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India and USA to continue engagements on visa issues

In a joint statement issued on Monday after the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, both the sides recognised the importance of continued engagement on visa issues. The ministers expressed the hope that the resumption of air travel would encourage tourism and business travel between the two countries. "Welcoming the resumption of regular air travel between the two countries and expressing hope that this would encourage tourism and business travel, the Ministers acknowledged that the movement of skilled professionals, students, entrepreneurs, investors, and business travellers between our countries plays an important role in catalysing innovation and economic opportunity," the statement read. India welcomed the waiver, through December 31, 2022, of in-person visa interviews for applicants that were previously issued any type of visa and are now applying for certain nonimmigrant visa classifications, which include those for Persons in Specialty Occupation, Academic and Vocational Students, and Intracompany Transferees, it said. The ministers underlined the importance of continued engagement on visa issues, welcomed the December 2021 meeting of the bilateral Consular Dialogue, and resolved to continue efforts to facilitate the reciprocal movement of professionals, business persons, skilled workers, experts, and scientific personnel, it said. In February, the United States waived in-person interview requirements for many visa applicants, including students and workers, at its diplomatic missions in India through December 31 this year. The fourth 2+2, the first under the Biden administration, was held in Washington on Monday. The Indian side was led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. India and the US have decided to establish a new education group to further strengthen cooperation in the field of education and skill development through joint collaborations and promote student and scholar mobility to build people-to-people linkages. In a joint statement issued on Monday after the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the two countries' ministers also lauded the vibrant educational linkages between India and the US. "The ministers announced the intent to establish a new India-US Education and Skills Development Working Group. The ministers also appreciated the contribution of the Fulbright-Nehru programme in furthering the exchange of outstanding academics and professionals between both countries and the special role that the four million strong Indian-American diaspora play in deepening India-US. relations," the joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said on Tuesday. Indian-Americans form the second-largest immigrant group in the United States. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin welcomed Singh and Jaishankar to Washington for the Dialogue. The Dialogue was preceded by a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. "Lauding the vibrant educational linkages between India and the United States, the ministers reiterated their support to further strengthen cooperation in the field of education and skill development through joint collaborations and promote student and scholar mobility to build people-topeople linkages between the two countries," the statement said. After the ministerial in Washington on Monday, Jaishankar said that "the bedrock of our relationship, as you would all agree, is its human element." "It could be the students who come to universities, the flow of talent that defines our knowledge partnership or indeed the technology and business relationships which promote innovation. They are all examples of the human bridge that connects our societies so uniquely." The number of Indian students in the United States increased by over 12 per cent in 2021. In comparison to 2020, India sent more students (+25,391), according to a governmental report. Secretary Blinken told reporters that the two countries are increasing peopleto-people ties, which are really at the heart of the entire relationship. "We're very lucky in the United States to be home to some 4 million IndianAmericans as well as 200,000 Indians studying in our universities. We have a working group on education and skill training that we formed today that will increase that number by bringing institutions in the United States and India together to develop new joint research and exchange programmes." "We look forward to welcoming more Indian students and scholars into our communities. We're focusing, among other things, on STEM education. I think this is an area of tremendous potential going forward," he said. India and the US are looking forward to commencing a dialogue on contemporary issues related to women in the context of people to people linkages, the statement added. Recognising the importance of protecting cultural heritage, the Ministers committed to work toward negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding that will deepen cooperation in this area and assist authorities in combating the trade in cultural artefacts and facilitating their repatriation.

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Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas sets sail for its maiden voyage in Singapore

The Royal Caribbean International’s quantum-ultra class ship, Spectrum of the Seas, sailed on its much-awaited maiden voyage from Singapore yesterday. This commencement is part of Singapore’s resumption of safe cruise travel for international guests, with innovative solutions and rigorous protocols aimed at ensuring passenger wellbeing and enabling Singapore to re-establish its position as the premier cruising hub in the region. The Spectrum of the Seas presents traveller with unique experiences such as the Sky Pad, virtual reality bungee trampoline, iFly, a skydiving simulator, and the Bionic Bar, where robots craft customised drinks, to name a few. The Spectrum of the Seas will be undertaking sailing sailings between April 11, 2022, and April 6, 2023. “Travel trade partners who are interested in developing and marketing fly-cruise packages with minimum two-night pre-/post-stays can also tap on STB’s Cruise Development Fund (CDF), a Singapore,” the statement added. Sharing more details. the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in a statement said, the introduction of Spectrum of the Seas will be welcomed by Indian travellers, who represented the top source market for Singapore’s cruise tourism in 2019. “Cruising out of Singapore has traditionally been a popular offering among Indian families with young children, as well as with MICE travellers. With the post-pandemic resumption of international travel, the industry is seeing a strong resurgence in demand for cruise tourism, with Indian consumers looking forward to sailing again on top-of-range cruise experiences like Spectrum of the Seas,” it added. Speaking on the popularity of cruise tourism in India, GB Srithar, Regional Director, IMESA (India, Middle East & South Asia), Singapore Tourism Board strategic geographical location, robust infrastructure, and outstanding line up of cruising options. Pre-pandemic, the number of cruise passengers sailing in Southeast Asia was expected to grow up to 6.4 per cent per annum, to reach an estimated 4.5m passengers by 2035. While cruise tourism has paused for the past two years, we are optimistic about capturing the resurging demand for cruise tourism. Singapore’s tourism players are continually reimagining tourism offerings both at sea and on land. Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas promises to offer an exhilarating experience, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences and luxurious amenities on board. We are proud of our cruise partners who have been agile and resilient in incorporating innovative solutions for stringent hygiene and safety standards, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable cruise travel experience.” “We are excited to welcome back the Spectrum of the Seas to Singapore and look forward to many Indians cruising on it this summer, and beyond. The demand for this innovative ship by Royal Caribbean International has been very encouraging since we opened to bookings a couple of weeks back, and we expect this to get stronger with lesser travel restrictions to visit Singapore,” said Varun Chadha, CEO, TIRUN Travel Marketing, the Exclusive India Representatives of Royal Caribbean Cruises. “Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas is opulence on the move. From luxury dining experiences and adventure sports to staying in some of the most luxurious suites, I was thoroughly impressed both by my Thanks to the highest standards of safety and public hygiene standards put in place, I am looking forward for my Indian clients to experience the excitement of cruising out of Singapore again after two long years,” said Rahul Gaur, Senior Manager, B2B Sales, Leisure Travel, SOTC who was on board Spectrum of the Seas during its trial cruise from April 2-4.

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Amarnath Yatra to commence from June 30

The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on June 30, after a gap of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was recently announced by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. As per the reports, while online registration has already begun, the pilgrimage will be held for 43 days between June 30 and August 11. Regarding this, the Lieutenant Governor asked the respective officials to be proactive and ensure all arrangements are in place for a smooth pilgrimage this year. Reports have it that the government will also be introducing an RFID system for pilgrims to track their movement. Nitishwar Kumar, Chief Executive of the shrine board, added that various measures have been taken in view of the yatra, including augmented health facilities, increased capacity for accommodation, telecommunication facilities, upgraded tracks, and the helicopter services, among others, to facilitate travel of the pilgrims. Reports further suggest that the board has decided that the pilgrimage would start simultaneously from both the routes — the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district, and that only 10000 pilgrims will be allowed in a day on each route, excluding those travelling by helicopter. There will also be a battery car service for pilgrims, whereas live telecast of morning and evening aarti will be done for devotees from across the globe. Plus, for all those wishing to get real time information about the pilgrimage, weather and much more, there is an application available for the same on the Google play store.

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Bookings surge as international travel opens up

After a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 crisis, travellers are getting back to do what they do best — packing their bags and jetting off. Thanks to the news of resumption of international flights from March 27, and India resuming tourist visas for foreign nationals, summer of ’22 is set to be the perfect comeback for globetrotters. With countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa and Bali opening up to fully vaccinated international travellers, key players in the industry feel that this might revive the sector. While some say experiential holidays are witnessing a surge, others are seeing an uptick for longer holidays at Switzerland, France, Spain and the UK. “Summer holidays this year are expected to be a double bonanza. Not only are tons of international destinations opening to Indian travellers, but they also have three years’ worth of international holiday budgets saved up to splurge now. We expect bookings during this season to surpass anything we’ve seen in the recent past,” says Arun Ashok, regional head – India and Middle East, Luxury Escapes. Much-needed relief for tourism sector For some, it’s a win-win situation to see foreigners travelling to India and help boost tourism and generate revenue. “Opening up international flights is the boost the travel and hospitality industry needed after two years of inactivity. International tourism is a significant source of income for the sector, especially in states like Kerala and Himachal. Hopefully, we’ll welcome a large number of tourists again — the Ukraine crisis notwithstanding,” opines Kovid Kapoor, co-founder, Holidify. An increasing number of countries are now allowing Indians to enter without the mandatory quarantine. In many cases, fully vaccinated passengers are no longer required to furnish a negative RT-PCR test upon arrival either. Daniel D’souza, president and country head, SOTC Travel shares, “Since the announcement, we are witnessing significant travel appetite with a surge in queries of nearly 30-50%.” He says the reopening of closer-to-home destinations like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia (starting April 1) has resulted in a further boost with their online search seeing “a jump of over 100% for short haul destinations”. Rajeev Kale, president and country head, Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook (India) Limited says the surge in demand extends beyond the summer vacation period as well. He says, “We are seeing an uptick of 20-40% in queries, with Europe’s Switzerland, France, Spain and UK still heading the leader board (40% increase), followed by short hauls like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Thailand, Maldives, Turkey, Egypt, Singapore (30%); also long hauls like Australia (20%). What is noteworthy is that the interest is not limited to peak summer vacation season, but also for long weekends, & celebration of special occasions.” The travel bug returns The opening up of destinations and resumption of flights has restored confidence in travellers, says Ritu Mehrotra, regional commercial director APAC at Booking.com. She adds, “2022 is going to be the year when travellers make up for all their lost vacations. Whether it’s as a part of their self-care regime, the desire to connect with local communities, an opportunity to explore, or the thrill of saying yes to whatever opportunities come their way, it’s all about seizing the day and making every trip matter.”

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Laguna Phuket targets India market with its wide array of exciting offerings

Laguna Phuket, Asia’s premier integrated destination, is ready to welcome Indians with their exquisite range of experiences ranging from luxurious stays, island activities, gastronomical spread, wellness, and rejuvenation which combined make for the ideal escapade for friends, couples and families. The brand is reaching out to the evolving traveller segment in India across key target markets and enticing them through sustained marketing and PR activities by projecting the destination’s post-COVID readiness and plethora of holidaying activities. Laguna Phuket’s portfolio of properties includes Angsana Laguna Phuket, Angsana Villas Resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, Banyan Tree Veya Phuket, Cassia Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Holiday Club Resort and Saii Laguna Phuket. Although Phuket is a well-recognized destination amongst outbound travellers in India, Laguna Phuket provides an experience that is a class apart and has something in store for every visitor. The integrated destination is set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea and is home to eight world-class hotels and premium facilities spanning over 1,000 acres of lush parkland and beachfront properties. Laguna Phuket provides the experience of an award-winning 18-hole golf course, luxury spas, globally acclaimed dining outlets, and modern architecture that blends with traditional values of the services that together brings forth the best elements of a dream destination. The destination collectively offers more than 1,400 rooms of various range to suit all requirements of several segments such as families with young children to intimate, luxurious stays for couples, honeymooners as well as large friend groups. To streamline the guest experience, Laguna Phuket has a fully integrated cashless payment system, meaning guests can choose to charge expenses back to their room from anywhere in the destination. Additionally, the island destination is world-renowned and award-winning home of multiple international events such as the Laguna Phuket Marathon and Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Its expanse covering over 10,000 square metres of meeting rooms and events venues is dedicated to convention and exhibition space and also promotes a wide variety of wedding packages in stunning locations: thus, making it the perfect place for memorable meetings, large-scale events and personal/corporate milestone celebrations. Speaking on the destination’s inclination to strengthen its India market outreach through sustained marketing and communications activities, Ravi Chandran, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket, said, “We’re delighted to have direct flights from India again and are ready to welcoming the Indian market back to Laguna Phuket. As a popular integrated destination, Laguna Phuket features 8 luxury hotels with 1400 rooms and villas. With travellers’ quest for safe and purposeful travel post-Covid, we are geared to welcome multi-generational family units, digital nomads and couples. Our magnitude of hotels caters to each segment. Additionally, we are known as the perfect venue for hosting Indian weddings, elevated by authentic cuisine by our expert Indian chefs and our unique location.” Laguna Phuket is just a 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, which boasts excellent connectivity across the region and internationally and has direct access from the Indian cities of Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore.

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Air Arabia to operate direct flights between Chennai and Abu Dhabi

Air Arabia, the low-cost carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced the launch of new and direct flights to Chennai from April 27. Taking to Twitter, the airline stated that it would operate direct flights to Chennai International Airport at competitive prices twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. As per the updates, the flight will depart from Abu Dhabi every Monday and Wednesday at 2 pm and reach Chennai at 7:45 pm. After Calicut, Cochin, Trivandrum, Delhi, and Jaipur, Air Arabia said it will fly to its sixth destination Chennai from April 27. The airline said it is also the 19th route since the launch of the carrier’s service from Abu Dhabi International Airport in July 2020. Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, said the new service between Abu Dhabi and Chennai falls in line with the airline’s commitment to providing customers with affordable and value-driven air travel from different hubs.

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