Category: News

Emerging tech summit to facilitate new business in the region SiGMA Group, the events company behind the Manila AIBC Summit, has announced the format for the event and what makes it stand out from the crowd. After three hugely successful AIBC Summits in Malta, Europe, the company has set its sights on the Asian market aiming to shape the future of emerging tech in the region and seed new opportunities for both local and Western companies. The inaugural Manila AIBC Summit will take place June 8th-9th 2020, bringing together key brands from the west and key players in the Asian ... Read more

India on Tuesday banned the entry of passengers from Malaysia, Philippines and Afghanistan into the country with immediate effect. In an additional travel advisory the government said no flight shall take off from these countries to India after 3 pm IST. The various airlines concerned should enforce this at the port of initial departure, the advisory said. This instruction is a temporary measure and will be in force till March 31 and will be reviewed subsequently. India has already banned the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK till March 31.

Whether you are in a hotel room, at your desk, in an RV, or by a campfire, it can be difficult to get a good cup of coffee away from home. With the holiday travel season in full swing, travelers are wondering how best to enjoy their morning java while on the go.Most away-from-home coffee options have major drawbacks. Hotel room coffee makers are convenient and cheap, but the coffee they brew means a major compromise on taste. Local cafes often offer good coffee, but the cost of all those to-go cups can really add up. Existing travel coffee presses ... Read more

German car maker Volkswagen has said it will temporarily shut down most of its European plants in light following the corona virus pandemic. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chief Executive Herbert Diess said the company would shut down production at factories operated by the group’s brands “in the near future,” with most European plants set to suspend work for at least two weeks. Production at Volkswagen plants in Spain, Slovakia and Italy would all be halted before the end of the week, Diess added. The decision to shut the plants come shortly after the world’s largest carmaker by sales, warned ... 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.

Malaysia has decided to ban all tourists and foreign visitors from March 18-31. Those passengers returning from overseas destinations must undergo health screening and self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.

All bars, pubs and lounges including bars within restaurants in Dubai have been closed from yesterday, until the end of the month to prevent the spread of corona virus. A statement from the Department of Tourism said, “In line with Dubai government’s precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of its residents and visitors, Dubai tourism notifies all bards, pubs and lounges to close with immediate effect from March 16 till the end of the month.” However, restaurants can remain open. Restrictions are only in place for bars. “Dubai Tourism will continuously evaluate the situation in coordination with the ... Read more

Norwegian Air will suspend almost all ts flights and temporarily lay off majority of its staff, as a the corona virus scare has choked the demand for air travel. The carrier has said that it will cancel 85% of its flight and lay off 90% of its staff that translates into 7,300 employees. “What our industry is now facing is unprecedented and critical as we are approaching a scenario where most of our airplanes will be temporarily grounded,” Norwegian Air said in a statement. The company will primarily fly a reduced schedule domestically in Norway and between the Nordic capitals. ... Read more

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

There goes your European vacation. The European Union (EU) has banned non-essential entry of all foreign nationals into the continent for at least a month. The stern measure follows the corona virus pandemic, that is beginning to hurt almost all countries in Europe. Only residents, family members, healthcare works and medical experts will be exempt from the rule. The ban has been imposed for the next 30 days, as an initial measure. EU has also announced plans to set up fast green lanes on major roads to give priority to transport of medical goods, food and other emergency services. Ursula ... Read more

The South Kerala Hoteliers’ Forum (SKHF) has urged the state government to advise departments like KSEB, KWA, tax departments and the Thiruvananthapuram corporation to grant hoteliers a deferred payment schedule that would give them relief for a minimum period of six months. With the corona virus spreading rapidly across the globe, the various hotels have been hit hard by cancellation of bookings. SKHF has requested for a GST waiver for a one-year period, as a relief measure. The forum has also asked the government to instruct banks and other financial institutions like KFC and KSIDC to grant interest free moratorium ... Read more

  The Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI) has requested the chief minister to urgently advise banks to extend the moratorium on repayment of loans and interest, pertaining to tourism entrepreneurs. In a letter to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CKTI president EM Najeeb said the moratorium should be extended at least for another year. The stakeholders in the tourism industry have invested huge amounts by mostly borrowing from banks and other financial institutions. The present setback in the tourism industry has affected the stakeholders drastically. The tourism sector in Kerala has been one of the most productive segments contributing largely ... Read more

As the spread of the dreaded corona virus has resulted in flight cancellations, many commercial airlines have announced cuts in their flight schedule. This has sparked greater interest in the availability of private jets. With clients looking to avoid crowded airports, steer clear from packed cabins of commercial flights or to evacuate affected areas, private jets are now being looked upon as viable alternatives. Passengers want to travel as quickly as possible and reach safer destinations without hassle, during this crisis period. Charter jet services like New York based FlyBLACK are serving a broader range of passengers than ever before. ... Read more

Royal Carribean Cruises has decided to suspend the voyages of its fleet globally, following the corona virus outbreak. The cruise operator has said that it will return to service on April 11. Princess Cruises has also suspended the voyages of all its 18 ships for two months. US President Donald Trump had said that major cruise lines would suspend cruises for 30 days at his request after it was brought to light that the virus transmission had picked up among passengers at sea.