News

G20 Summit weekend triggers a surge in travel; room rates, air fares head north

As the G20 Summit approaches, Delhiites are exploring travel destinations within driving distance. The national Capital’s closure between September 8 and September 10 for the Summit has led to a noticeable increase in bookings for weekend getaways. Domestic airlines, hotels, and short-haul outbound destinations are reaping the benefits. Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, said: “The closure of schools and businesses during the G20 Summit in Delhi has resulted in a surge in demand for short breaks.” Thomas Cook’s data reveals a substantial 30-40 per cent surge in demand for drivable locations.Booking.com has witnessed an increase in search for accommodations across destinations such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Varanasi, Agra, and Amritsar, and is expecting demand to further pick up closer to the dates. In addition to demand for domestic travel, short-haul outbound destinations have emerged strong, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Dubai-Abu Dhabi and Oman. Air Fares and Hotel Rates Sabina Chopra, COO, Corporate Travel & Head Industry Relations, Yatra Online Ltd, said airfare hikes have been limited due to customers booking destinations within driving distance, just 4-5 days before their trips. However, Thomas Cook has reported a marginal 5-10 per cent increase in airfares for September holiday destinations. Rastogi of Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC, said, given the supply-side constraints during this period, there is a 20-50 per cent increase in airfares to and from Delhi to metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, and tier 2-3 cities. The hotel industry is also experiencing a positive trend, with HVS Anarock reporting RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) in July at Rs 3,965, 16 per cent above pre-Covid levels and 11 per cent higher than in July 2022. It said: “Hotels are maintaining rates 8-10 per cent higher than the previous year, despite the ongoing monsoon season affecting Q2FY24 (Jul-Sep period).” The second-half of FY24 holds promise, with anticipated demand from events such as the G20 Summit, Men’s Cricket ODI World Cup, weddings, and international tourists. With an estimated 73,000 domestic and 30,000 international air arrivals, Delhi’s skies are bustling. RateGain’s Adara data reflects a 63 per cent year-on-year rise in international flight arrivals at IGI Airport for business purposes. According to RateGain data, Delhi is witnessing an extraordinary travel demand trend, with the demand index soaring over 87, which is 40 per cent higher than usual. An official statement from Delhi airport said: “Approximately 80 arrivals and departures may be affected due to these cancellations.”

Read more

Thailand likely to ease visa rules to lure tourists from China and India

Thailand considers scrapping the visa application fee would be ideal than giving visa exemptions to tourists from China and India. Thailand is likely to ease visa rules for Chinese and Indian travellers and allow longer stays for visitors from all nations as new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin looks for ways to boost tourism revenue to nearly $100 billion next year. Participants ride on elephants during a parade welcoming the Islamic New Year and celebrating the culture and traditions of Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat, in Narathiwat. Thailand likely to ease visa rules to lure tourists from China and India (Photo by Madaree TOHLALA / AFP) Participants ride on elephants during a parade welcoming the Islamic New Year and celebrating the culture and traditions of Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat, in Narathiwat. Thailand likely to ease visa rules to lure tourists from China and India (Photo by Madaree TOHLALA / AFP) Chinese — the largest group of visitors before the pandemic — face a costly and cumbersome visa-application process, which has has been a drag on the tally this year, according to the premier. Meanwhile, travellers from India must pay 2,000 baht ($57) for a 15-day visa on arrival. Srettha said he wants the list of visa-exempt countries expanded as well as increased stay limits for most international travellers, with caps of 15 days or 30 days for many nationalities. Srettha discussed options with executives of Airports of Thailand Pcl and several airlines on Monday, with the near-term aim of attracting more foreigners in the fourth quarter, typically the peak season for tourism. The airport operator agreed to reduce bottlenecks to augment flights capacity by 20% and find ways to speed up immigration clearances, Srettha said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The new government aims to lift revenue from foreign tourists to 3.3 trillion baht next year, with the travel industry offering “the best short-term economic stimulus,” Srettha said. Tourism accounts for about 12% of gross domestic product and nearly a fifth of jobs, according to Bank of Thailand data. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourism Association, said scrapping the application fee would be ideal than giving visa exemptions to visitors from China and India. That message was conveyed to the prime minister during a weekend meeting in the island province that included travel-sector leaders. “Visa fee exemptions are a ‘quick win’ for tourism,” said Thaneth, adding that international visitors to Phuket through July were about 70% of pre-pandemic totals, but the “Chinese arrivals recovery rate is only 30%.” Nationwide, foreign-tourist arrivals will be about 30 million in 2023, almost triple last year’s 11.2 million, according to Nomura Holdings Inc. The tally has already topped 17.5 million, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said Tuesday. But the return of Chinese have been slower-than-expected even though China was the largest source of travelers last month at nearly 420,000. In 2019 before the pandemic, about 28% of the record 40 million foreign arrivals to Thailand were from China, generating about 1.9 trillion baht in revenue in the process. The lag in Chinese arrivals stems partly from stringent e-visa requirements introduced in May, especially for group travelers, Nomura analysts including Euben Paracuelles said in a report Monday. Another hampering factor is Thailand’s reliance on tourists from lower-tier cities, which may be more sensitive to China’s worsening economic woes, they said. To compensate, Thaneth said that his association recommended the addition of flights to Phuket and Krabi provinces, and the lengthening of visas for tourists from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia — who typically spend more than peers from China and Malaysia, he said. While Srettha’s plans might be helpful at the margins, the bigger question is really about demand-side conditions. “If China’s economic outlook for instance deteriorates further and consumer sentiment weakens, the risk is these supply-side responses to attract tourists will be less effective,” Paracuelles said in a separate email.

Read more

Nitin Gadkari Unveils New Scenic Shortcut; Cuts Ranchi To Jamshedpur Travel Time To 2 Hours

This project is not just about faster travel; it's about better connectivity. During the inauguration in March 2023, Gadkari highlighted that this development includes Jharkhand's first 4-lane double-decker elevated road, cutting a 45-minute journey down to just 5 minutes. The Ranchi to Jamshedpur Inter Corridor will significantly enhance connectivity to West Bengal-Odisha, bypassing Ranchi city and connecting the Delhi-Kolkata Highway and East-West Corridor. This paves the way for direct connectivity between Jamshedpur and Kolkata, offering improved access to Naxal-affected areas and aspirational districts. The implications of this project extend beyond convenience. It's poised to uplift the socio-economic landscape of the region. Reduced travel time will streamline business logistics and enhance commuter flexibility. Moreover, it's expected to boost tourism, drawing travellers eager to explore the region's natural beauty, enriched by the expressway's picturesque route through lush greenery and rolling hills.

Read more

Thai airlines urge PM Srettha to consider waiving visa fees for large markets like India, China

The meeting on Monday discussed the air traffic situation in Thailand and schemes to promote tourism during high season later this year. The airlines present in the meeting were Thai Airways, Thai VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Smile Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air. The proposals presented to the premier and his economic team by the airlines, AOT and CAAT, were: • Boosting flights by at least 20% • Enhancing aircraft capacity to accommodate a higher number of passengers • Expanding efforts to attract tourists from large markets like China and India • Adjusting aircraft fleet to match tourism promotion. The government’s aim is to launch more travel campaigns next year, and the first step will be getting the airlines ready. Each airline said it would improve flights and routes if the government can boost domestic demand. The airlines are also willing to make tickets more reasonable. Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation Plc (holding company of Thai AirAsia), advised the government to waive visa fees for travellers from China and India. He also wants the authorities to assess the readiness of each airline to fly to different destinations, especially Phuket and Krabi in the South. The airlines, meanwhile, want the excise tax on aviation fuel to be reduced. This proposal was made after the tax reverted to its original rate of 4.73 baht per litre from July 1. The airlines are proposing that the rate be reduced to 0.20 baht per litre with incremental increases, like the measures implemented during the Covid pandemic. This reduced rate came to an end on June 30. Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of Thai AirAsia, reckoned that easier visa measures would encourage tourists from targeted countries to travel to Thailand. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, president of Bangkok Airways and the Airline Association of Thailand, said the association would collaborate with the new government to help with the recovery of tourism. He added that the aim is to boost travellers’ confidence and encourage more trips. Currently, some 80-90% of Chinese arrivals opt for a visa on arrival, which costs them 2,000 baht per person. In the first eight months of this year, only some 2 million Chinese tourists have landed on Thai soil. Though the main reason for this low number is a slowdown in the Chinese economy, waiving visa fees will encourage more to travel and help Thailand meet its target of 5 million Chinese tourists. Thai AirAsia, meanwhile, is pushing to increase flights to six key Indian cities in a bid to achieve an “open skies” status and bring more Indians to Thailand. The airlines are also eyeing campaigns to promote domestic travel by reducing travel costs and stimulating secondary cities. Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said there are many issues that need to be solved in top destinations like Phuket. The issues he highlighted are transportation, environmental concerns, urban planning, budget allocation, water reservoir development, urgent public utilities, and special projects. He said definite efforts must be made to manage airport congestion and traffic problems, as well as ensure tourists’ safety by installing CCTV systems in more places. He also said that car rental companies should ensure tourists renting cars have a valid driver’s licence. Kerati Kijmanawat, AOT president, said airports under AOT’s jurisdiction were ready for the high season, which kicks off in October. He too acknowledged that waiving visa fees will encourage more people from big markets like China and India to visit Thailand. Suttipong Kongpool, CAAT’s director-general, said airlines and airports are collaborating to prepare for the upcoming high season. He said despite the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, Thai tourism stakeholders are optimistic about the recovery of the industry, especially with the potential positive impact of visa measures and increased flight frequencies.

Read more

US Consulate General in Mumbai clears Visa backlog caused by COVID pandemic

The US Consulate General in Mumbai has eliminated the visa backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the applicants can schedule their appointments for immigrant visa interviews within the standard time frame, informed the US Consulate General Mumbai press release. The Mumbai office stated that following the pandemic, appointment wait times for immigrant visa applicants stood at over two years. But from now on, applicants whose immigrant petitions are current—meaning visas are available and applicants are ready to book an appointment—can schedule their appointments for immigrant visa interviews within the standard time frame. The office also claimed that the move would facilitate faster reunification of families in the United States. The significant demand in India for visas to travel to the United States and the increase of people-to-people ties reflect the strength and vitality of US-India relations, said the release. It further read that over 9 lakh NIV applications are being processed at present and will soon surpass one million visas. Earlier, United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said that the wait time for first-time tourist visa interviews has been reduced by more than 50 per cent, adding that the goal for 2023 is to process at least one million visas. The US Ambassador said that they will continue to invest in expanding the visa operations and broadening the team. “We’ll find innovative solutions to streamline the visa process, such as reducing the need for in-person interviews, which allows consular teams around the world to assist in processing visas for the growing number of Indian travellers,” the envoy said. India and the US are making every bit of effort to make the visa process smooth and in that process, recently, during his interaction with the Indian community in the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian professionals can renew their work visas without travelling abroad. “America’s new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself,” PM Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC.

Read more

Srinagar's nightlife flourishes in the tranquil transformation of J-K

With a renewed sense of peace settling over Jammu and Kashmir, the Srinagar city is witnessing the revival of its nightlife after a hiatus of more than three decades. A semblance of normalcy has returned, as shops, restaurants, and various establishments remain open well into the evening. Even in once-volatile areas like the old city of Srinagar, bustling activities persist late into the night. Amidst this transformation, local residents and business owners express their relief, gratitude, and optimism for the future. Maqbool Bhat, a shopkeeper hailing from the old city, reflects on the dramatic shift in atmosphere. "Not long ago, the fear and threat that used to prevail with the sunset have disappeared. Terrorists carrying guns and grenades and mobs carrying stones seem to be a thing of the past," he noted. Bhat's sentiment resonates with many, as the return to normalcy has ushered in a sense of security and calm that has long been absent. The restoration of a peaceful environment has allowed businesses to flourish, with longer operating hours leading to increased sales and improved profit margins. The transformation extends to the scenic Dal Lake, where illuminated shikaras (boats) now glide gracefully, resembling jewels in the dark. This development has translated to extended work hours for shikara owners like Mohammad Shaban. "Kashmir has become a tourist destination rather than a place for killings, protests, and stone pelting. We work from morning till night, seven days a week and 365 days a year now," he said. The newfound stability has enabled Shaban and his son to operate their shikara in two shifts, reaping the benefits of increased business and earnings. As peace takes hold, even modes of entertainment like cinema halls are reclaiming their space in the valley. In a significant milestone, the first multiplex in Kashmir, Inox, was inaugurated in Srinagar last year. This marked the return of cinema halls to the city after they were forced to shut down in 1989 due to the outbreak of insurgency. Inox, formerly known as Broadway cinema, stands as a symbol of progress and renewal, with three movie theatres and a total seating capacity of 520 people. Fiza Mir, a college student, expressed her excitement, saying, “It's incredible to see the city come alive at night. The streets are bustling, and there's a sense of unity and hope in the air that we've yearned for so long.” Renowned author and Kashmiri native, Arif Ahmed, reflected on the changing times, stating, "The resurgence of Srinagar's nightlife is a metaphorical inkling of a new chapter in the history of Kashmir. It's a testament to the resilience of its people and their determination to shape a peaceful future." Muzaffar Malik, a taxi driver, chuckled and said, “I used to drive cautiously, fearing any untoward incidents after dark. Now, I ferry passengers around without that worry. It's like the darkness of uncertainty has lifted.” Priya Sharma, a solo traveller, expressed her delight, saying that the vibrant colours, aromatic spices, and friendly faces make it an unforgettable experience "Exploring the Srinagar market after sunset feels like stepping into another world. The vibrant colours, aromatic spices, and friendly faces make it an unforgettable experience," she said. Rajiv and Meena Kapoor, a couple on their honeymoon, stroll along the illuminated boulevard of Dal Lake, with Rajiv noting, "This serene night cruise has become the highlight of our trip. Srinagar's charm knows no bounds, day or night."

Read more