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TAAI and Expo 2020 Dubai tie-up turns out to be a great success, Delhi roadshow was a big hit

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Expo 2020 Dubai team organised a presentation for its members in Delhi to inform and educate members on the mega-trade show. The event was led by Anoop Kanuga, Managing Committee Member & Chairman of the Tourism Services Council, association’s Northern region and Charson Advisory, who is the official sales & marketing representative for Expo 2020 Dubai in India. Present on the occasion were members of TAAI along with National President, Jyoti Mayal at the Delhi Roadshow on November 25, which turned out to be a huge success. Earlier, the association had also organised a successful roadshow in Mumbai. The travel trade industry and representatives of airlines including Emirates and Etihad (who made their presentation) alongside Vistara, and IndiGo representatives also attended the event. Officials from Flydubai were there as well, who shared their views about the opportunity with Expo 2020 Dubai, which can be encashed with the re-start of tourism. Speaking on the occasion, Mayal congratulated everyone for making the event in Delhi a big hit and requested the entire travel trade & consumers to visit the Expo 2020 Dubai to have an eye opening experience and understand how the world envisages the future. “Last month, TAAI also organised a virtual session on Expo 2020 Dubai for its members. Vice president Jay Bhatia, Hon Secretary General, Bettiah Lokesh and Anoop Kanuga, Managing Committee Member & Chairman of the Tourism Services Council had attended the webinars and briefed members about the benefits of the partnership. This is our moment the travel business stakeholders to reap the benefits for ourselves and cater for the needs of our customers in the best way possible. This is the time to encash this golden opportunity,” she said. Acknowledging the efforts and the presentation given by Carl Vaz, Chairman & CEO, Charson Advisory Services on Expo 2020 Dubai, Kanuga commented, “This is the turning point for the tourism sector and the re-opening of tourism at such a healthy pace will definitely add to the revival and restructuring of it.” “The Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to attract over a million Indian visitors in the span of six months, from October 2021 till March 2022,” anticipated Vaz talking about the event. On the occasion, Neeraj Malhotra, Chairman, TAAI Northern Region informed, “TAAI and Charson Advisory have tied up to promote Expo 2020 across its member, travel and tourism companies through continuous presentations, roadshows, and webinars.

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Nagaland has immense potential in areas of wildlife and border tourism: Ajay Bhatt, MoS Tourism

Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State for Tourism and Defence, has said that while North East as a whole has immense potential to make rapid strides in tourism, state like Nagaland can explore opportunities in wildlife tourism and border tourism. Bhatt was addressing the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 9th international tourism mart for the North East in Nagaland's capital Kohima. Bhatt said that the Central Government is committed to improve the connectivity to all areas like Mansarovar, Umling La, etc., including the remote border areas which will ultimately foster tourism. Bhatt said that around INR 193 crore has been allotted for Nagaland alone under Swadesh Darshan and other schemes of tourism infrastructure development in the last seven years. Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism, Government of India also highlighted the immense potential for tourism in the North East region, especially in the ecotourism segment. He said that it is the first time Ministry of Tourism has invited 50 University students from different parts of India for a study tour to Nagaland as part of ITM. He said the initiative is intended at enhancing knowledge about the region in the young generation. Around 50 buyers will interact with over 70 travel sellers of the North East region at the two-day travel mart. Ambassadors and High Commissioner's of South East Asian countries of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar are participating in the event.

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85 percent Indians plan to spend on leisure travel in the next four weeks: Deloitte India study

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP has unveiled wave 24, the latest analysis of its Global State of the Consumer Tracker, indicating that despite inflation, consumers are prioritising personal care and well-being as the world gradually adjusts itself to a life after the pandemic. After spending over a year and a half within the confines of their homes, Indian consumers are now living in the moment and indulging in luxury and experience-oriented spending. The latest findings of the consultancy firm’s survey revealed that 85 per cent Indian respondents plan to spend on leisure travel in the next four weeks, 71 per cent Indian respondents feel safe engaging with one-on-one services and 68 per cent Indian respondents feel safe going to a restaurant. One of the key trends emerging out of the survey also unveiled that business travel is gaining momentum. With easing travel restrictions and the opening up of workplaces, Indians are gearing up to resume their business travels. 69 per cent consumers are likely to travel for business within the next three months. With improving sentiments, resurgence of economic activities and a growing sense of positivity and normalcy, executives have gradually resumed business-critical travel. Commenting on the development, Porus Doctor, Partner and Consumer Industry leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, said, “Conscious yet meaningful consumption is being celebrated by Indians, as they look forward to ‘experience’ the present rather than living it virtually. This has also created a sense of purpose in them, and they look forward to engaging with brands and platforms that reflect their personal values and are in line with their evolving tastes.” Intent to travel for leisure in the next three months has seen an upward trend. Indian respondents are actively exploring leisure travel, according to the study with 65 per cent Indian respondents feel safe about flying and staying in a hotel. Deloitte’s Global State of the Consumer Tracker is a longitudinal, online consumer survey fielded monthly across 23 countries including India, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

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Omicron: Govt. reviewing decision to resume scheduled international flights

The discovery of Omicron mutant of COVID-19 virus and subsequent infected cases has led the Indian government to review its decision regarding resumption of scheduled international flights. Previously in this month, it was announced that India would resume operations of scheduled international flights from December 15; such flights have stayed banned in the country since March 2020, apart from those allowed under air travel bubble arrangements. Now, as there is speculation regarding Omicron, the newly discovered mutant of COVID-19 virus, the December 15 timeline might just be extended further. The Home Ministry, after reviewing the current COVID situation, issued a statement, stating that, "Decision on effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service, to be reviewed, as per evolving global scenario." The situation was also reviewed by other related ministries, including Health and Aviation. A number of nations across the world have banned flights, especially with some South African nations, follwing the new discovery of the new strain. A number of India states, including Delhi, have also pushed into effect mandatory testing of arrivals from Zimbabwe, Hong Kong and South Africa.

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Spain to require proof of vaccination from UK travellers

Spain has updated its entry requirements for travellers from the UK. From December 1st, travellers arriving from the United Kingdom in Spain will need to show a vaccination certificate. The decision comes as concern over the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 grows. Travellers from the United Kingdom are currently able to enter Spain with a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test. The changes will mean that all travellers from the United Kingdom will need to show proof of being fully-vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival. Children under 12 years old are exempt when travelling with an adult. Prior to travelling to Spain, all passengers must also present a QR code which is obtained from filling in a health control form. In a statement, Turespaña said: “Spain reinforces its position as a safe holiday destination with one of the highest vaccinations rates worldwide (almost 90 per cent of the population age 12 and over) and one of the lowest Covid-19 rates in Europe.” Based on data from the Spanish ministry of health for the seven-day period up until November 26th, the accumulated incidence rate of Covid-19 infection in the country is 98 cases per 100,000 residents. This new legislation is for UK travellers prior to their arrival to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

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World Dream Cruise Bookings Open To International Travellers

In accordance with the prevailing guidelines by the Singapore authorities, Dream Cruises has opened World Dream sailings to non-residents in Singapore, as well as international travellers, including those entering the country via the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs)1. This marks a new milestone for Dream Cruises that will help to fuel the recovery of the cruise industry in Singapore and regionally. Non-residents in Singapore and international travellers can now look forward to more holiday options beyond local land-based resorts, with exciting opportunities to cruise aboard World Dream from Singapore. International travellers entering Singapore will have to fulfil the mandatory Border & Health Control Measures in Response to COVID-19 as implemented by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) 2 to be eligible to cruise. As part of Dream Cruises’ ongoing commitment towards the safety of its guests and crew, all embarking guests will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and continue to undergo a compulsory pre-boarding Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at the cruise terminal and present a negative test result for COVID-19. Michael Goh, President, Dream Cruises, said, “World Dream has carried over 200,000 guests since cruising resumed in Singapore on November 6, 2020 and celebrated its first anniversary earlier this month. With cruise bookings now open to nonresidents in Singapore and international travellers, it is indeed fantastic news, as we have been working hard towards this goal with the demonstration of safe cruises over the past year. Our progression to the next phase of cruising is timely and we are highly optimistic that demand will continue to rise with the contribution of the Fly-Cruise segment. With the support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and local authorities, as well as from our local and international travel partners, we are excited to now welcome international travellers on World Dream under prevailing national guidelines and we look forward to exploring future possibilities, including destination cruises.”

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