News

Indian Railways installs first ‘Automated Ticket Checking & Managing Access’ machine

Indian Railways’ Central Railway zone has first time installed a newly innovated Automated Ticket Checking & Managing Access machine (ATMA) at Nagpur railway station. The machine has been introduced at the station under New, Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS) policy to prevent Covid19 transmission to generate Non-Fare Revenue for the Central Railway zone but haven’t disclosed much about it. Minister of Railways and Commerce, Piyush Goyal has shared in his tweet, which said that while maintaining minimum contact, the machine checks body temperature, face mask, ticket and identity card of passenger. And the machine will enable touch-free scrutiny of passenger’s credentials while following boarding guidelines. Such kind of interaction with passengers through this newly innovated machine, with significant amount of dwell time, can become an ideal screen to catch the attention of mass for their product or service promotion.

Read more

Thailand gives away air tickets, trips, hotel rooms, discounts to boost tourism

Thai Cabinet approved in principle three 4-month tourism campaigns worth 22.4 billion baht, aimed at kick starting the tourism sector running from July to October. The government will be offering tourism packages and subsidies in three separate campaigns, starting with tourism packages for Village Health Volunteers and staff at subdistrict health promotion hospitals, who have worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 outbreak. To finance this offer, the government will provide a 2.4-billion-baht tourism budget for 1.2 million health volunteers and health promotion hospital staff, to enable them to take a 2-day, 1-night trip or longer with a tour company. The budget will provide an allowance up to 2,000 baht for their tour package costs. As for the general public, the government will provide 40 percent or up to a 3,000-baht allowance for a hotel stay of up to five nights. Eligible persons will receive up to 600 baht per night allowance on the government wallet application which can be used to pay for food or services during their trip. The government will allot a 10.8-million-baht budget for this campaign. To receive the allowance, the hotel stay must be in a province different from the traveler’s registered province of residence. The government will also provide a transportation subsidy to 2 million people at 40 percent or no more than 1,000 baht per person, costing some 2 billion baht. The subsidy is applicable only to low-cost airline tickets, car rentals, and non-scheduled bus services. Furthermore, people taking the benefits of the hotel stay allowance campaign, will also receive an offer of a round-trip air ticket of 2,500 baht per person. The government has tasked Krungthai Bank to develop a central platform to collect information from hotels, tour companies, transport providers, restaurants, and tourism attractions, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will be announcing more details regarding these offers.(NNT)

Read more

Karnataka Launches 'Caravan Tourism' To Revive Tourism Sector Hit By COVID-19

The fully-equipped vehicles will not only take the tourists to places but also has seats that convert into beds, allowing four people to sleep in one car. In a bid to revive the tourism sector badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka government on Wednesday, June 17, launched Caravan tourism, an initiative under which tourists can book caravans to important tourist destinations. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa launched the Caravan buses in Bengaluru on Wednesday and said that the government is committed to promote and revive the tourism sector. The CM said that the tourism industry contributes to nearly 14 per cent of the state's GDP. "The Covid-19 outbreak has dented the tourism industry — the sector has suffered an estimated loss of around Rs 15,000 crore. We are now taking steps to revive it. The government has also proposed redeveloping 20 important tourist spots in the state," he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. The fully-equipped vehicles will not only take the tourists to places but also has seats that convert into beds, allowing four people to sleep in one car. Each vehicle comes with a shower, a modern toilet, a smart television and a music system. In addition, they also have a kitchenette that includes a refrigerator, freezer and microwave. With 1,400-watt solar panels on its roof, the caravans are fully solar-powered and use solar energy for heating and cooling. Meanwhile, the toilet is designed to incinerate human waste and disposes only bio ash to reduce the use of water and other resources to decompose the waste. The service is being provided by Campervan Camps, a startup. People can book the service through their website. The government, meanwhile, provides parking facilities at various tourist spots and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (KSTDC) hotels. In the first phase, the state will allow Caravan tourism in Hampi, Gokarna, Badami, Kudremukh, Sakaleshpura, Beluru, Halebidu, Sakrebailu, and Kodagu (Coorg). "Under the start-up project, the Caravan buses will promote independent tourism, besides ensuring physical distancing and personal hygiene for the tourists," CM Yediyurappa told reporters.

Read more

Stay no more than 7 days: Kerala govt issues new guidelines for interstate travel

The Kerala government on Monday issued new guidelines for people travelling to the state for short duration stay. As per the new guidelines, people will only be allowed to come to the state for limited purposes — business, official, trade, medical, court cases, property management and education. The fresh guidelines make it clear that no individual coming to the state can stay for more than seven days. Such individuals must leave on the eighth day. To obtain passes for travelling to the state, people have to register in the Covid-19 Jagratha portal. Local itinerary details including the purpose of visit, place of stay, and local contact have to be mentioned to district collectors, who will issue passes based on the information provided. They must directly head to the hotel/place of stay without halting at any other place in between, according to the fresh guidelines. The guidelines also suggested travellers to not meet any other person or visit any place other than those already mentioned in the travel registration form. Visiting hospitals and public places, especially containment zones, are also not allowed for interstate travellers, as per the guidelines.

Read more

Egypt reopening borders for Tourism from 1st of July

Egypt has announced it will reopen its borders for tourism to seaside resorts starting on July 1st. The areas opening up are southern Sinai, where the resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab are located, Red Sea province, home to the Hurghada and Marsa Alam resorts, and Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean, the statement said. The cabinet has indicated international flights will be allowed to enter the country from July 1, while foreign tourists will be permitted at the resorts least affected by Covid-19. Egypt also announced the relaxation of some restrictions during the next two weeks, including reducing the night curfew by an hour. Shop hours will be extended by an hour. The government suspended passenger flights back in March, while all hotels, restaurants and cafes were closed and a night curfew imposed. These measures are currently being relaxed, with hotels that meet certain requirements, such as having a clinic with a resident doctor on site, being granted permission to reopen for domestic visitors at a reduced capacity. Resort beaches will also be reopened for tourists in July but public beaches are stil under consideration, State Information Minister Osama Heikal explained during a televised briefing. “We have to prepare,” cabinet spokesman Nader Saad said during a televised interview last month. “A number of global carriers have expressed willingness to resume flights to Egypt in July, and as a result we are considering a gradual resumption of international flights beginning towards the end of this month and in the first half of July.” Tourism brings in around $1 billion in revenue for Egypt each month, so the impact of the border closures caused by the pandemic has been significant. The pandemic has shut down Egypt’s tourist sector, which the government says accounts for 5% of GDP. Analysts say the figure may be as high as 15% if indirect jobs and spending and investment are included. Egypt, a country of around 100 million people, has reported 38,284 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, including 1,342 deaths. New daily cases have stayed above 1,000 over the past two weeks.

Read more

Sri Lanka reopening for Tourism August 1 - All countries welcome

Sri Lanka is officially reopening for tourism on August 1, 2020 – allowing all countries and nations to visit. As long as visitors agree to bringing a negative PCR test with them, and agree to have another test upon arrival, there is no quarantine period. Sri Lanka is a nation that has been soaring in popularity over the past years, drawing in tourists who are looking for the next undiscovered paradise. It’s even been called ‘The New Bali’ by expats and nomads who have set their sights on the island nation off the coast of India. Since shutting their borders in March, the tourism sector which supports over 12% of the nations GDP, has been devastated. The recent announcement that Sri Lanka is reopening its borders for tourism has given many struggling locals a new hope for their businesses. Visitors from all countries and of all nationalities are welcome to visit Sri Lanka in August, unlike some other countries who have only announced reopening’s to close neighbors. However, there are some things you need to know before you travel to Sri Lanka, including how to get a Visa, plus the covid regulations for entering the country. Which Countries Can Visit Sri Lanka? The Sri Lankan government has stated that all countries and nationalities are welcome to come when they open the borders on August 1st. What Are The Rules For Entry into Sri Lanka? BEFORE BOARDING: In order to be granted access to Sri Lanka after Aug 1, here’s what all tourists will need: -A valid visa; this will be issued for 30 days and extendable for up to 6 months after arrival. Online visa at http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ -Proof of accommodation and at least a 5 day stay in the country -Proof of health insurance for duration of stay -Proof of return ticket -A negative Covid PCR test is required prior to boarding your flight and on arrival in Sri Lanka. The test should be no older than 72 hours prior to boarding. AFTER ARRIVAL: -Another Covid PCR test will be given to arrivals. There is no charge for this test. -4-5 days into your vacation, another test will be given at your accommodation by a mobile test unit -For travelers staying more than 10 days, a 3rd test will be given -To adhere to all health advisories in place (like social distancing and hand washing)

Read more