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Air India to resume flights to UK from May 1

National carrier Air India has informed that it will restart flights to the UK from May 1. The airline had suspended to and from flights to the UK between April 24 and 30 due to fresh restrictions imposed by the foreign country amid India battering one of the worst COVID wave crises yet. However, on Wednesday, the air carrier informed that it will be operating flight from Mumbai to London's Heathrow airport on a slew of dates starting May 1. There will be a return flight on the same day. First to and fro flight from Delhi to Heathrow will be on May 2 and that from Bengaluru will be on May 5. The operator informed that bookings will be open through the Air India website, mobile app, booking offices, call centre and authorised travel agents. "Passengers who are already booked on these dates and wishing to travel, will be required to rebook and revalidate their bookings," it said in a series of tweets. However, passengers are requested to read the updated guidelines carefully in view of the UK government's stricter norms. "It will be the sole responsibility of the passengers to ensure his/her eligibility to enter the destination country. Air India will accept no liability if non compliance results in denied boarding," the national carrier added.

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South African Tourism continues robust investment in India market

Prior to the pandemic, India was the eighth largest international market for South African Tourism. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism, maintains that India still remains a core market for South African Tourism globally, and holds much promise in the coming years. Nkani goes on to mention that the tourism board’s marketing and communication approach is extremely focused and targeted and they are also looking at maintaining a consumer-centric approach, while also building trust and aspiration, and instilling confidence in consumers intending to travel. Excerpt from an interview: ETTravelWorld (ETTW): How hopeful are you about the revival of demand from the India market? Neliswa Nkani (NN): Indian travellers are resilient, with a large appetite for travel and new experiences. They may, however, now choose to travel differently – we can expect to see a rise in FITs, demands for drivecations, and flexible booking dates. We are looking at introducing newer, customised experiences, products and itineraries for this rising FIT traveller segment. In India, our target segments are experience-seeking millennials, HNIs and the family-oriented middle-class segments, as these are anticipated to be the driving force behind leisure travel recovery. We expect MICE travel to recover later this year albeit with smaller group sizes. Given that India is a priority market for South African Tourism, we have continued robust investments in this market. Other than physical travel to South Africa – which was difficult due to border closures, all other activities continued as usual. Virtual conferences and platforms helped us drive substantial consumer outreach and trade education even in the face of a global lockdown.

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Four-day lockdown in Goa from today as cases spike: CM

The Goa government on Wednesday decided to impose a strict lockdown in the state beginning April 29 till May 3, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said. Speaking to reporters, he said essential services and industries will be exempted from the purview of the lockdown but public transport will not be allowed. "The lockdown will come into force on Thursday evening and remain effective till Monday morning to break the chain of the coronavirus transmission," he said. Goa on Tuesday reported 2,110 fresh cases and 31 deaths, taking the tally to 81,908 and the toll to 1,086, the government had said. "Weekly markets will not be allowed during the lockdown. Casinos will also remain shut. However, industrial services will be allowed to function," the chief minister said. Sawant said that casual labourers need not worry as the lockdown will be lifted on Monday morning and business activities resume. The state administration will issue a detailed notification by Wednesday evening on the lockdown guidelines, he said. The CM also appealed to people to take necessary precautions against coronavirus and take medicines in case of Covid-19 symptoms. Sawant said as per the modified COVID-19 treatment protocol, medicines are offered to people at the time of testing instead of waiting for results. "Vaccination centres will function normally during the lockdown and people will be inoculated after booking an appointment," he added.

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Public and private sector have to work together to revive tourism: WTTC Global Summit

The WTTC Annual Global Summit which got underway in Cancun Mexico has called for close partnership between the public and private sectors to revive the global travel and tourism sector. The Global Leaders Dialogue, a physical dialogue held with the participation of Tourism Ministers from many countries and CEOs of many private sector companies, has underscored the need for closer partnership between the government and the private sector to make tourism a driver of the global economy.. The session moderated by US Travel Journalist, Peter Greenberg, had tourism ministers of countries like Greece, Portugal, Columbia, Jamaica, Honduras, among others. Harry Theocharis, Minister of Tourism, Greece championed the public sector’s lead to provide a roadmap out of the Covid-19 crisis. Kevin McAleenan, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, said it was vital the international community laid down parameters and followed through at the governmental level, advocating a pragmatic risk-management approach to resuscitate international travel. Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, said the sector must avoid taking short-term decisions and instead advocated the development of a long-term strategy by government and private companies. Colombian Vice Minister of Tourism, Julian Guerrero Orozco, warned against the prolonged use of ‘health passports’, which create a danger of first and second class travellers and become a real barrier to travel. Also participating were Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdés Verelst, Nicole Marrder, Minister of Tourism of Honduras and Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism for Jamaica. Mexico was represented by Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, Governor of Quintana Roo and Federal Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués. This was the second major meeting this year between the two sectors, since the private sector was invited to attend an historic meeting of G20 tourism ministers for the first time. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The seriousness of the impact of COVID-19 cannot be overestimated. WTTC research shows this crisis has been 18 times worse than the 2008 financial crash. “But WTTC has worked tirelessly with its Members to find solutions to revive the sector and save millions of jobs globally which have been lost and the terrible social impact of their disappearance. “The debate today enabled leading Ministers to share their thoughts about how the sector can tackle the pressing issues of how to save jobs, save businesses and save the global economy by safely reviving international travel. “It was hugely encouraging to see there was common agreement by all those attending that collaboration and cooperation between the public and private sector, would lead the way for revival of international travel. “This will be critical to powering the world’s recovery, so we are indebted to those ministers who joined us today to be part of this amazing event and help kickstart our Global Summit and energise the sector to unite and make a difference,” she said. The private sector was represented by some of the world’s top Travel & Tourism companies, including Andrea Grisdale, Chief Executive Officer and Sole Founder of IC Bellagio and Dan Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Global Rescue.Fawaz Farooqui, Managing Director of Cruise Saudi also participated, along with Kike Sarasola, President & Founder of Room Mate, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) and Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio di Balsorano de Clunieres, Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent.

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Uttarakhand Tourism Minister assures all support for the state's tourism industry

After listening to the grievances raised by the travel and hospitality industry stakeholders at a virtual meeting organised by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Corporation, Satpal Maharaj, Minister for Tourism & Culture has assured all help to the industry to emerge out of the current crisis. The interactive session - 'Tourism In Uttarakhand, Challenges and the Way Forward' - was attended by the trade leaders from the various districts and the top officials of the tourism department in the State. The Tourism Minister assured the industry necessary efforts and support on the part of the government to overcome the current crisis. "Under the leadership of Honorable Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, we are dedicatedly working to improve the tourism industry. I believe our efforts and hard work will bring victory and positive results soon. We have received your suggestions for a steady recovery in the Post-Covid times. It will be taken as our utmost priority regarding necessary action will be taken for a fast recovery." Members associated with the tourism industry who were also present during the virtual meeting said that the tourism industry has suffered a big loss due to a sudden lockdown. In this time of difficulty, financial help should be provided by the government. Sandeep Saini, President of Uttarakhand Hotel Association said that the hotel industry in the State has suffered heavy financial losses and lakhs of people have lost their jobs. He asked the government to give relief in the form of concessions in electricity charges and other government statutory fees. Sudhir Pant raised the issue of homestay owners in the State and asked for simplification of licence norms and the renewal of the same in the light of the pandemic. Dilip Jawalkar, Secretary - Tourism, Uttarakhand suggested joint initiatives by the public and private sector to revive the sector. The meeting was attended by Yugal Kishore Pant, Tourism Additional Chief Executive Officer; Additional Director Vivek Chauhan; Additional Chief Executive Officer, Col. Ashwin Pundi; Deputy Director Yogendra Kumar Gangwar and District Tourism Development Officers.

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India & the US to partner in vaccine development and supply

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joseph R Biden in a telephonic conversation discussed the Covid-19 situation in their respective countries, including India’s ongoing efforts to contain the second wave of Covid-19 through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment. Both leaders underlined the potential of the India-US partnership in vaccine development and supply to address the Covid-19 pandemic, and directed their respective officials to maintain close coordination and cooperation in their efforts in this domain. President Biden conveyed solidarity with India and affirmed that the United States was determined to support India’s efforts by quickly deploying resources such as therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials to be made available for the manufacture of Covishield vaccines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his heartfelt appreciation for the offer of assistance and support from the Government of the United States of America. He mentioned India’s commitment to contain the COVID-19 pandemic globally through Vaccine Maitri, and its participation in COVAX and the Quad Vaccine Initiatives. The Prime Minister underscored the need to ensure smooth and open supply chains of raw materials and inputs required for manufacture of vaccines, medicines, and therapeutics related to Covid-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also informed President Biden about India's initiative at the WTO for a relaxation in the norms of the Agreement on TRIPS to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries.

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