Category: News

Dubai has launched a new compliance programme to certify and recognise hotels and retail establishments, F&B outlets and attractions that have implemented public health protocols for the prevention and management of COVID-19, Gulf News has reported. The initiative is part of efforts to showcase Dubai as one of the world’s safest destinations as it continues to receive tourists following the city’s reopening to international visitors on July 7. A verification and validation process has been established in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), Department of Economic Development (Dubai Economy) and Dubai Municipality for issuing the ... Read more

Over the past month, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) was able to hold virtual meetings of its five regional commissions to share responses to the challenge of COVID-19 and their plans for the restart of tourism in the wake of the pandemic. The annual series of meetings got underway with the regional commission for Africa, followed by meetings of the regional commissions for the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific and finally the Middle East region. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “The meetings of the UNWTO regional commissions have shown the universal determination to restart tourism, and to do so ... Read more

Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has said that despite India being the land of the Buddha, not many Buddhist pilgrims visit the country. Hence corrective measures need to be taken to address this issue, he said. Despite India being endowed with rich Buddhist heritage, it attracts a very small percentage of Buddhist pilgrims, Patel said, while inaugurating a webinar on “Cross Border Tourism”. Emphasising the point that it was important for all to ascertain the reasons for India receiving only a fraction of global Buddhists as tourists, Patel said corrective measures will be taken accordingly. The Minister talked about the ... Read more

Delta Air Lines told pilots on Friday that it would avoid furloughs if they agreed to reduced guaranteed minimum pay, according to a memo seen by Reuters. Delta is still struggling due to a dramatic decline in travel demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This week it reported second quarter revenue fell 91 per cent and a US$3.9 billion adjusted pre-tax loss. The airline is working to further cut costs and more than 17,000 employees are taking voluntary departure packages, including more than 1,700 of 7,900 pilots ahead of a Sunday deadline for pilots to accept voluntary packages, Reuters said ... Read more

The Nepal government is planning to resume domestic and international flight operations from next month with the country making steady progress in its fight against the coronavirus outbreak. The Tourism Ministry is working on a tentative plan to start domestic flights from August 5 and international flights from August 17, an official close to tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai told news agency PTI. The first round of flights will be to and from capital Kathmandu, he said. The number of active coronavirus cases in Nepal dropped to about 6,000 this week, while the recovery rate remains impressive at 66%. In total, the ... Read more

The European Union (EU) has updated its list of countries for which member states can gradually begin to lift travel restrictions. Re-assessed every two weeks and based on epidemiological data, the list includes the following countries from which travel should be allowed to the EU: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity). The Council notes that Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican residents should also be considered EU residents “for the purpose of this recommendation”. It should be noted, however, that the recommended list is in no way legally ... Read more

Emirates resumed flights to the Iranian capital of Tehran on Friday after a five-month break due to shutdowns to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Associated Press has reported. Emirates plans to have one flight per day to Tehran-Dubai-Tehran with a Boeing 777 jetliner. The 16 passengers on the Emirates flight from Dubai passed through a disinfection tunnel and had their body temperature checked upon arrival at Tehran’s airport. In the departures lounge, masked outgoing passengers lined up at the Emirates check-in counter while an airport worker disinfected dozens of luggage trolleys. The United Arab Emirates was among a list ... Read more

Radisson has announced the opening of its new property near the Atlanta Airport. The hotel named Radisson Hotel Atlanta Airport is located just minutes from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and a short drive from downtown Atlanta. Guests can enjoy access to a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle, unique dining experiences at the hotel’s onsite restaurant, ample meeting space and modern amenities. With the health, safety and security of guests and team members as its utmost priority, the hotel has begun implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. “We couldn’t be prouder to open this incredible hotel near one of the ... Read more

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will enforce a new rule requiring all passengers, even on Thai-owned chartered flights or special flights transitioning through Thailand to have a valid Covid-19 clearance certificate, the Bangkok Post has reported. CAAT has prohibited all transit flights with Covid-19 infected passengers following China’s temporary ban of two Thai registered airlines after several passengers tested positive upon arrival in China. In both cases the flights only transited through Bangkok, and no passengers disembarked. The carriers, Thai AirAsia X and Thai Lion Air, were flying from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur earlier this month and reportedly stopped ... Read more

Visiting the Himalayas has to be the pinnacle of tourism in India, for its sheer magical and unique feel. It’s almost an out-of-body experience. The Ministry of Tourism titled recently conducted a webinar on ‘Trekking in the Himalayas: Magical Experiences’ highlighting the potential of tourism in the Indian Himalayan mountain. In the Indian Himalayas, one can see the pristine natural environment, snow-covered thick pine forests and numerous hidden surprises that can enthral and captivate trekkers from all over the world and across age groups and fitness levels. Exploring the myriad trails, engaging with the friendly local villagers and taking in ... Read more

The Commonwealth of Dominica is reopening its borders to foreign visitors starting August 7. Denise Charles, the minister of tourism, said all travellers are required to abide by new travel protocols while entering the country. Firstly, tourists and nationals must obtain a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) result recorded 24 to 72 hours before arriving in Dominica. Then, they need to complete an online questionnaire at least 24 hours in advance. Upon arrival, they will undergo a series of checks, including a rapid screening test. Should the passenger present any signals deemed unsafe, such as a positive test result, they will be quarantined at a government facility ... Read more

Air India on Friday said its financial situation is very challenging due to the coronavirus pandemic and its leave-without-pay (LWP) scheme for employees is a “win-win” situation for them as well as the management. The national carrier, in a press statement, said the scheme primarily enables employees to proceed on LWP “on voluntary basis”. The airline had issued an internal order earlier this week asking its departmental heads and regional directors to identify employees, based on various factors like efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on compulsory LWP for up to five years. “Air India is in a ... Read more

By George Scaria, President, Tourism Professionals Club The travel and tourism industry has been the worst-hit sector across the globe, during the  Covid-19 pandemic. The sector is a major contributor to India’s tax kitty, representing over 8% of the country’s GDP. It is also the second largest contributor to foreign exchange earnings. With regard to Kerala, the industry’s GDP contribution is nearly 10%. Until March 2020, India used to boast that the tourism Industry takes care of around 12% of the total employment opportunities in the country. Unfortunately, these numbers became the biggest pain-point during the pandemic as the sector started ... Read more

The Madras High Court has directed Oyo Hotels & Homes to respond to a breach of contract case filed by Hotel Sakthi Park before its next hearing on August 12. The hotel, which is located 100 km south of Chennai, had filed a case against Oyo in the Madras High Court on July 10 for non-payment of minimum guarantee. The case was filed under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The hotel is now seeking relief and is requesting for a compensation of Rs 75 lakh from Oyo Hotels & Homes. The company was in a contract with Oyo ... Read more

Kenya’s cabinet secretary for tourism, Najib Balala, has urged industry players to make tourism more affordable for domestic and international travellers.  Balala made the remarks in an interview with local television channel, Citizen, where he lamented the high cost of tourism in the East African country. “This is the problem I have with the industry. We have overpriced ourselves. And if you look at Kenya – people come here once in a lifetime. Why do we have to get people once in a lifetime? Because it is very expensive to come to Kenya,” he said. Balala noted that the high ... Read more