Tag: COVID_19

Wayanad is a destination which ideally should cater to high volume-low traffic tourism, says Wayanad Tourism Organisation (WTO) President KR Vancheeswaran in an interview. The other challenge is connectivity. Wayanad is still dependent on the Calicut airport which is one of the oldest airports in Malabar. However post-Covid, Wayanad will rise as a safe domestic destination to visit, says Vancheeswaran. Excerpts: Q: Wayanad is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Kerala. But now unfortunately Covid-19 has struck the world and with it global tourism will also be impacted. Can you please give us a sense of how much ... Read more

The Kerala government has said the industry can defer the payment of fixed electricity charges for a period of six months. This was announced by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, after tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran discussed the matter with the state electricity board (KSEB) chairman. The request from the trade was for waiver of fixed charges. But since the fixed charge is for contracted demand, KSEB has to make this payment to the suppliers. “We have informed KSEB that unlike industries, the recovery of the hotels and resorts in the tourism industry will be delayed as it will take time for ... Read more

Domestic tourism in Russia may resume in July, but the country’s resorts will have to reduce prices by 20-40% in order to attract visitors after the pandemic, the CEO of tour operator Intourist Victor Topolkaraev has said. “If the situation with coronavirus will go on a positive scenario, the domestic tourist market could revive in June-July – most likely in July. Tourism will return in the fall and winter. And we must understand that from the moment the market opens, people will be in at least a month-long ‘swing’,” he said during an online conference. According to Topolkaraev, Russian resorts ... Read more

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have called for support from governments to the aviation industry, to protect jobs and ensure that air services can be maintained. The economic situation facing the aviation industry is severe. Air passenger demand is down 80%. Airlines are facing a liquidity crisis which threatens the viability of 25 million jobs directly and indirectly dependent upon aviation, including jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. In a joint statement ITF and IATA called for governments to: Ensure that the protection of health workers caring for those with COVID-19 ... Read more

Hope all of you are safe during this period of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the virus, one of the many things that can be noticed is that after about a decade the sound of the chirping birds can be heard clearly, the sky is crystal blue, sometimes ornamented with silver clouds. The wind seems lighter and the whispering of the swaying leaves can be heard. This is the impact that 25 days of lock-down has shown. The empty roads are the new elephant corridors, the decluttered sky is again owned by the birds and not the airplanes, the ... Read more

Sharjah-based Air Arabia has announced that it will operate new repatriation flights from four cities in India to Sharjah carrying UAE nationals back home. The special flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Sharjah International Airport took off on Monday, while special flights from Cochin and Hyderabad to Sharjah International Airport will take off on April 22. The airline said, “Air Arabia remains committed to bring stranded citizens back home as well as supporting requests to operate repatriation flights and is working closely with UAE authorities in this regard. The airline announced earlier that it is operating a mix of repatriation ... Read more

With job losses an imminent reality in the travel and tourism sector, the Association of Professionals in Tourism (APT) is rallying behind the employees, trying to protect their interests. In an interview, APT President Hari KC says employers in the sector should not lay-off employees in the first four months at least, and instead retain them even if at a lower pay, ensuring their day to day survival. The immediate task is to identify the most impacted employees and help them in their careers, he says. Excerpts: Q: The Association of Professionals in Tourism (APT) has been doing a great ... Read more

The Ayurveda Promotion Society (APS) is devising a plan to fight the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which has ravaged the travel and tourism industry. In an online meeting convened on Saturday, APS members discussed the importance of surviving the crisis first before launching into top gear. While most members talked about the importance of marketing campaigns revolving around how ayurveda can build immunity, some felt that the concept should not be overstated. Dr D Ramanathan, President, Ayurveda Medicine Manufactures Association of India (AMMOI), said the Indian government is seeing a growth of 20% this year in the ayurveda industry ... Read more

Film tourism is the new way to market a destination. Just like farm tourism, dental tourism, medical tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism and cultural tourism, the concept of film tourism is another fragment of travel. When a viewer gets induced to visit a particular location after seeing it in a movie, it is termed as ‘Film Tourism’. India has probably the largest number of film producers in the world and we also a have some of the finest bunch of actors of all time, who have fans all over the world. I am also working as a production manager, being a ... Read more

Kerala Tourism, like any other tourism entity, stands still at the moment with lot of uncertainty ahead. Whether one is looking at it positively or negatively, the uncertainty remains etched in the minds of each investor and employee. No one really knows how long the current situation will prolong. At the moment, India is being praised for the way this pandemic has been handled. Kerala is a state which is much talked about in this scenario and appreciated by everyone. This gives us an advantage of safety in the minds of travelers. How long will this hang in the minds ... Read more

In the third meeting of the committee, UNWTO has urged members to increase pressure on world leaders to rethink tax policies and employment policies relating to tourism and to help make sure businesses survive to help drive wider recovery efforts. This call to action comes as decision makers come under mounting pressure to take concrete steps to help combat COVID-19. Drawing up financial and economic responses has been the central focus of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank this week, while the European Commission has been enhancing political cooperation within the European Union. The ... Read more

Persatuan Agensi Pelacongan Malaysia (MATA) has urged the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to waive all fees for the benefit of its members. Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, travel restrictions have been imposed throughout the world. Major events have been cancelled and thousands of business are at halt. The financial impact to our members from the COVID-19 can be cushioned by waiving the following: a) IATA to waive 2021 membership fees b) IATA to waive 2020 monthly fees (January – December 2020) c) To extend 2019 audited account submission to December 2020 This move ... Read more

Kerala Tourism should find a solution to improve Munnar’s fortunes by constituting a new body with the involvement of local authorities and industry. If Munnar and nearby areas can be further beautified with a proper vision for the future, it will be a game changer not only for Munnar tourism but also for whole of Kerala Tourism, says Shankar R Nair, general manager, Blanket Resorts, Munnar. In an interview, he says lack of awareness among guests about the places to visit in Munnar along with the activities available, is a concern. If we can do some detailed planning on these ... Read more

Airlines will have to refund the entire fare, without imposing cancellation charges, to those who booked tickets during the first lockdown from March 25 to April 14 for travel between March 25 and May 3, the civil aviation ministry said on Thursday. The ministry has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to ensure airlines comply with its directive. “Grievances were received from air travellers regarding refund for flights cancelled because of the nationwide lockdown to combat COVID19. Advisories have been issued regarding refund for both domestic & international tickets booked for the flights suspended due to lockdown,” civil aviation ... Read more

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) on Wednesday said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has informed all airlines to revert back within 24 hours with solutions to refund the various amounts due. MoCA said solutions have to be found to refund agents’ money in float account as advance and provide refunds as cash to agents for the benefit of their customers/passengers. MoCA has asked the airlines to cooperate or else they will have no option but to issue a directive on the same, TAAI said. The ministry will get into a call with airlines to ensure the ... Read more