Tag: covid-19

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.

Kerala’s leading hotels and resorts are confident that the current gloomy scenario that has risen out of the corona virus pandemic, will be a temporary phenomenon. The various representatives of the hospitality sector have said that normalcy will return within a few weeks, as governments around the world are trying their best to contain the health hazard. Dr.Raja Gopaal IyerCEOUDS Hotels “We have taken precautionary measures regarding basic hygiene of all their employees and existing guests. Business was going on good as usual. But because of sudden outbreak of COVID19 there have been cancellations. Corporate clients have deferred the original ... Read more

ATTOI executive committee member & CEO of Tourdesigners, VG Jayachandran has urged the government to waive off road tax of tourist vehicles for a period of one year, besides providing interest free or low interest loans to tourism entrepreneurs to rebuild the business. The tourism sector has been hit badly by cancellation of bookings by tourists due to the onslaught of the corona virus pandemic. Several airlines have also cancelled flights to many countries. Jayachandran said a moratorium alone wasn’t sufficient. “It doesn’t mean even a waiver of interest during the period. In this situation, any financial institution will agree ... Read more

The Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI) has written to all the 12 Members of Parliament (MPs) from Kerala, requesting them to take up the woes of the tourism sector in Parliament or related committees. CKTI President EM Najeeb in his letter to the MPs said the tourism industry which has already been facing various challenges, has been hit especially hard by the Covid-19 epidemic. In this context CKTI has requested the Union finance minister and the tourism minister to advise banks to extend moratorium on the repayment of loans and interests from entrepreneurs in the tourism sector for at ... Read more

Western Railway has decided to hike the cost of platform tickets by up to five times in various cities under its jurisdiction. This steep hike means that a platform ticket which used to cost Rs 10 will now cost Rs 50. The new ticket price will be effective at close to 250 stations in the five divisions under the Western Railway zone including Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Ratlam, Rajkot and Bhavnagar. In a statement, the Railways said platform tickets will be sold at the new rates to avoid crowding at platforms, in light of the spread of the corona virus. This ... Read more

The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on travel continues to change rapidly. As a result, many customers who have booked travel through online travel agencies have been experiencing difficulties either connecting with travel advisors or cancelling and changing plans directly on these sites. Companies like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and CheapTickets are coordinating with their travel partners to process an unprecedented number of customer requests. As a result, they have taken steps to help travelers, including increasing the number of travel advisors available, improving existing self-service options and introducing new automated ways for travelers to take action. Here’s what you ... Read more

If you are currently in France, stepping out of your place of stay will become an inconvenient affair. Tourists and even French citizens will be required to fill out a form online each time they venture outside. For example, they may have to write “Stepping out to buy groceries” or “going to the park” every time they feel the need to go out. If that is not followed a fine of Euro 38 will follow. French president Emmanuel Macron has said that people would have to stay home as much as possible, unless they have to shop for food, go ... 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.

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

An association representing all the major American airlines has sought a $50 billion bailout package, even as the White House looks to draft a financial assistance package to help the industry. Travel demand in the US has fallen steeply following the corona virus outbreak, bringing the airline industry to its knees. Airlines for America, the association representing many of the US carriers, has said that without timely action all airlines will run out of money by year-end. The association has said the industry needs $25 billion in grants, $25 billion loans and significant tax relief to keep its head above ... 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