Author: Tourism News live

Wonderla park shuts temporarily Wonderla Holidays has decided to temporarily shut down its amusement park in Kochi in the wake of the increasing number of coronavirus cases “This is to inform the stock exchanges that in view of the emerging situation in Kerala, consequent to the reported coronavirus cases, the company has decided to temporarily close the Kochi park from March 11-20, Wonderla said in a statement.

Air India has said that in view of the corona virus situation and the travel advisory issued by concerned authorities, Air India will permit one “free change” for passengers to postpone any international or domestic bookings on its network. This will be applicable on all existing bookings with travel date till April 20, and on new bookings till March 31. Tickets must be re-issued on or before May 31, 2020. In base of re-routing, applicable difference of fare will be charged. Passengers are requested to contact their customer care number for further assistance.

The solidarity of the tourism sector and the individual tourists is a key factor in minimising the spread and impact of COVID-19, the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said. UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili has stated that the COVID-19 outbreak is first and foremost a public health issue. “UNWTO is following the lead of WHO, with whom we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship.” Pololikashvili is in Geneva, leading a high level delegation to the WHO’s headquarters to further advance the two agencies’ coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He added that the ... Read more

The Idukki district collector has said that resorts and hotels in Idukki should allow rooms to guests, only after ensuring that they have tested negative for corona virus. Earlier the district administration had issued a circular restricting the bookings in the district. But in the light of Idukki not having any confirmed cases of the dreaded virus, the circular has been modified. The hotels and resorts now have to only ensure that they screen the guests coming from corona impacted travel spots, and ensure they have not come in contact with the virus. District collector H Dineshan has stated that ... Read more

Move applies to OCI card holders too India has suspended all existing visas issued to national of any country, with very few exceptions, as the number of confirmed cases of corona virus (COVID-19) continues to rise. Visa-free travel facility granted to Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders will also be kept in abeyance till April 15. The Bureau of Immigration, (Ministry of Home Affairs) in an official statement said that all visas except those issued to Diplomats, Officials from United Nations or International organizations, Employment Protect visas stand suspended till April 15, 2020 with effect from 1200 GMT March ... Read more

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) will be organising its 9th International Heritage Tourism Conclave at Gwalior on March 13. Building on the previous eight editions, this Conclave will deliberate on how the tourism and culture sectors can work together more collaboratively and increase public-private partnerships to ensure the protection of our cultural and natural heritage. This year’s theme is , “Strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage’. The Conclave will be held at Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior. Surendra Singh Baghel, Tourism Minister, Government of Madhya Pradesh has been invited as the ... Read more

When it comes to booking overseas travel, timing is crucial. Leading global travel firm Skyscanner in its latest report has provided details on how Indian travellers can find the best prices for their flights and hotels. The company’s APAC Travel Trends 2020 Report has found that Indians’ most favoured international destinations were Bangkok (Thailand), Dubai (UAE) and London (England). Now, the company’s Plan like a Pro guide enables customers to make informed choices when it comes to accommodation and travel. Price indices reveal hotel and flight costs, showing travellers precisely what the averages are and when to book in order ... Read more

Indians will not be able to avail the visa-on-arrival facility when visiting Thailand, for the time being. Thailand on Wednesday canceled the grant of visa-on-arrival for 18 countries including India and visa exemption for three others to contain the spread of the corona virus, the country’s interior minister said. Previously, nationals of 18 countries or territories could use their passports or travel documents to apply for Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Thai immigration checkpoints. The 18 places include Bulgaria, Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, ... Read more

Entry to the Periyar Tiger Reserve has been closed from March 11 to March 31, the state government said on Tuesday. This is in connection with the spread of the Corona virus. All activities inside the park, boating, all community based ecotourism programmes, Gavi ecotourism, nature camps etc will not be permitted.

Qatar Airways has launched a new commercial policy to provide customers with maximum flexibility to suit their travel plans. Passengers who have booked or will book flights for travel up to June 30 this year, will be offered the flexibility to change their travel plans. They can alter their dates of booking or exchange their ticket for a travel voucher valid for one year. Both changes apply up to three days prior to departure. This commercial policy has been designed to provide Qatar Airways’ passengers with peace of mind when booking flights in light of COVID-19 and its impact on ... Read more

Marriott’s Aloft Hotel brand opens unit in Seminyak, Bali Aloft Hotels, Marriott International’s hotel brand for music enthusiasts and tech savvy travelers, has announced the opening of Aloft Bali Seminyak. Located in the heart of Seminyak, the new hotel features interactive urban spaces and brings to Bali a new social scene, as the first Aloft hotel to open on the island. Mike Fulkerson, vice-president (brand & marketing) Asia Pacific, at Marriott International said, “The new Aloft Bali Seminyak is set to own the stage as the hottest gathering hub for travelers visiting the area. From its bold design to live ... Read more

Maharashtra to come up with new world class aquarium in Mumbai Maharashtra has proposed the creation of a new world class aquarium in Mumbai, which would be a part of an international standard tourism complex. “An international standard tourism complex would come up on the Worli Dairy land with an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. An international standard aquarium will be built there,” deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said while presenting his budget in the Legislative Assembly. In December last year, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had directed the officials of the Tourism Department to chalk out a plan to ... Read more

Karnataka to develop coastal tourism to take on Kerala, Goa   Karnataka has great potential to develop its coastal tourism and the state should take steps to emulate the success of Kerala and Goa in this regard, speakers at the annual state conference of journalists stated in Mangalore on Monday. A session on coastal development and tourism organised as part of the final day of the two-day 35th state conference under the aegis of KUWJ said Karnataka has a beautiful 320 km long coastline, which needs to be exploited better. Speakers at the conference said the success that of Kerala ... Read more

a Travelogue by Panchami Menon, New Delhi When the cool breeze hits you as you’re walking down the street of Hailey Road, New Delhi, realisation dawns that the breeze is as cold as the goosebumps you get on your skin when you look at the magnificent wall art. The painting depicts a woman, hands shackled in chains and a beating heart visible through the layered rib-cage, all the while as she carries a smile on her face and strives to be liberated. The wall has broken layers of bricks and the second painting is a tattered yet intimidating face of ... Read more

Tourists looking at alternative travel spots With honeymoon travelers looking to either cancel their vacations or postponing them to a safer period, shares of hospitality giants like Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott have all taken a tumble globally. Almost all couples who had picked on China as their honeymoon spot, have pulled out, due to the outbreak of the deadly corona virus. Even those flying into Thailand and Cambodia have stopped in their tracks to do a rethink. The other common honeymoon destinations like Bali in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Dubai have also been affected. Countries like Iran and South Korea, ... Read more