Tag Archives: Canada

Canada has seen recent developments in terms of influx of visitors

Canada to hike fee for temporary resident applications from Dec 1

Starting December 1, Canada will introduce higher application and processing fees for various temporary resident applications, impacting visitors, students, and workers seeking to enter or extend their stay in the country.

This change will also affect applications for restoring temporary resident status, authorisation to return to Canada, criminal rehabilitation for serious criminality, and Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs).

While Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has yet to disclose the revised fee amounts, applicants are advised to prepare for the increase and ensure they pay the correct fee when submitting their applications.

When submitting an application online, the payment is processed immediately. Applicants must verify that they have paid the correct fee before submission to avoid delays.

For mailed applications, a delay may occur between the time an application is sent and when it is received by IRCC. If the fees change during this period, IRCC will generally not reject the application. In cases of discrepancy, IRCC will contact the applicant with instructions to pay the difference between the old and new fees.

 

Canada enhances security for Indian travellers

 

Amid tense diplomatic relations between Canada and India, Canada has introduced enhanced security measures for Travellers heading to India. Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand announced these additional screening protocols, citing an “abundance of caution” following accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding Indian agents’ involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Transport Canada has implemented temporary measures, including more rigorous screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). These measures, now active in Toronto and other airports, may involve hand swabs, additional X-ray screenings of carry-on baggage, and physical passenger inspections. Airlines, like Air Canada, have advised passengers to arrive early to accommodate potential delays.

Security concerns have been heightened by recent incidents, such as a bomb threat against an Air India flight, and threats issued by Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. While no explosives were found on the diverted Air India flight, authorities remain vigilant amid escalating tensions.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead as Canada seeks to ensure safety while navigating a complex geopolitical environment.

Pakistan eases Sikh pilgrims’ Visa access from US, UK & Canada 

 

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently announced a significant development in visa policy for Sikh pilgrims from the US, UK, and Canada. Sikh visitors will now receive free online visas within 30 minutes of arrival, allowing them easier access to Pakistan’s religious sites. The announcement came during Naqvi’s meeting with a 44-member Sikh delegation in Lahore, where he acknowledged past travel challenges and promised ongoing efforts to support religious tourism.

Emphasising Pakistan’s dedication to the Sikh community, Naqvi stated that American, Canadian, and UK passport holders could now apply for free online visas, allowing them to visit Pakistan multiple times a year. He also highlighted Pakistan’s importance for Sikhs, likening it to the religious significance of Saudi Arabia for Muslims. In addition, Naqvi revealed plans to open various Sikh heritage sites without permits and aims to boost annual Sikh pilgrim numbers to one million, with a focus on younger generations.

The new visa policy has been well-received by the Sikh community, with the delegation expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s hospitality and streamlined visa process. The visitors remarked that the initiative has “won their hearts” and praised the Pakistani government’s efforts to improve access to their sacred sites.

The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) also welcomed Pakistan’s decision, with Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal commending the simplified visa process. He called on Pakistan and India to consider reopening the Wagah border for trade, suggesting that direct cross-border trade could reduce logistics costs and provide mutual benefits.

Chahal emphasised the potential economic advantages of Wagah border trade, including job creation and more competitive pricing for goods like textiles, spices, and agricultural products. Enhanced market access could foster a balanced trade relationship, benefiting the economies of both nations and supporting local industries.

52% of inbound travellers seek India as standalone destination: Booking.com Report

Booking.com in collaboration with Accenture, unveiled the second edition of its comprehensive annual report, ‘How India Travels 2024 – The Inbound Edit’.

The report sheds light on the inbound travel sector’s strong recovery, while uncovering evolving traveller preferences and motivations, its impact on the Indian economy and emerging trends.

India’s travel renaissance: A global travel hub fuelling economic growth

With over 9 million foreign tourists visiting India in 2023, the report highlights India’s transformation into a global travel hub. This is attributed to the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, coupled with strong rankings in price competitiveness, air transport and infrastructure making it a top destination in South Asia. The surge in tourism has resulted in positive economic benefits. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism have increased, reaching USD 15.3 billion in the first half of 2024, a 17.6% increase from 2023 and a 5.5% jump from 2019. The influx of international visitors is catalysing the local economy, potentially generating 58 million jobs by 2033. With tourism projected to contribute approximately USD 512 billion to India’s GDP by 2028, a substantial increase from 2023, the industry exhibits robust recovery and growth trajectory.

Key insights and trends on the inbound traveller

The report also unveils key trends shaping inbound tourism and the mind set of international travellers detailing their preferences, motivation and what they seek from their experiences in India. These insights were gathered through a combination of external data and a survey commissioned by Booking.com among travellers who intend to travel to India in the next 12-24 months.

● Geographic diversity: More than half (52%) of inbound travellers seek India as a standalone destination, while a third (22%) intend to combine their visit with other Asian countries. This trend highlights India’s growing role as both a primary destination and stopover in regional travel plans.

● Shifting source markets are transforming the travel landscape: The US, United Kingdom, Germany and United Arab Emirates have emerged as top inbound source markets for India based on Booking.com search data as compared to 2023, reflecting a shift from traditional frontrunners like China, Canada and Bangladesh. Hong Kong, Australia, Italy and Netherlands were new entrants in the top 10 inbound source markets.

● Beyond the metros, off-the-beaten path destinations rise in popularity: While major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Chennai remain popular and have consistently ranked as the top five cities in terms of searches, less conventional destinations are gaining traction. Off-the-beaten path destinations like Hampi and Leh rising in popularity, showcasing India’s diverse tourism offering. Other emerging destinations like Patnitop, Pahalgam, Madikeri, Vijayawada, and Khajuraho among others have shown a 2X or more year-on-year growth.

● Repeat visits driven by positive experiences: Nearly half (44%) of inbound travellers have experienced India and want to visit it again. 40% are eager to explore India for the first time. Travellers aim to explore multiple destinations within India. 41% intend to visit 2-4 destinations, while 35% plan to cover 5-10 locations, showcasing their desire for diverse experiences.

● The rise of digital traveller: India’s inbound tourism has evolved rapidly since 2019. Travellers are now seeking more personalised and flexible experiences with online platforms playing a crucial role. A majority (52%) of travellers prefer to book complete travel packages, while 40% opt to book individual components separately.

Navigating the road ahead: Challenges and opportunities for India’s tourism industry

India continues to leave a lasting impression on the majority of returning travellers, with an overwhelming 95% reporting that their experience either met or exceeded expectations. Nonetheless, there are a few hurdles that travellers face while planning and booking a trip to India. Survey responses indicate that limited customization options (49%), lack of bundled packages that combine flights, accommodation and activities into a seamless travel experience (51%) and information overload (43%) can hinder traveller experiences. Many international travellers also seek personalised itineraries and seamless travel planning but find it difficult to achieve. These challenges open up great opportunities for the industry to come together and improve personalisation, expanding digital resources and tackle health and safety concerns to create a more enjoyable experience for new and returning travellers.

Similarly, expanding direct international flights, simplifying visa processes, and continuing to promote India’s diverse travel landscapes and experiences will aid the acceleration of tourist arrivals. This can be achieved through a collaborative approach between various stakeholders, backed by targeted investments, which will help India reach new heights in global tourism.

Commenting on this, Mugdha Sinha, Director General (Tourism), Government of India, Ministry of Tourism said, “Vision 2047 for Tourism aims to elevate India’s inbound tourism by tenfold, positioning us as a premier global destination. With technology and big data as transformative drivers, we are not just upgrading infrastructure, but also leveraging tourist behaviour analytics to tailor our offerings. From wellness and adventure tourism to responsible travel, we’re committed to delivering a seamless, enriching experience. Our focus on safety, hygiene, and connectivity ensures that every visitor experiences the best of India, driving both employment and GDP growth in the creative economy.”

“India’s inbound tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, fuelled by its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality,” said Santosh Kumar, Country Head, Indian subcontinent & Indonesia at Booking.com. “Our latest report ‘How India Travels 2024 – The Inbound Edit’ highlights the growing appeal of India as a global destination, with a surge in foreign tourist arrivals and a strong preference for unique experiences.

This is also reflected in India’s 39th rank on the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, up from 54th in 2021. As travellers seek authentic connections and immersive journeys, India’s ability to offer a diverse range of experiences, from bustling cities to serene landscapes, is proving to be a major draw. We at Booking.com remain committed to supporting India’s tourism industry by providing partners with the necessary tools and resources, while enabling travellers to plan seamless and unforgettable journeys.”

“India’s tourism industry is currently defined by transformation-led growth, driven by rich, authentic experiences and increasing purchasing power of consumers. Today, it offers diverse options for both budget and luxury travellers, supported by strategic government initiatives and ongoing efforts to modernise the travel infrastructure. To enhance India’s appeal further, it is crucial to leverage technology specially data, analytics, AI, and generative AI to streamline operations and improve the entire traveller experience—from inspiration to planning and booking through post-trip advocacy. This will help strengthen India’s position on the global tourism map, while ensuring visitors leave with unforgettable memories and a desire to return,” said Anshul Gupta, Managing Director and Travel lead for Advanced Technology Centers in India, Accenture.

RezLive.com expands with Canadian Agent

 

RezLive.com has expanded into the Canadian market through a strategic partnership with International Travel Inc., serving as its official General Sales Agent (GSA). This collaboration enhances services and offers exclusive opportunities for travel partners across Canada. RezLive.com, the flagship product of the Travel Designer Group, provides a comprehensive online booking platform with global travel products such as hotels, sightseeing tours, and transfers. With a strong presence in Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, the Canadian expansion is a significant milestone in its global growth strategy.

Through this partnership, Canadian travel agents will gain seamless access to over 500,000 hotel rooms, 45,000+ sightseeing options, and 5,000+ transfer services across more than 900 global destinations. Additionally, agents can instantly book cruises, further enhancing their service offerings. RezLive.com’s platform combines extensive global inventory with local expertise, enabling agents to deliver top-notch travel solutions to clients.

Key features for Canadian travel agents include RezRewards, direct hotel connectivity, flexible cancellation policies, same-day check-in, zero payment gateway charges, and 24/7 support. These features provide travel agents with cost-saving benefits, efficient service, and comprehensive support.

“We’re excited to offer Canadian travel agents a more efficient and profitable booking experience through our partnership with International Travel Inc,” said Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director, Travel Designer Group. Girish Jethani, President, International Travel Inc., added, “This partnership strengthens our ability to serve the Canadian market and expands our services across both leisure and corporate travel segments.”

Pure! Travel Group appoints Global India Reps as Representative for India

Pure! Travel Group, a DMC for Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina offers tailor-made services, specializing in leisure & incentive travel. Additionally, selected cruise expeditions to Antarctica and top-notch services for the MICE segment. It works exclusively with B2B partners and has inked an “exclusive marketing partnership by appointing Global India Reps to implement their mandate in India”.

Pure! Travel Group was founded by Bram Evers in South America, with shared management, mission, vision, & values focused on social and environmental responsibility, while creating unforgettable experiences with respect for nature, heritage, and local cultures. It has offices at its six destinations.

Global India Reps is an expert marketing platform in India having the collective experience of almost 20 years in representing, launching, promoting, and creating a network for business from the B2B segment in India — with successes in promoting Europe, Asia, Central Asia & Canada in India.

Upon signing the agreement, Bram Evers, Managing Director, at Pure! Travel Group said, “I am delighted that through our newly appointed, exclusive representative, Global India Reps, we can introduce our programmes, and custom services to the Indian market. Outbound travel from India presents a significant opportunity given the huge demand for this region, and we wish to offer and serve the outbound travel market for 2024.”

“With their unique experience, strong trade relationships, and proven track record of success launching new international products from India, we are confident that Global India Reps, headed by Ashish Saran will springboard and accelerate our entry into the Indian outbound market from Asia”, Bram added.

Ashish Saran, Business Head, Global India Reps, feels that “Lesser known but exciting no less, exotic experiential journeys will be a fast-growing segment from this market. Agents looking at new destinations & product options are keen to promote such journeys, and this will create a unique distinction for their markets.”