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Dubai launches unique virtual working programme for overseas professionals

Dubai has launched a unique new programme that enables overseas remote working professionals to live in Dubai while continuing to serve their employers in their home country. The move offers remote workers – and their families – the opportunity to re-locate, on an annual basis, to one of the world’s leading tourism and business destinations. Remote workers can take advantage of emirate’s strong digital infrastructure, robust connectivity, safe and high-quality lifestyle, global networking opportunities and zero income tax for individuals. Dubai, and the UAE, have been recognised for setting a global model for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) awarded Dubai the Safe Travels Stamp in acknowledgement of its efforts to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and COVID-19 precautionary measures. The emirate also introduced the ‘Dubai Assured’ stamp to certify that establishments have implemented all public health protocols for the prevention and management of COVID-19. Furthermore, Dubai has an exceptional digital infrastructure, validated by its No. 1 global ranking in e-infrastructure in the latest Digital Quality of Life (DQL) survey. The new programme also provides an enhanced value proposition for start-ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs. Individuals can apply for the annual programme on https://www.visitdubai.com/en/sc7/travel-planning/travel-tools/work-remotely-in-dubai . The programme costs US$287 plus medical insurance with valid UAE coverage and processing fee per person. To qualify for the new programme, applicants need to have: - Passport with minimum 6 months validity - Health insurance with UAE coverage validity - Proof of Employment from current employer with a one-year contract validity, a minimum of US$5,000 per month salary, last month’s payslip and 3 preceding months’ bank statements - If the applicant is a company owner: proof of ownership of company for one year or more, with an average monthly income of US$5,000 per month, and 3 preceding months’ bank statements As one of the world’s top property destinations, Dubai offers a vast diversity of housing options and exceptional co-working spaces, with flexible packages. Dubai is the first major global destination to fully open up its MICE sector internationally, providing opportunities for networking events and face to face engagement, which are vital factors in accelerating the revival of key sectors.

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Now travel directly from Goa to London under air bubble agreement

Air India has started direct flight services between Goa and London on Sunday from the Goa International Airport. At the start, it will be a weekly service and from the month of November will be increased to bi-weekly service under the air bubble agreement according to the official Twitter handle of Goa Airport. "Important day for Goa International Airport. Today Air India starts its direct flight LHR-GOI-LHR, B787. Initially once a week then twice a week from November under Air Bubble. Goa connects to London directly now," the tweet by the handle read. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has entered into air bubble arrangements with multiple countries even though regular international flights remain banned owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile ,Vistara said on Thursday that it will increase the frequency of its Delhi-London flights from November 21. The airline will operate five flights a week on the Delhi-London route from November 21, instead of four a week being operated currently, and a daily service from December 1, Vistara said in a press release. Vistara is operating these flights as part of the bilateral air bubble arrangement formed between India and the UK. "The increase in frequency demonstrates our success on the Delhi-London route, its importance in our network, and the steady demand for a world-class, full-service carrier from India," said Vinod Kannan, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara. Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since July, India has established separate bilateral air bubbles with 17 countries, including the UK. In an air bubble agreement, airlines of both the countries can operate special passenger flights to each other's territories under certain restrictions.

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Vietnam readies to open tourism

HANOI, 19 October 2020: Vietnam is priming its tourism reopening strategy with the launch of a CNN International television commercial inviting travellers to consider Vietnam for their first holidays post Covid-19. Vietnam National Administration of Tourism commissioned the 30-second clip, which features some of Vietnam’s top tourism products and destinations and ends with the sentence, “When you’re ready to travel again, why not Vietnam?” VNAT leaders said the TV commercial aims to remind travellers of Vietnam’s charms and suggest the country as a safe and enticing destination for vacationers in 2021. The video was created with support from the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) and can be viewed during commercial breaks on CNN Asia for six weeks starting 15 October as well as on the national tourism website (www.vietnam.travel) and its social media channels. Vietnam will soon launch more activities to accompany the ‘Why Not Vietnam?’ video, including giveaways on social media, ad banners, and articles that highlight Vietnam’s capable handling of the coronavirus and its commitment to the safety of its guests and citizens. “The story of how Vietnamese came together to fight the virus and support each other is one that we want to share with our friends overseas,” said VNAT’s Tourism Marketing Department director-general Dinh Ngoc Duc. “Through the ‘Why Not Vietnam?’ campaign we will put forward suitable tourism experiences for travellers looking to escape and unwind after COVID-19 passes, and emphasize Vietnam as a safe destination within the region.” Vietnam’s strong safety record since the start of the pandemic and its ability to provide socially distanced holiday options are top reasons for travellers to consider the country for upcoming trips, Duc explained. Over the coming months, Vietnam intends to win the confidence of travellers with high-value travel giveaways on its social media channels. Its first giveaway, which will launch in November, features a pair of international flight tickets from national carrier Vietnam Airlines valid throughout 2021, as well as a four-day holiday in Sa Pa with Topas Riverside Lodge and Topas Ecolodge, a National Geographic Certified Unique Lodge. Tourism experts in the region believe Vietnam will become an early leader in reviving travel based on its performance dealing with Covid-19 and the continued stable political and investment climate.

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Kerala government decides to launch 22 tourism projects on October 22

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the reopening of tourist destinations on Monday, the state government is set to inaugurate 22 tourism projects on October 22, which are expected to give an impetus to the crisis-ridden sector. Tourism Director P Balakiran told TNIE the tourism department has listed as many as 120 projects for inauguration in the coming months. “Of these, 65 projects would be inaugurated as part of the state government’s 100-day action plan as part of boosting the socio-economic activity of the state. The remaining 55 projects would be inaugurated in the second phase of the next 100 days. As part of the first phase deadline, 22 projects worth around `65 crore are ready for inauguration in various districts,” he said. Further, two mega projects of the tourism department would be inaugurated by the chief minister by this month end. The miniature railway project of Kerala Tourism at Veli Tourist Village here, a fun-filled experience, has been completed which will be opened for tourists on this occasion. The tourists would be able to travel in the idyllic village and the beach side on a solar-powered miniature train. The other is the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village which is undergoing makeover at Vellar in Thiruvananthapuram. As many as 114 tourist destinations in the state started welcoming visitors on Monday after the government decided to reopen the sector to ensure the livelihood of various stakeholders dependent on the tourism sector. The destinations in the containment zones were not opened as part of the Covid control measures. But these destinations would be reopened once the areas are excluded from the list of containment zones. The tourism department is expecting that the footfall will increase in the hill, adventure and backwater tourism destinations on weekends.

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Coronavirus | Mumbai airport offers express Covid-19 RT-PCR testing facility for all departing passengers

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has introduced its express COVID-19 RT-PCR test facility for all passengers departing from the airport. This facility is also available for non-passengers visiting the airport to drop off or collect their loved ones. “This initiative addresses passenger concerns regarding the different COVID-19 regulations across domestic and international destinations,” Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), the airport operator said in a statement. Now departing passengers can undergo the test at CSMIA before travelling to their onward destination and produce their negative test report to skip institutional quarantine at their destination. Initially launched under the directive from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for international transit passengers arriving at the airport , CSMIA has now further extended the availability of the facility for passengers departing from the airport as well. The facility is located on the curbside of Level 4 at Terminal 2 for departing passenger; non-passengers can also opt to undergo the test at this location. Departing passengers can make an online booking through the test feature available on www.csmia.aero or register themselves at the helpdesk set up at departures to enroll for the RT-PCR test before entering the terminal and receive a digital copy mailed directly or can also collect the physical copy of the test report within 8 hours. “Passengers departing from the airport are encouraged to arrive at the terminal 8-12 hours before their scheduled departure,” the statement said. Since the commemoration of the test facility at the airport, CSMIA has witnessed a total of over 3340 passengers who opted for the test. The testing facility at the airport registers an average of 100 tests per day. Out of the tests conducted at the airport till date, 38 passengers have tested positive for Covid-19 and were transferred by State authorities to designated COVID-19 institutions. Additionally, the RT-PCR testing at the airport is the fastest test facility in the city of Mumbai. “With test facilities now available at both departures and arrivals at the airport, passengers can easily transit to and from CSMIA with comfort,” MIAL said.

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Flying to Qatar from India? Check out the new travel rules

India has bilateral air bubble agreements in place with several countries to facilitate travel for passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation took to microblogging site Twitter to announce the travel eligibility for passengers travelling from India to Qatar and Qatar to India. Both countries have signed a bilateral air bubble pact, allowing airlines of both countries to operate international flights under restrictive conditions. "India has bilateral air travel arrangements in place with several countries to facilitate travel for passengers. Take a look at the eligibility of passengers planning to travel from India to Qatar and Qatar to India," Ministry of Civil Aviation tweeted. The air bubble arrangement with Qatar is valid till 31st October. Indian carriers and Qatar Airways can carry the following categories of persons on such flights From India to Qatar: Qatari nationals. Any Indian national holding any type of valid Qatar visa and destined for Qatar only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Qatar with the particular visa category before the issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger From Qatar to India Indian nationals stranded in Qatar. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Qatari passports, and Qatari nationals (including diplomats) holding a valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020 as amended from time to time. What is an air bubble agreement? Under an air bubble pact between the two countries, special international passenger flights can be operated by their airlines into each other's territories under restrictive conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India has air bubble agreement with 17 countries Till now, India had formed such arrangements with 16 countries - Ukraine, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Oman, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan, the UK and the USA. International flights suspended in India Scheduled international flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, special international passenger flights have been operating in India under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral air bubble arrangements formed between India and other countries since July.

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