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Madhya Pradesh tourism launched a campaign “#IntezaarKhatamHua

Madhya Pradesh tourism launched a campaign “#IntezaarKhatamHua” to build the confidence and trust amongst the travellers and to keep the audience engaged during the Monsoon season by featuring the major monsoon tourism attractions of the destinations like Amarkantak, Panchmarhi, Mandu, Orchha, Tamia, Bhedaghat, National Parks. 5-6 days caravan road trips have been prepared from Bhopal and Indore, travel influencers will visit the various destinations of Madhya Pradesh as per the travel itinerary designed to promote the destinations during Monsoon. Itinerary Starting from Bhopal will cover Bhopal, Amargarh falls, Bhimbetka, Tawa, Madai, Pachmarhi, Tamia, Patalkot, Panch, and from Indore the destinations covered are Indore, Patalpani, Choral Dam, Jam Gate, Vanchu Point, Janapav, Mandu, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Sailani. The influencers will travel to these destinations in a caravan of Madhya Pradesh Tourism so that they can have a comfortable journey while enjoying the enchanting landscapes of the State. The trip will be documented as a Travelogue by both the influencers. The influencers will post their individual blogs through their pages. A compiled film of both the influencers will be released on the MP Tourism social media handles. Throughout their trip across the state, as they are shooting their travelogue, the influencers will carry placards with #IntezaarKhatamHua written on it and they will click pictures along with it. These photos will populate the MP Tourism SM pages. After the release of the blog, the influencers will create a “My Top 5 moments from the Heart of Incredible India” – a 5-minute video where they will recount their top 5 moments of the trip which will be combined with snaps and video bytes with a narration by the influencer. MP Tourism looks forward to boosting morale and bring back the confidence in the tourism sector and make them aware that the entire tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh are fully prepared and ready to welcome the domestic tourists. Madhya Pradesh is also offering tour packages to the tourists that are specially designed keeping in mind safe travel, stay, and excursion for prevention during the pandemic. To facilitate smooth travel, the board has come up with weekend and package trips from adjoining cities with all safety measures that are required at the destination.

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Thailand reopening to international tourism may not happen this year

While many countries are rushing to reopen their borders to international tourists, one of the beloved destinations in Asia, Thailand, is not jumping the bandwagon. A prediction from a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand claimed that the country may remain closed until the end of the year. Although a global study suggests that four out of five (82%) Thais are confident that Thailand is well-prepared to reopen its tourism and leisure activities, deputy governor for international marketing at TAT, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, noted that there has been “no talk of a timeline issued for reopening the country to inbound or outbound leisure travel during weekly COVID-19 national meetings”. He added that the government is “very, very cautious” in its approach to reopening its borders and said that he doesn’t expect the country to welcome tourists until 2021. “I see no signal from the government that the country will open this year. That’s putting a lot of pressure on the tourism industry. The Christmas period, usually the high season, is in jeopardy and I’m looking horribly even to Chinese New Year in February, which is an iffy proposition at best now. Unfortunately, this is not a rosy picture,” he said. There was a talk about the creation of travel corridors with certain countries like Vietnam, but it bogged down after recent outbreaks and second wave of infection emerged. Moreover, the high numbers of infection in neighbouring countries like the Philippines and Indonesia make Thailand anxious. Meanwhile, the list of groups allowed back into Thailand, under strict health measures, has been expanded from diplomats and UN officials, to business people, investors who have an agreement with the government, film crews, some migrant workers, exhibition personnel and the holders of Thailand Elite visas. However, while Thailand’s “wait-and-see” attitude may lead to a slow down on its economic recovery as the country is dependent on its tourism industry.

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Portugal Launches Travel Insurance for International Tourists, Amid COVID-19

Portugal has launched its travel insurance scheme for international tourists, amidst Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The country’s latest initiative has been promoted by RNA Seguros de Assistência, and all interested persons can get detailed information online, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Medical, surgical, hospital and pharmaceutical expenses will be included in the travel insurance that will be extended in the whole country. According to the organisation “The objective is to guarantee, to all who visit Portugal, that they can travel around the country, safe and with confidence.” The movement comes in an effort to revive the tourism sector, which has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Portugal is not the only territory that seeks to guarantee safe holidays to its visitors. Earlier this week, authorities in Spain’s Canary Islands signed an insurance policy which ensures travellers who chose the Atlantic archipelago that they will have all their expenses paid, in case that they get infected by the COVID-19, during their stay. Spain’s Canary Islands became the first of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain to offer travel insurance for visitors, which covers medical, quarantine and repatriation costs. In April, Portugal’s government supported the work of the European Commission, Member States and other European Union institutions in their joint effort to find an ambitious European recovery plan, in a “spirit of unwavering solidarity”, to help Europe recover from the damaged caused by the deadly virus. Earlier this month, Portugal announced new air traffic rules, according to the Portuguese Government website. Portugal announced that air traffic would continue to remain open with countries in the European Union and the Schengen Zone as well as the United Kingdom. According to the announcement, regular flights will be resumed with 12 countries outside the EU.

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Thailand most confident country in the world to reopen tourism sector

As Thailand gradually reopens its borders, new findings from a global study suggests that four out of five (82%) Thais are confident that Thailand is well-prepared to reopen its tourism and leisure activities, the highest globally. The study also found that tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and India are all targeting Thailand as their first destination when their countries’ borders reopen. Jointly conducted by leading social research agency Blackbox Research, data provider Dynata, and language partner Language Connect, Unravel Travel: Fear & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus (COVID-19) World examines the sentiments, preferences, and expectations of 10,195 people across 17 countries regarding travel in a post-COVID-19 world. Thailand’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with foreign tourist dollars contributing around 11% to the national economy. The vast majority (93%) of Thais recognise the importance of the tourism sector is to the local economy. In fact, 22% of Thais agree that there is an urgent need for tourism boards, including their own, to promote tourism for economic reasons – the highest globally. Saurabh Sardana, chief operating officer of Blackbox Research, said: “It is evident from our findings the immense value tourism contributes to Thailand’s economy. As Thailand progressively opens its borders to international visitors, its immediate priority will be to regain traveller confidence, through reinforcing how Thailand has in place strict health and safety measures, keeping everyone safe.” “In turn, businesses and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) need to work collaboratively and ensure full compliance with these measures, and effectively communicate their efforts through the right channels. Only through stringent health protocols and regular public communication can the tourism industry successfully revitalise itself,” he added. Amongst Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has the strongest domestic appeal. 91% of Thais are keen to support local travel attractions in the next 12 months – a positive sign given Thailand’s recent investment of THB 22.4 billion (USD 720 million) to stimulate its domestic tourism, of which partial financial aid will be provided to local tourists for selected hotels and restaurants throughout the country. Other key findings from the survey were: 1. Overall, international leisure travel in the short term is off the schedule for most people, with 44% of respondents still keen to avoid international vacations. 2. Notably, Japanese (32%), Filipinos (42%), New Zealanders (43%) and Australians (52%) are least eager to take long-haul trips. 3. Australia and Japan emerged as the two most popular destinations for Asian travellers, while Spain is on the top of the list of European travellers given their June COVID-19 cases saw a downward trend. 4. The countries whose tourism appeal took the biggest hit during the pandemic are China, Italy, and the US.

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India inks air bubble deal with Maldives

India on Thursday signed an air bubble agreement with the Maldives, making it the sixth country in a growing list of places where Indians can travel to. The first flight to Male will leave from here on August 18. An air bubble between countries allows citizens to travel freely between specified nations without having the need to undergo on-arrival quarantine. India currently has allowed travel to the US, the UK, Germany, France and Kuwait, and is in talks with Canada for a similar travel arrangement. The agreement with Maldives was inked during a video conference between External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and his Maldives counterpart Abdulla Shahid. During the virtual meet, India also announced a new Indian Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 400 million along with a grant component of USD 100 million for the Greater Male Connectivity Project. This will be the single-largest infrastructure project in the Maldives and will link Male with Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi islands. Additionally, India renewed its commitment to provide 11 essential commodities to the Maldives to strengthen food security on the island. The ministry also announced that a Cargo Ferry service between India and the Maldives will commence at an early date. In addition to connecting Male, the ferry service carries the potential to link Kulhudhuhfushi port to India and improve economy of northern Maldives. The initiative, which is expected to boost tourism, was announced during Modi’s two-day state visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2019.

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Vaishno Devi Yatra may not take off after Aug 16 as 11 test positive for COVID-19

New Delhi: The Vaishno Devi yatra was set to resume from August 16. But with reports coming in, at least 11 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 at Bhawan in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district. This may affect the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage as it may not resume from the the aforementioned date. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had decided to open religious premises and places of worship from August 16 but extended other standard operating procedures for COVID-19 containment till August 31. “Major decision by J&K Government. All religious places and places of worship to open in Jammu & Kashmir from August 16, 2020. Religious processions and large religious gatherings remain strictly prohibited,” government spokesperson Rohit Kansal had said in a tweet. “Major decision by J&K Government. All religious places and places of worship to open in Jammu & Kashmir from August 16, 2020. Religious processions and large religious gatherings remain strictly prohibited,” government spokesperson Rohit Kansal had said in a tweet. Also Read - Unlock 3: Religious Places in J-K to Open From Aug 16, Touching Idols Not Allowed | Check SOPs Issuing guidelines for Vaishno Devi yatra, it had said that a maximum of 500 pilgrims per day would be permitted within the ceiling in a graded manner from outside J&K. The administration had also declared all districts of Kashmir except Bandipora as red zones while Ramban is the only district in Jammu division to be included in this category. Doda and Kishtwar districts were placed in green zones while rest of the seven districts in Jammu region and Bandipora district had been categorised as orange zones.

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