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Air India Can Make India An ‘Aviation Hub'

Air India has finally returned home to Tata! TATA is one of the most professional organizations, not only in India but all over the world. Air India’s coming back to TATA is a proud moment for every Indian and the future of Air India seems bright in their hands. We hope Air India is able to expand its route network further and India once again see the glorious days in the field of Civil Aviation that it once saw. The whole tourism industry is very happy because Air India is our national carrier, our pride and our country’s national flag which goes round in the whole world. So, Air India coming back to a professional organization is a historical and welcome step for India as well as for the tourism industry. Air India has traffic rights all over the world which were not being utilized properly. Air India being a member of Star Alliance can benefit from it which they had not being doing. For example, Air India has a codeshare agreement with Ethiopian Airlines and Air India can utilize this to serve whole of Africa, which will get them extra revenue. Similarly, Air India does not have any connection for South America so Air India can codeshare with any airline to connect the whole of South America and simultaneously tourism can be started from South America as well. This way India will become an aviation hub with this kind of development. We hope Air India now does route rationalization, stop operating to non-profitable routes and open profitable routes. Hope the employees are motivated and reassured that all efficient and productive people will be retained even after the one-year interim period is over so that the morale of the work force is maintained, and efficient people do not start to look for jobs elsewhere. Air India has a lot of experienced professionals, and they can convert the following departments into full-fledged profit centers: Air India Engineering, AI Charters, Air India Cargo and IT and Training Centre of Air India can be converted into full-fledged training institute. Air India has been receiving a lot of complaints which are not even acknowledged therefore it is very important for Air India to have CRM with artificial intelligence so that all complaints are attended to and redressed. People will be expecting on-time performance from Air India now. I hope as a professional company Tata will look into these opportunities and take Air India to glorious heights. There are 75 million people, directly or indirectly involved or connected with the Aviation & Tourism industry in this country. Unfortunately, due to Covid, 51 million people have either lost their jobs or in the verge of losing their jobs. With the covid cases on the decline I am sure the international scheduled flights will also start shortly maybe in the month of March. If the scheduled international flights start soon and Air India along with the Ministry of Tourism start marketing internationally, both digitally & traditionally, a lot of jobs will be created, and millions of people will regain their lively hood. In 2019, we had earned US$30 billion s in foreign exchange from tourism and for the last two years there is no income in this industry. If we open tourism and aviation then I believe, US$50 billion foreign exchange will come from this industry only and our country’s economy will get back on a faster track.

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More than 800,000 visit India for medical treatment in three years

More than 800,000 foreigners visited India in the past three years for medical treatment, making it one of the top destinations for medical tourism. About 825,000 medical visas were issued to foreigners, mostly in African nations, between 2019 and 2021, the Home Ministry said on Tuesday. “A total of 410,677, 142,928 and 272,190 foreigners arrived on medical visas in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively,” said Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home. The numbers are significant, despite international travel restrictions because of the coronavirus. The global medical tourism market is estimated to be worth about $72 billion. Countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are leading destinations for medical tourism. India’s medical tourism industry was expected to be worth $9bn in 2020, according to industry body the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Last year, the country ranked 10th in the world in the Medical Tourism Index compiled by the Medical Tourism Association. The country has almost 600 globally and nationally accredited hospitals that provide world-class treatment. Foreign visitors seek treatment in medical centres such as Delhi and Mumbai, as well as smaller cities where costs are lower. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Oman and West Africa are among places from which people journey for treatment ranging from dental care to critical surgery including tumour removal, heart surgery and organ transplants. Tourists can combine healthcare services with visits to tourist attractions throughout the country. “I came to India because of its affordable cost and quality treatment and the doctors here are well experienced compared with other countries,” said Abdinur, 65, who visited from Somalia for a heart procedure in southern Hyderabad. The pandemic slowed the flow of visitors, but the industry is expecting to bounce back. Mahendrakar Sreekant, head of international operations at Medicover Hospitals in Hyderabad, said there had been a 30 per cent rise in patient footfall since last year. “We receive nearly 500 patients from countries like Yemen and Africa every year. In fact, the footfall of patients has increased since the pandemic restrictions were lifted, as they were waiting for treatment,” Mr Sreekant told The National. The Indian government has been pushing to make the country a go-to destination for quality and affordable care. The country is the world's largest supplier of generic drugs.

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The Orient Express from France to Italy is offering free-flowing champagne!

Yes you read that right! From June 5 to 7 this year, travellers can enjoy free-flowing Champagne (on the house) in the ultra-chic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for its anniversary celebration. The journey will start in Reims in France, which is Veuve Clicquot’s (a Champagne house founded in 1772 based in Reims) home. More about the luxury trip The adventure begins from there. It will take takevellers on a whole two-night trip following the shipping route of the Champagne’s first bottles. The trip will end with a night’s stay in Venice at Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel. During their journey on this ultra-luxury train, guests will get to taste the menu prepared by the noted chef Jean Imbert. Imagine waking to the stunning sunrise views in the Alps! As the train passes through the Alps, guests will get to witness the most astonishing views from their cabins before reaching Venice. From there, they will get to take a boat to Cipriani. Guests on board will also be invited to raise one last glass of Champagne at Veuve Clicquot’s Sunset Ball. The journey does sound promising, magical and full of grand experiences! Those interested in this ultra-exclusive and expensive experience will have to pay $8432 (INR 6,29,326) per person (starting price) based on two people sharing a twin cabin. Guests can also upgrade to either a Cabin Suite or Grand Suite, while a stay in the Grand Suites comes with an exclusive pre-travel night at Veuve Clicquot’s Hôtel du Marc in Reims. Ready for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

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Expo 2020 Dubai to welcome Coldplay next week

Coldplay are set to perform at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 15th. The band prides itself on its commitment and responsibility to the environment and strives to keep its emissions when performing as low as possible. As the first country in the region to announce a net zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the UAE has sought global recognition for its commitment to a low carbon world and views climate action as an opportunity for sustainable economic growth. This is an approach that will gain global momentum as the country prepares to host COP28 in Abu Dhabi in 2023. As a city of the future built on sustainable principles, in collaboration with 192 nations from around the world, Expo 2020 Dubai is a fitting partner for Coldplay, as it seeks solutions to some of the greatest challenges, including preserving the planet for future generations. Through its Programme for People and Planet, Expo 2020 Dubai is bringing together diverse global voices and generating new ideas among policy makers, businesses and individuals alike to map a clear path forward for immediate action. The Al Wasl performance, part of the Infinite Nights Series, unites the shared goals of Coldplay and the UAE and will lead by example, inspiring climate awareness and driving action to preserve our planet with a magical, unforgettable concert, free to Expo visitors and streamed online around the globe. Coldplay said: “As a band, we always try to put togetherness and sustainability at the heart of everything we do. “It’s an honour to be invited to perform at Expo 2020 Dubai Infinite Nights for a special celebration of these two themes.” In March, the four-piece band – comprising vocalist and pianist Chris Martin; guitarist Jonny Buckland; bassist Guy Berryman; and drummer Will Champion – will embark on its ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’. The tour has taken two years of planning, with Coldplay working with a range of environmental experts to incorporate initiatives that aim to lower carbon emissions by as much as 50 per cent compared to the band’s previous tours.

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Portugal drops testing requirements for vaccinated travellers

Visit Portugal has confirmed fully-vaccinated UK citizens can now enter the country without needing to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test. The exemption is valid after 14 days from the last vaccination; however, it expires 270 days after the last dose. Travellers who can prove they have contracted Covid-19 within the last 180 days are also permitted to enter. Anyone aged 12 or over that is unable to show a vaccination or recovery certificate will be required to show a negative Covid-19 test. The tests can be a PCR taken 72 hours prior to departure, or a lateral flow test taken 24 hours prior to departure. Luis Araújo, president of Turismo de Portugal, said: “This is a special day for tourism and for all those who want to visit Portugal! “We welcome the new measures approved by the government of Portugal which will facilitate the entry of everyone to our beautiful country. “Passengers who come to Portugal are only required to present a digital EU Covid-19 certificate or other proof of recognised vaccination such as the NHS app Covid Pass. “Vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to present a negative test at airports!” He added: “Our country has never stopped working to welcome any tourist and we have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our visitors and residents. “We will stand by our mission of providing the best tourism experience with the highest safety standards. “Our country is amongst the European countries with the highest level of national testing and percentage of vaccinated population, the Portuguese tourism industry has been in operation for several months now and we are ready to safely welcome all visitors as we head cautiously towards a post-pandemic world.”

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Indonesia temporarily bans foreign arrivals at Jakarta airport after surge in COVID cases

Indonesia is currently facing a spike in the number of COVID 19 cases, which is being blamed on the omicron variant of the virus. The country has thus decided to temporarily ban international tourists from entering the country through Jakarta’s airport. The country’s Transport Ministry confirmed this decision to ban foreign travellers from entering through Jakarta, suggesting that it should slow down the spike in covid cases. The country recorded a total of 36000 infections on Sunday, while occupancy rate at hospitals in Jakarta reached 63 per cent. Bali had only recently welcomed its first international flight in nearly two years. The latest rule has been imposed for foreign visitors and also Indonesians who went abroad for holidays. However, those flying in from abroad can still arrive at the Bali airport, the Batam airport, and the Tanjung Pinang airport in Riau Islands. It should also be noted that Jakarta is currently under a curfew from midnight to 4 am. It is being estimated that this surge may peak in late February. Bali on the other hand had opened its doors to foreign visitors from 19 countries last October. Indonesia is a major tourist attraction in Asia, with Bali being a hotspot for foreign travellers. Bali is known for its exceptionally beautiful beaches, and spectacular culture and heritage. With the rise in covid cases in the capital, the country is now moving ahead with caution as far as tourism is concerned.

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