairs Burdwan is spread over approximately 4 acres of land and in view of its ... Read more