News

Indians can now fly to Germany, USA, and France

New guidelines have been issued for Indian travellers flying abroad. Now that India has introduced air bubbles with other countries such as Germany, the USA and France, there are new visa rules for travellers. Indian nationals flying abroad can do so on any type of visa, as per a tweet by the aviation ministry. The tweet stated, “Indian citizens can now travel to countries with which air bubble arrangements have been finalised by MoCA on any type of visa.” In the coming days the list of countries that have an air bubble with India is likely to increase, as the government is lifting restrictions in phases. Air bubbles are basically travel agreements between two countries during this trying time. However, there are certain things to keep in mind. For example, not all airports will be accepting international flights in the destination countries. Travel could be limited, and you also might have to spend days in quarantine upon landing in those countries. While the air bubble only allows you to travel to a destination, it can in no way give you any immunity from quarantine rules that may apply. Until now, only certain groups of people in India, those who hold residency status visas, were able to fly out of India. Now, for the first time, three international destinations have opened up for travellers holding any kind of visa. Additionally, there was yet another tweet in which it was announced that the Overseas Citizen of India cardholders can now enter India from the USA, France, and Germany. Also, foreign nationals who want to enter India on business, medical, or employment visas can do so from the above mentioned countries.

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Sharjah Re-Opens, Ready To Welcome Tourists

Sharjah has reopened for tourism with the assurance of top-level safety for visitors. All safety measures and precautions in place are validated through the ‘Sharjah Safe for Tourism’ stamp, launched by the World Travel and Tourism Council to reassure travellers. Visitors are expected to flock to the Emirate’s tourism establishments. Tourists travelling to Sharjah are required to take a COVID 19 test at the Sharjah airport upon arrival (results usually out within 24 hours) and Indian passengers will also undergo another PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test upon arriving at Sharjah Airport and must self-isolate until the results are out. "We are extremely happy and ready to welcome tourists and we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors alike. Additionally, we have established a ‘Safety Assured’ stamp which follows the measures set out by the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ initiative. The stamp follows the measures set out by the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, the world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism. SCTDA, in collaboration with Sharjah Health Authority (SHA), have dedicated teams inspecting various establishments in the emirate to ensure compliance with the required health and safety measures. Residents and tourists visiting the emirate can look for the ‘Safety Assured’ stamp displayed in the establishment prior to making a booking or upon entry. The stamp is a visual symbol which gives instant recognition of the establishment’s compliance to the precautionary measures being implemented by the government, reassuring consumers of the safety of the location, ensuring that tourists feel safe while enjoying the beauty and unique experiences of Sharjah." said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA. Sharjah is home to top tourist attractions including the Rain Room, Al Noor Island and Sharjah Mosque which opened its doors for the first time to the public in 2019. Sharjah welcomed more than 143 thousand guests from India last year, reflecting an increase of as much as 26% of visitor arrivals and representing a total market share of 8%.

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Seychelles launches Safe Tourism Certification label for industry service providers

Walking the talk of safe tourism for the destination, the tourism taskforce has developed a consortium-based certification system to ensure ‘safe’ experience for visitors while on holiday in Seychelles. The specially designed stamp, immediately recognisable by the green-ticked badge, will allow guests to recognise businesses in Seychelles, which have adopted the health and hygiene standardised protocols set by the local public health authority. The safe tourism certificates, which are being issued by the Department of Tourism and endorsed by the Public Health Authority, provides the seal of approval for service providers for operation. Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary for Tourism pointed out that the certification is an important component of the operations of the industry providers today. “Our local businesses have been very forthcoming in helping us implement the new sanitary regulations the industry will have to abide by for operations. We are satisfied to see their interest to comply with this new component of tourism," said PS. Lafortune. The requirements for certification, meticulously discussed by the representatives of the tourism industry, incorporates strict sanitary norms requested by the local public health authority and important industry etiquette compulsory for operations under the ‘new normal’. The certification assures visitors and guests that local service providers operating within the tourism industry and other related businesses are providing the best possible practices to ensure their comfort and safety. Speaking about the safety certification label, Mrs Sherin Francis Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer mentioned that the certification label is founded on the significant elements people are looking for before making plans to travel. “Safety has become an even more important prerequisite for travel. As a destination restarting its tourism industry, our responsibilities vis-a-vis our guests and local service providers are immense. We have been advocating for standard practices to be adopted across the globe and we are proud to see the implementations of these practices locally,” said Mrs Francis. Visitors planning on a holiday in Seychelles are encouraged to book their accommodation and leisure activities through safe tourism certified service providers. To date, 204 accommodation establishments have been certified under the Safe Tourism Certification label; service providers including restaurants, tour operators, tour guides, and transportation providers will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene requirements defined by Public Health Authority have been implemented.

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Travel restrictions eased at 40% of global tourist destinations: UNWTO

Forty percent of tourist destinations worldwide have eased the travel restrictions implemented in response to COVID-19, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Of the 87 destinations reported to have eased restrictions in the July UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report, four have completely lifted all restrictions and the other 83 have still kept some protocols in place, like partial border closures. The other 115 destinations have still kept their borders completely closed for tourism. “The restart of tourism can be undertaken responsibly and in a way that safeguards public health while also supporting businesses and livelihoods,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili in a statement released on July 30. “As destinations continue to ease restrictions to travel, international cooperation is of paramount importance. This way, global tourism can gain people’s trust and confidence, essential foundations as we work together to adapt to the new reality we now face.” Destinations with a higher dependency on tourism are more likely to ease travel restrictions, according to the report, with 20 out of the 87 destinations in the report being Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which depend on tourism for employment and economic growth and development. Around half of the destinations (41) are in Europe, another popular tourist destination. The majority of the destinations in the report, specifically 88 of them, are still completely closed for tourism and have been for more than 12 weeks now. The shutdown has already seen a reported loss of US$320 million by the end of May in tourism, which is three times the loss incurred during the 2009 global financial crisis. Three percent of destinations had reopened in mid-May, rising to 22 percent mid-June.

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Goa issues travel guidelines for Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations

A few mandatory guidelines have been issued by the Goa Disaster Management Authority (GDMA) that are to be followed during the Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. According to the news reports, the guidelines state that markets will be constantly monitored by the concerned bodies. To ensure social distancing norms are followed, the Goa police has to be on regular duty. Janmashtami The state government has banned Dahi Handi celebrations and social or religious gatherings for Janmashtami in the district. In addition, everyone has to abide by social distancing rules, wear face covers, use handwash and sanitiser. The markets selling festival-related goods shall be monitored by the local bodies and police to ensure that social distancing norms are followed. Reportedly, the authorities have asked shop owners to keep sale timings should be long and staggered to avoid crowding. Ganesh Chaturthi On the other hand, Ganesh Chaturthi festival will be celebrated August 22 onward. Keeping in account the possibility of festival-related travel, people who cross the Goa border for bringing home Ganpati idol for personal use or sale and leave Goa, within 24 hours, won’t be asked to undergo quarantine or COVID-19 tests. However, they will be required to make entry to that effect with staff on duty at Goa border check posts. People who belong to Goa, but stay in different parts of India shall be permitted to enter the state if they present the SOP of COVID negative certificate of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) authorised lab/test along with quarantine for 14 days or till test results are out. Persons, who are going out of Goa for celebration outside the state, do not need an 'exit permit' from Goa. However, on their return to Goa, the existing protocol to be followed. Persons, who are leaving Goa to celebrate in other states, won’t have to get an exit permit from Goa. However, they have to follow the existing rules on their return to Goa.

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Indians with 'any valid visa' can now travel to UAE

Indian nationals with any type of valid UAE visa can now travel to the country, India's Ambassador to the UAE has said. Taking to Twitter on Monday, Ambassador Pavan Kapoor referred to an Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) notification, "as per which both Indian and UAE airlines" can carry Indian nationals holding any type of visa from India to the UAE. Previously, only residency visa holders were allowed to travel to the country on flights being operated as part of India's repatriation mission called Vande Bharat. Last week, the ambassador had said: "Since the UAE has recently started issuing new visas, we have recommended to authorities in India to consider allowing Indians with valid visas to travel to the UAE. We are hopeful for an early decision." On August 7, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a memorandum that said: "In respect with countries with which a bilateral travel arrangement, or an air bubble scheme, has been formed, any Indian national holding any type of valid visas for such countries may be permitted to travel to the country concerned as long as there is no travel restrictions for entry of Indian nationals in that country." In response to the memorandum, the Ambassador had on Saturday urged those wishing to travel to book their tickets only once a formal notification was received from the MoCA.

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