The US eased its travel advisory for India on August 16, lowering it to Level 2: Moderate. The new travel advisory of Level 2 – which is considered as safe – came in the wake of the significant improvement in Covid situation in India. Early this year, the US had put India in Level 4, asking its citizens not to travel to India, which at that point of time was experiencing an unprecedented second wave of Covid-19. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for India due to Covid-19, indicating…
Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty
As the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) surpasses 30,000 vaccine doses administered at the Airport, a clear trend has emerged: more and more foreign travellers are making vaccination a part of their visit to San Francisco. Known as “vaccine tourism,” this concept represents the fastest-growing category of visitors to the SFO Medical Clinic, where the free Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine is administered. At present, 80% of new vaccine appointments at SFO are coming from non-US citizens, and over 1,000 doses have already been administered to visitors from 58 countries around the world. “This trend truly represents a win-win situation…
The Confederation of Indian Industry, southern region, has launched a task force to focus on tourism and related sectors. The task force is chaired by Thomas John Muthoot, chairman of Muthoot FinCorp Ltd, and co-chaired by Ligi George, MD of Madras Suspensions Ltd. The objective of the task force is to bring together all the stakeholders engaged in the tourism ecosystem on a unified approach to work for the revival of this sector in the southern region. It has members representing all the six southern states and will work to be a common voice with state governments and with the…
Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has recently completed the extension of the Shirdi airport, from 2,500 metres to 3,200 metres. Work for the night-landing facility has also been completed. The project cost INR 41.85 crore. Shirdi, where the resting place of 19th-century spiritual figure Sai Baba is located, sees lakhs of devotees every year at the Sai Baba temple. The Shirdi airport started commissioning on October 2, 2017. It had 13 arrivals and same number of departures each day until the lockdown was imposed last year. Deepak Kapoor, Managing Director,MADC, said, “We decided to make use of the time we…
Flights on the India-US and Europe routes could take up to 30 minutes more than usual as airlines have been asked to avoid Afghanistan’s airspace after the Taliban took control of the country’s capital Kabul. Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority on August 16 issued a notice to air carriers stating that the airspace had been released to the military and advised transit flights to reroute, saying there would be no air traffic control (ATC). Sources said the airspace was shut as there were no staff to man the ATC after the Taliban took power. As a result of this sudden decision,…
The state forest and tourism departments are to work hand-in-hand to promote eco-tourism. While the Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation, functioning under the forest department, has already identified five eco-tourism spots, the tourism department is likely to look at streamlining activities such as treks and camping in forest areas. Though eco-tourism began in the state a decade ago, its potential remained untapped. Treks and camps are being organised on a small scale informally in hill stations. The tourism department is looking at cashing in on demand by streamlining things. A tourism department official said the idea is to generate revenue…
The UK on August 14 reduced the cost of COVID-19 tests for international travellers from Amber list countries like India from 88 pounds to 68 pounds (USD 122 to USD 94), after many representations over the high charges of the mandatory testing. Passengers returning from Green list countries or Amber list destinations like India, if they are fully vaccinated, will now pay 20 pounds (USD 27) less per Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. The test must be taken on or before day two after the traveller arrives in England. People who have not had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that new airports were being constructed and far-flung areas of the country connected through the UDAN scheme at an unprecedented speed. In his Independence Day speech , the PM said, “Today, the speed with which new airports are being constructed in the country, and the way UDAN scheme is connecting the far-flung areas, it is unprecedented.” “Today, we are seeing how better air connectivity is giving wings to people’s dreams,” he added. The Centre has accorded in-principle approval for setting up of 21 greenfield airports across the country: Mopa in Goa; Navi Mumbai, Sindhudurg and…
The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) on August 14 said it has proposed to schedule three flights a week from London to Kochi from August 22, to enhance Europe connectivity. Air India will operate services on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday in the LHR-COK-LHR sector from August 22. S Suhas, MD, CIAL, said the updated schedule will stimulate the aviation as well as tourism sectors in the time of the distress. “CIAL is delighted to host 3 flights from London a week. This is the highest number of flight services that have been scheduled in this sector in the history of…
London based GO2UK & Europe Travels Limited, a leading destination management company for the UK and Europe has announced the appointment of Renuka Natu Travel Relations as Market Advisor & Consultant for India, Sri Lanka & the UAE. Commenting on the announcement, Khushboo Shah, Founder and Managing Director of GO2 UK & Europe Travels, said, “In a post Covid world as we look to accelerate private tours for UK and Europe, we are delighted to partner with Renuka to expand our footprint in India, Sri Lanka & the UAE. Renuka brings with her over 25 years of travel trade experience…
