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Thailand to scrap pre-travel Covid-19 test to boost tourism

Travellers to Thailand will no longer have to take a Covid-19 test before boarding the plane, under plans announced Friday as part of efforts to reboot the kingdom's pandemic-battered tourism sector. From April 1, the requirement to take a negative test within 72 hours of travel will be scrapped, and instead visitors will be tested on arrival in Thailand, Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the country's Covid-19 task force, said. Draconian travel curbs helped Thailand limit Covid-19 case numbers and deaths in the early stages of the pandemic, but hammered its crucial tourism industry, which accounts for about a fifth of the country's economy. Thailand is currently recording around 25,000 new cases of Covid a day as the Omicron variant spreads around the country, but officials hope this will tail off in time for them to move to a "post-pandemic" phase from July. Seeking to bounce back from its worst economic performance since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Thailand has gradually eased travel restrictions over the past nine months. But hotels, restaurants and other tourist-dependent businesses have urged the government to go further and faster to entice visitors back to the kingdom's beaches and resorts. The tourism industry estimates that around five million foreign visitors will travel to Thailand in 2022 -- down from nearly 40 million in the year before the pandemic.

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After 2 year gap, International Surajkund Crafts Mela begins this Saturday

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday announced that the Surajkund International Craft Mela will start from March 19 and will last till April 4. "The Surajkund International Craft Mela will take place from March 19 onwards and will last till April 4. It will last for 16 days instead of the usual 15 days. Artists from 20 countries will take part in the fair. E-Ticketing will be provided this time," said Khattar while addressing the press conference. The Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir will be the 'partner state' and Uzbekistan will be the 'partner country' in the 35th edition of the annual fair this year. The Mela is organized annually in Faridabad by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level and the last edition was held in 2020, before the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Tourism, fishing, shipping activities shut in Andaman in view of impending cyclone

The government on Thursday ordered an immediate halt of fishing, tourism and shipping activities in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and kept the Army, the Navy and the Air Force on standby in view of the impending cyclone which is likely to hit the archipelago early next week. A high-level meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, reviewed the preparedness for the impending cyclone which is likely to make landfall on March 21. One National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is already stationed in Port Blair while additional teams are ready to be airlifted from the mainland if required, an official spokesperson said. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration is gearing up with sufficient stocks of emergency supplies and taking steps to protect the population and restoration of infrastructure, he said. Fishing, tourism and shipping activities were stopped and fishermen were advised to return from sea. The army, the navy, the air force and the coast guards were asked to remain on standby, the spokesperson said. All central ministries are ready to provide assistance to the UT administration if required, he said. The India Meteorological Department has informed the meeting that low pressure area in South East Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by March 21 with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph. The home secretary directed the central ministries and agencies to keep regular watch and be in touch with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration.

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Holi Celebrations across the Country

Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated across the country with great zeal in different and unique ways. This year, it falls on March 18. For two consecutive years, the celebrations had to be toned down due to the pandemic. But in 2022, Holi enthusiasts want to make up for lost time by enjoying the occasion thoroughly — and travelling is always a great way to do that. Here are some places one can visit this Holi to have a blast! In Braj, Nandgaon, Vrindavan and Barsana, the celebration begins a month ahead of Holi and continues for a few days afterwards. “Though the popular Lathmar Holi, Ladoo Mar Holi and Phoolo Ki Holi have already been played on Ekadashi and days before, one can experience the dynamic and colourful Holi at Vrindavan (2.5-hour drive from Delhi) on the day itself. Don’t forget to taste the scrumptious malpuas,” says Rahul Upadhyay, founder of travel company Trips24*7. In Sangla, the festival, known as Faugli festival, is celebrated to worship the local deities. To soak in the traditional Holi festivities, Himachal Pradesh is another option. “In the Kinnaur district, Holi celebration in a quaint village of Sangla is very famous. Sangla comes on the way to Spiti Valley, and can be reached in 10 hours from Delhi by road. The festival, known as Faugli festival, is celebrated to worship the local deities. There is a riot of colours, and people dance to traditional folk music, perform skits and have special wine called phasur. Residents also prepare a special meal that includes a local bread called chilta. Sangla Holi is said to be one of those experiences that every traveller needs to add to their bucket list,” says Needhi Bharmani, founder of Beyond Postcard, a travel company.

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GNTB Launches German.Local.Culture. Marketing Campaign

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is supporting the relaunch of the inspirational campaign German.Local.Culture. Restart in incoming tourism. Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO): "After two years of the Corona pandemic and against the backdrop of the terrible war in Ukraine, the tourism industry is facing major challenges. In this situation, it is important to send out a signal for peaceful tourism that brings people together and stands for openness to the world and tolerance. “The campaign German.Local.Culture. convey exactly this peaceful coexistence of generations, traditions, and different cultural influences. With the launch of the campaign, we are reflecting authentic, local experiences in urban destinations with the integration of rural areas and their sustainable tourism offers. With countless travel events, the campaign also aims to promote Germany as a destination for longer for culturally interested travelers, families, and active vacationers in the source markets." German.Local.Culture. will be launched digitally as a cross-media inspiration campaign based on the Social first principle in important source markets for German incoming tourism digitally. The campaign will have a wide reach via programmatic advertising, social advertising, social media channels and influencer measures. Events for in various source markets convey an authentic image of Germany as a travel destination. Talking on the occasion Romit Theophilus, Director for India, The German National Tourist Office said Germany as a travel destination offers a wealth of hidden treasures for Indian travellers. Picturesque Old Towns, urban city vitality, impressive industrial monuments, castles and palaces, romantic vineyards and unspoiled nature, there is so much to discover for Indians when travelling to Germany. With the easing of restrictions, travellers can look forward to local festivals as well as vibrant life once again. Theophilus added, we look forward to welcoming you and your family for your next holiday in Germany.

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GO FIRST Resumes Direct Service To Srinagar-Sharjah

GO FIRST announced the resumption of direct international connection and direct international cargo operations from Srinagar to Sharjah, thus reinforcing its gulf operations. GO FIRST was the first airline to introduce direct service from Srinagar to Sharjah last year, under the Air Bubble agreement. The resumption of this sector is poised to boost trade and tourism between J&K and the UAE. UAE and Srinagar are popular holiday destinations and GO FIRST flights will usher convenient travel options. These services will also support burgeoning trade and investment links between Srinagar and Sharjah. GO FIRST was also the first to sign the agreement with LULU Group of Dubai for the cargo movement from Srinagar to Sharjah. With the extra focus on the Srinagar market- GO FIRST has the vision to make Srinagar a mini hub for the international air travel and cargo. Speaking on the development, Kaushik Khona, Chief Executive Officer, GO FIRST said: “GO FIRST shares a special relation with the region and has had many firsts to its name in J&K. We are delighted to resume services between Srinagar and Sharjah, which could steer the economic growth of J&K. This connectivity will play a pivotal role in bilateral exchange trade and tourism between the two regions.” The direct flights from Sharjah will offer seamless connections to Srinagar and beyond to New Delhi, as of now.

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