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50% domestic flights back in business: Hardeep Puri

GUWAHATI: Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said 50% of domestic flight operations have started in September. Participating in the launch of air cargo by SpiceJet in Guwahati through a video conference, Puri said, “I have been saying this to airline operators in April-May that demand will be back and by September at least 50% of domestic flight operations have started.” He added, “We are opening more and ready to support the operators from the government to expand internationally.” SpiceJet launched 14 new cargo flights to and from the northeast using its Bombardier Q400 freighters. The company stated, “In line with its commitment to enhance regional connectivity, SpiceJet is the first Indian carrier to introduce dedicated cargo flights for the Northeast. The dedicated cargo flights will help transport fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, perishables, fish seeds, fresh fish, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, express cargo and other general cargo. Besides improving logistics and connectivity, the new freighter service will boost the growth of trade in the northeastern markets and help micro, small & medium enterprises.” Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director, SpiceJet, said aviation had done well. “The aviation industry has restarted. In April-May, we never thought 50% of domestic flight operations will start by September.” He said, “The northeast still suffers from a lack of connectivity and it has always been a dream to help integrate this wonderful part of India with the rest of our country. As the Prime Minister has said that the northeast has the potential to become India’s growth engine, we sincerely hope that our dedicated cargo flights will help significantly transform the region.” The airline will operate daily cargo flights on Kolkata-Guwahati, Guwahati-Kolkata, Kolkata-Imphal and Imphal-Kolkata sectors. SpiceJet has also introduced cargo flights between Kolkata and Guwahati via Aizawl and Dimapur which will operate twice-a-week. The airline will also operate cargo flights on the Kolkata-Agartala and Agartala-Guwahati sectors thrice-a-week and twice-a-week on Kolkata-Silchar and Silchar-Guwahati routes. Singh added, “We are also looking at Lilabari to connect with Arunachal Pradesh.” Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Farmers from the region can now transport their fresh farm produce across the country and internationally also. I would urge local businesses, traders, entrepreneurs to make use of this opportunity that provides us access to markets not only within India but across the globe. SpiceJet dedicating a part of its fleet to improving connectivity and strengthening the supply chain in Assam and northeast is a welcome step that will immensely help and boost local business, trade, micro, small and medium enterprises and farmers.” SpiceJet’s international cargo network now spans over 44 international destinations.

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Rajasthan announces new tourism policy; Check details

"The department has released comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for hotels, film shooting, and tourist venues. The department is promoting the Short Stay Safe Stay concept to ensure that travel enthusiasts from nearby states can come to rejuvenate in a safe and secure ambiance," Alok Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan told Financial Express Online. India’s festival season 2020 is around the corner and tourists are still staying away from venturing out. The Rajasthan government headed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is opening the door for the tourists to spend leisure time. The state government has assured a safe and secure ambience for tourists. Apart from this, the Department of Tourism of the Rajasthan government has introduced a new tourism policy. Tourists can visit historical landmarks, sites in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer, opt for a wildlife experience in Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhalana Leopard Conservation Park, Churu National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, and Ranthambore National Park wit safety during the pandemic. The state is planning to serve its cuisine which is as rich and vibrant as its culture. All the tourist places are well connected through rail networks, roads, and airports. “The department has released comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for hotels, film shooting, and tourist venues. The department is promoting the Short Stay Safe Stay concept to ensure that travel enthusiasts from nearby states can come to rejuvenate in a safe and secure ambiance,” Alok Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan told Financial Express Online. Rajasthan government’s new tourism policy focuses on iconic monuments and heritage areas, experiential tourism, desert tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife and eco-tourism, tribal tourism, culture tourism, crafts and cuisine Tourism, film tourism, and wedding tourism. “With a view to offer a high-quality experience to tourists, the new policy has identified 15 categories of experiential tourism. Among these is also one for emerging trends, underneath which a task force will keep a continuous watch on the ever-evolving tourism sector and suggest measures to harness the full potential of future trends,” “The identified categories, include some of the traditional ones such as Wellness Tourism, Rural Tourism, MICE tourism, Tribal tourism and then there are categories that focus on the unique aspects of Rajasthan, such as Desert Tourism, Wedding Tourism to concentrate on destination weddings and Weekend Getaway Tourism to offer weekend destinations for people of neighboring states,” the Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, said.

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Kerala to have its First Water Taxi Operational in Alappuzha by October

If all goes as planned, Kerala will witness the state’s first water taxi operational in Alappuzha by October. Reportedly, the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is all set to launch these taxis, which will be introduced in a phased manner across Kerala. As per the reports, initially, only four boats will be deployed that will ferry passengers across the district. Referring to this, the SWTD had stated that it has conducted a feasibility study for this purpose, and that the four boats ordered by the government will be powered by diesel engines. SWTD Director Shaji V Nair said that these boats will just be taxis on roads, and will be available for all. To avail its services, one can give a call on a specific phone number, after which a boat will pick and drop them at their destination. He also added that fares will be on a per-hour basis, and will be affordable. Officials in the know-how added that they are planning to conduct an official inauguration on September 28, after which the boat trips will start next month.

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Hawaii to allow pre-travel COVID-19 test option to skip quarantine on arrival

Hawaii Governor David Ige said on Wednesday (Sep 16) the state's pre-travel testing progamme would give travelers the option of potentially avoiding a 14-day quarantine period on arrival from next month. The pre-travel testing option, which begins on Oct 15, is seen as one of the key measures for revitalizing state's tourism-focused economy, while providing protection for the spread of COVID-19, according to a statement from the governor's office. The pre-travel testing program, originally planned to be implemented in August, was postponed as coronavirus cases spiked. "As an alternative to quarantine a traveler must produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test no earlier than 72-hours prior to their flight arrival in Hawaii," the statement added. Tourism is a big part of Hawaii's economy - more than 10.4 million visitors came to the islands last year, supporting around 216,000 jobs in a population of around 1.4 million, according to the state tourism authority. Hawaii has reported 10,844 cases of the new coronavirus and 100 deaths, according to Reuters tally as of Sep 16.

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Thomas Cook relaunches as an online travel business under CNN Digital Rebranding 2013

The British tour operator relaunched on Wednesday as an online-only venture, one year after a collapse that left hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded. The company has reinvented itself as a digital booking platform as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hobble global demand for travel. Its new website caters only to "quarantine-free destinations" from the United Kingdom, such as Corfu, Cyprus and Rome. Thomas Cook went bust last September, leaving 600,000 travelers grounded and wiping out thousands of jobs. The company's previous business was centered on selling flights on its own airline, along with hotel rooms, from brick-and-mortar stores. The 179-year-old brand was acquired in November by Fosun Tourism, a Chinese company that also owns Club Med. Fosun Chairman and CEO Qian Jiannong said Wednesday that the brand's British revival followed the launch of another online platform for Thomas Cook in China last month. "As one of the world's leading tourism and leisure groups, the group values Thomas Cook's 180 years' heritage and global brand influence," he said in a statement. "Supporting the growth of the brand in China and its relaunch in the UK is a big step in our plan to turn Thomas Cook into a global success story."

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Maharashtra: Safaris to resume at Chandrapur tiger reserve from Oct 1

Chandrapur, Sep 16 (PTI) After remaining closed for tourists for nearly seven months, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra will resume safaris from October 1, an official said on Wednesday. Safaris were suspended at the reserve in March following the coronavirus outbreak in the state. Safaris will resume as per guidelines issued by the state government and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, TATR''s chief conservator of forest and field director in a release. As per guidelines, open jeeps will accommodate a driver, a guide and four tourists during safaris, which will not be open to pregnant women, children below 10 years and senior citizens above the age of 65, the official said. Tourists, drivers and guides will have to undergo thermal screening, and precautionary measures including social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitisation will have to be followed, he said. People with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the reserve and will immediately be sent to a care centre nearby, the official added. Starting Wednesday, the authorities have facilitated online bookings for safaris on the website www.mytadoba.org, it was stated. PTI COR ARU ARU

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