News

Passenger, air traffic increase at Mangaluru I’ntl Airport

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) is witnessing a steady upward trend in passenger traffic, and is the second busiest airport in Karnataka, both in domestic and international flights. Barring January 2022, due to then prevalent pandemic situation, the numbers in second half of financial year 2021-22 have seen an upward graph. The total passenger movement – international and domestic included—in October 2021 was 1,19,838, November-1,16,423, December-1,38,369, January, 2022 – 92,012, February-1,03,004 and March-1,36,822. The air traffic has increased consistently. Against 996 domestic, international and general aviation flights in October, MIA recorded 1,030 flights in November, 1,232 in December, 1,004 in January and 903 flights in February. The air traffic in March made up for the slump in February, with a total of 1,138 flights, the second highest after December. The addition of a new sector, a flight to Delhi via Pune, and increasing the frequency on existing domestic and international sectors, too helped the passenger and aircraft movement to increase. IndiGo, which operates the highest number of flights to and from MIA, is on the verge of starting operations to Hubballi from May 1. IndiGo has also drawn up plans to increase the frequency of flights it operates to Bengaluru. Air India Express is now connected to Bahrain and Muscat, in addition to Dammam, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait. IndiGo operates flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai and SpiceJet to Dubai.

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Minister RK Roja vows to showcase Andhra Pradesh as top tourist destinations

Actor-turned-politician RK Roja, who was recently appointed as the state tourism minister in the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy cabinet, vowed to showcase Andhra Pradesh as one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The Nagari legislator visited the Tirumala Temple for the first time as a cabinet minister and offered prayers at the hill temple on Tuesday. Roja thanked Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for fulfilling her dream of being elevated to the position of a cabinet minister and reiterated that she will remain loyal to YS Jagan throughout her life. "As a tourism minister I will strive to promote tourism and rural sports in a big way and will give my best as a minister," Roja added.

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The Leela Goa To Become St. Regis

Marriott International recently announced the signing of an agreement with Ceres Hotels to bring the storied St. Regis brand to Goa. Slated to open in October 2022, this agreement will bring the brand’s vanguard spirit, signature Butler Service, cherished rituals, and rich legacy to one of Goa’s most alluring neighborhoods. The St. Regis Goa Resort is expected to serve as the ninth Marriott International hotel in Goa, following a strategic conversion of The Leela Goa. The resort will undergo a complete transformation in phases, starting in 2022. Ceres Hotels Private Limited, the owner of the resort is a subsidiary of Metrod Holdings Berhad which is listed on the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange. “We are delighted to work with Ceres Hotels Private Limited to introduce the St. Regis brand to Goa, bringing bespoke experiences curated for the most discerning travellers to one of the most beautiful and fascinating coastal destinations in India,” said Rajeev Menon, President Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “The St. Regis Goa Resort will usher in a new benchmark of luxury hospitality in this city and underscores the tremendous trust and confidence our owners have in us and in the power of our luxury brands.” Spread across 49-acres, The St. Regis Goa Resort features 206 rooms, suites and villas. With an anticipated 1,183 square meters of meeting space, and an additional 1,000 square meters of expansive function lawns overlooking the Mobor beach, guests can expect modern, multi-purpose venues, suited to host weddings, socials, meetings and conventions.

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Malaysia Tourism kicks off its six-city roadshow with New Delhi

Malaysia has finally lifted sanctions on its border on 1st April 2022, marking the end of travelling restrictions into the country. Leveraging this new development, Tourism Malaysia has decided to embark on its first roadshow to six major cities in India from 18th until 30th April 2022, after more than two years of hiatus. The roadshow kicks off in the city of Delhi, followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai. The mission is headed by Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director of the International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa) together with Malaysia’s tourism fraternity which consists of 3 Malaysia-based airlines, 22 travel agents, 4 hoteliers, and 4 product owners. India remains and has been one of the top market sources for Malaysia and has contributed 735,309 arrivals (+22 per cent) in 2019. Apart from its objective to instill confidence among Indians to feel safe to visit Malaysia once again, the roadshow aims to provide a platform for the industry community to bounce back and steer the tourism sector back to its former glory, if not better. “This is the right time to be back in India, and planning for this roadshow is very opportune. The resumption of scheduled international flights from India coincides with the reopening of Malaysia’s international borders,” said Manoharan. “We are thrilled and enthusiastic to welcome Indian travellers back on exciting, new value-driven and action-packed itineraries to witness the best and latest of what Malaysia has to offer. There is so much to explore after two years, especially with the newly opened outdoor theme park, Genting SkyWorld, the refurbished Sunway Resort in Kuala Lumpur, and a magnificent new attraction, the Merdeka 118, the world’s second tallest building. I am sure these new attractions along with our beautiful beaches, exhilarating mountains and jungles with a plethora of activities will make your trip a memorable one,” he added. Since the reopening of its borders, India is on the top four arrivals to Malaysia. Malaysia has opened its shores for quarantine-free travel on 1st April 2022 to welcome fully-vaccinated international travellers. The entry procedure requires an RT-PCR test two days before departure and travellers must undergo professionally administered RTK-Ag within 24 hours upon arrival in Malaysia. Currently, Malaysia eVISA can be applied online and more than 14,000 seats are offered weekly between India and Malaysia through Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, AirAsia, IndiGo, and Air India Express.

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Tourism-reliant Cyprus scraps virus tests for most travellers

Cyprus authorities on Monday made travelling to the east Mediterranean island nation easier as the summer tourist season kicks into gear by rescinding the need to undergo any COVID-19 tests prior to boarding a flight or on arrival. According to the new regulations, only unvaccinated people who haven't contracted and recovered from the coronavirus must undergo a PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding or a rapid test 24 hours before departure. All Cyprus-bound passengers are no longer required to fill in a form — also known as a Cyprus Flight Pass — providing information that enables authorities to trace them if they do test positive for COVID-19 during their stay. Vaccinated and recovered passengers will need a valid European Union health certificate. Health certificates from third countries are accepted if they've joined the EU's COVID certificate system. All adults are considered vaccinated for nine months after receiving their second dose or have received a 3rd booster shot. Individuals are designated as recently recovered from COVID-19 seven days after testing positive and for six months thereafter. Tourism directly accounts for 13 per cent of the island nation's economy and authorities are keen to attract new markets to make up for the significant loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Philippines’ Boracay Beach hosts more tourist than limit on Easter break

Boracay, cited by Condé Nast Traveler as among the world’s best islands for beaches, hosted more than 21,000 tourists on April 14 and 15, above the recommended daily threshold of 19,215, government data showed. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the environment and local government departments must “address this concern and prevent similar incidents,” according to a statement Monday. Health and safety protocols must be observed, as the island remains under the lowest Covid alert level, Puyat was separately cited by ABS-CBN News as saying. After two years of Covid restrictions devastated tourism, the Philippines is easing travel protocols even as it lags Southeast Asia in terms of vaccination. The move forms part of efforts to revive the travel and leisure sector, which accounted for 12.8% of the nation’s economic output pre-pandemic. Covid Gives Tourism Chance to Curb Future Environmental Damage Boracay, which boasts powdery white sand, has suffered a longer blow than other resort islands. In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte shut Boracay for rehabilitation, reopening later that year with restrictions such as a cap of 19,000 tourists at any given time.

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