Startups in Europe’s travel sector have levelled allegations of anti-competitive behaviour against Google. The search engine giant has a near complete grip on the search market in Europe, with a regional market share in excess of 90%, according to Statcounter. Industry sources say a majority of travel bookings start as a Google search — giving the tech […]
Tag Archives: corona virus crisis
15
Aug
Aug
The Ladakh, Leh and Kargil regions will be developed and declared as a carbon neutral region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day speech on Saturday. While the concept of carbon neutral villages have been looked at in India in the past and some villages in Kerala and Manipur have adopted it, this […]
15
Aug
Aug
The US Department of Homeland Security has said that a COVID-19 ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico was being extended until September 21. The reciprocal travel ban aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus was first imposed in March and has been extended several times since then, AFP has reported. […]
Asia, Headlines Slider, News
Keeping Indian travellers in mind, Singapore Tourism Board partners with Tripoto
15
Aug
Aug
The Singapore Tourism Board has partnered with Tripoto to launch a microsite within the latter’s website in an effort to keep Singapore in the minds of the Indian audience. The microsite is a one-stop guide for Indian travellers with content that encourages them to ‘Rediscover Now, Travel Later’. One of the key content features of […]
15
Aug
Aug
Penghu, the archipelago to the west of Taiwan’s main island, received more visitors in July than during the six previous months combined. As the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) in Taiwan lessens while overseas travel remains difficult, more Taiwanese are traveling around the country, often heading for small islands such as Green Island and Orchid Island […]
15
Aug
Aug
The eco-tourism centres that were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic will start to function from August 19, the chief wildlife warden has said. The centres will be reopened in stages, following strict safety protocol. With the closure of the ecotourism centres, people who were dependent on forest resources had lost their livelihoods. This had […]
15
Aug
Aug
Dubai is likely to benefit the most in aviation from the United Arab Emirates’ historic deal to normalize relations with Israel, Bloomberg has reported, gaining a new stream of travellers that can help the Gulf travel hub bounce back from the coronavirus crisis that has decimated air traffic. The agreement between the two countries sets […]
14
Aug
Aug
The US administration has suspended all private charter flights between the United States and Cuba, to increase economic pressure on Havana, the BBC has reported. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that “the Castro regime uses tourism and travel funds to finance its abuses and interference in Venezuela”. Last October the US banned regular […]
14
Aug
Aug
The Indian government on Friday reduced port tariff by 60% to 70%, to promote domestic cruise tourism. “The decision will support the cruise industry and protect it from the adverse economic impacts due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Union Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. “It will provide an opportunity for the country to earn huge amounts […]
14
Aug
Aug
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has said it has formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to fast-track the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project. “NHAI has proceeded to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company for financing, construction and operation of the Delhi-Mumbai ‘Greenfield’ Expressway,” the company said in a statement. The SPV has been registered […]
India, News, Round Up
Hotel bills above Rs 20,000 and Business Class air travel to come under tax scanner
14
Aug
Aug
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while launching the ‘Transparent Taxation’ platform has announced multiple reforms to improve tax compliance, faceless assessment and ease of filing returns. As part of the overhaul, the government has also proposed to reduce the threshold of various transactions for tax disclosure. This is aimed at widening the income tax base and […]
14
Aug
Aug
Bali, Indonesia’s famous holiday island, is set to reopen to international tourists in September. Bali had officially reopened to domestic tourists on July 31, as part of its three-step plan to resume travel activities. As outlined by Bali governor Wayan Koster in July, the provincial government is expected to re-evaluate the plan on opening the […]
Aviation, India, News, Top Three Stories
SpiceJet tops in passenger load, IndiGo leads in market share: DGCA
14
Aug
Aug
Domestic air traffic made a minor recovery in July, growing to 21.07 lakh passengers, a 6.1% increase from June, when 19.84 lakh fliers took to the air. Year-on-year, however, the traffic declined 82.3% in July. In July 2019, 1.19 crore passengers had travelled by air. But here also there is a silver lining. The drop […]
14
Aug
Aug
SpiceJet has unveiled an automated customer service and check-in facility via WhatsApp. The carrier’s customer service agent called “Ms Pepper” can be accessed by passengers at the mobile number 6000000006, SpiceJet said in a press statement. Earlier, these facilities were available in SpiceJet’s website or mobile application. “WhatsApp “Hi” to Ms Pepper on your way […]
13
Aug
Aug
India’s largest crocodile park may have as little as four months before it runs out of funds to feed animals, pay staff and do research, as ticket revenue shrinks after coronavirus lockdowns choked the flow of visitors. Annual sales of about 5 million tickets usually make up roughly half the revenue of the park, located […]