Category: India

Indian low-cost carrier GoAir has suspended all international operations in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic, and asked its employees to opt for leave-without-pay on a rotational basis till April 15. “The sharp decline in air travel that we are currently experiencing is unprecedented,” GoAir said in a statement. The airline said that its short-term and temporary rotational leave-without-pay programme will not only help the company counter the short term reduction in capacity, but will also ensure that a cross-section of employees stays away from the workplace to ensure business continuity.

Star Air, a regional commuter airline, has started a direct flight services between Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Kishangarh (Ajmer – Rajasthan). Rajasthan is the seventh Indian state where Star Air is providing its flight services under the RCS-UDAN scheme. Interestingly, Indore and Kishangarh, which are almost 550 kilometres apart, had not been blessed with direct flight connectivity prior to Star Air’s launch. People had to spend more than 10 hours to cover this distance that too with much hassle and discomfort. But now they can cover this distance in just one hour. Kishangarh is famous for its world-class marbles. “Star ... Read more

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which represents over 5 lakh restaurants in the country, has advised its restaurant members to shut down dine-in operations starting Wednesday across the country till March 31. “We have taken a decision to advise members to close all restaurants across India because we are endangering a lot of employees. We will never be able to survive the guilt if a fatality occurs at our end,” NRAI president Anurag Katriar said. Katriar however said the decision to shut down individual restaurants will remain voluntary and not mandatory. In a report released last year, the ... Read more

The Kerala Travel Mart Society has set up a help-desk as a novel measure to help tourists. Many of the tourists have been struggling to find accommodation, food and water due to the impact of the corona virus. Please find the details regarding the help-desk below.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture has established a new institute called the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies in Arunachal Pradesh to provide education in Buddhist philosophies. The institute will promote research in different aspects of Buddhism, preserve ancient Buddhist manuscripts, digitize ancient Buddhist texts preserved in the languages of Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese and other Asian languages. The Ministry has taken over the following three Institutions, which have been granted Deemed University Status by UGC – Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (NNM), Bihar; Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi and Central Institute of Buddhist Studies ... Read more

PHD Chamber and its knowledge partner Nielsen India has jointly released a report titled ‘Heritage Tourism in India and SDG 11.4: Stakeholders’ Perspective’. It was released at the International Heritage Tourism Conclave in Gwalior. The report gives a holistic view on heritage tourism across the world and in the country. The report provides ample scope and opportunities towards preservation of world’s cultural and natural heritage. While setting the theme of the Conclave, Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry said, “We need forum like this to brainstorm what steps can be taken to correct the ... Read more

The Andaman and Nicobar administration has decided to close all tourist spots till March 26, as a precautionary measure to check the spread of the corona virus. Beaches, eco-tourism spots and water sports have been closed since yesterday. All tour operators may advise their clients accordingly.

India has prohibited all airlines from carrying passengers from the European Union and the European Free Trade Association member states. The blanket ban will come into effect from March 18 from 5.30 pm onwards. “Travel advisories have been tightened as a preventive measure,” said health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal. An order by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, “No airline shall board a passenger from these nations from March 18. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure.” The European Free Trade Association states include Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. United Kingdom and Turkey ... Read more

The Nagaland government has ordered an indefinite ban on the entry of both domestic and foreign tourists into the state, to check the spread of the corona virus. Nagaland has become the first state in India to take such a drastic step. The order issued by Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Roy has said such a step was taken as a “measure of abundant caution in the interest of the public”. The issue of fresh inner line permit (ILP) for domestic and foreign tourists and all other categories will remain suspended with immediate effect till further orders. The order added that ... Read more

The Ministry of Tourism has directed the tour operators to avoid movement of tourist groups within the country, in a bid to control the spread of the corona virus. “Your support will go a long way in strengthening the hands of the government of India in its efforts to overcome the situation,” said Rupinder Brar, the additional director general of the Ministry of Tourism. As a precautionary measure, all visas issued to nationals of all countries have been suspended till April 15 and Indian nationals have been strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel. Health experts across the world have ... Read more

The South Kerala Hoteliers Forum (SKHF) has decided to postpone the South India Travel Expo 2020 (SITE), due to public health concerns arising out of the corona virus outbreak. “While it is indeed a big disappointment for all of us at SITE and the rest of the tourism industry in India, we have chosen to take this decision duly considering the safety of our exhibitors, buyers, visitors and other stakeholders,” SITE said in a press release. The new dates will be announced later. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the state government had strongly recommended that mass gathering ... Read more

The Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) has urged the central government to take steps that will help the tourism industry to tide over its cash crunch, in the light of the coronavirus outbreak. In a meeting with the tourism ministry, a 10 member multi-association team discussed a series of steps that could revive the sector. The ADTOI team requested the ministry to provide a complete GST tax holiday for the travel and hospitality industry for the next 12 months. It has called for a 6-9 months’ moratorium on all principal and interest payments on loans and overdrafts. ... Read more

The Director General of Civil Aviation has stated that it would be appropriate if airlines support their passengers in this tough time by waiving off cancellation/rescheduling charges. In light of the hardship faced by passengers, airlines may like to consider and take an appropriate call, DGCA said. The aviation industry has been facing serious challenges, in view of the unfolding impact of COVID-19. Flights are being curtailed, cancelled and disrupted almost on a daily basis. Consequently, the travel plans of the passengers have got hit badly.

Corona virus: Rashtrapati Bhavan closes for all tourists from today The Rashtrapati Bhavan has closed all public tour visits from Friday as a precaution against the outbreak of the coronavirus. An official spokesperson has said the Rashtrapati Bhavan will remain closed till further orders. The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex and the Change of Guard ceremony will not be open to public till further notice. On Wednesday the World Health Organisation had declared the coronavirus as a pandemi

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.