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Tourism New Zealand launches new virtual campaign in India, shares video messages of hope amid Covid-19

Tourism New Zealand on Monday virtually launched its new campaign ‘Messages from New Zealand’ in India as part of its efforts to promote the country as a preferred destination. The campaign “features everyday New Zealanders sharing video messages of hope and care with their international family, presenting a unique Kiwi perspective about what is important to them,” Tourism New Zealand said in a statement. The campaign will be released through social and digital channels, it said. When asked about the numbers of visitors New Zealand is expecting from India in 2020, Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Trade Marketing Manager Asia Steven Dixon told PTI that it is not known at this time when the border is likely to re-open but public health is at the forefront of any decision made by the New Zealand government to re-open the country’s border. In 2019, total arrivals were 66,775 from India, of which holiday arrivals were 27,770, he added. Dixon said the campaign intends to build brand appeal, consideration and preference for New Zealand. Regarding impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dixon said the travel industry has been impacted tremendously in the past few months and it is important now more than ever, “that we stay connected to visitors and our travel trade friends in India.” On the campaign, Dixon said, “we want to make sure as many Indians as possible see these messages and therefore we will be integrating the campaign across digital, social media and influencer associations.” The campaign was launched in the presence of New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India David Pine.

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Uttarakhand’s new travel guidelines, know it all before making any travel plans

Before you pick a date and embark on your to Uttarakhand, there are a few new guidelines issued by the state government for inter-state travel that you must know. Given the current Coronavirus situation, almost every state had come up with their own travel restrictions. But after the Unlock phase, most of the states have lifted all kinds of travel bans and passes and registration processes. However, Uttarakhand has been strict in its inter-state travel permits. According to the latest updated guidelines, every single person entering Uttarakhand will have to go through thermal screening at the entrances. Be it at the railway station, bus stands, airport, or border check posts, it is a mandatory requirement. The guidelines issued by the Uttarakhand government reads, “District administration shall make arrangements for the thermal screening of all inbound persons at border check posts, airport, railway stations and border district bus stands.” The guidelines further states that tourists and travellers will have to follow social distancing everywhere. In case a person is found symptomatic, an antigen test will be conducted by district administration. If the result comes positive, then appropriate SOP shall be followed. People are required to wear masks on public premises and follow social distancing at any cost. Not only this, the guidelines also mentions that registration on the Smart City web portal is still mandatory for outsiders to enter Uttarakhand. All the asked documents must be uploaded on the portal, else permission won’t be granted. Also, all the visitors must download the government’s Aarogya Setu App. Uttrakhand has reported 40085 Coronavirus positive cases till now, with12465 active cases. On Saturday, the state recorded 1172 new cases.

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Thailand to introduce a new 90-day long-term visa for travellers

Thailand is all set to introduce a new 90-day long-term visa for travellers under a long-stay in a bid to revive tourism in the country. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, during a cabinet meeting. According to the new rule, those who get approval for the visa will quarantine for 14 days. And travellers can choose from a number of premium properties in Bangkok. Basic details of the new visa 1) Those willing to get this long-term visa, will have book accommodations for their full 90-day stay in the country. 2) If interested people can extend the visa for two more 90-day periods (270 days in total or nine months). 3) Health and travel insurance proof are must. 4) After the quarantine period ends, visitors are free to go wherever they wish in Thailand. 5) Also these visas are in limited numbers. Interested people can apply with the Tourism Authority of Thailand at a cost of around INR 4766. Thailand, in the early phase of the virus outbreak, did a great job in containing the virus. A safety certification program was launched to identify tourism entities that meet Coronavirus health standards. To make sure people remain safe, an Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Certification Program was announced in May by the government. And now it is available for restaurants, hotels, tourist hotspots, tour operators, spas and parlors, and several other retailers. With the introduction of this new visa, the country will be testing the first stage of tourism reopening in Thailand. Also, this will help the tourism industry to pick up the pace which was dead.

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Bhutan's Bubble Tourism interest brings air to the Indian tourism arena

Bhutan's interest to revive its hospitality business by developing 'Bubble Tourism' brings new hope for ailing Indian travel industry. Himalayan country Bhutan is still maintaining mandatory 21 days quarantine for all travellers. Now the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) has urged the health ministry to ease the restrictions by cutting it down to three days or altogether withdrawing it. If accepted, it will open up the door to welcome guests from outside. Bhutan's next focus is on 'Bubble Tourism.' Also known as Green Lanes or Travel Corridors, Bubble Tourism is a travelling partnership between two countries with high success rate in containing or combating Covid 19. According to TCB director general Dorji Dhradhul, under Bubble Tourism handshaking, countries need to agree upon special bilateral travel arrangements including no quarantine restriction among themselves. "This initiative is a very positive move. As the concept demands a suitable partner country, for Bhutan, its next door neighbour India is the best suited one," said veteran tourism consultant Raj Basu. As an additional advantage for them,citizens of one country do not need a passport or visa to enter into the other crossing International border in between that is 'open' under a friendship treaty. With only 245 corona positive cases and no deaths in the country of 7.8 lakh population Bhutan is denitely a preferred choice for travellers. On the other side, India's population vs infection or death ratio are also far better than many developed countries. Eventually, "India and Bhutan can form a perfect partnership. Parallel to Bhutan's initiative, we are also taking up the matter with Indian authorities to form a strong Bubble Tourism bondage," said Samrat Sanyal, Secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network. With closure since March end, Bhutan tourism arena has already lost over 90 percent of its usual business. The trade yielded a business worth around INR 2.4 crore from over 3 lakh tourists in 2019. On the other side, Eastern India tourism sector has also lost business worth several hundred crores. "Indo-Bhutan bubble tourism can compensate this to a great extent for both the countries. We are also persuading this at various levels," said Sanjit Saha, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industries, North Bengal Chapter.

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Sikkim opens to tourists next month

Siliguri: Sikkim is all set to welcome tourists, as well as allow free interstate movement of people without registration, from October. However, Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) area of the Himalayan state will be under complete lockdown for 7 days to contain the spread of Covid-19. A notification from principal secretary R Telang on Saturday said: “It has been decided to allow free interstate movements of the people without any requirements of registration with effect from October 1 and also permits hotels, home stays and other tourism related services to operate from October 10.” The health department shall issue a fresh Covid-9 protocol list for free interstate movement. Inner Line Permits for foreign tourists with valid visas shall be issued from October 10. The tourism department, in consultation with the health department, shall issue an SOP for the operation of tourism services. Bookings for hotels and homestays complying with SOPs shall start from September 27. The helicopter service shall resume regular operations from October 1. Odd-even restrictions on movement of taxis and passenger vehicles shall be lifted on the same day. Private vehicles shall continue to follow these restrictions till further orders, said Telang. The notification further read, “after careful consideration of the situation, it has been decided to go for a week-long lockdown in the Gangtok Municipal from September 21 September 27". Central government offices shall continue to function. State government offices shall remain open with up to 30% staff strength. Essential and emergency services shall be exempt from closure. Movement of people and vehicles shall be restricted, except for the supply of essential commodities. Vehicle movement for medical emergencies will be allowed.

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Taj Mahal to allow 5,000 tourists per day starting from today | Check guidelines

After remaining closed for six months, Agra’s Taj Mahal will reopen its doors to visitors on September 21. Only 5,000 tourists will be allowed to visit the Taj Mahal per day. All you need to know * This was the first time that the Taj Mahal was closed for such a long period of time. It was closed on March 17 — before the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19 was announced. * Agra Fort will also reopen from Monday. Only 2,500 visitors will be allowed daily. * All other historical monuments in Agra have already reopened from September 1. * The local administrations didn’t allow tourists at the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort because of their vicinity to containment zones. * Tourists will have maintain six-feet distance even to get clicked in the same photo. Posing for solo photos is allowed. * Only cashless transactions will be allowed. * Only licensed guides to be allowed inside the premises. * The Taj Mahal will remain closed on Fridays and Sundays. Agra fort will remain shut only on Sundays. * The centre allowed all ASI-protected monuments to reopen from July 6. But the final decision was left with the local administrations. * In July, the Agra district administration decided against reopening the Taj Mahal as a few fresh Covid-19 cases got reported at that time.

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