Category Archives: Trade News

New tourism policy to be finalised soon, will cater to post-Covid visitors: Ministry

The much-delayed national policy on tourism will soon be finalised and it will have specific norms and provisions to suit the post Covid-19 travellers, a senior official in the ministry said.

The draft National Policy on Tourism was prepared by the ministry and was under review after the pandemic eased, officials said.

“Just when we were ramping up the tourism policy, Covid-19 crisis came, bringing many challenges but it has brought opportunities also. The pandemic is an evolving subject which has changed tourist trends. We are now again deliberating on how the policy is shaped in keeping with the global standards to be followed in the Covid-era. We have to digitise more to reduce physical touch, make places accessible for all,” said Rupinder Brar, ADG Tourism, GOI.

It also talks about developing quality human resources in the tourism and hospitality sector across the spectrum of vocational to professional skills development and opportunity creation; and creating an enabling environment for investment in tourism and tourism-related infrastructure.

“A variety of different verticals have emerged such as heritage tourism, staycations and homestays. Protocols have to be put in place for all this,” said Brar.

Some of the features of the draft policy put forth last year include focus on employment generation, community participation and stress on the development of tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Brar also underlined the need to focus on staycations which are becoming a way of travel in the post-covid era. Tourists are looking for open spaces and travelling in smaller groups preferably with family or close known friends as safety measure.

She also said that some states have their own policies in keeping with their strength and opportunities. (Source FE)

Yucatan Tourism in association with Travstarz Global Group hosts Indian agents at Tianguis Turistico 2021, Merida, Mexico to showcase the country

Yucatan Tourism, Mexico along with Travstarz Global Group, India’s leading B2B company hosted
Indian agents at the recently concluded Tianguis Turistico 2021, Merida, Mexico, a networking
exhibition showcasing the Yucatan Region and Mexico as a destination. It started with a Pre-Fam for the agents from 12 to 15 November with the main event from 16 to 19 November, 2021.

“It was great to take our partners once again with us for this trip and see things get back to normal
post covid. We have been working very closely with various tourism boards as their promotion partner in India and Yucatan Tourism too keenly partnered with us to invite potential agents who can genuinely promote Mexico as a destination in India. We chose all the partners very carefully to do full justice to the trust posed on us by Yucatan Tourism as this was a fully hosted FAM. I am really glad that Yucatan Tourism was all praises for our partners and all our partners too enjoyed the trip and had a great show” Said Sucheta Nagpal, Director & CEO, Travstarz Global Group who led the delegation herself to the destination. The agents further added the below comments and were very appreciative of the arrangements made by the authorities along with Travstarz Global Group.

“Extremely honoured to be part of a terrific show by Tianguis Touristico in Merida and indeed grateful
to Sucheta & Pankaj Nagpal for choosing us as one of the agents to represent India to explore a country with great history and culture and the most awesome beaches in the world, all in all it’s time to do justice to this gorgeous country Mexico,” said Ajay Chhabria, Partner Director, Intime Travel by Design LLP.

“Thank you Travstarz, Sucheta and Pankaj for an amazing opportunity for learning and exploring a
region that’s so eccentric, the Pre-Fam showcased the Mayan history, culture and heritage, the natural beauty of Los Coloradas, San Filipe, and the Mayan ruins light and sound show at Uxmal was
exhilarating. The most intriguing part was to attend the Tianguis Touristico show in Merida which
showcased all of Mexico’s region under one roof” said Vyoma Bhatt, Managing Partner, Aspen
Vacations.

“A big shoutout to Sucheta & Pankaj, Travstarz for making me explore the rich and exotic Mexican
culture. From viewing 7th wonder of the world, Chinchenitza to diving into Cenotes the experience
was one of a kind. Absolutely loved the off -beat experiences of Glamping , Mangrove walks at San
Felipe and Los Coloradas. The Tianguis Touristico Show in Merida was a great oppurtunity to learn
about Mexico and promote it better in Indian market” said Neerja Arora, Managing Director, Flag
Travel Services Pvt Ltd.

“Extremely honoured to be part of Tianguis Touristico in Merida and representing India, to witness the amazing showcase of the Yucatan region and whole of Mexico under one roof. Brilliantly curated Pre-Fam to explore and experience the country and Yucatan region. Thank you Travstarz, Sucheta & Pankaj Nagpal for putting in lot of efforts to make our experience smooth” said Manmeet Bhatia, Cofounder, HOLIDAY INK

“Thank you Sucheta, Pankaj & Travstarz Team for taking us onboard this journey to explore, learn and
understand Mexico as a destination at Tianguis Touristico 2021 in Merida. These 10 days in Mexico enhanced my knowledge and gave me a wonderful perspective about the destinations” said Purvi
Jhaveri – Founder, ways2wander

“It was a great pleasure to be a part of this amazing Trip to Mexico organized by Travstarz with Yucatan Tourism and attend Tianguis Turístico México in Mérida, Capital of Yucatán. Special thanks to Pankaj and Sucheta for all their hard work. It was a wonderful to explore the uncharted beauty of Mexico and learning about the culture & history of the lost Mayan civilization. ‘Mexico: Live It to Believe It’ will be the prefect tagline” said Vanessa Mehra, Director, Aaryan Leisure & Holidays Pvt Ltd.

Kamat Hotels (India) LTD. Presented With Maharashtra State Best Employer Brand Awards 2021

Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd. has been conferred with Maharashtra state best employer brand award 2021. The award was hosted by the reputed Employer Branding Institute World HRD Congress and Stars of the Industry Group. KHIL received the award in regards to the covid challenges faced by one of the most worst affected industries and the critical teamwork by the staff to take care of covid patients, foreign returning Indian guests and staff well being challenges alike. Intensely researched by Dr. R. L. Bhatia, Founder of World CSR Day, and chaired and headed by Dr. Indira Parikh Ex-Dean of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad this award recognizes organizations that have used marketing communications effectively in attracting talent, retaining talent, developing talent, and in the retention policy.

The award was received by Varun Sahani, Vice President Operations, Kamat Hotels who said “What makes Kamats A great place to work is its our people cultures that has been imbibed over the last 75 years of our existence by the Late Shri Venkatesh Kamath and now by Dr Vithal Kamat. We invest in one’s capability so that they can make the most of their career whether as part of us or when they branch outwards. Creating entrepreneur thinking while keeping to our warm Indian Traditional Hospitality. During the lockdown, we rolled out various initiatives for our employees to Protect them and their families. Connect with the people, Trust – Team Building, Appreciation, Expressing gratitude to employees boosts morale and help them endure difficult times.

Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd. (KHIL) is a leading Indian Hospitality player in India owning the Brand Orchid know to be Asia’s pioneering chain of environmentally sensitive hotels and resort and starting Asia’s First 5 Star Ecotel, The Orchid – Mumbai. Spread across multi states they also own a Heritage Collection of Fort JadhavGadh, Pune, Mahodadhi Palace, Puri and Lotus Eco Resorts.

The company consciously follows the policy of environment conservation in the operation of its hotels in all aspects with design, construction, and operations. This environment positioning gives a dual advantage to the Company in terms of marketing & visibility coupled with the lower cost of operations. In Asia, The Orchid Hotel – Ecotel, Mumbai, was the first to receive the Ecotel Certification.

Conrad Bengaluru brings in the holiday season with the ceremonial Christmas Tree Lighting

Celebrating the season of festivities, Conrad Bengaluru commemorates this special occasion with a Christmas Tree Lighting – Tree of Life. Following the path of sustainability, the Christmas tree decor is an encapsulation of all elements real and authentic. Incorporating the brand’s tag line – Travel with purpose, the Christmas tree will be adorned with saplings. These saplings will be supported with repurposed tin cans, repainted by the team of Conrad Bengaluru. The funds generated and raised from the sale of saplings will be donated to the Iksha foundation. IKSHA Foundation is a public charitable trust which primarily focuses on supporting children with eye cancer (Retinoblastoma).

Each layer of the décor placed on the Christmas tree communicates a significant messaging to its guests. The base layers of the Christmas tree have the saplings hung at alternative spaces, communicating the route to sustainability. Supporting and shedding light on the local resources of Karnataka, the next layers consist of dolls hailing from Channapatna. Conrad Bengaluru seeks to inspire its guests by providing them with a connect to local and cultural experiences. The next layers consist of colorful balls and stars, celebrating the season of festivities and the New Year. Lastly, the topmost layer of the Christmas tree encapsulates the brand’s mascot – Elle. Echoing Hilton’s vision, the Christmas Tree Lighting at the property seeks to convey the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering exceptional experiences to its guests.

On this occasion Srijan Vadhera, General Manager Conrad Bengaluru mentioned – Let us walk together towards a sustainable future, our actions today will create a better tomorrow. Let us make every festivities in our lives meaningful and filled with purpose, every contribution here towards the saplings from the Christmas tree or from the Christmas goodies will help to contribute to a charitable cause.

Bringing to life an experience like never before, the gingerbread house curated at the property is the largest in the city. Mirroring the tiny villages of Europe, the structure built seeks to bring alive childhood memories during the Christmas season. Packed with Christmas goodies inside the structure, the gingerbread house has an array of delicacies such as cookies, cakes and sweets. Made with about 5000 individual cookies used to create the structure, the house can further be used as a photo booth by guests.

ETAA South Chapter organises knowledge session on TIDS benefits for its members

Travel Industry Designatory Service (TIDS) is an identity management program designed from IATA, Montreal, Canada for all Non IATA travel companies made available free of cost globally. On procuring ETAA recommendation letter the TIDS procedure will be complete. Travel agents and tour operators availing the designatory service will get updated in IATA agency list. This additional agency listing in turn will benefit airlines and the hotel industry globally.

In this direction, ETAA South chapter, held a knowledge session for the travel agents and tour operators with hospitality partners The Paul Hotel Bangalore , on 26 November. And the discussion was centred around TIDS and the members were updated on this. This knowledge session was important as the tourism industry is bouncing back with all safety protocols and many crucial changes in travel agents booking systems which will initiate digitalization were announced. A familiarisation trip to The Paul John Hotels and Resorts at Domlur, Bangalore was also organised.

The ETAA south chapter session was Initiated by Chairperson Princy K D, Vice chairman and TIDS expert  Nandish , Advisor Joy , Secretary – Aravind ,  Treasurer -. Dinesh , Core committee members .Joyson ,  Jagadeesh, Rajendra, Nagaraj, Sanjeevi, in association with Vijay Nair, The Paul John Resorts & Hotels.

Jyoti Mayal’s terms as TAAI President extended by a year

TAAI’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually on November 29, where the members took call on the functioning of the association as the Managing Committee recommended to extend the term of the current team.

The Managing Committee of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) on behalf of the members has proposed to extend the term of the existing office officers for another year as a tenure of the team neared completion. The same required statutory approval by the General Body of the Association.

Jyoti Mayal, Director, New Airways Travels (Delhi), who got elected as the President of the association in 2019 for a two-year term will remain at the helm of affairs for another year till September 2022.

Jay Bhatia, Vice President, Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon Secretary General and Shreeram Patel, Hon. National Treasurer will also continue to be at the helm and carry on with their active duties and take forward the association and sail them through a path of the recovery along with the entire Managing Committee. The term of the Region & Chapter office bearers also has got extended.

The current team has been very active in terms of organising activities for members in form of roadshows, virtual meetings, webinars, and knowledge sessions & workshops. They have also been in regular communication with the government taking up various issues faced by the members and the travel trade.

During her annual address to the members at the AGM, President Mayal, commented that the agenda for the next year was discussed while highlighting the key achievements of the association in the last two years.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to all the members for their support extended to TAAI,especially to our team led by VP Jay Bhatia, HSG Bettaiah Lokesh, HNT Shreeram Patel and the entire Managing Committee in the last two years. During our tenure, the travel & tourism industry has faced extraordinary circumstances and faced the toughest challenges in many decades. It is only due to the support of all members, TAAI managed to keep the industry’s confidence intact, where we made representations and reached out to the highest echelons in the country for their support,” she mentioned.

While updating a ten points agenda, the TAAI President highlighted the Association’s achievements through a well-drafted communication strategy, where she shared details of different MoU’s signed to educate and update the travel fraternity; efforts taken to restart businesses in form of air bubbles, selling through GDS; issues taken up at IATA/ APJC; initiatives under UFTAA, FAITH, THSC, WITT; Tie-ups with Universities; taking out NamasTAAI; and organising a successful Knowledge Conclave in Kevadia, Gujarat in March 2021.

During the meetings, Vice President, Jay Bhatia extended his support and jointly conveyed thanks to the membership and appreciated everyone’s effort and support during the year. Hon Secretary-General, Bettaiah Lokesh lead the proceedings during the meetings and briefed the members about agenda points and the meetings were conducted smoothly. While, Hon National Treasurer, Shreeram Patel updated on the annual finances, the house approved the same unanimously. GMJ & Co, were re-appointed as the Auditors for the Financial Year 2021-22.