News

India, New Zealand schedule new routes and increase capacity for air travel

India and New Zealand will work together to better cooperate on civil aviation by scheduling new routes, codeshare services, traffic rights, and capacity entitlement. Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to make the partnership official. Rajiv Bansal, secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and David Pine, the New Zealand High Commissioner, signed the document in the presence of Jyotiraditya M Scindia, the Minister for Civil Aviation of India and Damien O'Connor, the Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Agriculture, Biosecurity, Land Information, and Rural Communities of New Zealand. Earlier, the two countries had signed an air services agreement in Auckland in May 2016. The MoU signed today aims to boost further the bilateral ties in civil aviation between the two countries. According to the new partnership, designated airlines from New Zealand may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft, with third and fourth freedom traffic rights. This can happen at six points in India: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Similarly, the designated airlines of India may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to & and from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch in New Zealand. Three more points remain to be named by the government of India. Moreover, the designated airlines from both countries may also operate "any number of all-cargo services with any type of aircraft with third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights to/from any points in the territory of the other party via any intermediate point(s) and to any beyond point(s) regardless of the points specified in the route schedule," as stated in the civil aviation ministry's official release. Jyotiraditya Scindia commented on the partnership: "We have signed an MoU that has opened the possibilities of furthering air transport between our two countries. The open sky policy has been put in place. The point of calls has been increased. We have also increased intermediate points." The two nations are discussing introducing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment system in New Zealand. This would go a long way in promoting ease of business, trade and tourism between the countries. These issues were discussed during a bilateral meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Damien O'Connor on Monday. The UAE, Bhutan and Nepal have already adopted the UPI payment system.

Read more

Tourism has the potential to create 13-14 crore new jobs by 2030: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Indian economy was on the path of rapid growth which had led to creating big opportunities for employment of the youth. Addressing a Rozgar Mela where he distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to the youth, mostly in the security forces, the prime minister said automobile, pharma, tourism and food processing sectors were expected to grow at a rapid pace and open up employment opportunities for the youth. He said the tourism sector alone was expected to contribute Rs 20 lakh crore to the economy by 2030 and had the potential to create 13-14 crore new jobs. The prime minister said India was set to emerge among the top three economies in the world in this decade and bring benefits to the common man. “Every sector has to develop. From food to pharmaceuticals, from space to start-ups. When every sector progresses the economy will grow,” he said. Citing the example of the pharmaceutical industry, the prime minister said the sector worth Rs 4 lakh crore at present is expected to grow to Rs 10 lakh crore by 2030. “What does it mean? It means that in this decade the pharma industry will need a lot of youth. There will be opportunities for employment,” Modi said. He said the automobile sector too was on the growth path and would require youth power to propel it. “There will be immense employment opportunities,” the prime minister said. Citing the example of Uttar Pradesh, he said good governance in the state has led to the establishment of the rule of law, which has in turn brought in a lot of investments. “In an atmosphere of security, the establishment of the rule of the law speeds up development, instils confidence in the people and brings in investments,” he said. However, the states with rising crime rates witness fewer investments and shrinking employment opportunities, Modi said.

Read more

Travellers, Rejoice! Bhutan Is Slashing Its Daily Tourist Fee By Half

A major reason behind this step is the fact that even a year after Bhutan resumed travel post the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is still struggling to revive its tourism sector and bring in more globetrotters, writes Reuters. In September 2022, the SDF was increased to USD 200 (INR 16,521) from the earlier USD 65 (INR 5,369) a night in an attempt to reduce the carbon footprint that travellers bring to the kingdom, according to the report. However, the charge seems to have resulted in a decrease in the number of travellers visiting Bhutan. With the new update, Bhutan hopes to boost income generated through tourism. The new tax will be applicable for four years and end on August 31, 2027, according to a statement by the Bhutanese government. The statement says, “This [change in the tourist fee] is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment; earning foreign exchange, realising the potential for spillover benefits for ancillary industries, and in boosting overall economic growth.” Along with the waiver, Bhutan will also provide a 50 percent discount on the SDF for children between 6 and 12 years of age. This means that for children belonging to this age group, the tourist fee will now be USD 50 (INR 4,130) per night, clarifies the government. Those aged below six will not be charged the SDF. Additionally, the 24-hour SDF waiver for tourists staying in the border towns will continue, according to the statement. For Indian visitors (those who have an Indian passport or voter ID), the tourist fee applicable will be BTN 1,200 (INR 1,199) per night. Discounts and waivers on the SDF are applicable to Indian children, too. The government will conduct periodic assessments of scenarios with respect to both domestic and international tourism. The incentives may be discontinued to promote the High-Value Low Volume tourism policy of Bhutan after August 31, 2027, adds the statement.

Read more

Free travel facility for Chandigarh policemen in CTU buses

The UT Administration has decided to provide free travel facility in AC and non-AC buses of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) on local and long routes to personnel of the city police up to the rank of Inspector from September 1. The Police Department will deduct Rs 375 per month from the employee’s salary. The facility will be available on the production of a valid ID issued by the competent authority, said Pradhuman Singh, Director, Transport.

Read more

Andhra Pradesh welcomes its first Hyatt Place hotel with Hyatt Place Vijayawada

Hyatt Hotels today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Vijayawada, a modern haven offering 81 rooms and suites. The hotel marks the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in the state of Andhra Pradesh – a significant landmark in Hyatt’s brand growth in the market. Developed by RVS Conventions Private Limited, the property features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere, and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. Inspired by Hyatt’s commitment to care, the property sets a new standard in hospitality with its smart design, delivering a harmonious fusion of functionality and space for today’s multi-tasking traveller. The hotel is close to the city’s commercial district and a convenient 20-minute drive from the Vijayawada International Airport. Its central location also offers quick access to local attractions such as the iconic Prakasam Barrage and the ancient rock-cut architecture of Undavalli Caves. Hyatt Place Vijayawada welcomes guests to a world of contemporary comfort inspired by local interiors and art pieces. Each room is thoughtfully designed to ensure comfort and innovation, making it an ideal retreat for business and leisure travellers alike. The hotel’s exceptional amenities include two eclectic dining options, The Market and versatile event spaces perfect for hosting memorable weddings and gatherings. “The opening of Hyatt Place Vijayawada is rooted in our ambitious growth plans for Hyatt brands in India. Vijayawada has demonstrated significant economic and tourism potential in recent years, and we are delighted to foray into this booming destination where our guests travel, as well as where owners and developers can leverage our global distribution network and World of Hyatt loyalty program,” said Dhruva Rathore, Vice President of Development, India and South West Asia, Hyatt. “We are absolutely thrilled to bring the first Hyatt Place hotel to Andhra Pradesh. With Hyatt Place Vijayawada, we aim to share our passion for excellence, ensuring every guest feels cherished and embraced within the Hyatt family. We are excited to contribute to Vijayawada’s vibrant tourism landscape and look forward to welcoming guests from around the world to experience the unparalleled warmth and community that the World of Hyatt represents. Defined by how people want to travel today, the hotel has design elements featuring custom accents, artwork and up-to-date technology that are uniquely positioned to appeal to the world traveller,” said Karthik Ramisetty, Managing Director, RVS Conventions. Hyatt Place Vijayawada has 81 guestrooms including two suites offering views of the peaceful Eastern Ghat mountains in the distance and the energetic city below. Designed with a tasteful blend of contemporary comfort and the local flavor of Andhra, the rooms and suites are fully equipped to accommodate the modern traveller with separate spaces to sleep, work and play. King guestrooms also include a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper. Guests at Hyatt Place Vijayawada can enjoy an eclectic culinary experience at the hotel’s dining venues. The all-day open-kitchen restaurant, Zing, serves one of the finest buffet dining experiences with authentic local Andhra, Indian, Asian and Continental cuisine. The Market offers a grab-and-go selection of freshly made croissants and pastries, perfectly packaged salads and sandwiches, and handcrafted mocktails. Guests can also order in-room dining from the extensive menu on offer. Hyatt Place Vijayawada offers 6,602 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space, including a grand Ballroom. These high-tech venues offer both indoor and outdoor settings and are suited for both private meetings and large social gatherings. Guests at the hotel can indulge in some leisure time at the swimming pool. The hotel also offers 24/7 access to a fitness center.

Read more

Air India To Shift Its Operations To Terminal 2 At Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru From August 31

Air India, India’s leading global airline, will shift its flight operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from August 31, 2023. From 00:01Hrs of 31st August, all Air India operations, domestic and international, will operate to and from Terminal 2 of the airport except for AI176 from San Francisco, which will land at Terminal-1 on 31st August 2023 only. Air India is making every effort to ensure the transition experience is smooth and convenient for its passengers. As part of its proactive initiatives, Air India is reaching out to its passengers through different communication platforms to keep them informed.

Read more