OCTOBER 2020, PAGES 32, 100 VOL. 8, ISSUE....

OCTOBER 2020, PAGES 32, `100 VOL. 8, ISSUE. 10

INDIA HOPES TO PEEK THROUGH THE FOGGY INDIA HOPES TO PEEK THROUGH THE FOGGY FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVELFUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

DEVISING STRATEGIES TO REVIVE DEVISING STRATEGIES TO REVIVE AND THRIVE DOMESTIC TOURISMAND THRIVE DOMESTIC TOURISM

LAUNCHING A LAUNCHING A RESPONSIBLE RESTARTRESPONSIBLE RESTART

REGENERATING REGENERATING THE ROOTSTHE ROOTS

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Dear Readers,

As the famous quote by Nancy Leigh Demoss reads, “Revival is not just an emotional touch; it's a complete takeover!”, our revival from the hard-hitting scenario, that currently prevails, depicts the decision of resurfacing with the prime agenda if refashioning what we paused for a while. Our October issue of TravelScapes brings to our readers the very concept of revival of the travel and tourism sector after the sturdy halt that occurred, causing a prolonged wait with little to no assurance.

The infamous COVID-19 has indeed brought in a devastating impact on the travel and tourism industry, globally, that has crashed the economies to the ground. Worldwide, the tourism sector has been among the worst-hit areas during the pandemic. All over the world, with the lockdown being enforced and flights being halted, places that mainly rely on tourism for their revenue have been largely suffering. Moreover, the hesitation of most people regarding the sanitization of the destinations is also a major hurdle in the

sector. However, keeping the high spirits of travelling in mind, the societal effects of the virus have somewhere lead to the creation of a more optimised, sensible traveller. Therefore, conscious travelling seems to have become the “new normal”.

Separately and despite a rising number of COVID-19 cases, the governments across the world have begun working towards easing border restrictions to kick-start travel with hopes of reviving the Coronavirus-hit tourism industry. And keeping that focus in mind, India has hit the re-launch button to gain more tourist incursion for better tourism for tomorrow. In both our main features for this month, we connect with the decision-makers and authorities of both the international and domestic tourism realms to comprehend the responsible restart of tourism as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19 related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality.

Happy Reading!

Restoring both faith and revenue post-COVID era

Varun MalhotraPublisher & CEO

PUBLISHER & CEO Varun Malhotra [email protected]

DIRECTOR Pranav Khullar [email protected]

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gagneet Kaur

ASST. EDITOR Sayanti Halder

BUSINESS HEAD Shilpi Sharma

AGM SALES & MARKETING (MUMBAI) Aarti Rajkhewa

CONSULTANT Anindya Malhotra, Jitin Mann

ART DIRECTOR Rakesh Kumar

ACCOUNTS Chandan Kumar Jha, Swati Jauhari

ADMIN HEAD Sneha Gaur

EXECUTIVE-CIRCULATION Hari Puri, Raja Rari

Editorial & Marketing Office: Versatile Media: 207, Satya Mansion, Commercial Complex, Ranjeet Nagar, New Delhi-110008Contact: 011 - 45530380/83 • [email protected] information in TravelScapes is derived from sources we consider reliable. It is passed on to our readers without any responsibility on our part. Opinions/views expressed by third parties in abstract or interviews are not necessarily shared by us. Material appearing in the magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part(s) without prior permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the Indian Advertisement Code. The publisher will not be liable for any loss caused by any delay in publication, error or failure of advertisement to appear.Owned and published by: Varun Malhotra, Editor & Publisher, EB-63, Maya Enclave, Hari Nagar, New Delhi - 110064 and printed at in-house facility.

TravelScapes

4 travelscapesonline.com OCTOBER 2020

CONTENTS

5 ..................................................................................................................................MoT13 ..............................................................................................................................Trade20 ..................................................................................................................Hospitality26 .................................................................................................................... Outbound28 ........................................................................................................................Aviation30 ...............................................................................................................On the Move

REGULAR UPDATES

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OCTOBER 2020 VOL. 8, ISSUE. 10

SPECIAL FEATURESPECIAL FEATURE

At the present, with the worldwide air connectivity and responsible movement gradually fetching a pace forward, India also seems to be shifting its gears for a better acceleration to go beyond the borders. The conscientious regeneration of tourism is underway around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19-related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. With sensible tourism gradually bringing forward a slice of assurance in the minds of the tourism business players, we focus on the significance of ‘conscious travelling’ as we connect with the market players of outbound tourism in India. In conjunction with this, we comprehend the new-age travelling regulations that are here to stay and secure its place in the minds and lives of every traveller, here after

OPINION FEATURE

18 Regenerating the RootsDEVISING STRATEGIES TO REVIVE AND THRIVE DOMESTIC TOURISMWhile we assembled the opinions of the industry stalwarts on what and where the push is required on the central, state and individual level, the state tourism administrators specified how they are using this crisis as the right opportunity to hit the reset button for making domestic tourism the sustainable engine for economic growth in India! INCONVERSATION

GUEST COLUMN

17 APPEARING THROUGH THE TROUBLED WAVESGCL “DETERMINING A SUITABLE AND SAFE TIMING TO RECOMMENCE OPERATIONS”Naresh Rawal, VP– Sales (India & South Asia), Genting Cruise Lines (GCL) speaks about the brand’s triumphant emergence as the India market seems to be making up a huge chunk of the business

24 “LET’S NOT WASH AWAY THE TIME WE HAVE IN OUR HANDS TO TRAVEL”IS THE INDIAN OUTBOUND MARKET EVOLVING FOR COVID-READY TOURISM?K.D. Singh, Founder & President of Travelbullz shares his note of optimism, explaining the Indian outbound tourism flow, spending and chief destination markets

INDIA HOPES TO PEEK THROUGH THE FOGGY INDIA HOPES TO PEEK THROUGH THE FOGGY FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVELFUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

LAUNCHING A LAUNCHING A RESPONSIBLE RESTARTRESPONSIBLE RESTART

OCTOBER 2020 travelscapesonline.com 5

UPDATEMoTTravelScapes

Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN), a pioneer in luxury river cruises on the Ganges and Brahmaputra, will resume

operations from November 2020, post the COVID-19 lockdown. The Indo-British company is a part of the RARE India Community of conscious luxury hotels and travel experiences in India and the subcontinent. ABN has gained recognition in the international travel community since its launch in 2003 for creating unique, authentic, community-engaged luxury expeditions on two of India’s greatest rivers. The company has announced three new shorter river cruise itineraries that have been designed specifically for Indian travellers. These three or four-night river cruise experiences have been designed specifically for domestic travellers who want to experience the natural and cultural beauty of the two majestic Himalayan rivers in their backyard, in the luxury of a boutique traditional river boat.

ABN’s Director Antara Phookan said, “We are introducing two short Brahmaputra River cruise itineraries – ‘Brahmaputra River Vignettes’ and ‘Dancing Monks & Riverine Culture’. The former is a three night introduction to the majestic river culture while the latter is a four night cruise that also introduces you to the monastic culture of Majuli River Island. These two short river itineraries are best combined with a wildlife discovery of the Kaziranga National Park and a stay at our safari eco-lodge – the Diphlu River Lodge. On the lower Ganges, we are launching the Hooghly river itinerary ‘Bengal Memories’, which will be a three night introduction to the historic colonial charm of Bengal.”

Gujarat government has announced state’s first Heritage Tourism policy. In a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister,

final touches were given to this policy which makes provision to permit use of pre 1950 historical buildings such as heritage palaces and forts, as heritage hotel, heritage museum, heritage banquet hall an heritage restaurants, provided that basic heritage structure is not disturbed. This decision paves a way for creating tourism attraction in unused historical buildings.

As per the policy, the government will give assistance worth INR 45 lakh to INR 1 crore for renovation and restoration to start heritage museum, banquet hall and restaurant for five years with seven per cent interest subsidy in limit of maximum INR 30 lakh per year. The govt. also announced its decision to simplify the provisions of existing Gujarat Home Stay Policy 2014-19, and make provision of use of residence of 1-6 room size for home stay. Such Home Stay unit will get benefits such as levy of residential purpose electricity rate and residential purpose property tax.

The Sikkim government has allowed hotels, homestays and other tourism-

related services to restart operations from October 10, and the Himalayan state has also decided to open its border with West Bengal for unrestricted movement of vehicles from October 1. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the hotels and the tourism sector has already been issued.

The state officials said that while the odd-even road rationing rule for public vehicles will be lifted from October 1, it may continue for private vehicles. The odd-even rule, which was first implemented in Delhi to tackle air pollution by limiting the number of cars as per the last digit of their registration number, was also imposed in Sikkim to reduce movement amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ministry of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day through virtual

platform. Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan was the chief guest of the event, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture (I/C) Prahlad Singh Patel also graced the occasion. Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Yogendra Tripathi, Director General, Tourism Meenakshi Sharma, Joint Secretary, Tourism Rakesh Kumar Verma, ADG (Tourism), Rupinder Brar and other officials of Tourism Ministry also participated in the virtual event.

This year, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has designated 2020 as the 'Year of Tourism and Rural Development'. This year is an opportunity to promote the potential of tourism to create jobs and opportunities. It can also advance inclusion and highlight the unique role tourism can play in preserving and promoting natural and cultural heritage and curbing urban migration.

During the event, SAATHI Application was launched by the chief guest Dharmendra Pradhan. SAATHI is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism with Quality Council of India to assist the hospitality industry to continue to operate

safely and thereby instil confidence among the staff, employees and the guests about the safety of the hotel/unit. Pradhan also launched a film ‘Pathik’, an initiative on Incredible India Tourist Facilitators Certification Programme (IITFC) and an ICPB MICE Promotional film. The tone of joy and confidence in getting back to business, warm hospitality, safety protocols in place and assurance of a delightful experience is the core message of the film.

Addressing the event, Patel reiterated the vision of the Prime Minister of India asking every citizen to visit at least 15 destinations by the year 2022 to promote domestic tourism. He said that the Ministry of Tourism has launched the Dekho Apna Desh (DAD) initiative in January 2020 with the objective of creating awareness among the citizens about the rich heritage and culture of the country, encouraging citizens to travel widely within the country and enhancing tourist footfalls leading to development of local economy and creation of jobs at the local level. The Minister informed that as on date 54 webinars covering different States/Union Territories have been organised as part of DAD initiative.

Assam Bengal Navigation introduces Brahmaputra and Ganges river luxury cruise itineraries

Gujarat government announces its first Heritage Tourism Policy

Sikkim to reopen for tourists from October 10

Ministry of Tourism celebrates World Tourism Day virtually


UPDATE MoT TravelScapes

On a day when Himachal Pradesh crossed the 10,000 mark in Coronavirus cases,

with eight reported deaths in a single day, the state cabinet decided to lift both outbound and inbound inter-state travel restrictions. 'Now, anyone can enter or exit the state without e-pass or COVID-19 negative test report,' said an official here, hurriedly adding that a complete plan will be announced in the state assembly recently by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. However the inter-state movement of public transport buses will still remain suspended.

The move is likely to benefit the hotel lobby, which has been badly hit by the restrictions which have severely impacted tourism. The Manali Hoteliers Association had announced their decision to resume businesses from October 1, while those at Dharamshala and Shimla too favoured easing of the COVID norms to enable tourists to visit Himachal Pradesh. Bars and restaurants serving liquor have already opened from September 15.

But common citizens of the state are worried over the cabinet's decision to waive the mandatory COVID -19 test report for inbound tourists. People planning to visit Himachal Pradesh will no longer be required to get themselves registered at e-COVID portal.

Himachal allows inter-state travel; no COVID passes needed

Following the news that the state of Uttarakhand in India has revised the

guidelines for inter-state travel, Animesh Kumar, Director of Travel and Tourism Consulting at GlobalData said, “Uttarakhand has taken a balanced approach in removing the travel restrictions and presented some significant learnings for other tourist destinations in India and across the globe.

“The economy of Uttarakhand has a high dependence on tourism and the stakeholders in the industry have been requesting for relaxation or removal of travel restrictions. Several businesses have been severely impacted due to the travel restrictions and consumer apprehensions caused by COVID-19 pandemic. In view of Unlock 4 and the impact on the local tourism industry, Uttarakhand has removed the travel restrictions but has not thrown caution to the wind.

“The state would be providing the infrastructure but the guidelines also mention responsibilities of other stakeholders – tourists as well as hotels. Indeed, it is not the most convenient solution for tourists but considering

the rising cases, safety must not be subordinated. The state has also announced a ‘Tourists Incentive Coupons’ Scheme under which tourists would get either INR 1, 000 or 25 per cent discount – whichever is lower - on per day accommodation charges for up to three days.”

He added that travel dependent destinations are desperate to revive the industry and are coming up with various strategies to attract tourists. However, several destinations have taken the path of either extreme caution or extreme imprudence.

UK takes balanced approach in removing travel restrictions

In a meeting held between Mekapati Goutham Reddy, Minister for Commerce, Industry, IT and Skill Development, Government of

Andhra Pradesh and G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC in New Delhi on September 9, 2020, the state has sought active assistance and support of ITDC in actualising their plans for building a Skill Ecosystem in Hospitality and Tourism, both thrust areas of the government.

Andhra Pradesh Government proposes to enter into a MoU with ITDC in the areas of comprehensive training to frontline workers, as well as towards setting up a Centre of Excellence for Tourism and Travel curriculum. ITDC proposes joining hands towards implementing some entrepreneurship models in the sectors to benefit the qualified young hospitality professionals.

AP requests ITDC to assist the state in skill development for hospitality

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently

inaugurated the “Destination North East -2020” through video conferencing. Shah is also the Chairman of the North-East Council. On this occasion, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Development (I/C) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pension, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, and Chief Ministers of the eight North-Eastern states were also present. In his address, Shah said, “North East, rich in natural beauty, folk culture and art, is fully capable of becoming a major centre of world tourism”. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North East region will emerge as one of the favourite tourism and business destinations of India”.

The Union Home Minister further added, “the ‘Destination

North East-2020′, which ran till September 30, aims to introduce various cultures of the country to each other along with the tourist destinations of the North East and through this, the whole of India will also get familiar with the vibrant and diverse culture of the North East”. Shah said that he has seen the tourist places of many states and countries but the beauty of

the North East is unparalleled. Northeast is the jewel of India; without it the Indian culture is incomplete. While inviting the next ceremony to be held in his constituency Gandhinagar, Amit Shah said that this will make the people of Northeast familiar with the culture of Gujarat and the people of Gujarat will be introduced to the culture of the North-East.

Home Minister inaugurates the “Destination North East-2020” Festival

Amidst combating the outbreak of COVID-19, the preventive measures taken by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have gained international rec-ognition from the Norwegian DNV.GL; a reputed international entity in the in-fection prevention and the management of associated risks.

The award follows a field survey and a comprehensive assessment under-taken by the company to examine RTA’s health and preventive measures taken to protect public transport riders and service beneficiaries as well as employ-ees.

With such an acknowledgement, the Dubai Government culminates efforts to combat the pandemic and begin with the gradual return of trade and tour-ism in the Emirate. It cements the standing of Dubai as a safe global desti-nation compliant with the advanced preventive measures of coping with the virus. His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, received the DNV.GL’s Maturity Statement from the team of RTA’s Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector.

The event took place in the presence of His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarrri, Director-General of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism).

BEST PRACTICESThe RTA measures were focused on three elements: protecting the health of all employees through the provision of a safe working environment, ensuring the safety of all facilities and transit means to ensure the continuity of ser-vices and supporting the Dubai Government efforts in tackling the outbreak of COVID-19. For instance, during the National Disinfection Programme, RTA sanitised each metro train at the terminal station and sanitised the entire fleet of 79 trains by the end of the working day. The 47 stations witnessed daily sanitisation as well.

Al Tayer expressed his delight with the obtaining of the certificate from a re-puted international specialist entity, which reflected the effectiveness of RTA’s preventive measures since the outbreak of COVID-19 in various transit means and affiliated facilities.

“In the implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Moham-

med bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Chairman of the Executive Coun-cil, RTA adopted top global practices in coping with the virus. Our ultimate aim was to nurture a safe and healthy environment for all,” said Al Tayer and added, “RTA managed to keep all services on the go, thanks to the migration to smart services provided through four digital channels and a website 24/7.”

BEATING THE VIRUSWith time, Dubai has successfully survived the challenges of COVID-19 and the achievement is credited to the cooperation of various entities of the Dubai government. “Dubai has now reopened for tourists and trading activities under specific preventive measures and is moving ahead towards full recovery," said Almarrri. Various public and private entities were keen to implement preventive measures against COVID-19. This compliance boosted the confidence of global travellers and the public in Dubai as a safe, must-visit destination," he continued.

LOGO POSTERSAlongside, Nada Jasim, Director of Safety, Risk, Regulation and Planning at Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector informed that RTA will fix posters bearing the logo of the Infection Prevention of COVID-19 certificate on all mass transit means (metro, tram, buses, marine transport means) and their stations in addition to customers happiness centres. She added that, “RTA has fulfilled the Infection Risk Management Maturity Assessment along with other health and preventive measures needed for obtaining this certificate by the end of last August.” Jasmin further noted that this certificate will raise the security and satisfaction level of public transport riders. With such high safety measures in place, Dubai is foraying to attract an added influx of visitors from across the globe.

The logo posters bear the confidence brand (My Care-Infection Prevention Trust Mark) which also has a QR Code that enables a person to download in-formation about RTA’s health and prevention measures taken to protect against COVID-19.

RTA’s safety measures against COVID-19 boost Dubai’s public transport riders’ confidence

REINSTATING THE ASSURED PRIDE

Al Tayer and Almarrri receiving the Award


TravelScapesSPECIAL FEATURE

LAUNCHING A RESPONSIBLE RESTARTINDIA HOPES TO PEEK THROUGH THE FOGGY FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

By Sayanti Halder

Bringing penalties in multi-fold effects, the iniquitous COVID-19 seems to have staged a deep and damaging impression on the global travel and tourism industry that has crippled its economies too. However, the undying spirits of today’s outbound travellers have brought in a more responsible and resistant tourism, bringing every “safe” country surface back on the world tourism map. Through this process, conscious travelling seems to have become the “new normal” of travelling, more than ever before. Sustainability and responsibility – once terms that destinations

were promoting as part of their bigger marketing and communications bubble has now shifted to travellers. Travellers will trust destinations with good governance and health systems, and many health protocols adopted during the pandemic will remain, such as social distancing and travelling to less crowded areas.

At the present, with the worldwide air connectivity and responsible movement gradually fetching a pace forward, India also seems to be shifting its gears for a better acceleration to go beyond the borders. The conscientious regeneration of tourism is underway

around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19-related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. With sensible tourism gradually bringing forward a slice of assurance in the minds of the tourism business players, we focus on the significance of ‘conscious travelling’ as we connect with the market players of outbound tourism in India. In conjunction with this, we comprehend the new-age travelling regulations that are here to stay and secure its place in the minds and lives of every traveller, here after

ANIL PARASHAR, PRESIDENT & CEO, INTERGLOBE TECHNOLOGY QUOTIENT (ITQ)

Two facts are becoming predominantly apparent on our journey towards the next quarter of 2020. First, how economies are eventually witnessing recovery especially in response to resumption of international flights and second is the pent-up demand to travel slowly showing signs of indulgence by end-consumer. ITQ has been sanguine about the prospects and forthcoming with technical agility and resourcefulness, more so with recently launched COVID-19 plug-in and research report on such measures as required by

travellers to consider travelling, in association with our technology partner, Travelport. Our exclusive domestic flight content partner, Air India, has also launched a super saver pack for travelling domestically. With such incredible offers and six months of previously negligible to limited travelling, both leisure and business, there is unambiguously an elevated urge to travel and explore, meet the loved ones, revisit the good times, reconnect with peers or witness business performance in person. Now, with borders easing restrictions further, travellers are likely to consider

taking that journey after all, albeit domestically in the initial stages to test the water before diving deeper.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:Mindfulness has been an exceedingly focused concept for us here at ITQ and extended further to our vast network of travel agents. For travellers, being mindful of their own and their fellow travellers’ safety will prove a turning point in the history of travel. As witnessed across ages, every second decade or so there happens a major shift in structure and behaviours across industries and globally. This time for travel industry that evolution begins with cognizance, all the while staying mindful of each other’s safety and specific needs, both as travellers and travel industry professionals

VINAY MALHOTRA, REGIONAL GROUP COO – SOUTH ASIA, MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA, AMERICAS, VFS GLOBAL

We are conscious of the fact that in the post-COVID world, health and hygiene considerations will take precedence for travellers. Thus, VFS Global has established standardised protective measures to be followed at every step of the visa process across all our Visa Application Centres. With physical distancing becoming the new normal, we are already witnessing an increased demand from travellers for services that allow them to complete their visa application processes from the safety of their homes. Thus, more customers are opting for personalised services such as 'Visa at Your Doorstep' and ‘return of the passport by courier’ services. In terms of outlook for India market, it has all the right ingredients for it to continue as a strong source and destination tourism market going forward. Experiences from the past prove that the travel and

tourism industry is very resilient, and rebounds usually fairly quickly again. Though, this pandemic might have a deeper impact on customers’ travel behaviour, depending on the further development and the availability of a vaccine. Nevertheless, the travel industry is well-placed to lead future recovery and remains an above-average growth driver for many economies.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:This pandemic has given us a golden chance to bring a much stronger focus on sustainable tourism. And, everyone in the travel ecosystem will have to show a commitment to achieve this goal. Travellers will have to follow conscious travelling practices such as less use of plastic, leaving no traces in tourist spots, reducing carbon footprint, respecting local culture and giving back to the community. Travel companies, alternatively, must collaborate with the authorities handling destinations to streamline tourism activity, manage the rising number of visitors, and meet theirs as well as the locals' expectations. It is also vital that policymakers facilitate an environment where the industry, the tourists, and other stakeholders are encouraged to act on sustainability


TravelScapes SPECIAL FEATURE

RISHI VERMA, HEAD OF INDIA SUBCONTINENT, RCI

Despite the fact that international flights are gradually resuming operations, we feel a lot of the international travel happening right now is basis an emergency or necessity and not for travel and tourism purposes. Noticing the patterns of people travelling these days, we, at RCI, are currently putting all our energy on domestic travel for the remaining bit of 2020. At present, that fastest way to bounce back is an inward looking, domestically oriented, Incredible India. As it offers massive opportunities for travel, India is bigger than 24 countries of Europe and has a wide variety of tourism products; we still have a lot to discover within India itself. In terms the India market influx, India has a massive amount of heritage and post the lockdown, there will be a huge focus on cultural tourism. My own belief is that the world will move towards shorter duration holidays and more of experiential and responsible travel that is about discovering and giving back to the destination. India is far richer than other countries in these assets. Therefore, India has a unique opportunity to attract people from across the world in the post COVID-19 era.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:We all have individually seen a lot, but I am confident that each one has learnt a lot too. As responsible people of the travel trade industry, we need to ensure we stay connected and aligned with government norms and guidelines while fighting this pandemic. RCI does not own any properties but has trusted affiliates and resorts, which help us in providing a wide array of travel and lifestyle services and safety has been an ever-present factor in it. Our partners keep us informed about all the safety protocols being followed. Travellers need to focus on having minimal contact and take up digitisation wherever they can.

FLORIAN SENGSTSCHMID, CEO, AZERBAIJAN TOURISM BOARD (ATB)

The situation with the pandemic has prompted the closure of borders and had a significant negative impact on the global tourism industry, Azerbaijan is of no exception. The country is gradually recovering after the lockdown measures, and a positive dynamic has allowed the authorities to slowly ease the restrictions of the quarantine regime. In terms of recovery, ATB was quick to prepare a four-phase plan. We are currently in Phase Two, when restrictions on movement have loosened and

allowed us to launch our “MacəraYaxındadır” (Adventure is Near) domestic tourism campaign. Phase Three will follow the reopening of borders to international tourists and see marketing campaigns resume while Phase Four will signal a return to the “new normal,” when tourists explore the country again. We are closely working with the relevant stakeholders to make sure that once the international travel ban is lifted and borders reopen, we are ready to welcome back visitors from all over the globe. India has always been a key market with immense potential. We witnessed an exceptional year of growth in tourism in 2019, with Indian visitor numbers up by 66.8 per cent, while in January-February 2020 this number grew by 81.8 per cent. Certainly, after the international travel restrictions are lifted, we will welcome many more Indian visitors to Azerbaijan.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:Certainly, soon visitors will return, since we cannot live without travelling and exploring. Yes, travel may never be the same again, but different doesn’t mean worse and we can expect it to be healthier, less crowded, and more sustainable. We are not rushing to be among the first countries that open their borders as the safety and security of both visitors and residents are of utmost priority for us. We introduced SAHMAN (Sanitation and Hygiene Methods and Norms), an innovative health and safety programme for local industry players aimed at improving standards of hygiene and sanitation, audited and certified by PWC. It focuses on accommodation, F&B and transportation providers – three key aspects of the tourism value chain

THOYYIB MOHAMED, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MALDIVES MARKETING & PR CORPORATION (MMPRC)

We have resumed international flights to Maldives in mid-July with a comprehensive set of safety measures in place. Resorts are well equipped to ensure the highest level of safety for tourists throughout their stay. Staffs are trained in the new safety procedures. Screening, safe distancing and disinfection procedures have also been established at airports, guest transfer vessels and aircrafts. Response measures, guidelines and protocols have been established on par with international standards. Those who have visited the Maldives would know that the country’s unique geography offers natural isolation for those staying at any of the country’s resorts. Our signature ‘one-island-one-resort’ concept offers visitors a high level of safety in their respective resorts. The measures put in place, together with these unique characteristics, offer visitors the

opportunity to remain away from the crowds, maintain social distancing and enjoy a truly safe, and isolated holiday surrounded by the blissful natural beauty of the Maldives. The India market is the fastest growing inbound market for the Maldives registering growth of 83.5 per cent, last year. Furthermore, the 'air travel bridge' that has been established between Maldives and India offers a unique opportunity for Indian holidaymakers to visit Maldives.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:While there are little to no restrictions in movement in the resorts, travellers are advised to follow the universal safety guidelines that are in place around the world. Safe distancing is essential as is wearing masks in public places. And although restrictions on movement are not imposed within the resort, it is important that travellers operate within their own personal bubble. I am sure the conscious traveller would understand the importance of the measures in place and each one of them would have developed their very own ways of keeping themselves safe while on holiday. Travel agents and tour operators must ensure that travelers are well-advised of the safety procedures that are in place

ARVIND BUNDHUN, DIRECTOR, MAURITIUS TOURISM PROMOTION AUTHORITY (MTPA)

Mauritius is free from COVID-19 as there are no positive cases in the country since May 2020. However, there are a few Mauritians who have been tested positive on return to the island, through repatriation, but were immediately quarantined in government run facilities. The Government of Mauritius has now decided to open the borders of the island in a phased manner starting from October 2020. In the first phase, foreign tourists will be allowed to visit Mauritius for long stays only. After negative COVID-19 test results and 14 days in quarantine, visitors will be able to travel around the island. Depending


TravelScapes

on the success of this phase, the government shall consider the next course of action. Mauritius and India have a long-established tie that surpasses the tourism boundaries since Mauritius is a destination that touches the hearts of all Indian guests. Once the crisis is over and everything is back to normal there will be a demand built-up for a much-needed break.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:The Coronavirus crisis has moved the world towards a responsible, sustainable and socially-innovative tourism. A slower pace and greater personal interaction with the locals and their culture is seen. We would recommend travellers to focus on cleanliness and sanitization, which are the new norms for travelling. Also, travellers must use masks, sanitiser and maintain physical distancing along with opting mostly for contactless interactions. Our recommendations for the travel agents will be to work closely with MTPA and other stake holders with a motto 'One Destination; One Voice' and strictly follow the new value propositions built around safe and secure travel

ROMIT THEOPHILUS, DIRECTOR, GERMAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE (GNTO) INDIA

While international air travel has been suspended in India for a long time, some international flights are ready to take off now under special operations. Flights to Germany will be operating from India now under the temporary reciprocal arrangement. All Indian and foreign airlines have been given permissions to fly citizens of any country. However, air travel for these passengers is subjected to

restrictions that the government of destination countries have imposed. Passenger confidence will still suffer even after the pandemic is contained; the spread of COVID-19 has slowed to the point where governments are planning to lift the most severe elements of social distancing restrictions. But an immediate rebound from the catastrophic fall in passenger demand appears unlikely. People still want to travel, however they want clarity on the economic situation, safety measures and will likely wait for at least few months before returning to the skies. Despite a drop in new coronavirus infections in Germany, there is little sign that it is the high season in many holiday regions. This corresponds with the forecast that neighbouring markets will be the quickest to recover from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:Conscious travel is making sure that when travelling, you are mindful and take into consideration the impact of your trip on the environment and the local surroundings. Choosing a more conscious travel experience can mean taking a local’s perspective, integrating with the local community and seeking meaningful experiences, all of which will provide a more authentic experience as well as being more environmentally friendly. Being a conscious traveller doesn’t mean giving up all of your travel luxuries, instead it means making small and conscious steps to create a sustainable travel economy that positively gives back to the local community and its environment. Lastly, support your travel agent, tour guide or neighbourhood accommodation establishment by bringing in some income for them, no matter how small

ARZAN KHAMBATTA, HEAD, CZECH TOURISM (INDIA)

The Czech Republic has, so far, been able to fight this pandemic fairly well. It is amongst the least-affected countries in Europe. This is due to our prompt and conscious efforts undertaken to flatten the curve and decrease the spread of COVID-19. With international flights gradually resuming, we are optimistic that we will soon be ready to invite the Indian travellers to visit our magnificent and scenic country. Right now, health and safety of everyone is at the utmost priority. We, at the Czech Republic, have been focused on preparing our destination for tourism again by ensuring that measures related to health and hygiene are strictly followed and undertaken so that we can safely welcome Indian tourists again.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:The fear of the pandemic will not only leave a lasting impact on the travel industry but also create a shift in the way travellers approach planning their trips. In terms of conscious travelling practices, we encourage travellers to give way to mindful, selective, sustainable and slow tourism for their well-being. Tourists who prefer travelling to mid and long-haul destinations should spend more time in one place and explore that region rather than hopping to different countries. Apart from discovering the destination in depth and understanding its culture and surroundings, this will also keep them safe and hassle free from formalities and cautiousness required while crossing international borders

SARA SODHI JUNEJA, COUNTRY HEAD - INDIA, VISIT FINLAND

Currently, Finland is welcoming leisure travellers from a number of countries where the Coronavirus situation has eased. As of September 19, the new limit value of the Finnish government for travel to Finland without mandatory testing or quarantine is a maximum of 25 new cases of the disease per 1,00,000 persons in the country in the previous 14 days. As of November 23, leisure travel will also be possible from all EU and Schengen countries (including the UK) with infection rates above 25 per 1, 00, 000 people. However,

travellers from these countries will need to have proof on arrival in Finland of a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 72 hours. On arrival in Finland, visitors from these countries are placed in quarantine for 72 hours after, which they need to take a second test. However travel from Red Zone countries like India, USA etc is still restricted and we are hopeful to hear some positive news in the coming months. General health and safety measures regarding Coronavirus in Finland include avoiding physical contact, maintaining a safe distance from other people and observing good hand and respiratory hygiene.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:Living sustainably and in harmony with the environment is deep-rooted in Finland and is an essential element of responsible travel. To help the tourism industry in Finland to adopt sustainable practices, Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland programme including slow travel, slow food, slow shopping, and green (sustainable, Finnish) design. By choosing products with an eco-label and traveling to destinations that take environmental protection seriously, you offset some of the burden traveling abroad puts on the planet. The label is only awarded for those companies and destinations that have undergone the entire Sustainable Travel Finland programme and fulfilled the criteria. Indian trade partners can route their bookings through them offering sustainable travel programs

PRANAV KAPADIA, FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, GLOBAL DESTINATIONS

In the past couple of months, we have experienced unimaginable happenings. None of us could have envisaged the scale and prolonged events about to unfold. In a bid to kick-start tourism, the current

SPECIAL FEATURE


TravelScapes

resumption of international flights and government implementing “travel bubbles” or air bridges between countries, has definitely brought back a lot of certainty, positivity and hope. This pandemic has once again made us realize that change is the only inevitable constant and the ultimate survivors are going to be the ones who quickly learn to adapt to the ever-evolving environment. Even though the current COVID-19 cases in India are on a rise, the good news is that the recovery rate is high as well. Domestic travel has already started exhibiting enormously positive signs. Internationally, countries like Maldives, UAE, USA etc have already opened borders to welcome Indians. As you know Indians are avid travellers, hence along with us our principals too are very optimistic and confident that India will bounce back soon and much stronger. Many new partners with some very interesting product offerings are already considering India very seriously.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:It is our strong belief that ‘travelling responsibly’ and ‘sustainable tourism’ is the way forward and the traveller needs to be guided and educated on this. We are currently working very closely with our overseas partners and all stakeholders on a varied range of products adapting to this new normal. This also involves procedures of operating on ground in a way which meets the highest levels of recommended safety and hygiene for the traveller. We will be rolling out all of these products in due course, which will not only give our agents but also their clients with confidence to travel further

RIAZ MUNSHI, MANAGING DIRECTOR, N. CHIRAG TRAVELS PVT. LTD. & PRESIDENT, OTOAI

While international flights are gradually resuming, we still have a long road to recovery ahead of us. The passengers who are currently travelling international mainly comprise essential travellers returning home, visiting parents, students going back or some people travelling for work. However, the time is now right for commercial flights to start international operations. The hospitality industry has been allowed to open in entirety and airlines too should be allowed to function completely following the new normal and safety protocols. People have understood the safety protocols and a phased opening of the commercial airlines can be undertaken with caps on number of travellers at the airport at a given time. Tourism boards across the world will step and lend the extra support needed by the travellers to travel international again. The fact

that countries such as Spain, Slovakia and more have extended gratis visas to Indians who could not travel due to COVID, is testament of their faith in the India outbound market.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:There are numerous guidelines that have been laid down under the “new normal” and it is advisable for the travellers as well the travel trade to follow them. We must guide our clients to destinations that are undertaking the necessary precautions of sanitisation and social distancing. We, at the travel trade, need to figure out an itinerary that is not just extremely appealing but also ‘safe’. With a bit of research, knowledge and ground work, doing so is completely achievable Work with the hotels, operators, guides – basically the principles who all understand the importance of following the rules of the ‘new normal’

MAHENDRA VAKHARIA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PATHFINDERS HOLIDAYS PVT. LTD.

I am as ready and prepared as I was on the day when lockdown was announced. However, as international travel begins sometime in next couple of months to nearby destinations where the government has entered into air bubble agreements, I personally feel that the United Nations as a world body should advise a standard

protocol that should be followed by every country in respect to assessing all arriving visitors. This will help in communicating a very clear message of SOP’s and protocols, which will clear so many doubts in the mind of not only the traveller but also the facilitator. This will also reduce the anxiety of travel in post-COVID, drastically. As far as the India market is concerned, I am sure it will bounce back to its original path of forward movement and build up on the positive travel curve. Travel is a habit that is very difficult to curb and let go off!

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:The pandemic is the mirror that was put in-front of all us to see what we have done in our lives and how we have lived our lives in general. Be conscious and select tourism products that are funneling the proceeds of the activity back to the local community in a good proportion, avoid travelling during peak season and instead look out for shoulder and lean season to travel – this way you will not only avoid the large crowds but also get advantage of the pricing. Try and support lot of individual and family owned properties / attractions / activities as they require the support the maximum going forward

ARSHDEEP ANAND, CEO, HMA SPECTRUM & EC MEMBER, OTOAI

We are already experiencing a revival of travel within the country as people are becoming more confident and also with states easing out restrictions. There have been too many months of no business, so sitting at home and watching the world go by in this prevalent disruption. Lot of time has been spent introspecting, up-skilling and even re-skilling, where we have learnt that every crisis brings an opportunity. I firmly believe that our view has certainly changed as to how we look at our world today; there is a more holistic approach in thoughts and deeds. The time has come to discard the older, less efficient models in favour of modern, tech driven, more efficient models, ensuring optimum use of available resources. There is a huge opportunity now for every individual to contribute by adopting measures to make the world a safer, more hygienic, less polluted more people friendly place. Travelling will be even more delightful experience now for we see the world with new clean eyes.

SENSIBLE SOJOURNS:Conscious Travelling practices certainly have to come in place and should be followed religiously. The travellers and the trade both need to understand that we can only move forward if we are unified in our efforts. Operational guidelines for travel trade are already in place, whether it is airports, hotels, transporters, restaurants, sightseeing attractions, shopping malls, so this becomes the moral duty of every person involved to do their bit to ensure the guests’ safety and hygiene. Random checks should be made by the top management at regular intervals so that a slack can be nipped in the bud. Similarly, each individual traveller must ensure that proper protocol is being followed by them

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UPDATETravelScapes

The outbreak of Coronavirus and its unlikely eradication has brought the entire travel and

tourism business on its knees worldwide and the sector is bearing the brunt of pandemic’s damage. While the moving, vibrant cities once thronged by the tourists are now at a stand-still, the shutdowns of borders and various restrictions have cost a huge loss to the economies. No one is even thinking of a holiday, let alone planning for one. At this point of time, where fuelling the tourism growth statistics from last year and a possibility of stress-free travelling seem like a far cry, a lot of thrust on promoting domestic tourism appears to be the silver lining, especially for countries like India.

Foreseeing the positive signs of recovery within the domestic tourism sector, Dev Karvat, Founder, CEO – India & Emerging Markets, TrawellTag Cover-More claims that since the domestic travel restrictions within our country have been rolled back and inter-state travel has started to gain momentum, there has been a significant boost to the sector. Karvat further notifies how TrawellTag Cover-More, India's leading dedicated provider of travel protection services, is coping up with the unexpected and new normal while doing its bit to restore the traveller’s confidence. “We have developed benefits for new-age travel trends such as staycations and domestic business trips and domestic cruise trips covering cancellations and delays. We are providing services such as medical evacuation and local hospitalisation support coupled with relevant travel insurance benefits during the hour of need. Furthermore, we are also constantly trying to refine our capabilities to better understand customers'

behaviour and offer them the best possible products and services with the help of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.”

While industry experts including Karvat have predicted the regional travel gaining much more preference over far-flung trips for the near future, they also do have a hope of seeing the travel resume with a renewed sense of sustainability and purpose of exploring. Karvat asserts, “Apart from maintaining personal hygiene and social distancing, travellers should follow all possible measures such as wearing a facemask while stepping-out and cleaning their hands with soap or hand sanitisers at regular intervals.

Travellers should avoid contact with anyone who is unwell and immediately self-isolate themselves if they develop symptoms of Coronavirus before, during or after the travel.”

Though the current COVID and lockdown blues are real and don’t seem to end anytime soon, change, perhaps, will be ‘the thing’ after all and travel trade coming together for the restoration and reinvention of the tourism sector will play an imperative role. “The travel trade should continue spreading awareness and updates about the situation, educate travellers about the precautions to be undertaken and assist them to the best of their capacity,” Karvat stresses further.

TRAWELLTAG COVER-MORE BANKING ON THE REVIVING DOMESTIC TOURISM

CUSTOMISING THE NEW NORMAL

- Dev Karvat, Founder, CEO – India & Emerging Markets, TrawellTag Cover-More

By Gagneet Kaur

ITB India organiser has announced the adoption of a hybrid model for

ITB India 2021. The coming tradeshow will be a combination of a live event (physical exhibition) held on April 7 to 9, 2021, in Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India; and a virtual event happening five days later, on April 15 – 16, 2021.

Coming April 2021, ITB India 2021 will offer a hybrid exhibition experience to the travel industry. The event will be amongst the first exhibitions in India to adopt a hybrid model. The live event will welcome over 8,000 attendees, more than 400 exhibitors, over 500 buyers, and an array of over 150 top speakers. The virtual event is set to

complement the live event by reuniting a much wider audience accompanied with digital innovations to improve audience engagement and connectivity.

"We see how trade fairs are changing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal contact remains the heart of a trade fair. At the same time, however, the trade fairs of the future will be hybrid events. Classic meetings of exhibitors and visitors will be accompanied by digital events,” said Sonia Prashar, Deputy Director General of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, the organiser of ITB India.

ITB India 2021 virtual event will be hosted on ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community).

VFS Global has announced changes in their South Asia

operations leadership team with the appointment of Pranav Sinha as Head – South Asia, VFS Global. In this role, Sinha will now be responsible for overall business operations in South Asia with an emphasis on ensuring the highest customer service standards as well as managing client relationships. He reports to Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO, and will be based in New Delhi, India.

Before this, Sinha oversaw the company’s operations in West and South India, Maldives and Sri Lanka since 2016. Having been with the organisation for 17 years, he has

experience across various roles and geographies in operations and business development. He has also been involved in several strategic organisation-wide projects during his tenure.

ITB India goes hybrid for inaugural 2021 Live and Virtual Event

Pranav Sinha appointed as head of South Asia at VFS Global

TRADE

Pranav Sinha

“WE HAVE DEVELOPED BENEFITS FOR NEW-AGE TRAVEL TRENDS SUCH AS STAYCATIONS AND DOMESTIC BUSINESS TRIPS AND DOMESTIC CRUISE TRIPS COVERING CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS


UPDATE TravelScapes

EbixCash, a fully owned subsidiary of Ebix, Inc., announced that it

is handling the travel needs for five of the eight franchises involved in a 82-day Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket sporting extravaganza in Dubai.

Under the leadership of the Naveen Kundu, Managing Director for EbixCash Tours & Travels, EbixCash has been able to secure this prestigious assignment

that involves end to end needs for many franchises including chartered flights, ground transportation, foreign exchange, hotel rooms and event insurance coverage. EbixCash, through its EbixCash travel portfolio encompassing many sub brands like Via, Sasti ticket and Mercury, is also one of Southeast Asia’s leading travel exchanges.

Kundu said, “We are honoured

to have been chosen as the vendor of choice by the majority of the IPL franchises. Their decision was made easier with EbixCash emerging as the only end-to-end services provider who could handle their varied needs under one window. Our depth of products and services, international expanse, travel expertise and past record was instrumental in us being selected for this prestigious engagement.”

Robin Raina, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Ebix said, “I am especially pleased that Naveen has started his taking over as MD of EbixCash Tours and Travels on this strong note. He has a fantastic record with us over the last two years, having grown the Mercury travel division that he previously headed for us, by more than three hundred per cent over a span of two years.”

Travel trade professionals from around the world can now register for WTM Virtual (November

9 to 11) to access the range of online conference sessions, briefings and meetings. Included in the ticket price will be access to London Travel Week Virtual – a set of events designed to celebrate the travel and tourism industry, taking place between October 30 and November 5.

‘WTM Virtual’ will replace the live events of WTM London, Travel Forward and London Travel Week. The platform will follow the WTM Portfolio’s purpose and pledges to offer the best opportunities for travel industry professionals to connect, learn and do business. Members of the Buyers’ Club, ministers and media will get free access to the entire platform, with trade delegates paying an early bird registration fee of GBP 25. The original price is GBP 34, as informed by the WTM organisers.

Recognising the COVID-era restrictions on Indians travelling overseas, Signature Tours has launched their India facing line of travel experiences – Orange Line.

These are curated journeys with the very same touches Signature has provided internationally, just in an Indian context.

Orange Line is a new range of bespoke travel engagements, created for the changing world of travel. Each of these has been curated specifically with current travel advisories in mind and will be further customised to the requirements of the guests. These journeys celebrate the destinations with handpicked experiences and insider access to lesser-known places and private venues. Currently, the company is offering journeys across India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal.

According to Rajeev Kohli, Joint Managing Director, Signature Tours, “As everyone looks to decode travel planning for the months to come, our travel advisors will bring the expertise and guidance to help them navigate this new world of travel.”

Signature Tours is part of the award-winning Creative Travel, one of India’s leading Destination Management Companies.

Travel Boutique Online (TBO) Group has recently launched “TBO Marine”, a hybrid e-commerce platform to cater to the niche

market segment of the marine industry. Via this platform, TBO is offering its audience quick and easy access to global seaman fares, providing an immaculate travel management service.

TBO aims to extend its expertise in marine travel management; providing value and expertise to B2B segment in the following industries: Offshore oil and energy sectors, dry dock, specialised marine contracting, crew management companies, travel agents servicing the marine, and port agents. The portal will offer real time seaman fares, which will assist with travel agents to explore an untapped industry in India.

Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder, TBO Group and MD Nijhawan Group said, “The key objective of TBO marine is to offer a seamless service to the B2B partners with assistance of exclusively curated software, equipped to bestow a flawless experience. Through this integration on our platform, TBO is empowering its partners to tap into a new segment. Our team of highly skilled professionals will be available 24/7/365, to offer specialised rates, state of the art technology and years of experience of airways schedules, visa assistance, and cost effective ways to add value to our clients.”

The Marine industry in India is a standout amid the most dawning and breathtaking sectors. Identified as a lucrative and niche market segment, the marine is yet to be discovered to its core potential. Worldwide, this potential sector is being explored at a high pace with technological development.

EbixCash Travels emerges as the leading travel & forex partner to majority of franchises for IPL

Trade registration opens for 'WTM Virtual' 2020

Signature Tours launches Orange Line for the changing world of travel

TBO Group ventures into the marine business

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Ankush Nijhawan


UPDATETravelScapes

Streetgooser Technology Pvt. Ltd., a new age

entrant in the Cloud-Based Hotel Management Software domain, has been creating waves since inception in December 2019. Streetgooser has revolutionised the global Hotel Management Software domain by curating a range of dynamic yet easy to use tech solutions that has helped accommodation providers across the globe expand their visibility, marketing reach and business growth while significantly reducing costs.

Founded in 2019 by Shakthivelu M, John Varghese and Deenath Sharma, this powerhouse triad collectively bring in over half a century of rich expertise

and vast industry experience spanning the global travel, tourism, airlines, hospitality, entertainment and IT sectors. Working their way up into leadership positions in various industries gave them a unique aerial perspective of the potential of tier III towns and small villages, but not having the technological prowess to reach out to consumers looking for that perfect off-

beat exotic destination. This led to the birth of a unique Cloud-based Hotel Management Software system catering to large, mid and small sized accommodation providers with a pivotal slogan “We want to change the neighbourhood into a destination”. Streetgooser has also recently brought in Hema Manghnani as Vice President – Business Development.

Streetgooser revolutionises the PMS domain with a host of innovations

According to a recent circular released by IATO

(Indian Association of Tour Operators), the 36th IATO Annual Convention, which was scheduled to be hosted in Ahmedabad, this year, has been postponed to September 2021 due to the current pandemic situation that prevails. Hosted by Gujarat Tourism, the authority has acceded to the request and agreed for next year.

“IATO thanked Jenu Dewan, IAS, Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. for agreeing to be

the Host State for the 36th IATO Annual Convention, which is scheduled to be held in September 2020. However, as unfortunately, the present pandemic situation does not seem to be very conducive of having a very high magnitude IATO convention in Ahmedabad in September 2020, IATO requested that Convention may kindly be postponed to September 2021 in Ahmedabad. Dates of the convention to be mutually decided at a later date,” said the official statement.

TIES (The International Ecotourism Society) has

appointed Pankaj Nagpal, Managing Director, Travstarz Global Group as the Chapter Head for North India. He is the first Chapter Head to be appointed in India by TIES, which is a non-profit organisation present in 190 countries with over 15,000 Active Members across the globe that follows the guidelines of sustainability and ecological preservation at global standards. With nature under the threat of global warming for over a decade now TIES works closely with the various associations and government bodies

across the world to protect the environment and raise awareness about sustainable and responsible Eco-Tourism activities in each country and each member is actively involved and pledged to promote eco-tourism and protect nature.

OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association

of India) has recently joined the list of Global Travel Trade Associations to have been grated the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp. Achieving the Safe Travels Stamp is not an easy task as there are a bunch of protocols to be followed and commitments and criteria to be met. OTOAI has become the second Association in India to receive

the prestigious accreditation.While it is essential that

each industry within the Travel & Tourism sector develops clear and practical protocols so as to enable the sector’s recovery, the approach of receiving a Safe Travels Stamp is even more important for tour operators given their dependence on other tourism entities such as destinations, airlines, hotels, transportation, travel insurance as well as

government policies such as border restrictions, as tour operators are often responsible for guests throughout their journey.

A detailed document mentioning the protocols and procedures has been put up on the OTOAI website for the members to observe and follow. For those needing any kind of assistance, OTOAI office bearers are available round the clock.

Ark Travels, one of India’s reputed and leading B2B companies specialising

in the cruise representation business penetrates further into the non-cruising representation space, with acquisition of Outbound Konnections. This business move will further expand Ark Travels tourism portfolio as it enters into a space, which is one of the most dynamic and volatile in the travel industry.

Outbound Konnections, spearheaded by Anjum Lokhandwala, is a boutique representation company offering premium services to a wide range of global brands in the travel and tourism sector since

the past eight years. Lokhandwala, the primary curator of Outbound Konnections, was already in the initial stage of discussion with an international investor, when she was approached by her industry trade colleague, Kishan Biyani of Ark Travels to consider a 100 per cent buyout deal with Ark Travels. Biyani, who is known for his astute business foresight expressed his keen interest to foray into the representation space, which led to the final buyout of the Outbound Konnections by Ark Travels.

Biyani expressed confidence to grow the newly acquired company like the

way the cruise business expanded from 1,500 passengers in 2008 to 60,000

passengers in 2018. A visionary and an astute businessman, Biyani, takes pride in mentioning that Ark Travels holds the record of being the top seller of Dream cruises globally for two consecutive years 2017 – 2018.

Lokhandwala says , “With Ark Travels now taking over Outbound Konnections, will lead to a wider reach with their online platform DECK PRO, which has an active database of over 15000 agents PAN India, will give the products good visibility and strong brand presence. I will continue my role as Director of the company.”

IATO’s 36th Annual Convention postponed to 2021

TIES appoints Pankaj Nagpal as the Chapter Head for North India

WTTC grants ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ to OTOAI

Ark Travels enters representation vertical; acquires Outbound Konnections

Pankaj Nagpal

Kishan Biyani

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TravelScapes

From the time Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman of Dubai Airports, took to Twitter announcing the gleaming city being officially open to visitors from July 7, 2020, the efforts by UAE’s government along with the reinvented strategies put into action by the key tourism stakeholders and administrators, have been much-admired globally. Not only has the Emirate successfully controlled the spread of the virus, it has also earned a ‘Safe Travel’ stamp which has indeed proved how the government is all prepped up to adapt to and persist in the new normal.

While tourism has been the lifeline of the Emirate that recorded over 16 million tourists last year, the year of 2020 started with a strong trajectory recording 3.27 million international overnight visitors during January and February. But even after the pandemic crippled the global travel and tourism industry, Dubai became one of the first cities to prepare, adapt and persist. Thereby, underlining their commitment to combat the pandemic with new norms and measures while boosting the city’s awareness among the keen travellers intending to step out and explore, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) hosted its first-ever virtual familiarisation tour for Indian travel trade media on September 22 and 23, 2020. DTCM’s virtual FAM included tours to key attractions, product presentations, media e-interactions and interesting prize-winning contests towards the end. The stakeholders including Emaar Entertainment, Emaar Hospitality Group, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Meraas Entertainment showcased their standard operating procedures being followed and implemented across the city.

Highlighting the efforts made by the government, Bader Ali Habib, Manager, Indian Subcontinent, International Operations, DTCM said, “Dubai is one

of the first few cities in the world to be recognised by UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) WTTC ‘Safe Travels stamp’, which places safety and hygiene of travellers as top priority for the Emirate. This has been possible because of the combined efforts of UAE's government, the tourism authority, Dubai Airports, Emirates Airlines and Flydubai. The stamp reassures the guests that all the safety and hygiene measures prescribed by the authorities have been complied with.”

Further, he added, “These tough times present to us an opportunity to re-think, reimagine and reshape our industry like never before. The city of Dubai is now fully aligned and well-prepared to receive tourists from all around the world including India. We are making sure all the tourism establishments and tourist touchpoints are complying with the health and safety guidelines. A recently launched program called ‘Dubai Assured stamp’ for hotels, tourist attractions, retail establishments and F&B outlets ensures stringent health and safety protocols are being followed. Moreover, most of the key attractions are now open and live events have kick-started with around 30 per cent capacity. We have also successfully reactivated our MICE activities where we resumed the local events from September 15, 2020 and the other general events are expected to resume in October. These events will be organised keeping in mind the stringent health and safety precautions of both the visitors and the attendees. This has been made possible due to the city’s ability to adapt quickly and the due credit goes to the decisive citywide management.”

Habib informed that a tremendous increase was recorded in the search volumes within three days after Dubai’s opening announcement and seeing the surge, the authority has been consistently trying to insert volumes across all major booking platforms where Dubai, fortunately, has featured in the preferred top

five for almost all the markets globally which included India. “We have been working very closely with the Indian trade partners. With their support, we are hopeful to welcome Indian tourists when they are ready to travel as Dubai inches towards normalcy. Now more than ever, it is imperative for us to market and highlight the destination. In a nutshell, Dubai is ready when you are,” he concluded optimistically.

While the destination is leaving no stone unturned to keep its visitors reassured of stringent SOPs put in place, the hospitality operators are going to great lengths to ensure a well-rounded and safe experience. “Emaar Hospitality Group is reinventing the strategies on how we can look into the touchpoints and ensure safe yet luxurious hospitality, at the same time. In collaboration with Boecker, a member of CIEH-UK, Emaar Hospitality Group has implemented the highest safety and germ control measures across all its hotels. With an ever-growing hospitality landscape, we, at Emaar Hospitality Group, keep the safety of our guests and staff the top-most priority across all our brands- Armani Hotel Dubai, Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels & Resorts and Rove Hotels," said Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group while he added, “We try and join all the dots to give an incredibly safe experience.”

Newman also announced upcoming properties which included the Address Jumeirah Resort which is a new beachfront development located right at the end of the Jumeirah Beach strip, expected to open by the end of this year.

While Dubai is consistent about not compromising on the ‘wow’ quotient of the city and has regained its vibe and energy, the government along with the tourism authorities, is continuing to work closely with the city’s network of stakeholders across the public and private sectors and its partners overseas.

DUBAI TOURISM MAKING PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO GET BACK ON ITS FEET TOWARDS A RESILIENT RECOVERY

By Gagneet Kaur

SPECIAL FOCUS

Addressing a webinar on ‘Travel Start-up Accelerator Series - Towards A Self-Reliant

India’, organised by FICCI, Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India said that COVID-19 will accelerate the digital transformation in Indian travel and tourism industry that will lead us to be innovative, creative and out of the box thinking. She emphasised that technology will be the game-changer for the travel start-up industry and the government is ready to support new ideas and collaborate with start-ups. “We cannot miss out on the software product opportunity that lies in front of India and this is the time for start-ups to 'Make in India' and for the world.”

Brar also stated that as travel restrictions are easing, both the government and industry are coming up with ideas to implement minimum or no-contact set up. “E-visa seems to be the way forward which can act as

a supporting tool for the promotional campaigns run by the governments. This will also help in recognising a tourist destination as a safe destination,” she said.

Highlighting the global competition in the tourism

industry, she said, “Adopting digital technology provides the best opportunity for the tourism industry to cement their position in the Indian economy. There has never been a better time for the industry to use it and make themselves globally competitive.”

The slow easing of international travel restrictions in future will result in intense competition as countries will target the same markets. This calls for an aggressive strategy focusing on the intense use of technology, noted Brar.

Other panel members in the webinar included Roma Datta, Director – Travel, BFSI, Classifieds, Gaming, Telco & Payments, Google India, Ashish Kumar, Co-Chairman, FICCI-Travel Technology Committee & Thought Leader, Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Chairman, FICCI-Travel Technology Committee & Co-Founder TBO Group, Managing Director, Nijhawan Group and Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI.

Technology will be the game-changer for travel start-up industry: ADG, Tourism

Rupinder Brar


TravelScapes

GCL “DETERMINING A SUITABLE AND SAFE TIMING TO RECOMMENCE OPERATIONS”

Amidst all the turmoils, how has the year 2020 been for Genting Cruise Lines?2020 has indeed been a challenging year, globally, and the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact of various businesses, including the travel, hospitality and cruise industry. Cruise companies alike worldwide are experiencing unprecedented challenges. However, at Genting Cruise Lines, we have taken this valuable opportunity to rethink, reset and enhance our operations, especially in safety and preventive measures to meet this new emerging and different landscape.

In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Genting Cruise Lines continues to be at the forefront with Dream Cruises as the first cruise brand in the world to resume operations safely in Taiwan with Explorer Dream since July 2020. Explorer Dream is also the first cruise ship to receive the CIP-M certification by global healthcare and classification body DNV GL, setting new safety standards for the cruise industry.

Any post-COVID or new customer-centric experience in the pipeline?Educating the public is the key and providing a better understanding of the high levels of preventive measures and sanitation standards onboard cruise ships will contribute to regaining customers’ confidence. We will continue to inform and educate trade partners and consumers’ on our enhanced preventive measures and facilities. These include our ship designs that enable 100 per cent external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to the cabins and onboard public areas – ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air with no recirculation within the ship. Also, mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for embarkation/disembarkation, higher frequency and increased levels of sanitisation and disinfection in cabins. Public areas were previously

sanitised once daily and are now sanitised two to four times daily with hospital-grade disinfectants.

Offering new incentives such as the ‘Cruise As You Wish’ program that allows flexibility of up 48 hours cancellation before sailing to receive 100 per cent future cruise credit for selected Dream Cruises and Star Cruises bookings will allow existing and potential customers to have ease of mind when booking a cruise with us.

What are the marketing strategies for enhancing your promotion across India and other potential markets?Consumers’ mindset, requirements and expectations in India and across the region have evolved when it comes to leisure and travel with a focus on health and well-being. With travel restrictions and limited border movement, accessibility to cruises will be challenging and somewhat limited, at present. However, it is a crucial time to educate vacationers of the new norm and the enhanced safety measures in place that are currently being adopted by the fleet under Genting Cruise Lines. This is important to instil confidence and provide peace of mind.

What are the biggest challenge as well as advantage that your brand has experienced in the India market?The biggest challenge will be instilling confidence and educating consumers on new safety and preventive measures. Having said that, these challenges are not unique to India but also similar across many countries. At Genting Cruise Lines, we have been pioneering the Asian market and during the pandemic, we had taken a lead and active role in enhancing our preventive measures, which we hope will also be the new standard for the industry. We had also completed and gained valuable insights and experience through our collaboration with the Singapore government

with the deployment of two of our Star Cruises ships in Singapore previously, to accommodate Singapore’s migrant workers who had recovered from COVID-19.

How are you planning on re-engaging with the Indian travel trade for a jumpstart in revenue generation?Our trade partners are very important to us as they had supported us over the years. We understand these are challenging times for many and together, we can overcome these challenges and reignite the cruise tourism sector. We have been constantly updating, educating and training our trade partners of the new preventive measures and operations so they can be better prepared and informed to promote cruising once operations recommence.

What are you looking forward to, in the remaining bit of this year and the next? Due to the overwhelming response and the exemplary safety track record of Explorer Dream’s Taiwan deployment, to date, we hope to replicate our success in Taiwan and further restart operations in various homeports across Asia shortly. We are working very closely with the different local governments in meeting their safety and preventive measures and protocols, as well as determining a suitable and safe timing to recommence operations.

By Sayanti Halder

The global pandemic has brought about a sea of change in the cruise industry's landscape and the country, itself, has gone absent due to the on-going widespread of this disreputable crisis despite India being such a hotbed for potential cruise customers. As the first cruise sets its sail to resume operations after the pandemic shuts down the global cruise industry, Naresh Rawal, Vice President – Sales (India & South Asia), Genting Cruise Lines (GCL) further speaks about the brand’s triumphant emergence as the India market seems to be making up a huge chunk of the business as also the cruise line seeks to instill confidence and education amongst the consumers on the new safety and preventive measures Naresh Rawal

“WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT TRAVELLERS FROM INDIA AND ACROSS THE REGION WILL CONTINUE TO OPT

FOR CRUISING AS A CHOICE VACATION SHORTLY”

APPEARING THROUGH THE TROUBLED WAVES

INCONVERSATION


UPDATE MoT TravelScapes

REGENERATING REGENERATING THE ROOTSTHE ROOTSDEVISING STRATEGIES TO REVIVE DEVISING STRATEGIES TO REVIVE AND THRIVE DOMESTIC TOURISMAND THRIVE DOMESTIC TOURISM

Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister of State for Tourism, Odia Language Literature & Culture (I/C), Govt. of Odisha

The tourism sector was hitherto assumed to be amongst the most sustainable for inclusive economic development. But it has proved paradoxically vulnerable to disasters and pandemics. Odisha, while being a pioneer of disaster management had to face consecutive blows of Cyclone Fani in 2019 and COVID-19, this year. The key segments hit by the pandemic are MICE tourism, sports tourism, spiritual and festival tourism. While we plan for strategic revival, we need some springs for a short-term jumpstart.

While international tourist inflow has been restricted, Odisha Tourism’s focus for this year is on

attracting domestic tourists and the key to reviving the tourism and hospitality sector is to market our way into the dormant tourist’s conscious. We started off at the correct time in late February by conducting sensitisation sessions for hospitality units and travel agents in coordination with their associations. We have now designed exciting road itineraries to attract road-trippers’ attention and to do that, Odisha Tourism has embarked on a campaign - “Odisha by Road”. Seven itineraries covering virtually the whole state and the experiences it offers have been developed and are being promoted digitally for tourists within Odisha and from neighbouring states. Simultaneously, we have ensured that all tourism service providers – hotels, travel agents, local communities, guides, transport services – have been familiarised with COVID-19 Prevention and Risk Mitigation Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and that they scrupulously follow them.

Also, the policy draft prepared and under

consideration, we have accorded priority to encouraging niche tourism segments such as houseboats, homestays, heritage hotels, camping sites, caravan tourism, water sports and more. Encouraging locals to become brand ambassadors and owning initiatives for localised tourism and further adding that to the state brand is a sure way to attract seekers. We at Odisha Tourism will soon launch a scheme to incentivise homestays with curated local experiences in select areas. Besides, we are looking to build upon our award-winning model of community-managed ecotourism. We have also carried out stakeholder consultations and inputs received on easing land allotment process, a greater focus on improving ease of doing business as well as consistent handholding are being incorporated.

For the post-COVID kickstart, states need to pull out their most successful offerings and present them in a fresh package, tweaked to respond to demand undercurrents. Odisha will be back with the hugely successful glamping event - Eco Retreat. We replicate the Eco Retreat to boost peak season tourist activity at five locations in 2020 – Chadrabhaga Beach at Konark, Hirakud Reservoir, Daringbadi, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Badmul Sandbars on the banks of Mahanadi River.

STATES NEED TO PULL OUT THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL

OFFERINGS AND PRESENT THEM IN A FRESH PACKAGE

OPINION FEATURE


UPDATEMoTTravelScapesWhile this pandemic has sent most of the countries into a tizzy and an economic shock, which culminated into a dreadful loss from no tourism revenues, this crisis, on the other hand, seems to be an opportune time for the countries who have a lion’s share from tourism in the domestic segment. For the travel and tourism sector in India, economic growth from international tourist arrivals was not as predominant as domestic but the segment was never observed with a preferential glance. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 shifted the priorities and we see the government now working on changing the game plan. But if we take a bite of the reality sandwich, the webinars, armchair discussions and assurances are not precisely aiding the travel agents/ tour operators who suffered major revenue losses and even the umbrella associations who have been putting forth the countless requests to concerned ministries for reworking on the regulations, taxation policies and financial grants. Therefore, the need is to have collaborative efforts from all stakeholders including the Government of India, state boards, various ministries and do the on-ground implementation of forming a standalone domestic tourism policy, rolling out confidence-building measures and reassuring the best of health and safety standards. While we assembled the opinions of industry stalwarts on what and where the push is required on the central, state and individual level, the state tourism administrators specified how they are using this crisis as the right opportunity to hit the reset button for making domestic tourism the sustainable engine for economic growth in India!

By Gagneet Kaur

The contribution of the tourism sector to the economy of our country is very significant as it supports a large number of direct or indirect employment. The impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism industry is worldwide. Every country is looking at tourism as the main driver to revive its economy. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has also undertaken a number of initiatives, such as the Incredible India 2.0 campaign focusing on niche tourism products including wellness and adventure tourism, as well as investment into the industry through schemes, such as PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan.

Talking about the state of Gujarat, tourism has been growing rapidly and almost 61 million tourists made a visit to the state in FY 2019-20. The existing tourism policy has brought significant investment in tourism industry and

was very successful in creating various tourism assets in the state. The state is now moving onto the next growth trajectory as our government is working with a focused approach in developing new tourism attractions. The government has recently announced the first Heritage Tourism Policy of the state to address the specific need of Heritage Tourism asset developers. The new homestay policy’s aim is to encourage home entrepreneurs in urban and rural areas and promote state culture. New Adventure Tourism guidelines are also published by the Tourism Department to promote adventure tourism in the state keeping safety standards as paramount. The new tourism policy

once put in place will lay the foundation for the next decade of tourism growth in Gujarat.

Further, the travel and tourism norms are easing day by day and as situations improve the new normal of travel norms will emerge and will be adopted. Keeping that in mind, our state tourism department is proactively promoting safe travel guidelines and messages through mainstream media and social media channels via audio and visual content. The tourism sites are opening gradually as per the Central Government suggestions till the things become normal. The major focus for tourism department as of now is to engage local domestic tourists as foreign

arrivals are yet to return normal. The religious places like Ambaji, Somnath and Dwarka are major tourist attraction among domestic visitors. These places are opened and strictly following the safe tourism rules. Sanitization, social distancing and temperature check are the new norms. We hope with situations getting improved, tourism will bounce back to the pre-COVID level soon.

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has been coming up with several schemes during the revival period to support various sectors in the tourism industry. To ease the travel of visitors coming to Uttarakhand, we have removed all kinds of movement restrictions for tourists having the mandatory COVID-19 negative test report. We are also planning to deploy tourist facilitation counters at all important state borders and provide on-the-spot COVID-19 testing facility to visitors not carrying the COVID-19 negative test reports. Uttarakhand also became the first Indian state to launch the ‘Tourist Incentive Coupon’ Scheme. Under this scheme, all the tourists visiting Uttarakhand, who have registered themselves under the Dehradun Smart City portal, will be

provided with a discount of INR 1000 or 25 per cent of the accommodation charges per day subject to a maximum stay of three days. It is also noteworthy that apart from Uttarakhand, similar incentive-based schemes were recently introduced in Japan and in European countries Sicily and Cyprus to woo large number of tourists.

Notably, adventure tourism has a major contribution in the overall tourism industry of the state and we are confident that the reopening of adventure activities will benefit the state tourism industry. We expect full cooperation from all the stakeholders.

Simultaneously, it is our collective efforts to constantly be in touch with the stakeholders and mutually come up with apt guidelines, in order to support the industries at every step during these difficult times. Recently we held an online meeting with the stakeholders and effective steps during the revival period of adventure tourism were discussed.

The funds have been made available by the State Government to the District Magistrates for providing INR 1000 / - per personnel as immediate assistance to the personnel of the tourism industry. INR 2.50 crore has already been disbursed for this purpose. Cooperation

was sought from the tourism industry to implement the positive initiatives taken by the state government. Also, in a meeting held in July, Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand met the Union Minister of Tourism and Culture and requested to sanction funds for the" Swadesh Darshan” and “Prasad" schemes.

Jawahar Chavda, Minister of Tourism, Government of Gujarat

Dilip Jawalkar, IAS, Secretary Tourism, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), Govt. of Uttarakhand

THE NEW TOURISM POLICY ONCE PUT IN PLACE, WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR NEXT

DECADE OF TOURISM GROWTH IN GUJARAT

IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO CONSTANTLY BE IN TOUCH WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS AND

MUTUALLY COME UP WITH APT GUIDELINES

OPINION FEATURE


TravelScapes

The crisis presents an opportunity to rethink the tourism system for a more sustainable and resilient future. The government needs to consider the longer-term implications of the crisis, while staying ahead of the digital curve, supporting the low carbon transition and

promoting the structural transformation. Policy intervention will be necessary to address structural problems of the sector, avoid the return to issues of tourism management and advance key priorities, such as encouraging new business models, embracing digitalisation and promoting connectivity. Restoring traveller confidence and stimulating demand with new safe and clean labels for the sector, information apps for visitors and domestic tourism promotion campaigns should be the mandates.

A new tourism policy certainly needs to come into place as the new norms of travel need to be put into a document with all the changes to be adopted post-COVID. The demographic of a traveller and the tourism industry needs to be relooked into. The government

needs to structure tourism taking into consideration the viewpoint of travel, the traveller and the tourism associations. In order to open up while the virus is still spreading, governments should prioritise taking balanced, measured and coordinated policy action at the local, national and international level, in order to protect people, while minimizing job losses. Preparing comprehensive tourism recovery plans, to rebuild destinations, encourage innovation and investment will help rethink the tourism sector. Accessibility, connectivity and transport should be high on the agenda just as accommodations, restaurants, resorts,

events, travel and associations, travel tech companies and tour operators. Also, the state governments’ assistance efforts should include communication campaigns, supports to provide flexibility and relief for companies and workers in the reduction of working hours, temporary lay-offs and sick leave, liquidity injections and other financial instruments, to ensure business survival in the immediate term and actions to help MSME adopt new work processes. Additionally, hotels and travel agents need to be registered on the state tourism website for the traveller to feel safe to travel through reliable travel provider.

The tourism industry has suffered monumental losses due to the pandemic. There is a dire need to have a National Tourism Policy with execution models. The policy can focus on immediate goals, mid-term goals and long terms goals. As the pace of revival of this sector

is slow the national tourism policy should focus on survival and revival strategies for tour and travel industry. The policy should have footprints of safety and hygiene protocols in every sphere so that tourists can plan their trips fearlessly. Also, seamless travel across all states is necessary. For this, states and union territories should work in coordination with each other. There should be “uniform” quarantine rules across all States/Airports for both International Arrivals and Domestic Passengers.; this should be put on the

Ministry of Tourism website. All States/ UTs should have a targeted marketing campaign to communicate the safety measures taken by the government and private stakeholders. The policy should also focus on reviving domestic tourism with milestone strategies on training, branding, marketing and inter-ministerial coordination. It is suggested that a 100% tax rebate allowed for a tourist’s spend on Domestic Travel to a cap of INR 75,000 and restaurant spend to a cap of INR 25,000 to stimulate domestic demand.

To further give a boost to domestic travel, government should provide tax rebates for spending on Domestic holidays in the lines of the Leave Travel Allowance. India has great heritage and tourism products like Wellness, Yoga, Golf, Religious Tourism, Food Tourism and Rural Tourism; these should be promoted. To promote MICE tourism, incentives should be given to corporates on all domestic conferences. The State Tourism Boards should look at forming Tourism Circuits with the neighbouring states to promote tourism mutually. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) along with state tourism boards should look at utilising the 2021 overseas marketing budget for domestic tourism promotions.

The challenges being faced by tourism, hospitality and aviation are possibly the worst faced by this sector. It can be called a near existential threat as normalisation is possibly another year away. While

the ray of hope is that six vaccines are nearing completion by end of the year, however, it will take the entire 2021 for the world population to be substantially vaccinated for the mood to turn and travel to prosper, especially long-haul travel. In the interim, the lowest hanging fruit will be domestic tourism and on that front, the government needs to promote, assure and facilitate the domestic tourists to step out and explore the destinations of the country. For promotion, the government needs to advertise its Standard Operating Procedures for safe travel and stay, so that the public realises that it is possible to safely venture out of their homes and

the tourism and hospitality industry is geared up to take care of them, with a well sanitised environment. The tourism ministry also needs to make the public aware of the innumerable natural destinations in India, which boasts of the 5th Greatest Natural Heritage of the World, where social distancing and a pandemic-free environment is natural. These will get the first strong footfalls and need to be projected and facilitated strongly.

However, while the focus presently is

on domestic tourism, we as a country cannot lose sight of the international inbound markets, both short and long haul. We anticipate that due to the development of the vaccines, by the end of September and definitely by October 2021, international tourism will revive back with a surge. We must remember that if the international tourists are to come to India within the last quarter of 2021, the overseas tour operators must be assured of this from the end of 2020 onwards.

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI & Vice Chairperson FAITH

Dr. D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Sanjay Basu, Sr. Vice President, ATOAI & Managing Director,Far Horizon Tours Pvt. Ltd.

OPINION FEATURE

MOT ALONG WITH STATE TOURISM BOARDS SHOULD LOOK AT UTILISING THE 2021

OVERSEAS MARKETING BUDGET FOR DOMESTIC TOURISM PROMOTIONS

GOVERNMENTS SHOULD PRIORITISE TAKING BALANCED, MEASURED AND COORDINATED

POLICY ACTION

GOVT. NEEDS TO PROMOTE, ASSURE AND FACILITATE THE DOMESTIC TOURISTS TO STEP

OUT AND EXPLORE THE DESTINATIONS OF THE COUNTRY


TravelScapes

Firstly, and most importantly, the new tourism policy that is under consideration is a general tourism policy for the country and not specific to providing post-COVID relaxations. However, for the revival of tourism sector, a separate initiative is required by the Ministry of Tourism so that the tourism industry can revive. For the domestic travel to revive, the e-pass restrictions should be removed and there should be no quarantine in any state.

Secondly, the state governments along with the industry need to diversify their markets, restoring

traveller confidence, stimulating demand with new safe and clean labels for the sector and harmonise protocols in each state for smooth movement. The state governments should, therefore, implement a few immediate action plans including formation of a task force at the state level, allowing a free flow of tourist vehicles without an e pass, appointing a nodal officer to publicize the new norms of safety and hygiene, ensuring cleanliness and safety at ASI

monuments and putting up welcome signs at the state/ district borders and other important places in big cities. Further, the role of State Governments is more important for execution of good governance and implementation of strict rule which shall help not only keep the environment clean and garbage-free but also invite people to participate to keep the spots clean. Therefore, public and private participation is the key to success. Once we do this, then at least the

domestic travellers would increase in the coming months.

COVID-19 has been a complete disaster for the entire travel and tourism industry irrespective of its various segments. In last six months, we have attended numerous webinars and virtual conferences and listened to the suggestions listed by MoT and distinguish industry leaders but unfortunately, it did not help us solve the question of existence. Going forward, I believe this sector will have an extremely rough patch on the way to revival. MoT has circulated draft tourism policy to the industry for their suggestions which for a longer vision is a good step, however, the new tourism policy should keep in mind the adverse present situation to have a greater impact.

Indian tourism industry what we see today was built over the years and it

was drastically destroyed by COVID-19 pandemic. Govt. should keenly take necessary measures to safeguard tourism companies in both organised and unorgansied sectors, else it would take longer than expected for its revival. If we consider today’s scenario, domestic tourism sector has some hopes but that too will be very erratic due to unstable regulations from different states in India. It will be difficult for domestic tour operators to prepare packages and announce dates unless they are sure about travel conditions and govt facilitation at state levels. It is true no

one can have a definite answer to the longevity of coronavirus but with stable standard norms, people’s movement and tourism can be regularised in a better way. This is something where MoT with support of the Government of India can lay forth a definite set of guidelines for the state tourism departments.

Secondly, building confidence among tourists is one of the major areas where state tourism departments must do mandatory brainstorming. It is not possible to give traveller the confidence to visit the destination when we have no

policy in place. And it is for a fact that we have to live with the COVID-19 virus, so if we have a good plan for revival of our tourism, we have better and brighter chances for a faster recovery.

Tourism is not just restricted to pilgrim, holidays, adventure or business. These were the traditional sectors that once existed. Now with niche segments like rural tourism, medical, film, wedding, cruise tourism in the pictures, a concentrated action plan by the government is required. There has to be a policy for all these kinds of activities that includes both its necessary infrastructure and development and the sustainable and responsible tourism aspect taken care of. Without a policy, tourism activities cannot be regulated and this becomes mandatory as per the changing times which requires amendments for further growth.

As per the reports, a new draft National Tourism Policy has been formulated which is under the consideration of Ministry of Tourism

and focuses on employment generation and development of tourism sustainably. The other features of the policy include the development of core infrastructure as well as tourism infrastructure. It also talks about developing quality human resources in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Road, rail and air transportation have been graduated as per the relaxation of lockdown in phases by states. However, there are still the restrictions in some states that hinder even the domestic tourists to enter the other state’s border and this may deter people from moving out of their homes to visit places. It is crucial to win

consumer’s confidence for travelling and flexible quarantine policies by the states will define the revival of domestic tourism.

We as an association have written to Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India to do something for the promotion of domestic tourism. MOT has decided to declare the year 2021 as the ‘Domestic Tourism Year’ and we sincerely hope this sector will get the much-needed thrust from thereon. To infuse confidence in public for travelling, ADTOI in a team of five people undertook a FAM trip to Rajasthan in September alongwith the ADTOI Rajasthan chapter members.

We visited a few offbeat destinations and took the palaces & property tours to see how the hotels are following the safety guidelines stipulated by various authorities. Luckily, we returned with a satisfied mind.

Rajiv Mehra, Vice President, IATO & Director Uday Tours & Travels

Ravi Gosain, MD – Erco Travels Pvt. Ltd. & Hony. Treasurer – IATO

Chetan Gupta, Hony. General Secretary- ADTOI & Director – S&M, R G Destinations

OPINION FEATURE

FOR THE DOMESTIC TRAVEL TO REVIVE, THE E-PASS RESTRICTIONS SHOULD BE REMOVED

GOVT. SHOULD KEENLY TAKE NECESSARY MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD TOURISM COMPANIES

IN BOTH ORGANISED AND UNORGANSIED SECTORS

IT IS CRUCIAL TO WIN CONSUMER’S CONFIDENCE AND FLEXIBLE QUARANTINE POLICIES BY THE

STATES WILL DEFINE THE REVIVAL OF DOMESTIC TOURISM


UPDATE TravelScapes

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts continues to expand its leisure portfolio with the signing of its second hotel in Mussoorie – The queen of hill stations.

Rasa Sarovar Premiere, an exemplary upscale hotel is nestled in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges. The hill station’s immense natural beauty and pleasant climate make it a perfect destination for a holiday in serendipity.

The hotel’s minimalist exterior and interiors are inspired by its natural surroundings. Guests will enjoy the stunning view of the mountains from the comfort of their cozy rooms. All guestrooms will feature private pools and gardens, along with all modern amenities and facilities.

The hotel will offer an array of dining choices, state-of-the- art fitness centre, Bar, Spa centre and a conference hall. This hill station is the perfect place to unwind and celebrate your vacation amidst nature and several attractions like museums, adventure parks, art galleries and waterfalls.

Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “Rasa Sarovar Premiere, Mussoorie will be a beautiful addition to our growing portfolio. It’s one of the most visited destinations by nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts and we are delighted to expanding our presence in the region. We hope to bring in a new level of comfort and facilities to travellers to this region with our superior accommodation and excellent services.”

Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd (The Fern Hotels & Resorts) has inducted a new, hip, lifestyle hotel brand, The Zinc, under its portfolio with the inauguration

of the first 'Zinc' hotel in the garden city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, the CEO of the company, Suhail Kannampilly said. This is the largest hotel opened in India during the lockdown period, with 193 keys, he added.

The hotel has also announced an inaugural offer of INR 1 per room per night, with an all meals inclusive plan costing INR 1999 per person extra. “We have introduced this enticing and tempting offer so that all our guests can experience our stimulating and invigorating hospitality”, Kannampilly pointed out. Expressing his happiness and congratulating the entire team, he said, “It is a matter of great delight for the entire Concept family that we have been able to open such a big hotel under these trying circumstances.”

The Zinc is a lifestyle brand of hotels & resorts which evolves with the guest. Ingenious in thought and creative in design, every experience has its own style that is unexpected and different. Enriching guest interactions with local culture, the hotel’s anticipatory service stimulates a sense of belonging to every poem and story that inspires them to do so much more.

The tagline - ‘Do the Unexpected’ describes the brand perfectly. Under the Zinc umbrella are three distinct brands, each tailored to a different target audience and their requirements – The Zinc, The Zinc Journey and The Zinc Living. Each brand offers a distinct experience that fuels our vision forward and etches a life-long memory which our guests can associate with and always cherish. An upscale accommodation having interiors that are contemporary in urban design and unique in style, The Zinc is where inspired travel begins. Its passionate team goes out of their way to offer experiences in ways one never expected and enriches all sojourns with the essence and culture of the surroundings.

Roseate Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce that all their hotels, restaurants and resorts have been certified for its safety and hygiene

practices by Bureau Veritas, the renowned company that is specialised in testing, inspection and certification of buildings and infrastructure according to their safety standards since 1828.

“We are truly honored to be certified by this leading certification body for our safety precautions and hygiene practices which is the most important factor especially during these COVID times," said Kush Kapoor, CEO , Roseate Hotels & Resorts. "We would like to thank Bureau Veritas for recognising us and certifying our practices,” he added.

During pandemic situation the most important factors which now need to be kept in mind are hygiene and sanitation. Roseate Hotels and Resorts have recently introduced 'Care by Roseate' which ensures utmost safety and hygiene measures.

Rasa Sarovar Premiere to venture into Mussoorie

Concept Hospitality inducts a new brand ‘The Zinc’

Roseate Hotels and Resorts gets Bureau Veritas’ certification

HOSPITALITY


UPDATETravelScapes

Accor, one of the leading hospitality groups and sbe, the leading

international hospitality group that develops, manages and operates award-winning brands are pleased to announce the first Mondrian hotel in Asia Pacific. With new hotels slated for Bordeaux and Cannes, next year, the Mondrian brand expects to grow its lifestyle hotel portfolio to approximately 15 properties by 2022.

Together, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, Mondrian Bordeaux, and Mondrian Cannes represent the continued strong expansion of the brand's international footprint and award-winning restaurants and lounges in collaboration with sbe partner Accor, including soon-to-be announced Mondrian properties in Australia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Located in the internationally diverse district of Itaewon, the Mondrian will present an immersive lifestyle destination with bold design, colorful art, and seductive restaurant and nightlife offerings.

“We are proud to introduce the first Mondrian in Asia Pacific together with our partner sbe,” said Michael Issenberg, Chairman & CEO of Accor Asia Pacific. “The Mondrian brand captivates the energy of Seoul with its creativity, revolutionary design and exciting bars and restaurants. Seoul is one of Asia’s most dynamic cities and is renowned for its colorful K-pop scene and fashion-forward vision, while remaining deeply rooted in culture and tradition. The opening of Mondrian Seoul Itaewon will provide a complete lifestyle hotel experience in the heart of Seoul’s most vibrant district.”

With unlock 4.0 guidelines released by the Union Ministry of Home

Affairs (MHA), the centre has allowed the hotels to resume operations. Amidst the growing concern about health and safety and how to meet hospitality revenue goals while social distancing, the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) recently hosted a webinar with industry stalwarts to discuss the revival of the hotel industry in the present scenario of COVID-19.

The webinar was chaired by G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC and the other eminent guests who joined the discussion were Rakesh Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry Of Tourism; Jose Dominic, Co-Founder, CHG Earth; Mandeep Singh Lamba, President, HVS

Hanrock and Anurag Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts.

Addressing the panel, Rao said, “The Indian hospitality industry has witnessed a sudden crash in its revenues and is working towards revival amid daunting challenges. If we look at the brighter side, this crisis will in a way, help us reinvent our businesses in the long run. We need to be versatile, innovative, aligned, and stay positive at the same time. Bringing back the confidence of the travellers is our top priority at the moment. We at ITDC have provided rigorous training to all our employees and are following strict hygiene and social distancing protocols across all our properties.”

As recently revealed through a social media post, Amritara

Suryauday Haveli has been bestowed with Recognition of Excellence for this year by HotelsCombined, a unit of Booking Holdings and a hotel metasearch engine founded in 2005. Amritara Suryauday Haveli is situated on Shivala Ghats and is a reflection of the spirit of the holy city of Benaras. The Haveli traces its history back to the early 20th century when it was built by the Royal Family of Nepal as a retreat for the aged. It’s now been painstakingly put together again to provide the best ghat experience in Benaras. The stay here begins with a 15-minute boat ride upstream along the famous ghats of Benaras to reach the Haveli. The position of the resort permits easy access to many places of interest on foot. It is also within walking distance of Dashashwamedh

Ghat and Tulsi Ghat.Amritara Suryauday Haveli

has previously been recognised by HotelsCombined in 2018 and has been given the certificate of excellence by Tripadvisor for being rated “excellent” by 421 travellers.

After undergoing an extensive upgrade of its facilities, one of the Maldives’ most luxurious resorts is now ready to welcome guests

once more. When Seaside Finolhu opens for business again on November 1, 2020, guests will be treated to a whole new barefoot chic experience with the self-styled island playground having completed its elaborate transition from luxury island resort to a proud member of the exclusive Design Hotels portfolio.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to the tourism industry, Seaside Finolhu has seized on the unique opportunity presented by the global shutdown to complete both aesthetic and functional upgrades right across the resort. Overseen by the award-winning Muza Lab design studio, the transformation of Seaside Finolhu extends to its villas, restaurants, wellness facilities, public areas, and sport and fitness activities, including a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio.

Throughout the resort, the bold new design concept unleashes a kaleidoscope of colours inspired by the vibrant natural hues of the island’s stunning flora, fauna, sunsets, and seascapes. Muza Lab’s co-founder Nathan Hutchins describes how “the changing colours, patterns and textures represent moments of discovery, wonder, and delight.” The transformation is a key milestone for Finolhu as it successfully fulfils the requirements of embodying quality, style, and holistic hospitality concepts to earn its place as the first resort in the Maldives included in the prestigious Design Hotel’s international portfolio.

Combining dashes of traditional Maldivian culture with contemporary lifestyle convenience, the overall ambiance of the resort is described as “barefoot chic” by Marc Reader, Seaside Finolhu’s General Manager.

Accor and sbe unveil the first Mondrian hotel in Asia

ITDC hosts a webinar to discuss the revival of the hotel industry

Amritara Suryauday Haveli awarded with Recognition of Excellence-2020

Seaside Finolhu Maldives opens with exciting transformation

HOSPITALITY


TravelScapes

IS THE INDIAN OUTBOUND MARKET EVOLVING FOR COVID-READY TOURISM?

We always hear the term “COVID-ready”, however, the questions that arise in our head is whether

we can ever be COVID-ready or not. Having said that, can we evolve? And I feel that we definitely will. Yes, it is indeed taking longer than anybody had expected and burnt more than we all could take in, yet hope and belief prevail even as I write this column. Fear would convert to rage, lack of confidence would convert to revenge and the more this lasts, the higher would be the return of the outbound tourism.

A lot depends upon antibiotic now along with vaccine or cure for the disease and once that is done, a lot depends upon the financial health of the economy. Once that is through, a lot depends upon the readiness of the international countries to accept Indian citizens into their borders for leisure tourism. Also, a lot depends upon the flight capacity, visa rules, quarantine rules, to name a few, but most of all what the travel may depend upon are ATTITUDE of the people, country, governments and administrators. The world watches the discipline with which countries manage their cases. How India manages to control its cases will help other countries decide to open up to accept our tourists.

If we don’t fear and use our better judgment to manage the menace of COVID-19, we may overcome. I am afraid that the paranoia and psychosis are stopping the very recovery process. We have contrasting examples of Dubai (UAE) versus some other Asian countries, where Dubai acted swiftly and decisively and is ready to open the economy taking measurable controllable risks. Only if we could manage the Indian media to not sell their prime slots and front pages with negativity but provide balanced information instead, people could haven or be less scared and more open to travel. Giving a consistent message to the market is the key!

DESTINATIONSLogic says that short-haul, Asian countries should pick up faster but there is a conflicting point of view that countries, which would open earlier and demonstrate that all is well and good for travel despite cases in their country would be preferred because psychologically they have left a positive impression on the minds of

the consumers because consumers will see, hear and experience what is available first and once the first triers or early adapters of travel come back safe and showcase how they loved spending time in a different country the more people would like to travel because the word of mouth is the strongest publicity and influence in making a decision.• Dubai, the Maldives, Thailand, Singapore would be

the first one out in short-haul• The U.K., Turkey, France, Swiss and the U.S.A. are

likely to be the ones for uptake early next year-long haul

WHAT GOVERNMENTS, TOURISM MINISTRIES AND TOURISM BOARDS NEED TO DO:

1. Ensure they have a simple procedure of accepting COVID negative test report 72 hours before travel to be allowed to board a flight from the origin

2. Conduct rapid test upon arrival in a secluded place at the airport itself, which should be done quickly and no more than 20 to 30 minutes should be invested

3. Make visas easy, may need a few documents more but make them online, faster and no later than two to three working days

4. Engage with travellers, DMC’s, tour operators and work with bookers / front-line staff of agencies to train them who can convince and give satisfactory answers to the end-consumers if they have a query on health and safety guidelines

FLOW OF TOURISM: SOURCE MARKETSThe flow or the source of the outbound would logically start from the key metros as the airline connectivity probably would come out of metros first and when the second and third-tier fellow citizens would see the metro residents travelling they would follow and be more comfortable. The usual suspects of Mumbai, Gujarat, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata would kick-start the journey and the next tiers would promptly follow their urban cousins. Honeymoon, Friends, Families would be the first segments to travel and the rest would follow.

We should be planning how to get out of the financial distress of the economy than COVID-19 and I am sticking my neck out on this, financial distress may kill more people and destroy businesses than COVID could ever. So, while we need to maintain a safe distance and wear masks, wash our hands, let’s not wash away the time we have in our hands to travel, explore, learn and enjoy the travel experiences of our life.

Poised for a strong rebound, the outbound tourism market in India, however, has already faced huge revenue losses and uncertainty on when the tourism and hospitality will bounce back, therefore,

deepening the crisis, further. While the global pandemic has sent the tourism industry worldwide reeling, K.D. Singh, Founder & President of Travelbullz seems optimistic that the India outbound tourism is

well-positioned to make a recovery, at the earliest. Amidst the lockdown, easing and lifting of restrictions and a plodding rise of the international travel business, he further shares his note of optimism, explaining

the Indian outbound tourism flow, spending and chief destination markets

K.D. Singh

“HOW INDIA MANAGES TO CONTROL ITS CASES

WILL HELP OTHER COUNTRIES DECIDE TO

OPEN UP TO ACCEPT OUR TOURISTS”

“LET’S NOT WASH AWAY THE TIME WE HAVE IN OUR HANDS TO TRAVEL”

GUEST COLUMN


TravelScapes GUEST COLUMN

Adversity comes in different shapes. The only constant is that it is uninvited and unexpected

(mostly). History has been replete with examples of life-altering events and every time there is one it seems like the end of the world. Each crisis, especially in this day of technology, is touted as the worst ever and is bound to attract comparisons to earlier events. The current COVID-19 crisis is not surprisingly being compared to the other catastrophic events such as the Spanish Flu, the SARS epidemic, the 9/11 (on humanitarian grounds) or the Great Depression and

Sternly infamous, the fatal COVID-19 has affected every sector across the globe, and the hotel industry is among the hardest hit. It is believed that like so many industries, hospitality will also see both subtle and substantial shifts in the post-pandemic era. Some are already apparent today. Shwetank Singh, Vice President – Development and Asset Management, InterGlobe Hotels examines a set of recovery scenarios for the Indian hotels, including the differing return and recovery timelines for hotels ranging from luxury to economy segment

HOTELS AIMING TO STANCE RESILIENT AMIDST THE “TECTONIC SHIFTS” OF INDIA’S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

ARE THE INDIAN HOTELS UNDERGOING A 'DND' MODE?

“AS FAR AS INDIA GOES, EXPERTS ARE STILL TRYING TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THE DEGREE OF IMPACT”

worse than at the time of SARS and four times worse than at the time of financial crisis. Given the hyper-connectedness of the world today it was to be expected, it is the pace that has taken all of us by surprise.

As far as India goes, experts are still trying to come to grips with the degree of impact. Several scenarios are being built and shapes of recovery curves being discussed and none of them look good. The current performance has fallen off the cliff and the y-o-y RevPAR reduction is 60 per cent. The overall revenue loss of the industry is expected to be around INR 90, 000 crores, putting nearly four crores jobs at risk.

However, in every adversity, there is an opportunity. There is no doubt that when we come out of this situation the world will see some tectonic shifts. As Dwight Eisenhower famously once said, “Plans are worthless but planning is everything.” The industry needs to buckle up and focus on the future. The plans need to revolve around three pillars, namely:

SURVIVE : Focus on cashAll discretionary CAPEX spends should be shelved and all receivables should be chased with dogged determination. Transparent communication should

REVIVE : Focus on customerIn this stage, spurring demand would be the key. Defining new SOP’s, new standards of health and safety so that the customers feel safe in the environment is going to be imperative. Companies will have to get clever with revenue management, sales, marketing and PR strategies. Inter-zone travel may take time to come back hence it may be a good idea to focus on intra-zone customers and target them with customised offers. Once again the government can lend a hand by offering income tax breaks (on travel and tourism spends), corporate tax breaks (at two times the regular expense) on MICE spends and can spend themselves on MICE for marketing India as an alternate to China (manufacturing hub) and as a safe tourist destination for international travellers.

THRIVE : Focus on investorThe industry has long suffered and is not widely seen as an attractive asset class. The government has a crucial role to play here. Reduction in time and cost of construction driven by the following initiatives:A. Providing input credit on GST for civil structureB. Rationalising the approvals and license process

including liquor licenseC. Uniform building norms including FSI available

and parking normsD. Marking to market circle ratesE. According to infrastructure status to hospitality

projects with over INR 25 cr in investmentF. Reducing property taxes by clubbing hospitality

land use with residential rather than commercial

The initiative listed above needs to be carried out immediately as the impact will only be felt in medium to long run. These are, no doubt, unprecedented times and only the nimble and the compliant will survive. In the words of Charles Darwin - “It is not the strongest of the species that survives or the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change”.

the 2008 meltdown (on economic grounds). The markets have reacted to make corrections

to the same extent as with the economic meltdown of 2008 in three weeks v/s the three years it took then. From the hospitality industry perspective, the performance in the current crisis is three times

be established with all vendors/partners and strategic partnerships should be put in place. Mechanisms should be worked out so the pains can be equally shared. Government has an important role to play in this stage and most of their monetary packages should be targeted here

Shwetank Singh, Vice President – Development and Asset Management, InterGlobe Hotels


TravelScapesUPDATE OUTBOUND

In an attempt to boost arrival of Indian tourists to Turkey, the Embassy of The

Republic of Turkey in India recently announced to offer longer validity visas to the Indian applicants. Under this decision, the Turkish consulate will offer single entry visas with two-year validity for the applicants.

In addition to this, Turkey will issue a new sticker visa free of charge for the applicants who already have a sticker or an e-visa but were not able to use it because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new visa thus issued will also have two-year validity. If the applicant could not travel due to pandemic,

the applicant can re-apply for the visa-free of charge.

Turkey opened its borders for tourism in June with well-planned COVID regulations in place due to which the country has emerged as a major tourist destination. Due to this, nearly one million international visitors arrived in Turkey in July. The pickup in Turkey's tourism continue as the country that welcomes millions of tourists from all over the world every year launched Safe Tourism Certification program which is implemented in various areas including transportation and accommodation to ensure a safe vacation for tourists.

Dr Trust HJ Lin who has been leading Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) in India along with a host of other regions, has been

recently appointed as Deputy Director General, Taiwan Tourism Bureau. In his new role, Dr Trust will be supporting the Director General in leading the tourism bureau to greater heights with his experience and international network with trade, tourism and countries globally.

Dr Trust has steered the Taiwan Southbound policy announced by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 that aimed at enhancing cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and 18 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australasia. During his tenure Taiwan started to invest and emphasise in growing their market presence in India and attracting Indian travellers (from holiday and MICE/B2B) which witnessed an expansion of tourism opportunities and a seven-fold growth in tourism from India in the past few years.

He will also lead the post-COVID revival of tourism from both an inbound and outbound perspective, with his PhD in Strategic Management serving as an essential tool in leading the new phase of Tourism.

Under his leadership, Taiwan Tourism organised outreach activities in six major cities of India, major airports, Mumbai metro and the more recent ‘Holiday for Healing’ outlook which will define the nature of tourist itineraries in the post-COVID scenario. India will continue to remain a key country in the long term tourism outlook of Taiwan; however the pace of promotion and outreach by the island nation is currently affected.

The Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth announced a phased reopening of Mauritian borders for international travel.

Repatriation of Mauritian nationals will continue until the end of September. As from the beginning of October more flights will be scheduled to and from designated destinations.

Mauritian Nationals, residents and holders of work/occupational permits will be given priority for travel to Mauritius. Passengers will be able to book their airline tickets and hotel rooms online. The next phase will be the complete reopening of borders, which will be considered based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turkey announces single entry visa with two-year validity for Indians

Dr Trust HJ Lin takes over as Deputy Director General of TTB

PM Jugnauth announces a phased reopening of Mauritian borders

Over a virtual press conference on September 7, 2020, Chan Chun Sing,

Trade and Industry Minister, Singapore announced trial events with up to 250 attendees as Singapore gets set to open at an even larger scale. Organisers will be able to apply to pilot such Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) events from October 1. The Singapore Tourism Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry will review the proposals for the trial. Event organisers can only proceed after receiving the Ministry’s approval. Organisers will have to demonstrate the plan to deliver safe management measures, which include reducing the overall attendance density and having pre- and post-event infection control measures.

"We are working with overseas partners, including overseas event organisers to see how we can learn from the experience of other countries, scaling this up from the hundreds to the thousands in a safe and sustainable

manner," he said."The MICE sector is a strategic one

for the Singapore economy, and its safe and gradual resumption will safeguard jobs and core capabilities. It will also help those in related sectors such as hospitality and aviation," said STB Chief Executive Keith Tan.

The minister added, “I am confident that the future of MICE remains bright in Singapore as we re-imagine the new models for our MICE industry. Through our end-to-end solutioning of a safe and seamless visitor journey experience, and by working in close partnership with industry, we can lead the way as a trusted, safe and innovative destination for MICE events over the world.”

The Singapore International Energy Week Conference, scheduled to be held in hybrid format at the Marina Bay Sands from October 26 to 30, 2020, is among the pilot events taking place under this arrangement.

Singapore to allow bigger MICE events with up to 250 attendees

Dr Trust HJ Lin


UPDATETravelScapes

Utah Office of Tourism in India to be represented by IndiJo Consulting

‘Messages from New Zealand’ delivers a dose of heart-warming Kiwi hospitality to Indians

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has

recognised the efforts of Maldives in implementing enhanced health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global Safe Travels protocols, and creating a safe, gradual plan by rebuilding confidence among travellers and ensuring a coordinated approach in restarting our Tourism industry.

Maldives achieved the Safe Travels Stamp, which is endorsed by the World Tourism

Organization and more than 200 travel companies. The objective of the Safe Travel Stamp is to provide confidence to travellers and re-establish consumer confidence in travel & tourism and ensure travellers of enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and the assurance that they can once again experience ‘Safe Travels’. It is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for travel & tourism, designed to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks.

In a recent survey jointly conducted by the Tourism

Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi Office and India-based golf management company, Sports and Leisure Worldwide (SLW), Indian golfers rated Thailand among the best golfing destinations. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director of the TAT New Delhi Office, said, “We conducted the survey to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on golf tourism to Thailand and were happy to see the enthusiasm to travel for golf among the Indian golfers.”

A whopping 97 per cent of Indian golfers who took part in the “Golfing in Thailand” survey rated Thailand as one of the best golfing destinations. They pointed out Thai hospitality, followed by

value for money and affordable luxury, as the top three key factors for them to travel to Thailand to play golf.

Thailand is a dream destination for the golfers from all around the world, as it has amazing golfing facilities. With more than 250 golf courses ideally located throughout the country, these top quality courses also offer reasonable green fees, and friendly caddies to attract golfers to visit this amazing place.

“Thailand is a spectacular choice and dream come true destination for golfers with a stunning and vast selection of golf courses. We look forward to welcoming international golfers to amazing Thailand once the COVID-19 situation improves,” Vachirachai concluded.

Maldives gets Safe Travels Stamp From WTTC

Thailand rated amongst the best golfing destinations

In order to increase awareness, support product development, and build the

Utah brand in India, The Utah Office of Tourism has appointed IndiJo Consulting as its official representative in India. Utah is a state in the western USA that is blessed with the most breath-taking landscapes. A photographer’s paradise, known for its natural beauty and some of the most stunning scenery found in the world.

IndiJo Consulting will carry out Sales, Marketing, and PR activities on behalf of the tourism board. These include webinars, trade trainings, co-op promotions, social media initiatives, support product development, trade & media relations.

Speaking on the occasion, Joseph Fernandes, CEO, IndiJo Consulting, said, “A destination with outstanding tourism offerings that we believe has the potential to attract many Indian visitors. Indian travel trade and travellers looking for high quality unique travel experiences, will just love Utah”

Rachel Bremer, Global Travel Trade & Destination Development Manager, Utah Office of Tourism and Film, informed, “We saw USD 9 million in visitor spending from India in 2019 and considering the impacts 2020 will have on visitation and our tourism economy as we look ahead to 2021, it is important that we not only expand our brand awareness but also forge partnerships and develop product to support tourism industry recovery and growth.”

Tourism New Zealand virtually launched its new campaign ‘Messages from New Zealand’ on September 21 in the presence of Steven Dixon, Tourism

New Zealand’s Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Asia and His Excellency, David Pine, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India.

‘Messages from New Zealand’ features everyday New Zealanders sharing video messages of hope and care with their international whānau (family), presenting a unique Kiwi perspective about what is important to them. The campaign showcases locals who embody the values of manaakitanga (hospitality) and kaitiakitanga (care for the land) through positivity and encouragement. This beautifully captures their wholesome messages of kindness and compassion to family, friends and loved ones all around the world.

To bring to life the campaign in India, Tourism New Zealand will be partnering with its Indian whānau, including influencers – who have a strong affinity with New Zealand – highlighting their own personal experiences and connections with the country. The campaign will be released through social and digital channels. Each of these ‘Messages’ will show that New Zealand is a country which is driven by what matters in life, underpinned by the purity of its values such as Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga.

One example of how Tourism New Zealand has been keeping connections strong in India, is its response to a survey conducted in May 2020 among travel trade representatives. The survey highlighted that 99 per cent of travel trade contacts were interested in attending Tourism New Zealand hosted webinars during the lockdown period. To meet this need, Tourism New Zealand conducted ten webinars during the lockdown period in India, which saw 5,000 travel agents across India participate.

Rachel Bremer

OUTBOUND


UPDATE TravelScapes

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited the states of Bihar and

Jharkhand for review of Darbhanga and Deoghar airports, respectively on September 12, 2020. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is developing these airports. With the operationalisation of these airports, air connectivity of the region will be improved. Further, it will give an impetus to local tourism and will generate employment in the region. These airports, through connectivity and increased economic activity, would contribute to the overall economic development of the people of these regions.

AAI is developing the civil enclave at Darbhanga for the commencement of civil flight operations for Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru under Regional Connectivity Scheme. Construction of the Interim Terminal Building of airport with an area of 1400 sqm., is complete. The terminal building with six check-in counters will be able to handle 100 passengers in peak hours with all required passenger amenities. The work for the strengthening of runway for

accommodating Boeing 737-800 type of aircraft, construction of new Apron with a connecting taxiway and connecting road is in full swing and soon the airport will be ready for civil operations.

The Darbhanga airport belongs to the IAF and land was handed over to AAI for development of the interim civil enclave which includes the construction of a Pre-fab terminal building along with associated facilities car park, connecting road network, strengthening of runway and dispersal area to cater to the intended aircraft and construction of a link taxi track at the cost of INR 92 crore. The Foundation for the Interim Civil Enclave at Darbhanga was on December 24, 2018.

Deoghar Airport in Jharkhand is being developed by AAI, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and state government. The development of the airport with a project cost of INR 401.34 crore is underway and will be completed very soon. Deoghar Airport is the second airport in Jharkhand after Ranchi.

Minster Puri reviews Darbhanga and Deoghar airports, respectively

Boeing, Etihad Airways and World Energy lift sustainable aviation fuel

Boeing and Etihad Airways concluded testing on the aerospace company’s

2020 ecoDemonstrator programme last week with a cross-country flight using a 50/50 blend of sustainable and traditional jet fuel. Flying from Seattle to Boeing’s manufacturing site in South Carolina, Etihad’s newest 787-10 Dreamliner used the maximum sustainable fuel blend permitted for commercial aviation. The transcontinental flight also demonstrated a new way for pilots, air traffic controllers and airline operations centres to communicate simultaneously and optimise routing.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Operating Officer said, “Together with Boeing and the national airline’s sustainable aviation fuel partners World Energy and EPIC, Etihad used 50,000 gallons of a 50/50 blend of sustainable aviation fuel on the final flight of our ecoDemonstrator 787-10 flight tests. This is a monumental step forward for the sector to prove the viability of producing a 50/50 blend of sustainable aviation fuel [SAF] at a high volume, an important moment for the industry.”

He added, “This is a prime example of industry collaboration towards

sustainable aviation and innovation. Etihad’s collaboration with Boeing in the ecoDemonstrator programme has been a unique opportunity to lead the aviation industry’s drive for a sustainable future.”

Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator programme takes promising technologies out of the lab and tests them in the air to accelerate innovation. This year’s program evaluated four projects to reduce emissions and noise and enhance the safety and health of passengers and crew. All of the 787-10 test flights used a blend of traditional jet fuel and sustainable fuel produced from inedible agricultural wastes to minimise emissions, with the final flight operating at the maximum 50/50 commercial blend.

Parliament, recently, passed a bill which seeks

to improve India’s aviation safety ratings and provide statutory status to regulatory institutions, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 also provides for keeping aircraft belonging to the country’s

armed forces outside the purview of the Aircraft Act, 1934. The Bill also proposes to increase the fine amount for violations of new rules from INR 10 lakh to INR 1 crore. The bill was passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha. It had got the approval of Lok Sabha in March, itself.

The Dubai-based carrier’s new service covers

COVID-19 health expenses and quarantine costs and offers passengers more confidence and peace of mind on their travel journey. Dubai-based airline flydubai has announced that passengers booking with flydubai for travel between September 1 and November 30, 2020, will automatically receive free global cover for COVID-19.

The new service covers passengers’ health expenses and quarantine costs if diagnosed

with COVID-19 during their trip and is valid for 31 days from the time they take their first flight on their itinerary. The service enables passengers to benefit from coverage for their medical expenses up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs up to EUR 100 per day for 14 days.

Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer, flydubai said, “The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority. The new COVID-19 cover we are offering to our passengers will encourage more people to travel with ease of mind knowing that they will be looked after at every step of their journey. We see the demand for travel starting to increase as more countries gradually lift restrictions on international travel. Safeguarding the passenger journey with added precautions and enhanced procedures will help to stimulate the flow of trade and tourism globally.”

Parliament passes bill for statutory status to aviation regulators

flydubai offers passengers free global cover for COVID-19

Hardeep Singh Puri

AVIATION


TravelScapes UPDATE

Travelport, one of the leading travel technology companies, recently announced the renewal of

a multi-year content agreement with the national carrier Korean Air. Under the agreement, Travelport will continue to provide Korean Air’s content and inventory to more than 68,000 Travelport-connected agencies around the world, enabling them to search, sell and book the airline’s fares.

Kenneth Chang, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Korean Air said, “As travel recovers, Korean Air intends to be leading the way. Our partnership with Travelport has proven itself many times over, and its global network remains a cornerstone of our plans for international growth.” Sue Carter, Head of Asia Pacific, Air Partners at Travelport added, “We’re extremely pleased to continue supporting Korean Air’s ambitions to be a global aviation leader with our technology solutions. Taking advantage of cutting-edge advancements such as New Distribution Capability will be crucial for

airlines to lead in a world of heightened traveller expectations, and we look forward to further extending our support with Korean Air in time to come.” In addition to providing Korean Air content to travel agencies around the world, Travelport is also supporting Korean Air’s organisation-wide digital transformation with its Data and Business Intelligence, as well as Airline Insight solutions.

Korean Air, Travelport extend the multi-year content deal

An air bubble agreement has been finalised by Bahrain and India to facilitate travel

between the two countries, the Indian Embassy in Bahrain has announced. As per the arrangement, both Indian and Bahraini national carriers will be permitted to operate a specified number of flights between India and Bahrain, the embassy said in a statement recently. The designated airlines for the purpose are Gulf Air, Air India and Air India Express, respectively.

The categories of persons, allowed on such flights would be namely of Bahraini nationals/ residents, any Indian national holding any type of valid Bahraini visa and destined for Bahrain only, and All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Bahraini passports. The designated airlines of both sides will be permitted to sell tickets between Indian and Bahrain in each direction through their websites, sales agents and Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announced that it will resume

its direct flights to and from India staring with Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) on September 14, 2020, along with Cochin and Calicut this week with plans to announce further expansion into more destinations within India soon. The flights are operating based on a special agreement between the governments of the Kingdom of Bahrain and India.

Gulf Air has been operating direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and India since 1960 and its network of Indian cities has always been key within the Gulf Air’s global network. The airline currently flies to and from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Manila, Athens, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Turkish Airlines signed an IT agreement with Amadeus to enhance its digital shopping

experience offering. The deal will bolster the airline’s digital infrastructure to pave the way for content to be distributed via NDC shortly. The carrier is aiming to expand customer reach with a series of new shopping solutions from Amadeus’ Offer Suite. The solutions will allow Turkish Airlines to connect with new market channels and develop a future proof retail strategy.

Turkish Airlines will become the first airline to

adopt Massive Search, a solution which will help deliver the most relevant and bookable fares to travellers. This standalone IT agreement follows an extended distribution agreement signed with Amadeus in 2019. Turkish Airlines Chief Information Technology and Transformation officer Ali Serdar Yakut said, “These are exciting times at Turkish. Now, as the sector eyes recovery, we will push the bar when it comes to searching and shopping for our fares, delivering the content our travellers want quickly and consistently, no matter the channel”.

Continuing with its commitment to support the nation, IndiGo operated its maiden flight to Chittagong, Bangladesh on September 21, 2020. The 6E flight from Kolkata to Chittagong transported a total of 9963 kg of CarGo i.e. 51.482 CBM which includes medical supplies, and other general commodities. The flight was operated while adhering to all the precautionary measures.

Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to operate our maiden CarGo flight to Chittagong, Bangladesh, using our A-320 passenger aircraft in a ‘freighter mode’. We are proud to play a part in maintaining and supporting supply chains in and out of the country at this critical time.

CarGo flights have gained significant momentum and we are pleased with the growth of this revenue stream over the last six months. IndiGo will continue to contribute and adapt its business to the needs of the hour.”

Owing to the first flight, Chittagong was the 23rd destination covered by IndiGo for its CarGo charter network. IndiGo has operated to multiple new destinations including Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Cairo in Egypt, Almaty in Kazakhstan, Tashkent in Uzbekistan and Kathmandu in its CarGo network. Within the last five months, IndiGo has also transported CarGo equivalent to the loads carried in the last financial year, despite limited capacity.

Bahrain and India enter an 'air bubble' accord

Gulf Air resumes direct flights to India

Turkish Airlines signs agreement with Amadeus

IndiGo operated its maiden CarGo flight to Chittagong

AVIATION


TravelScapesON THE MOVE

PROMOTED AT: RedDoorz - Singapore, IndonesiaTO: COO

As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Kelvin Teo will oversee the business and operations for RedDoorz, Southeast Asia’s largest and fastest growing, technology-driven hotel management company, across the region. Kelvin brings with him 20 years of experience in the tech and online industries. Before RedDoorz, he served as Managing Director for Groupon Asia.

PROMOTED AT: Sarovar Hotels And ResortsTO: General Manager - Marketing

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts promoted Shatabdi Dutta as the new General Manager – Marketing. The elevation is in line with the company’s efforts to strengthen its marketing department and bring an urgently needed edge for the brand. Dutta will be responsible for Databases –Quality, Quantity and Targeting; Digital thrust- Search Engine Optimisation, Campaigns, Lead generation, viral content reach, social media traction & productivity.

PROMOTED AT: W Dubai – The Palm, United Arab Emirates TO: General Manager

W Dubai - The Palm announced its General Manager to oversee the five-star hotel. Peter Katusak-Huszvar joins the 349-key hotel after a two-year stint at Accor's SO/Vienna. He will see all aspects of the hotel, including its impressive portfolio of F&B venue. He has held senior positions at the Le Méridien Budapest, Hungary and Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten München.

PROMOTED AT: Marriott International, Inc.TO: CAO

Marriott International, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Felitia Lee as the Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, effective August 28, 2020. Lee will be the Company's principal accounting officer and report to Leeny Oberg, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Before Marriott, Lee served as Senior Vice President and Controller for Kohl's Corporation where she led financial reporting.

PROMOTED AT: R hotels in Ajman, UAETO: Cluster General Manager

RHotels has announced the appointment of Ravi Santiago as the Cluster General Manager of Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman, and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche. Santiago has his roots in finance, previously acting as general manager finance for Aitken Spence Hospitality, before moving to Wyndham Hotels in 2009 as Cluster Financial Controller.

PROMOTED AT: The Boeing CompanyTO: Sr. VP & Chief Communications Officer

The Boeing Company has named Ed Dandridge as the company's Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, effective September 28. Dandridge succeeds Greg Smith, who has served as the interim Chief Communications Officer since July in addition to his role as Executive Vice President of Enterprise Operations and Chief Financial Officer. He will report to Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun.

PROMOTED AT: Shama Serviced Apartments portfolio, Bangkok TO: Cluster General Manager

Sukamal Mondal has been promoted to Cluster General Manager for the Shama Serviced Apartments portfolio of four properties in Bangkok and will continue to lead as the GM of Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok, which he led the rebranding of two years ago following a full refurbishment of the property. He has been an ONYX veteran with over 14 years of experience.

PROMOTED AT: Accor-India And South AsiaTO: Senior VP-Operations

Accor has recently announced the appointment of Puneet Dhawan as the Senior Vice President (VP) of Operations for India and South Asia markets. Taking reigns from Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer (COO) – India & South Asia as he departs for his retirement, Dhawan’s appointment has been effective from August 1, 2020 and he will handle the group’s operations and strategies to ensure Accor’s continued growth momentum.

PROMOTED AT: Mourya Lords Inn, KurnoolTO: Manager – Operations

Lords Hotels and Resorts has appointed Vijayendra Nath as the Operations’ Manager of Mourya Lords Inn at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Nath comes with a rich experience of over 32 years in operations specialising in front office and revenue management with Oberoi and Trident Groups, to name a few. His last assignment was with Daiwik Hotel, Shirdi - Maharashtra as Operations Manager.

KELVIN TEO

SHATABDI DUTTAPETER KATUSAK-HUSZVAR

FELITIA LEE

RAVI SANTIAGOED DANDRIDGE SUKAMAL MONDAL

PUNEET DHAWAN

VIJAYENDRA NATH

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