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UAE outperformed world’s top 10 tourist destinations this year

The UAE’s tourism sector was the quickest globally to recover from the impact of Covid-19, the country’s Vice-President has said. As he launched the World’s Coolest Winter tourism campaign, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the drive is expanding this year to target international visitors. It will present the most important tourist and entertainment destinations in the country, its nature, culture, heritage, history, architecture and landmarks, and highlight the distinct tourism experience in each of the seven emirates. The global data website Statista expects the UAE to attract more than 31 million tourists annually by 2025, and the travel and tourism sector to contribute Dh280.6 billion to the UAE's GDP by 2028. “The seven emirates have rich history, geography, nature, urban architecture, and community. The UAE’s archaeological sites, culture centres, historical landmarks, and nature reserves, offer visitors a holistic experience,” said Sheikh Mohammed. The second season of the World’s Coolest Winter campaign will highlight the diversity of the UAE’s touristic and recreational attractions, the beauty of its natural landscapes, and the hospitality of its people. It will run from December 15 until the end of January 2022. The campaign will see the provision of many “exclusive promotions” by tourist establishments, hotels, shops and restaurants. The UAE achieved a tourist occupancy rate of 64 per cent in hotel and tourism establishments between January and October of 2021. The country outperformed the top 10 tourist destinations in the world such as the United States, which achieved an average of 58 per cent; China (54 per cent), Britain (50 per cent), Turkey (49 per cent), France (44 per cent), Mexico (43 per cent), Spain (40 per cent), Italy (37 per cent), Germany (33 per cent), and Thailand (21 per cent). In the first half of 2021, hotel and tourist establishments attracted about 8.3 million guests, a growth of 15 per cent compared to the first half of last year. During the same period, the number of hotel nights spent by guests amounted to around 35 million - a growth of 30 per cent; and the average guest stay increased to 4.1 nights, with a growth of 12.5 per cent. This resulted in a 31 per cent growth in hotel establishment revenues, to reach Dh11.3 billion. The share of domestic tourism reached more than 30 per cent of the total guests of hotel establishments.

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Travelling to India? Check these new Covid-19 testing rules

The Government has revised new Covid-related guidelines for passengers travelling to India from December 20 onwards. Amid the threat of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that passengers coming from 'at-risk' countries will have to compulsorily pre-book for the on-arrival RT-PCR test. The pre-booking testing will be implemented at six major airports--Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. However, in case a person is unable to do so the passengers will not be denied to board a flight, the ministry added. The ministry informed that Air Suvidha Portal will be modified to allow the passengers to mandatorily pre-book the RT PCR test if they are coming from the countries 'at risk' or have visited 'at risk' countries in the last 14 days. The link to the airport website would be provided on the Air Suvidha platform which would be displayed to passengers while filling up the self-declaration form, it mentioned. According to the Union health ministry, ‘at-risk’ countries include countries in Europe including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Hong Kong, China, Ghana, Mauritius, New Zealand, and Israel. Under the new norms that came into force from December 1, all international passengers must submit 14 days' travel history and upload negative Covid test results on the Air Suvidha portal. This test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey. Besides, airlines can allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal, uploaded the negative RT-PCR test report. Passengers originating or transiting from at-risk countries shall be informed by the airlines that they will undergo post-arrival testing, quarantine if tested negative, stringent isolation protocols if tested positive. If tested negative they will follow, home quarantine for 7 days. Re-test on the 8th day of arrival in India* and if negative, further self-monitor of their health for next 7 days. However, if such travellers are tested positive, their samples should be sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network.

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Air India flight between Kolkata and Bangkok gets extension till March 2022

The Air India flights between Kolkata and Bangkok have now been extended till March 23, 2022. As per the report by the Times of India (TOI), the flights will continue to operate two times a week, i.e. on Wednesdays and Sundays. The report revealed that the first two flights acquired around 95 per cent of the bookings. However, there have been several no-shows with passengers being denied the Thai Pass that is mandatory to travel to the country in addition to a visa. Keeping this in mind, the travel agents have now advised travellers to first apply for the online Thai Pass before making their visa application. A travel agent said, "Passengers need to provide travel details, stay details, $50,000 worth insurance coverage and a fully vaccinated certificate while applying for the Thai Pass. Once the Pass is issued, the passenger can apply for the visa to ensure hassle-free travel." The report by TOI disclosed that the $50,000 insurance costs around Rs 600-700 for a person aged around 50 years. Although Air India is the only flight operating, the Thai Smile is expected to introduce a three-times-a-week service from January 2022.

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Now, stay in a tree house in Uttarakhand forests from next year

The Uttarakhand forest department will open up a tree house for tourists in the Fato range of the Terai west forest division near Ramnagar in Nainital from early next year. This would be the first tree house opened for tourists in the Himalayan state’s jungles, officials said. The tree house concept, they added, promotes sustainable living without causing damage to natural surrounding. “As the structure has been built in the biodiversity-rich Terai west forest division, visitors will get to enjoy sightings of tiger, elephant and deer while sitting in the comfort of their rooms in the tree house. The cost per night for booking the tree house would be around INR 10 to 15,000,” said Balwant Shahi, divisional forest officer, Terai West forest division. He added that more such tree houses will soon be developed in the forests of Uttarakhand. The 40-feet-high structure, which will open its doors for visitors next month, is built with Sal and teak wood and has two bedrooms and a bathroom. Welcoming the move, Rakesh Katwal, a hotelier based in the Kumaon region, said, “It is good to see that the forest department is coming up with sustainable options to boost forest tourism rather than constructing concrete structures. ” Meanwhile, the forest department is also expected to inaugurate a jungle safari in the Fato range around Christmas. This safari, say officials, would provide employment opportunities to local youth.

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IRCTC offers 6-day 'dream tour' package from Chhattisgarh to Kashmir

The winters have started, and soon people across the globe will celebrate Christmas and New Year. Often we have seen people travelling during this period in order to spend quality time with family and friends. Though there are many travel destinations to visit, Kashmir, the paradise on Earth always steals hearts and attracts people. The natural meadows, flower gardens, lakes, and the shikaras floating on those lakes make the atmosphere cozy. Here is a piece of good news for people who are planning to visit Kashmir, the tourism wing of the Indian Railways, IRCTC, is offering a tour package of five nights and six days to Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam from Raipur. The cost of the tour package has been kept at a starting price of Rs 30,285. Itinerary: Raipur-Delhi-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Sonmarg-Gulmarg-Raipur Day 1: Raipur-Delhi-Srinagar The tour will begin from Raipur airport, where passengers will board a flight for Delhi, and later in Delhi, they will board a connecting flight Srinagar. After landing at Srinagar, tourists will be taken to hotels where they will have their dinner and rest. Day 2 Srinagar - Pahalgam On the second day, tourists will leave for Pahalgam, where they will visit saffron fields and Avantipura ruins. Enjoy the nature charm of the valley. Tourists can do further sightseeing. However, it will be done at own cost. Day 3 Pahalgam - Sonmarg On day third, tourists will leave for Sonmarg, where they can visit the plains of Sindh and the forests of Mahasir. People can also experience pony ride activities at their own cost. Day 4 Pahalgam - Gulmarg Tourists on day four will leave for Gulmarg. In Gulmarg, people will experience the beauty of the valley as well as snowfall. People will be taken to the flower field in Gulmarg. Day 5 Gulmarg - Srinagar On Day 5, tourists will leave for Srinagar, where they will visit places like Shankaracharya Temple, Mughal Gardens, Cheshmashhi, Parimahal, Botanical Gardens, and Shalimar Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake. Day 6 Srinagar - Raipur Day 6 marks the last day of the tour. On this day, people will board a flight from Srinagar and will return to Raipur.

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SOTC Travel Sees Opportunity In Odisha

SOTC Travel recently inaugurated its new franchise outlet in Bhubaneswar. With a focus to leverage the growth market of Odisha, this expansion augments the company’s footprint in Eastern India. In the new age of travel (Covid-era), customers are understandably seeking the guidance and reassurance of holiday experts to navigate through the complexities and changes in travel and health protocols. As per SOTC Travel’s Third Holiday Readiness Report (June 2021), a significant 77% respondents stated that they seek expert guidance of a holiday specialist. To assist and support Odisha customers with their travel requirements, SOTC Travel has set up a new outlet in Bhubaneswar. Additionally, to build consumer confidence in travel, all SOTC Travel itineraries are covered by “Assured” Safe Travel Program - developed in association with Apollo Clinics, ensures best in class travel safety protocols covering every distribution, delivery and partner touch point in the travel ecosystem. “TravShield” an upgraded safety commitment of only vaccinated staff and co-passengers among many other precautions, ensure traveller safety in the pandemic era. SOTC Travel’s outlet in Bhubaneshwar offers end-to-end travel solutions with an array of offerings and services. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head, SOTC Travel said, “Odisha has always been an important market for us, and we are witnessing a strong travel desire from the region. To aid the travel requirements of our customers and offer end-to-end services, we are delighted to announce the opening of our new outlet in Bhubaneshwar. We intend to accelerate demand while supporting our customers as we tap the significant potential of this growing market.” He further added, “We are delighted to associate with Alok Maharana as our franchise partner for our first outlet in Odisha. Being a travel & hospitality industry veteran, Maharana brings with him years of industry expertise to assist SOTC and strengthen our presence in Odisha.”

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