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India issues new coronavirus advisory ahead of Modi's address.

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to contain any increase in Coronavirus cases in India, the government has banned all international flights entering India for a week starting this Sunday. “No schedule international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020, for one week,” the government said in a statement. The government has asked all senior citizens (above the age of 65) to stay at home. Similarly, all children below 10 have been advised to remain at home and not venture out. The government has also asked railways and civil aviation to suspend all concessional travel ‘except for students, patients and divyang category.’ It also said there was no community transmission so far in the country and the fourth death reported from Punjab was that of an elderly person who had co-morbid conditions like diabetes, cardiac issues. The department of pharmaceuticals and the ministry of consumer affairs have been asked to take necessary action against anyone charging exorbitant prices for masks, sanitizers and other health-related logistic materials, it added. The government has also asked the private sector to work from home and has also asked group B and Group C central government employees to attend offices on alternate week and staggered timings for all employees.

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Leaders From 11 Travel Industry Associations Meet to Address COVID-19

Unprecedented Meeting Addresses Actions to Safeguard Member Small Businesses The travel and tourism industry is trending to be one of the hardest hit industries as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The industry will be seeing the effects of this pandemic for months, if not years, to come. Today, a group of leaders from 11 travel and tourism associations representing various parts of the industry convened in person and by phone in Washington, DC to discuss the key issues facing the industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that small businesses are not overlooked as government relief is addressed. The Department of Commerce was also a part of the discussion. The industry leaders stressed the vital and urgent need of the Federal Government to take action that is swift, clear in its direction, and provides grants, favorable loans, and other relief mechanisms to address the market failure small businesses face within the travel and tourism industry. According to a recent U.S. Travel analysis, COVID-19 and the associated travel restrictions will result in an $809 billion hit on the United States economy and a loss of 4.6 million travel-related American jobs this year, nearly doubling the unemployment rate in the US. Additionally, total spending on travel in the United States, which includes transportation, lodging, retail, attractions, and restaurants, is expected to fall by $355 billion. What is most troubling is that this projected $355 billion is a 31 percent decrease from last year and is six times greater than the impact of 9/11. The group of industry leaders included: American Bus Association (ABA), Peter Pantuso, President and Chief Executive Officer, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Shannon Stowell, CEO, and Chun Wright, Legal Counsel American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), Zane Kerby, President and Chief Executive Officer and Evan Beck, Executive Vice President Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Brian Beall, Vice President, Government Affairs International Association of Tour Directors & Guides (IATDG), Von Harden, Chief Executive Officer, and Karen Yates, Community Director International Inbound Travel Association (IITA), Lisa Simon, Executive Director and Steve Richard, Consultant International Motorcoach Group (IMG), Bronwyn Wilson, President National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations USA (NFTGA), Ellen Malasky, President National Tour Association (NTA), Catherine Prather, CTP, President Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA), Carylann Assante, Chief Executive Officer, and Erik Hansen, Vice President of Government Relations United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), Terry Dale, President and Chief Executive Officer The industry leaders discussed ways to achieve congressional economic relief, the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and the overall impact of COVID-19 on the travel and tourism industry. They also discussed how the industry can work together in the coming months to help overcome the lasting effects of this pandemic. Specific actions agreed by the group include: Continue to collaborate on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic relief. Engage lawmakers on Capitol Hill and Executive Branch Officials as relief negotiations continue to ensure our industry remains a part of the conversation. Advocate for any and all relief measures to help keep businesses’ doors open. Rely on one another and the spirit of the resilient travel and tourism sector navigate this unprecedented time. Said Terry Dale from USTOA: “Unprecedented times call for urgent action and our industry as a whole needs to be proactive to ensure the business health of each of our members, so many of whom are small businesses, and their employees stays front and center as government relief programs are developed and announced. The combined voices from each of these industry partners and their collective memberships will make a powerful impact to urge government officials to act fast. We are separate, yet united.”

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Freedom from parking hassles at Qutub Minar. Tourist to get new parking area, cloakroom, toilets soon

In line with an integrated development programme, the area surrounding Qutub Minar is getting a revamp. The visitors will soon have access to multiple facilities in Qutub Minar which include 10,000 square metres parking space, four ticket vending machines, drinking water kiosks, toilets, six new booking counters, cloakroom facilities and a cafeteria, HT reported. It is to note that Qutub Minar is one of the three UNESCO world heritage sites that are present in Delhi. The other two are Humayun’s Tomb and Red Fort. Qutub Minar has a footfall of 6,000-7,000 tourists per day while Red Fort has the highest footfall in the city, that is around 10,000 tourists a day. The report citing Gunjan Kumar Srivastava, superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi circle said that ASI has been carrying out this integrated development programme which includes developing the UNESCO world heritage sites in the city. According to her, the complex has been illuminated and timings have also been extended. With the introduction of new parking space, ASI is now working on introducing more facilities in the complex. The new parking space in Qutub Minar complex is at the same spot where the old one was, just opposite the main gate. The surrounding has been cleared out and space has been extended. Further, space has been concretised with street furniture and red sandstone and some plants, the report added. Moreover, there will be six new booking counters within the parking lot itself. Interiors of the parking lot have been designed in such a way that will complement Qutub Minar and provide good aesthetics to the place. In fact, the report said, visitors can get a good view of the monument from the parking lot. The area is also expected to give room to a cloakroom and a cafeteria. According to the report, four rainwater harvesting units are also installed on the back of the government’s vision on water conservation. Not only this but some touch screen information kiosks are also under implementation along with free WiFi facilities.

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God’s own country! Kerala city awarded most trending destination in 2020

In a piece of news that will certainly boost Kerala’s image as a hotspot for global tourists, travel website Tripadvisor has awarded Kochi as the world’s most trending destination in 2020 Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards. The ranking implies the surge in a number of tourists choosing Kochi as their favourite destination to spend their holidays and their positive reviews of the city on the Tripadvisor website. The ranking re-established Kochi’s position of reckoning for the world with an abundance of natural and serene landscapes such as strolling sunset along with the availability of fresh fish from seaside vendors. Tourists cherish the time of their life in Kochi riding boat through the islands surrounding the city. “It is a proud moment for Kerala Tourism that our Kochi is named the world’s number one Trending destination on Tripadvisor. It is to the credit of excellent tourism marketing and promotion strategy of government and enterprising tourism industry partners. This achievement will propel Kochi and Kerala to great heights in the Tourism sector” said Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala. The Tripadvisor determines cities on the basis of curiosity shown by the potential tourists on its website about the cities as well as the views they give on cities post their visit. The algorithm on the website has seen the positive reviews and ratings for Kochi rise massively over the last year. “It’s fantastic to see Indian destinations making their presence felt on the world map and given this achievement is based on feedback and growing interest from travellers, it becomes even more noteworthy! Everyone seeks inspiration from various quarters while planning their travel and the best trips often turn out to be inspired and guided by people similar to you who’ve been there before. I am confident the Travellers’ Choice Destinations list will impel travellers across the globe to plan travel to some very fascinating places” said Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, Tripadvisor India.

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Mumbai’s international tourism complex set to include world class aquarium

The annual budget presented by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday proposed creation of a world-class aquarium in Mumbai, which would be a part of an international standard tourism complex. In December last year, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had directed the officials of the Tourism Department to chalk out a plan to build a world-class aquarium in Mumbai. “An international standard tourism complex would come up on the Worli Dairy land with an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. An international standard aquarium will be built there,” Pawar said while presenting his budget in the Legislative Assembly. Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s maiden budget in the Lower House. He announced an outlay of Rs 1,400 crore for the Department of Tourism. Aaditya Thackeray, son of the chief minister, is the state Tourism and Environment Minister. Pawar also announced creation of a special fund to combat global warming and climate change, the issues over which Aaditya Thackeray has time and again expressed concerns. Pawar said several pilgrimage spots in the state, including Mahurgad in Nanded district, Parli Vaijanath, Aundha Nagnath, Narsi Namdev in Hingoli district, ancient Shiva temple in Ambarnath and Hazrat Khwaja Shamna Mira Dargah in Miraj, would be developed. For the development of popular tourist destinations, such as Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani Rs 100 crore have been set aside in the budget. The government also set aside Rs 55 crore for the diamond jubilee celebrations of the state, which was formed on May 1, 1960. Besides, Rs 25 crore have been allocated for the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. The budget also increased the MLA fund from Rs 2 crore (declared in 2011) to Rs 3 crore. Pawar said the move is aimed at enabling the elected representatives to spend more in their constituencies.

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Travel Sites and Attractions You Can Tour Virtually

Travel From Home It's an understatement to say that the travel and tourism industry is feeling the impact of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak but, naturally, an industry that touches nearly every aspect of life remains there at an uncertain time. Here are some coveted attractions you can experience virtually from home. Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone National Park, which spans three different states, is well known as a tourist hotbed come summer but first-time visitors don't need to leave home to experience some of the park's most iconic sites, thanks to the National Park Service (NPS), which offers convenient virtual tours and 3-D models. Yosemite National Park: Like Yellowstone, Yosemite National Park in California is among the nation's most-visited national parks. But seeing it while avoiding large crowds is easy as VirtualYosemite.org has done the work for you to provide a slew of lifelike experiences. Georgia Aquarium: Sea otters. Beluga whales. Piranhas. That's just some of the mesmerizing marine life that Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium is putting on display for free from its website in the wake of a two-week closure that began this past weekend. San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo is also putting webcams to work so that would-be visitors can still experience their favorite animals while social distancing. Viewers have the option of watching live cams or archived footage of pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu. Walt Disney World: The only thing better than being in Walt Disney World is experiencing it virtually. Fortunately, technology allows us to feel like we're there without actually being there. Google Street View offers 360-degree panoramas while virtual travelers can also experience the theme park's most beloved rides from a first-person point of view. The Louvre: The world's largest art museum, which recently hosted a record number of visitors, is closed for now but is still offering free virtual tours online. For the time being, users can tour Egyptian antiquities, remains of the Louvre's moat and much more. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The country's largest art museum is also one of the world's most visited, attracting millions each year. Although the New York City icon has temporarily closed, it's still possible to experience The Met's award-winning art and architecture far from the Big Apple. Monterey Bay Aquarium: Like Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium, California's Monterey Bay Aquarium is providing free webcams while would-be visitors stay home. This spring, viewers can watch birds, jellyfish, penguins and even sharks from the comfort of their device. Great Wall of China: Travel to mainland China is near impossible amid the COVID-19 outbreak but you can still experience the Great Wall of China as if you were actually there. This bucket-list site spans thousands of miles and dates back millenniums, but a virtual tour ensures that you'll see the very best parts.

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