Category: Top Stories

In an effort to exercise more control on the pandemic, Dubai on 27th Jan has announced updated travel protocols. The updated protocols make pre-travel PCR tests mandatory for UAE residents, GCC citizens, and travelers arriving in Dubai irrespective of the country they are coming from. The new regulations have come into effect from Sunday, January 31.  The committee has also made changes to the validity period of PCR tests reducing it from 96 hours to 72 hours. A statement was released in the Government of Dubai’s Media Office site informing the public about the revised travel protocols. The statement said ... Read more

“WTTC is implacably opposed to quarantines as while protecting the public is paramount, there needs to be a balance struck between health and economic priorities,” said, Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO “These latest government proposals, to impose a 10-day hotel quarantine on those UK inbound travellers originating from so-called ‘high-risk’ countries, will still cause enormous damage to the Travel & Tourism sector. “We firmly believe testing on departure and arrival for all travellers is the only way to halt the spread of the virus in its tracks, while still allowing negative testing passengers to travel in safety and restore ... Read more

In line with ‘The Floor is Yours’ and ‘The Sky is Yours’ offers, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is now introducing – ‘The Garden is Yours’; giving guests an option to book an exclusive and private spot amidst lush gardens. Be it a private luncheon or a grand sundowner, guests can choose from a delectable outdoor dining setting at select restaurants across Taj, Vivanta, and SeleQtions hotels. Given the salubrious climate leading to the growing demand for outdoor dining, ‘The Garden is Yours’ has been specially designed considering these factors. Our Master Chefs have created delish preparations inspired by global flavors ... Read more

The tourism and travel industry of India was among the worst-hit industries since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The industry has pinned great hopes on the union budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. Soon after the budget presentation, the tourism industry was more or less unanimous in saying that the budget has not lived up to the expectations of the industry. While some appreciated the steps to strengthen infrastructure, the majority was disappointed for the fact that no immediate relief was provided for the revival of the ailing industry. Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH, said that ... Read more

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to enhance and enrich the Amazing Thailand Happy Quarantine activities to help break the boredom of quarantine for tourists. This time through traditional ‘Nang Yai’ shadow puppet theatre performances. The fourth episode of the ‘Amazing Nang Yai’ show at the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel on 25 January, followed by the fifth episode at the Chor Cher Hotel on 26 January formed part of TAT’s ongoing efforts to lighten the mood for quarantined tourists. Both episodes delighted a total of 403 quarantined tourists who watched from the safety of their hotel balconies. ‘Nang Yai’ is ... Read more

The AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) Giraffe Centre is located in Langata, just outside Nairobi. The centre has been ostensibly set up as a breeding centre for the endangered Rothschild giraffe, but now operates conservation/education programs for Kenyan school children. The Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W.) Kenya was founded in 1979 by the late Jock Leslie-Melville, a Kenyan citizen of British descent, and his American-born wife, Betty Leslie-Melville. They began the Giraffe Centre after discovering the sad plight of the Rothschild Giraffe. A subspecies of the giraffe found only in the grasslands of East Africa. At the time, ... Read more

Vistara Airlines has upgraded the map application in its inflight entertainment (IFE) system and launched Arc, Panasonic Avionics’ new, state-of-the-art, 3D inflight map application on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The mapping platform will be progressively made available on the airline’s brand new A321neo aircraft as well. Arc will be available in all cabins – in the overhead monitors, seatback screens, video handsets as well as on passengers’ mobile devices connected to the inflight Wi-Fi. Vistara passengers will now be able to choose from over 20 distinct map views in 4K for various phases of flight, incorporating everything from stunning ... Read more

In an effort to highlight the hapless situation and current plight of the tourism industry in the country, stakeholders of the Kerala tourism industry are joining hands together to observe February 5 as ‘Save Indian Tourism Day’. A campaign organized with the support of all the trade and industry associations, the organizers expect to make it trending on social media for getting maximum attention and also have plans to conclude it with a physical protest. According to organizers, the demonstration and protest will be held at Kochi, subject to permission from authorities. One of the organizers of the campaign said ... Read more

TAAI, Travel Agents Association of India has called for implementing IT exemption for all travel and tourism-related expenses borne by Indian citizens for the next two years in order to encourage more people to travel and thereby boost the tourism economy of the country which is fighting for survival in covid times. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, speaking about her expectations on the Union Budget 2021 stated, “We are expecting the FM to ensure LTC benefits not utilized this year due to the pandemic should be permitted to be carried forward in the coming 2 years. Further, to boost the economy ... Read more

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says the introduction of new hotel quarantines by the UK government would force the complete collapse of Travel & Tourism as we know it. WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, fears the crippling impact of the new proposals being considered by the UK government would cause irreparable damage to a sector that contributes nearly £200 billion to the UK economy. The concern follows nine months of devastating travel restrictions, which has left scores of businesses crushed, millions of jobs lost or put at risk, and confidence to travel at ... Read more

‘Kerala Looks Ahead’, an international conference happening at the aegis of the Kerala State Planning Board, held from 01-03 FEB will discuss the opportunities in the tourism sector in a big way. The discussion on the tourism sector is scheduled on 02 FEB  from 02-04 PM. As per sources, the session on tourism will discuss the ‘Changing Trends in International Tourism’ and ways to take the Kerala Tourism flag ahead with the changing times. The panel will consist of experts from the policy side to the business and experts from the responsible and sustainable tourism side. Addressing the tourism conference ... Read more

India’s aviation safety regulator DGCA on Thursday decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights till 28 February 2021. The DGCA circular also said that the suspension does not affect the operation of international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by it. The circular issued by DGCA also said “However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis” International scheduled flights, however, may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis, the circular added. The suspension of international commercial passenger flights from/to India, ... Read more

Bollywood actress Sunny Leone is presently in Kerala to shoot for the upcoming season of the dating reality show Splitsvilla aired by MTV. The actress reached Thiruvananthapuram last Thursday night with her husband and kids, as part of a shoot. Sunny Leone first visited Kerala in 2017 and fans had thronged the streets of Kochi to catch a glimpse of the actress. Currently, she is undergoing quarantine for a week, before starting with her work. The actress is staying in a private resort at Poovar, south of Kovalam, and reportedly also has plans for a quiet vacation along with her ... Read more

Presented with a movie, meal, medicines and a $20 cash handout, Cambodia’s cyclo taxi drivers received a rare treat at the weekend, and a brief distraction from hard times as the coronavirus takes a toll on tourism. Hundreds of drivers who are struggling to make ends meet were seen sprawled out in their pedal-driven vehicles during the special screening on Saturday, when a makeshift movie theatre sprang up in a grassy yard in the capital Phnom Penh. They were shown the new film “Fathers” by local director Huy Yaleng, about a cyclo driver’s daily battle to support his family. “I ... Read more

More than 100 million jobs could return to the global Travel & Tourism sector during 2021, as the world recovers from the crippling COVID-19 pandemic, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). A strong summer of travel is expected as the sector begins its road to recovery from late March onwards, with many major travel companies reporting a significant rise in forwarding bookings. The sector’s revival is backed by WTTC’s latest economic forecast, which gives further hope for the year ahead to businesses and millions of people employed in the sector worldwide. Last year, during the height of the ... Read more