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TAAI requests MOT to start statewise registration drive, setup an Outbound Tourism Desk

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) in its focus 2022 document presented to Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism highlighted that how the government’s support and encouragement to tourism and help travel trade stabilise and sustain the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic. The association paid its gratitude and appreciated the ministry’s efforts and support extended to the travel trade during the tough times. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI highlighted the key issue of accreditation of members and travel agents with MOT and requested them for undertaking a state-wise registration drive along with TAAI, for the trade members to register with MOT. “We request to relax norms for over 1,400 IATA accredited agents, who are members of TAAI and automating the registration process,” she said. Mayal also took up the issue of setting up an Outbound Tourism Desk which she said urgently needed to support and regualrise the operations for outbound travel from India. She also brought up the issue with airport entry passes for tour operators and urged to resume the services like before. “We urge you to ensure for smooth handling of inbound/outbound and domestic special groups, children, seniors and other travellers, who require our hand holding be permitted to apply for such permits, like before. Special arrival handling by trade members for inbound and outbound tourist shall not only assist but also glorify Incredible India,” she added. Jay Bhatia, Vice President elaborated that TAAI wishes to commence certified educational programs for its members and the entire trade on Incredible India. “Training on NDC / GDS / visa rules, inbound, outbound, MICE organisers, education on financial matters, agro-tourism packages etc, are a few programs that could be designed by TAAI on the basis of the experience and expertise its members hold because of the understanding of the challenges and being part of the trade since many decades. Bettaiah Lokesh, Hony Secretary General, TAAI commented that the Indian travel trade faces a lot of challenges while promoting both inbound and outbound tourism, and competing in the global world, especially pertaining to the GST, TCS, Credit Control, Tax rebates, incentives, support and much more. Taxes like such need to be abolished or at least substantially reduced, to start with, so that our Indian travel trade can compete in both inbound and outbound market and generate a huge foreign exchange for the exchequer. Shreeram Patel, Hony Treasurer, TAAI highlighted and emphasised the importance of MOT being the one point of contact for all issues of travel trade and ensuring that other Ministries in the government support and encourage the fraternity to do business with ease. TAAI National office bearers unanimously, in the Focus 2022 document, urged that these points must be jointly addressed to ensure that India leaps in the future to regain its past glory.

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7-day home quarantine mandatory for Dubai passengers arriving in Mumbai

With the tally of Omicron cases in Maharashtra breaching the 100 mark on Friday, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has issued an order making it mandatory for Mumbai residents arriving from Dubai to undergo a seven-day home quarantine with an RT-PCR test on the seventh day. The travellers who live in other parts of Maharashtra will be able to leave Mumbai on arrival from Dubai, but their transport will be arranged by the collector, it said. The order issued by BMC on Friday stated that the travellers who are residents of Mumbai and returning from Dubai also need to take a mandatory RT-PCR test on Day 7. If the result is positive, the traveller will be shifted to an institutional quarantine as per the current guidelines for international travellers. The order further stated that travellers coming from other parts of Maharashtra will not be allowed to take public transport. They will be transferred by the Collector who will arrange transport for such travellers. Meanwhile, in the wake of expected crowding at the time of upcoming festivals amid Omicron variant threat, the Maharashtra government on Friday issued new Covid-19 guidelines prohibiting gathering of more than five persons in public places from 9 pm-6 am, among other such measures, applicable from the intervening night of December 24-25. "Gathering of more than five persons in public places across the state prohibited from 9 pm-6 am, only 100 people allowed in indoor weddings and not more than 250 in outdoor weddings," read the order. The number of attendees in a closed hall for a wedding ceremony should not be more than 100 at a time and in open space, this number should not be more than 250 or 25 per cent of the capacity of this space whichever is less. For other social, political, religious events also the number of attendees should not be more than 100 and in open space, this number should not be more than 250 or 25 per cent of the capacity of this space whichever is less. For events other than the above two events, in confined spaces where the seating capacity is not more than 50 per cent of the capacity and where the seating capacity is not fixed, the attendance will be 25 per cent. In all such events, if they are held in open space, the attendance will not be more than 25 per cent of the seating capacity. Attendance for sports competitions, sports ceremonies shall not exceed 25 per cent of the seating capacity of the venue. "Restaurants, gyms, spas, cinemas, theatres will have 50 per cent capacity attendance. All of them will have to declare their full potential as well as 50 per cent capacity," said the release. Maharashtra government also released Christmas specific guidelines to be observed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. "People will be allowed to attend church up to 50 per cent of the available seating capacity in the church for Christmas. Special care should be taken to ensure that the church is not crowded in any way and that Social Distancing is maintained and that masks and sanitisers are used. Disinfection should also be arranged in the church," said the release. India has reported more than 350 cases of Omicron so far.

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Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort opens to guests

Renaissance Hotels has unveiled its second property on Island of the Gods with the opening of Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort. Perched on the hills above Nusa Dua and overlooking sprawling views of the lush green canopy and Indian Ocean, the new resort features 310 stylish guest rooms and four thematic pools, destined to welcome travellers to discover unexpected gems in the tropical destination. “Nusa Dua has long been a spirited and sought-after enclave in Bali, surrounded by natural beauty, culture, and history,” said Catherine Flint, director, global brand management, Renaissance Hotels. “We are thrilled to grow our portfolio in the island, bringing our signature spin on the hotel experience to deliver an unexpected adventure through a local frame of mind.” Drawing inspiration from the grand theatrics of traditional Balinese dances, especially the Barong Dance, the design of the Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort pays homage to one of the oldest forms of performing arts of the island. The newly opened resort is an ode to the richness of Balinese culture, brought to life by the meticulous design work of P49 Deesign. Created as sacred rituals and for entertainment, traditional Balinese dance routines are heavily influenced by nature and guests can discover these highlights in the ‘Good versus Evil’ murals and prints at R Bar, the vibrant industrial-style design at the Backstage, as well as the charming dance performance patterns adorning the backdrop of the ballroom. The 310 guest rooms and suites are thoughtfully-designed as a tribute to the island’s heritage – with a Balinese mask pattern on the ceiling, a modern invention of ‘Balinese dancer’s head’ gobo light, and turquoise-accented walls for a sense of calm. Featuring breath-taking views of the island, the stylish rooms are seamlessly designed, with spacious bathrooms. A homage to the natural elements of the island, decorative wall ceramics adorn the walls to enhance the look of the space, with a freestanding ivory bathtub as its centrepiece.

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TAAI urges govt to relax norms for IATA-accredited travel agents, make registration automated

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has urged the Union tourism ministry to relax norms for its over 1,400 IATA-accredited agents and also make the registration process automated. TAAI, in its ‘Focus 2022′ document submitted to Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh, also requested the ministry to undertake state-wise registration of the trade members for accreditation from the tourism ministry along with the travel agents’ body, a statement said on Thursday. The document highlights key points for the year 2022 and how with the ministry’s support and encouragement, tourism and travel trade will stabilise and sustain, TAAI said in the statement. The services sector is the largest contributor to the GDP and travel trade is the most significant one among all, the statement quoted TAAI president Jyoti Mayal as saying. “Travel trade fraternity needs to be educated and upgraded continuously.” Mayal, according to the statement, highlighted the key point of accreditation with the Ministry of Tourism. He also requested for undertaking a state-wise registration drive along with TAAI for the trade members to register with the ministry besides seeking relaxation in norms for over 1,400 IATA-accredited agents who are members of TAAI and automating the registration process, the statement said.e TAAI Vice-President Jay Bhatia said the Association wants to commence certified educational programmes for its members and the entire trade on Incredible India. “Training on new distribution capability (NDC), global distribution system (GDS), visa rules and agro-tourism packages, among others, are a few programmes that could be designed by TAAI on the basis of the experience and expertise of its members,” he added.

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Thailand: No quarantine in Phuket to those entering under Phuket Sandbox

While Thailand has reinstated mandatory quarantine for foreign travellers in view of rising cases of Omicron, the Thai authorities have clarified that those travelling under the Phuket Sandbox will not be required to undergo not quarantine. As per the reports, those travelling under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, will only be required to undergo a PCR test, and wait in the hotel until the result is declared. If their test comes negative, they will be allowed to move around in Phuket. Further, they will also be required to undergo a second RT PCR test on the fifth or sixth day, after which they will be allowed to visit other parts of Thailand after completing a seven-day stay in Phuket. Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), while citing rising cases of Omicron variant in the country, ordered a temporary suspension of Sandbox applications, and the Thailand Pass for all new ‘Test and Go’ from December 22, 2021. However, as per the reports, those travelling under the Phuket Sandbox will be exempt from quarantining. Referring to the new development, Cholada Siddhivarn, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai office, informed that although tourism authorities have slightly changed the entry rules for people entering the country from different entry points, except for Phuket. As such, those who are keen to travel to Phuket from India, can register for Thailand Pass under the Phuket Sandbox program and Happy Quarantine. After that, TAT India team will work closely with travel trade partners to assist them with client queries and help them serve their clients better. As regarding visit to Thailand, Thai authorities decided to scrap the quarantine waiver and the decision to halt Thailand's 'Test and Go' waiver, after reporting the first case of Omicron. Following this decision, those visiting the country will now have to undergo hotel quarantine, which will range between 7 to 10 days, and this decision will likely be reviewed on January 4, 2022.

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Air France-KLM And IndiGo To Start Codeshare Agreement

Air France-KLM and IndiGo are launching an extensive codeshare agreement. With this new partnership, Air France and KLM will offer their customers access to 25 new Indian destinations. From their hubs in Paris and Amsterdam, Air France and KLM already serve 4 destinations in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. On departure from the Indian provinces, Air France and KLM will open up their global network of over 250 destinations to IndiGo customers, with more than 120 destinations in Europe and about 50 in the Americas. Subject to government approval, this cooperation will start in February 2022.

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