Tag Archives: Austria

VFS Global starts offering Austria and Netherlands visa services in Lucknow

VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, started its Austria and Netherlands Visa services in Lucknow for the benefit to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh.

Austria and Netherlands visa applicants from across the state can now visit VFS Global Visa Applications Centres on the 1st floor of the Interstate Bus Terminal, Alambagh (Shalimar Gateway Mall) in Lucknow, from Monday to Friday, 9AM to 4PM to submit their applications with ease by booking a prior appointment through VFS Global website.

For discerning set of applicants seeking enhanced submission experience services, the centres also offer optional services such as Premium Lounge that enables application submission without having to wait in a queue. Form-filling assistance, Courier service, Courier Assurance, Photo service, Printing and Photocopy service, and SMS Alerts are some of the other optional services available at the centres.

Prabuddha Sen, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “We are delighted to bring Austria and Netherlands visa services to Lucknow, a move which will benefit the citizens of Uttar Pradesh who till now had to travel to other cities like New Delhi to submit their visa applications. We are confident that these newly opened Visa Application Centres will offer applicants a convenient and seamless visa application process.”

VFS Global offers Austria visa services in 15 cities and Netherlands visa services in nine cities across India.

Goa plans roadshows in 4 countries during Oct-Nov to boost tourism

The Goa Tourism Department is planning road shows and exhibitions in four major cities in October and November, reports The Free Press Journal.

These road shows will be held in Paris (France) around October 26, Zurich (Switzerland) around October 28, Frankfurt (Germany) around November 1, and Vienna (Austria) around November 3. The 75-odd beneficiaries are expected to comprise politicians, bureaucrats, representatives from travel and tour operators and other stakeholders in the tourism industry.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC )is organising the road show and has floated a Request For Proposal (RFP) from an agency who can organise and manage the Goa Tourism side at these roads shows.
The GTDC has selected these venues based on studying social media statistics and quantum of visitors.
“The Authority intends to target prospective international customers from the following source markets by participating in road shows/marts but not limited to these countries, as these are top countries based on social media statistics and quantum of visitors”, says the RFP document.

During the road shows, a one-to-one meeting with local travel and tour operators and also with media persons is planned. Also, 100 Goan-branded caps and T-Shirts will be distributed in each road show.

 

Austria reimposes a complete lockdown as COVID-19 soars

Austria has become the first European country to reimpose a complete national lockdown as COVID-19 soars. The decision comes amid rising cases throughout the nation, and it has been noticed a seven-day rate of more than 1000 infections per 100000 people.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said, “Too many among us have not shown enough solidarity. I ask you all to help. Take part, support these measures, let us try to reduce our social contacts for a maximum of 20 days so that the Christmas holidays are protected.”

The country plans to become the first country in Europe to make vaccinations compulsory for all eligible people by February next year, announced Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg.

As of now, only under 66 percent of citizens are fully vaccinated in Austria, which is one of the lower rates in the European Union. According to the local news, the nationwide lockdown would be implemented from Monday and will last for 10 days minimum. If the numbers don’t come down, the lockdown could be extended for a further 10 days, informed Schallenberg during a news conference in Vienna.

He said, “We don’t want a fifth wave. We don’t want a sixth and seventh wave. We don’t want to have this discussion next summer.” The chancellor also said that they have not succeeded in convincing enough people to get vaccinated and it hurts that such measures still have to be taken.

Though Austria is not the first country to reimpose a lockdown but a partial one. Recently, the Netherlands also went into a partial lockdown and shut all bars and restaurants in the region. (Source TOI)