TOURISM INDIA MAY 2021

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WONDERFUL WORLD AVIATION ONLINE TECHNOLOGY

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Editor’s Note

Trust will be the Key for Recovery

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n January 2021 the rollout of vaccines did slowly bring back the confidence of the tourism Industry and the travellers. Industry had picked up in November-December of last year with tourists coming, but the optimism was short-lived as the second wave swept across the globe at a faster pace and the second wave of Covid-19 changed everything. The understandable uncertainly is the only result of the concerns of health and hygiene and the covid protocols.

The life-changing circumstances of unprecedented casualties in the history of mankind triggered by COVID-19 are still reeling above our heads. The second wave of COVID-19 made more daily infections than the first wave, which has taken a toll on the recovery process of the travel sector, particularly the airline companies.

The aviation sector had a bitter big blow with the second wave and the recent spike in COVID-19 cases drastically attack with flyers confidence tanking, leading to further delays in the recovery of demand.

The effect of this pandemic is so strong and deep and it takes time to heal. The research work across all fields is subject to pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 classifications. In the post-COVID-19 researches economic, environmental, social setbacks and policy suggestions are the main highlights.

Unfortunately, we have Covid variants and we are sure about the third wave but yet don’t know about its magnitude. So we should have to prepare ourselves

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and our systems In this new normal the priority of customer interest is also changing and the new researches have indicated that travellers are looking for simple pleasures such as time outdoors, great views, sunshine and sleeping in a comfortable bed. Flexible travel will be a trend in the new normal As the Tourism sector is based on personal experience and promotes solidarity and friendship, it will play a key role in spreading trust more widely. As trust will be the motto and Travellers will remain cautious and choose to holiday with brands that they trust will keep their safety as the top-most priority through this way we can drive our economies back towards growth and start rebuilding our societies.

Products and services which offers the domestic market will need re-looked as Domestic Travel plays a major factor in the recovery of the hospitality sector in 2021. The increased technological integration into 5 the customer experience is another solution.

During the pandemic, new products and value-added services were especially targeted to enhance the customer experience and last year a lot of brands used the opportunity to come up.

As more people get vaccinated around the world and travel restrictions ease, people will get back to travel just as quickly as Revenge Travel.

Rajani A Editor

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Contents

MAY 2021

VOL. 24 NO. 01

NEW TOURISM MINISTERS FOR KERALA, TAMILNADU & WEST BENGAL

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Cover: Gateway of Induia at Mumbai Photo: Darshak Pandya Courtesy: Pixabay

MANAGING EDITOR Ravisankar K V EDITOR Rajani A EXECUTIVE EDITOR Raadia Mukadam ASSOCIATE EDITOR G. Ajithkumar ART EDITOR N Bhattathiri DIRECTOR - DESIGNS Anand Sankar PHOTOGRAPHERS Vivek R. Nair, Murukesh Iyer EXECUTIVE - DIGITAL MEDIA VAISHNAV RAMAKRISHNAN

WTTC’S AGS AWARDS RECOGNISE LEADERSHIP OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY

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FAITH REQUESTS PRIORITY FOR VACCINATION

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PATA APPOINTS LIZ ORTIGUERA AS ITS NEXT CEO

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WTTC FOR WOMEN’S EQUALITY AND LEADERSHIP ROLES

24 BUSINESS & EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES

NEW DELHI D Anilkumar +91 9868123311

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KOLKATA Jayasree Singh +91 943306033

BANGALURU Damodaran K Nair +91 8310955261

IHCL OPENS VIVANTA HOTEL IN TRIVANDRUML

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD A-29, KUMARA VILAS, ELANKOM GARDENS, VELLAYAMBALAM, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, INDIA 695010 TEL: +91 471 2315256 MOB: 9847060531 CONTACT US Editorial Enquiries editor@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9847060531 Advertisement Enquiries marketing@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Circulation & Subscription Enquiries circulation@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Online Edition www.tourismindia.org www.tourismindiaonline.com Digital Edition: https://issue.com/tourismindia No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD. All rights reserved Copyright @2021 Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD, A-29, Kumara Vilas, Elankom Gardens, Vellayambalam, Sasthamangalam P.O., Trivandrum 695010 at Aarsha Offset Graphix, Mettukkada, Thycaud.P.O., Trivandrum- 695014 Editor: Rajani A

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USA THE BIGGEST TRAVEL & TOURISM MARKET

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IATO ANNOUNCED NEW CHAPTER CHAIRMEN

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ITB ASIA 2021 TO GEAR UP FROM OCT.27- 29, 21 ITB INDIA CONCLUDED SUCCESSFULLY LADY BEHIND THE ICONIC BRAND “LEELA” IS NO MORE

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INDIAN TRAVELLERS READY TO ADOPT ‘DIGITAL HEALTH PASSPORTS’ TO RESTART TRAVEL

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IHCL OPENS VIVANTA HOTEL IN TRIVANDRUM

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QATAR AIRWAYS CARGO SUPPORTS INDIA

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EMIRATES SHOWCASES ITS PREMIUM ECONOMY SEATS AT ATM

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QATAR AIRWAYS INTRODUCES UV CABIN DISINFECTION TECHNOLOGY ON BOARD

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TREEHOUSE CHAIL VILLAS: A HIDEOUT TO UNWIND

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HYATT REGENCY CHANDIGARH APPOINTS ASHWINI KUMAR AS GENERAL MANAGER

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HYATT ANNOUCES RETURN OF HYATT LOVES LOCAL

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ISOLATE, RELAX AND REJUVENATE SELF ISOLATION PACKAGES

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QUARANTINE MEALS AT HOME!

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DOTPE LAUNCHES A HARD-HITTING #ORDERDIRECT

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OFF-BEAT DESTINATIONS HIGH ON INDIAN TOURISTS’ LIST

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ABUDHABI’S ROADMAP FOR THE7 FUTURE OF TRAVEL MALDIVES LAUNCHES ‘I’M VACCINATED’ CAMPAIGN

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM JOIN HANDS WITH NETFLIX SA DESTINATION RIGHT NOW

54 SKYDIVE INTO THE TROPICS AT NIYAMA PRIVATE

ISLANDS FROM INDIA MARKET 56 ESCAPE TO THE ‘BEST OF MALDIVES’ AT ANANTARA KIHAVAH VILLAS www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / NATIONAL

NEW TOURISM MINISTERS FOR KERALA, TAMILNADU & WEST BENGAL ADV. P.A. MOHAMMED RIYAS IN KERALA AND DR. M. MATHIVENTHAN IN TAMILNADU ARE THE NEW INCUMBMENTS WHILE MR. INDRANIL SEN RETAINS HIS PORTFOLIO IN WEST BENGAL

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dv. P A Mohammed Riyas, a prominent youth leader and National President of DYFI has taken charge as the Minister for Tourism and Public Works Department, Government of Kerala in the ministry of Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala.

Mr. Riyaz, the 45-year-old dynamic leader is a firsttime legislator from the Beypore Assembly constituency in Kozhikode, the land of URU and the historic port town of Malabar. Mr. Riyaz has been an active youth leader in his own right rising up the Communist Party of India (Marxist) ranks to become a CPM state committee member after his political foray through the Students Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

Born as the son of PM Abdul Khader retired IPS officer and KM Ayishabi at Kotooli in Kozhikode had been at the forefront of many student and youth protests. He married to Ms. Veena Vijayan, an IT entrepreneur, who is also the daughter of Mr. Pinarayti Vijayan, Chief Minister.

Adv. P A Mohammed Riyas Minister for Tourism & Public Works, Government of Kerala 8

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r. Mathivendan M., a 36 year old, young and dynamic medical graduate, has taken charge as the new Tourism Minister of Tamilnadu in DMK lead government lead by the Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin.

Dr. Mathivendan, the youth wing leader of DMK has elected from Rasipuram constituency in Namakkal district. Mathiventhan is currently the deputy district organiser of DMK and former deputy leader of DMK youth medical wing in Namakkal district.

Dr. Mathivendan M. Minister for Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu

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r. Indranil Sen, Minister of State for Tourism, Bengal has retained his position in new Ms. Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal too with an elevation as the Minister of Tourism (Independent Charge) along with MoS - Parliament affairs.

Mr. Indranil Sen has contested in All India Trinamool Congress ticket and elected his consecutive second term with a thumping majority from Chandannagar constituency in South West Bengal region and Hooghly district of West Bengal.

Mr. Indranil Sen is a well-known Professional Singer and producer of Bengali films. He is one of the most talented of modern Bengali singers.

Indranil was an engineer by profession but his love 9 for singing brought him back to Kolkata after work stints outside the city. In 1986 he completed his Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Diploma from Hindusthan Institute of Engineering Technology, Chennai .

Mr. Sen was earlier appointed as the Minister of State – Tourism, Information and Cultural Affairs department in West Bengal government on August 9, 2019.

Mr. Indranil Sen, Minister for Tourism, Government of West Bengal www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

WTTC’S AGS AWARDS RECOGNISE LEADERSHIP OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY SAUDI ARABIA RECOGNISED WITH GLOBAL LEADER AWARD FOR HISTORIC INCLUSION OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN 2020 G20 TOURISM MINISTERS MEETING AND THE LEADERS DECLARATION

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t its Global Summit 2021 in Cancun, countries and top tourism leaders from around the world have been recognised with awards by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), for their outstanding global leadership.

The awards acknowledged the world-class leadership qualities displayed by a specially selected group from among hundreds of the world’s foremost business Travel & Tourism leaders, government officials, and key decision-makers.

Mr. Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, Governor of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, Mexico was given the Global Leadership Award for his role during the COVID-19 crisis. Can10

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cun’s early, successful adoption of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp led the way and was recently given to the 250th destination.

His Excellency, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was awarded the accolade of Global Leader, for making history earlier this year by embracing the private sector in the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting for the very first time.

A further 10 Travel & Tourism leaders were also recipients of Global Champion Awards from WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, at its annual Global Summit.

Ms. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “2021 marked

a year of unprecedented hardship and challenges for the global Travel & Tourism sector. So, we are honoured to be able to recognise so many top achievers for their incredible efforts to revive the sector by displaying such admirable leadership qualities.

“Our esteemed winners this year have demonstrated the very best values and qualities which our sector shows on a daily basis to encourage travellers and holidaymakers to venture out and explore the world. “This has been especially difficult over the past 12 months as the pandemic has ravaged our sector, devastating businesses and the jobs of so many people who depend upon it for their livelihoods.

“But we recognise our win-

ners today for taking bold steps to halt and reverse the impact of COVID-19 with 14 major awards and thank them for their courage and dedication. “From Cancun, Mexico, to Saudi Arabia, Greece, Spain and the U.S., to name but a few, destinations and their leaders from around the world have stepped up to the mark to save a sector which in 2019 before the pandemic took hold, generated one in four of all new jobs around the world and contributed 10.4% (334 million) jobs globally.

“From the bottom of my heart I wish to thank each and every one of our winners – and

14 major awards announced by WTTC and presented at the hybrid event

ness and well-being.”

Under the theme “Uniting the World for Recovery” the Global Summit made history by becoming the first-time global Travel & Tourism event where leaders gathered face-to-face since the COVID-19 pandemic damaged the sector and halted all major events around the world since March 2020.

Ten Champion Awards were those around the world, who also announced at the Summit: each day stand up to make a dif- Rita Marques, Secretary of State ference – to bring cultures to- for Tourism of Portugal, was gether, encourage mobility and awarded for Leadership in Social unite us all by making Travel & Impact. Harry Theocharis, MinTourism essential to our happi-

ister of Tourism of Greece, was recognised by WTTC for his Leadership in Crisis Response.

Meanwhile top Spanish economist and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, was awarded for her Leadership in Women Advocacy.

Fred Dixon, President, and CEO of NYC & Company, New York’s non-profit destination marketing organisation and convention and visitor’s bureau, was awarded for Leadership in Destination Stewardship.

Mexican public official and Governor of Baja California Sur, Carlos Mendoza Davis, was recognised for Best in Destination Resilience.

Fahad Hamidaddin, Chief Executive Officer for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was awarded for Strategy & Visa Facilitation.

Meanwhile, the award for Public-Private Engagement went to

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NEWS/ NATIONAL

FAITH REQUESTS PRIORITY FOR VACCINATION F AITH, the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel, and hospitality industry of India requested the Ministry of Tourism to dedicate all tourism, travel & hospitality staff to be designated as Covid warriors and be vaccinated irre-

spective of their age.

Indian tourism is entering the peak holiday season 2021 for domestic travel in India which is historically estimated to generate more than 60% of domestic tourism business and the October – March season is the peak season for inbound travel accounting for conventionally more than an estimated 70% of the tourism business.

To get into a state of readiness, FAITH has requested to be put in motion the policy that all tourism, travel & hospitality staff in India be dedicated as frontline Covid warriors and be allowed to be

vaccinated at all sites of tourism, travel & hospitality companies irrespective of their age criteria.

This will send a strong message of Indian Tourism getting ready to receive visitors in a safe and responsible manner. This can also be the cornerstone of Indian Tourism’s tactical communication strategy and will be a big competitive advantage and a key selling point for revival for all segments.

FAITH has requested this to take up with the PMO and health ministry and for advice to all state governments accordingly.

Claudia Cornejo, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne was awarded for his leadership in Climate & Environmental Action, in his role as Minister of State of Tourism, France.

Ms. Isabell Hill, Director, National Travel and Tourism Office of the United States of America, was recognised for her contribution towards Women Empowerment. After the awards, she said: “It is an honor to receive this award from the WTTC, an organization I have worked with to advance the tourism policy agenda in the United States and globally. I am particularly gratified to be honored in the context of the WTTC focus on empowering women, which is fundamental to

shaping the future of this sector.”

Mr. Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Innovation of Iceland, who was awarded by WTTC in Cancun for Building Resilience said: “It is a true honour to receive this award. The Government of Iceland took a targeted and cautious science-led response to contain the pandemic which appears to be paying off. I believe there is a lesson in that for the recovery of the tourism sector that lies ahead. We need to put the community first and base decisions on the best available data.

“I would like to thank WTTC for its tireless work throughout the pandemic on highlighting the importance of the tourism industry for the world economy and pro-

moting the benefits of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. I look forward to continuing to follow and support WTTC initiatives to help rebuild the sector with resilience and sustainability as a core focus moving forward. “ Mr. Jose Chapur, President, Palace Resorts, was awarded the Global Icon for Travel and Tourism Award.Geoffrey Kent, Founder & Co-Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent was awarded Honorary Member and Icon Award.

WTTC ensured strict worldclass health and hygiene protocols were in place to protect key private and public sector participants at its Global Summit, with testing available for all delegates attending in person.

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PATA APPOINTS LIZ ORTIGUERA AS ITS NEXT CEO

he Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the appointment of Liz Ortiguera as its next CEO effective May 17, 2021, succeeding Dr. Mario Hardy who will finish his term at the end of May. PATA Chair Soon-Hwa Wong said, “We are delighted to welcome Liz to the PATA family, especially as she will be the first Asian American female CEO in PATA’s 70-year history. Her extensive leadership experience across different industries in the Asia Pacific region is what PATA needs to lead the Association to new heights. The Executive Board looks forward to working closely with her as we rebuild a more resilient, responsible, sustainable, and stronger travel and tourism industry.”

Commenting on her new appointment, Ms. Ortiguera said, “I am honored to be selected as the next PATA CEO. I am confident that PATA, with its diverse member base of industry leaders, will continue to help catalyse our industry’s recovery and growth.

From crisis comes innovation and from the community comes strength. PATA is even more critical as a business community today to support new partnerships, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable business practices.”

Liz Ortiguera is a senior executive with over 25 years of global experience and expertise whose www.tourismindia.org

career spans several industries – travel/ lifestyle, technology, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. Liz is passionate about innovation, business transformation, and community building.

She has experience in working at both multinational corporations including American Express and Merck and startup environments in software as a service (SaaS), e-commerce, and ed-tech.

She is able to adeptly work across cultures and business environments to catalyse opportunities and drive growth.

In her personal life, she has been a continual advocate for poverty eradication programmes and education initiatives across the region.

Liz is an alumna of the Stanford University Graduate Business School, Columbia University Business School, New York USA.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

WTTC FOR WOMEN’S EQUALITY AND LEADERSHIP ROLES Leaders from the private and public sectors and academia join forces to promote diversity and inclusivity to boost women’s equality

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TTC launched its Women’s Initiative, at the Global Summit in Cancun, with the help of 18 Grand Slam singles title winner, Martina Navratilova. The Travel & Tourism leaders pledged to work towards women’s equality and boost female representation in leadership roles in an announcement before the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Ms. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO unveiled the publicprivate-academic partnership to promote diversity and drive inclusivity which will help lead the way to achieve equality for women throughout Travel & Tourism. It led to the signing of the WTTC Cancun Women’s Declaration to support 14

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women, which recognised their contribution around the world and the importance of an equal equitable environment to enable them to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

The drive committed signatories to provide equal opportunities for women by removing barriers, ensuring fair treatment, and encouraging greater financial, professional, and social independence.

Gloria Guevara said: “As the first female President and CEO of WTTC, it is an honour to champion this important initiative. The pledge made with the launch of the first Women’s Initiative in Travel & Tourism by a combination of

the private, public and academic sectors to work towards women’s equality, marks a significant step forward.“Globally, women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic which has exacerbated the pay gap, the opportunity gap and the shocking lack of senior positions and leadership roles across the Travel & Tourism sector.“This needs to be changed, WTTC research shows women play a vital role and represented 54% of Travel & Tourism’s employees worldwide. Yet while more than half the sector is accounted for by women, all too few occupy any senior or strategic roles.

“Therefore, I’m delighted to share a platform today with one of the world’s greatest ever tennis players,

Martina Navratilova, to help launch WTTC’s ground-breaking Women’s Initiative.”

Ms. Martina Navratilova said: “Women have always had to outperform men, and whilst things are changing for the better, it is still a fight and a constant battle. “Change happens much quicker when it comes from the top. Companies would be more profitable if more women were in positions of power and boardrooms were less homogenous and reflected the diversity of their customers.

“This is why I am delighted to be here with WTTC on the day it launches its Women’Initiative. As an advocate for women’s rights, I know every action we take will help change the lives of women everywhere and make the world a fairer and better place.

For the private sector in the short term, the Women’s Initiative has two core elements; developing skills and creating formal sponsorship and mentorship programmes for young women in business. It will encourage women to bring in new ideas and skills to broaden the wealth of experience and expertise from women at all levels across the www.tourismindia.org

CANCUN DECLARATION ADOPTED BY MORE THAN 100 COMPANIES, INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS & DESTINATIONS; MEXICAN CARIBBEAN, HILTON, CARNIVAL CORPORATION, APPLE LEISURE GROUP, IHG, BARCELONA TOURISM, CLIA INTREPID AND EXPEDIA AMONGST S IGNATORIES 15

entire Travel & Tourism sector.

Senior women leaders will also be empowered to become mentors and share their skills and experience with the next generation of female Travel & Tourism leaders to nurture and develop new talent.

The private sector pledged to increase the female representation of leadership positions by 30-50% and aim toward increasing by a third, the representation of women to board levels and C-suites, by 2030.

There will also be a commitment to identify opportunities to reduce any gender pay gaps and implement gender diverse slate requirement for all open roles and to each year share progress and publish an action plan to achieve their goals. According to WTTC data, in 2019 before the pandemic struck, the Travel & Tourism sector accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and supported the livelihoods of 334 million people.

Under the theme “Uniting the World for Recovery” the Global Summit made history by becoming the firsttime global Travel & Tourism event where leaders gathered together since the COVID-19 ravaged the sector and halted all major events around the world in March 2020.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

USA THE BIGGEST

TRAVEL & TOURISM MARKET WTTC Data Shows U.S. Maintains Position as Biggest Travel & Tourism Market Despite Suffering 41% Slide in GDP

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atest data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the U.S. maintained its position as the largest global Travel & Tourism market, despite suffering a huge 41% fall in GDP last year.

China also kept its position as second biggest Travel & Tourism market, but experienced a harder GDP fall of 59.9% with Japan slightly improving its ranking from fourth to third - shouldering a GDP fall nearly half that of China, of just 37%.

Meanwhile, the UK, which in 2019 ranked as the world’s fifth biggest Travel & Tourism market, fell three places to number eight, sustaining a punishing GDP fall of 62.3%.

Continuing travel restrictions, and unnecessary and crushing quarantines, caused it to suffer the biggest collapse of the 10 largest Travel & Tourism markets.

The figures from WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, come from its 2021 Economic Impact 16

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Report (EIR), which lays bare the devastating impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “With positive news from across Europe about the gradual reopening of borders we hope to see many more countries adopt a more risk-based approach. This will restore mobility safely through rapid testing and health and hygiene protocols in addition to the benefit of the vaccination rollout.

“The urgent need to restore international travel is starkly evident following the release of WTTC’s data which shows the global Travel & Tourism sector suffered disproportionately hard due to the pandemic.

“Globally, countries experienced an average fall in GDP contribution of 49.1%, while the worldwide economy shrank by just 3.7% last year, showing how travel restrictions have dramatically reduced Travel & Tourism’s contribution to economies around

the world.

“However, despite the travel restrictions designed to curb the spread of the pandemic, the U.S. and China maintained their respective positions as first and second biggest Travel & Tourism markets.

“But both the U.S. and China suffered damaging falls in the sector’s contribution towards their respective GDPs, with the UK experiencing the most damaging collapse of the top 10 markets with a fall in GDP contribution of 62.3%.

“We believe this shows that understandable but misguided actions to curb COVID-19 with ineffective damaging travel restrictions such as quarantines, do more harm than good, and end up crushing the very economies they were designed to protect.

“It is all the more damaging when we know that one in four new jobs created in 2019 were in Travel & Tourism, so the sector will be absolutely vital to power-

ing the global economic recovery.

“As vaccine rollouts continue at pace and international travel gradually resumes, Travel & Tourism will again become a priority for governments around the world.

“Countries such as Israel, the UK and U.S. have made great strides with vaccination programmes, inoculating more than half of their populations, showing there is reason to be optimistic about the future.

“But now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal; we have to press for travel to resume faster to recover the 62 million jobs lost last year and the many millions more which continue to hang in the balance.

“We believe that only countries that offer certainty and a clear protocol for travel will fully recover from the pandemic. Recovery can be achieved with a combina-

tion of rapid resting, mask wearing and enhanced health and hygiene measures to complement the vaccine rollout.

“Furthermore, PCR tests are too expensive and inconvenient and will not enable travel to resume, which is why WTTC, and other industry bodies have called for governments around the world to accept the more affordable antigen tests.

“Globally, in 2019, one in 10 jobs depended on our sector and the international coordination and implementation of clear mobility protocols to resume international travel will not only protect these jobs, but they would also bring back to the social benefits and livelihoods of those impacted.”

WTTC’s 2021 Economic Impact Report (EIR) identified other leading global Travel & Tourism markets as suffering similar dramatic

GDP falls.

Germany dropped one place from third to fourth position, following a 46.9% drop in the sector’s contribution towards GDP. Meanwhile, Italy rose one place from sixth to fifth, despite experiencing a 51% fall in GDP contribution.

Notably, France, the world’s popular destination in terms of international visitor numbers, rose one position from seventh to sixth, despite its contribution to GDP falling by almost half (48.8%).

WTTC 2021 EIR research revealed the global Travel & Tourism sector suffered a loss of almost US$4.5 trillion in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19, with nearly 62 million jobs lost, representing a drop of 18.5%, leaving just 272 million employed across the industry globally.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

IATO ANNOUNCED NEW CHAPTER CHAIRMEN T

Indian Association of Tour Operators has been nominated Mr. Sejoe Jose as Chairman of the Southern Region, Mr. James Kodianthara as Kerala Chapter Chairman and Mr. Jitendra Kejriwal as Maharashtra Chapter Chairman

he Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Executive Committee has nominated Sejoe Jose as Chairman of the

Southern Region. Jose will replace EM Najeeb who has been handling the responsibility of both IATO Sr Vice President and South India chapter chairman for some time now.

For Sejoe Jose, who has been the Chairman of Kerala Chapter of IATO for many years, the new responsibility as the Regional Chair is a recognition of his leadership capabilities. As the Regional Chapter Chairman, Jose will look after Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andaman Nicobar, Puducherry and Lakshwadeep.

Mr. James Kodianthara, Managing Director, Concord Exotic Voyages (I) P. Ltd. will replace Jose as the new Kerala Chapter Chairman of IATO. Mr. Sejoe Jose, Chairman IATO Southern Region Mr. Jitendra Kejriwal IATO Chapter Chairman Maharashtra

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IATO EC has also appointed a Chapter chair for a few of the State Chapters. Jitendra Kejriwal, Chairman, Arika Tour & Travels (P) Ltd. Mumbai will replace Vasuki Sundaram as Chairman Maharashtra Chapter.

Separate chapters have been created for Uttarakhand and Ladakh with Nidhish Sharma, Managing

ITB Asia 2021

to gear up from

Oct.27- 29, 21 MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia will be co-located

I Mr. James Kodianthara, Chairman IATO Kerala Chapter

Director, Garhwal Adventure Pvt. Ltd. Dehradun and Tsering Namgyal, Managing Director, Windhorse Expeditions India, Ladakh as Chairmen.

Mr. Rajiv Mehra while welcoming the new regional/state chapters mentioned that he is sure that this will help strengthen IATO membership base pan India and especially in Uttarakhand and Ladakh. With the formation of new chapters, besides increasing the membership base of the Association, IATO will have better coordination and interaction with the state governments and the local trade, Mehra said Mr. Nidhish Sharma, Chairman IATO Uttarakhand Chapter

www.tourismindia.org

TB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade show and convention is back and on track for a physical event from 27 – 29 October 2021 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, in Singapore.

The annual three-day B2B trade show and convention is designed to connect the key travel industry leaders in the region from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology segments. The in-person event will bring travel industry professionals back for meaningful business, networking, and learning through face-to-face interactions. The organiser ensures a trade show with robust safety management measures in place to provide a safe environment for all ITB Asia attendees.

Over 600 international exhibitors have already registered for the annual three day B2B trade show and convention, signalling their confidence in the industry Celebrating its return to an 19 in-person event, the trade show already records high demand from Tourism Organisations, Hospitality, and Travel Technology companies and confirmation from over 600 international exhibitors for exhibition space from industry Tourism Organisation heavyweights. Participants can look forward to seeing key industry players including Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Inspired

by Iceland, Korea Tourism Organization, Malta Tourism Author-

ity, Moscow Project Office for Tourism and Hospitality Development, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Penang Global Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority, Shizuoka Prefectural Government, Singapore Tourism Board, Visit Finland, Visit Maldives, Visit Monaco, Zagreb Tourist Board and more. MICE Show Asia 2021 and Travel Tech Asia 2021 will take place in parallel to the show.

“It has been a difficult year, but the travel industry is best known for its resilience. More and more signs of the industry’s return are emerging. With the worldwide vaccination roll-outs, the industry is right to be optimistic. After ITB Asia went completely virtual for the first time last year, I am more than pleased that we are returning to an in-person event this October. Drawing from the lessons and past experiences, the ITB Asia Team will ensure a trade show with robust safety management measures in place to provide a safe environment for all ITB Asia attendees.”, said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia.

Prioritising safety without compromising on the event experience ITB Asia 2021 is set to be among the various business events with an international audience to help pave the way for the gradual resumption of larger-scale trade shows and leisure travel in Singapore. Health and safety measures will be put in place for all attendees.

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NEWS/ NATIONAL

ITB INDIA CONCLUDED SUCCESSFULLY Over 60-session conference led by 80+ top speakers from leading brands worldwide Conference recordings now available for registered delegates on ITB Community in Asia

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he inaugural ITB India closes with a resounding success with more than 400 buyers from MICE, Corporate and Leisure sectors, 150 international sponsors and exhibitors,. ITB India Virtual 2021 took place as an entirely virtual event, hosted on ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community). With its virtual show floor, video streaming of keynotes and speeches and intelligent matchmaking tools, the platform offered the best opportunities for successful trade show results.

“Rebuilding travel” was the theme of ITB India’s conference. The programme was specially curated to help reboot the Indian and South Asian travel industry through effective strategies for business sustainability. Industry heavyweights from India and international markets such as Airbnb, Amadeus, Booking. com, CWT, FCM Travel, Hilton, KAYAK, OYO, SAP Concur, SITE – Society of Incentive Travel Excellence, SOTC Travel, Thomas Cook India, Twitter and Yatra.com shed light on ways to build a more resilient travel industry moving forward through innovative solutions. The conference included over 60 sessions with more than 80 speakers and topics ranging from MICE, corporate, leisure and travel technology.

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tor of Messe Berlin said “We are very pleased that the first ever ITB India has been so well received by the travel industry. Even though we can’t meet in person in these challenging times, it is even more important to build the bridge to the Indian and South Asian travel markets and provide a virtual meeting place where the global community can come together and exchange ideas in order to rebuild travel.”

Next to ITB India’s conference, exhibitors like Belarus National Tourism Agency, German National Tourist Office, Israel Ministry of Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization, Visit Portugal, Zagreb Tourist Board and many more destinations showcased

an array of current tourism offerings and destination highlights.

This year, special focus was on Saudi, ITB India’s Official Partner Country. The Saudi Tourism Authority is building a global community dedicated to driving awareness of Saudi as a unique tourism destination offering authentic Arabian experiences to cultural explorers from around the world.

The next ITB India will take place as a live event in Mumbai from 4 to 6 April 2022. ITB India 2022 is set to bring back the much-desired human connection and to facilitate faceto-face business meetings and networking.

LADY BEHIND THE ICONIC BRAND “LEELA” IS NO MORE.

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eela Krishnan Nair, wife of late C P Krishnan Nair, the founder of The Leela Group, passed away at Mumbai on May 16, 2021.

Leela Krishnan Nair was the woman behind the success of hospitality tycoon Captain C P Krishnan Nair. As a life partner, she had always motivated Krishnan Nair and supported him as a pillar in all his business and during various crises along their journey. Krishnan Nair had said that Leela’s advices have helped him a great deal in overcoming his struggles. Krishnan Nair started his ventures in her name as a tribute to his beloved wife.

Krishnan Nair built his first hotel in Sahar, Bombay, at the age of 65 when the average Indian aspires to retire. The proximity of the airport and Leela’s firm support prompted www.tourismindia.org

Krishnan Nair to take up the challenges of hotel management. Leela used to accompany Krishnan Nair on foreign trips related to the marketing of Leela Lace. It was those trips that prompted Krishnan Nair to enter the hotel industry. Leela and Krishnan Nair kept high standards for their vision of hospitality, 21 aspiring to be with the likes of the Kempinski brand of hotels from Switzerland and Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York.

It was almost coincidental that in 1961 Krishnan Nair bought 11 acres of land in Sahar Mumbai from the Belgian Consulate. The place was first set by Larsen & Toubro for their research lab and Toubro’s house.

L&T later withdrew after the research laboratory was not approved.

Krishnan Nair’s house was built

behind the hotel and Leela was credited for the style of the gardens in Leela Hotels.It was Leela’s love of gardening that planted all the flax, flour, and grain from the country.

Krishnan Nair entered the business world from his service in the military at the insistence of Leela. When Captain CP Krishnan Nair developed ‘Leela’ into an industrial empire, it became one of the most iconic names in the business world.

After her husband passed in May 17, 2014, she survived with their sons Mr. Vivek Nair, Chairman & Managing Director, Leela Group and Mr. Dinesh Nair, Deputy Managing Director, Leela Group, and their families and now with just one day to go before the seventh death anniversary of Krishnan Nair, his beloved wife Leela has passed away.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts has a range of properties that celebrates the country’s diverse geography and rich architectural history. The Leela, to this day offers a treasure of experiences for every traveller.

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NEWS/ TRAVEL TRENDS

INDIAN TRAVELLERS READY TO ADOPT

‘DIGITAL HEALTH PASSPORTS’ TO RESTART TRAVEL

The study, commissioned by Amadeus and delivered by Censuswide, provides encouraging news for the industry, with 47% of Indian travelers keen to book international travel within six weeks of restrictions easing, compared to the global average of 41%

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he survey conducted by Amadeus to explore traveler sentiment in light of COVID-19 towards digital health data and technology to help rebuild travel provides encouraging news for the industry, with 47% of Indian travelers keen to book international travel within six weeks of restrictions easing, 93% of respondents would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future travel.

As governments and the travel industry explore the benefits of digital health passports, the message from Indian travelers is clear: digital health passports can be a vital tool in opening up travel once again. The study found that 93% of Indian travelers would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future trips, as the appetite to travel remains high with nearly half (47%) expressing their interest in booking international travel within six weeks 22

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once the restrictions are lifted.

The study further revealed that over the past three quarters, 79% of Indian travelers would be willing to store their travel health data electronically if it meant it will enable them to travel sooner, and if it enabled them to pass through the airport faster with less face-to-face interactions with others.

The international study that included over 1,000 respondents from India, indicates that there is enough incentive for authorities and businesses to accelerate plans for digital health passports. In fact, 57% stated that they would be happy for a digital health passport to become the norm.

Despite an overwhelming response to digital health passports, when queried further, there are concerns about security and privacy such as 34% of respondents are worried about data

security risks with their personal information being hacked, 28% of respondents are concerned about lack of transparency and control over how and where their data will be shared.

Surprisingly, the highest skepticism around digital health passports was reported among Gen Z, with 12% saying that they would not be comfortable using a digital health passport under any circumstances.

Even though receptiveness to sharing data is high, when asked about the technologies that would increase confidence in travel in the next 12 months, mobile solutions were highlighted as a popular option, with suggestions that include Mobile applications that provide on-trip notifications and alerts (51%), Contactless mobile payments (49%), Facial recognition technology (48%), Boarding pass on mobile (47%).

Mani Ganeshan, Head of R&D,

APAC, Amadeus, says, “As businesses navigate out of the global pandemic, the future of travel looks optimistic. This study offers a clear roadmap for the industry, by acknowledging the appetite for technologies that can address the concerns of travellers, whether it is better to access information or reducing physical proximity. Innovations such as digital health passports can catalyse both traveller confidence and the opening of international borders once again.

With the world racing towards digital transformation unlike ever before, sophisticated travel-friendly apps will help build the much-needed confidence for travellers both worldwide and in India.”

Christophe Bousquet, CTO, Amadeus, comments, “This study reinforces the key role that technology will play in rebuilding

eas that will clearly strengthen traveller confidence. It’s also very relevant to see that travelers are open to digital health passports and sharing their data as they move through the journey, once the right safeguards are in place.

At Amadeus, we’re committed to rebuilding a better industry, together with our customers and partners.”

The travel industry needs to consider and explore the checks and balances to ease privacy concerns and build traveler confidence in digital health passports, to which the survey found that Over half of Indian travelers (53%) would be comfortable using a digital passport if it was accepted by most countries and was regulated as per international stantravel. We’ve seen a shift since dards, 8 out of 10 (80%) would be our last survey, as travellers now more likely to store health data place more focus on mobile and on a secured app where a travtouchless technology, crucial ar- el provider has partnered with a trusted healthcare provider.

Surprisingly, the highest skepticism around digital health passports was reported among Gen Z, with 12% saying that they would not be comfortable using a digital health passport under any circumstances 93% of respondents would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future travel

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

IHCL OPENS VIVANTA HOTEL IN TRIVANDRUM With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 12 hotels in Kerala, including two under development.

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ndian Hotels Company (IHCL), has announced the opening of a stylishly designed Vivanta hotel which reflects the pulse and culture of God’s own country in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. With

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its vantage location in the heart of the city, the hotel is ideally suited for business, MICE, and is a perfect gateway to exploring Kerala’s scenic and abundant natural beauty.

Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “IHCL has a long and enduring relationship with Kerala, with our hotels spread across multiple destinations. We

are delighted to open Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram in one of the most commercially important and vibrant leisure destinations of the state. The opening is in line with the company’s growth objective of being present in all state capitals of the country.”

Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram has 108 rooms and is strategically located a short distance away from the Secretariat and State Assembly buildings, the airport, the Techno Park, and the famous Padmanabhaswamy temple. The design of the hotel is modern and has a young and energetic vibe. The rooms are elegantly appointed and include the signature Vivanta suite, which is the largest in the city. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the city from the roof-top infinity swimming pool, which is another distinctive feature.

Mr. K. Muraleedharan, Chair-

man and Managing Director, SFC Group & Muralya Group said that the group is happy to partner with IHCL for Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram, IHCL has played a very important role in putting Kerala on the global tourist map.

He added.

Mynt, the all-day diner offers a global menu, while Kardamom, the specialty restaurant, will be the city’s first South Indian fine-dining restaurant. Swirl, the deli, will offer some of the finest

confectionery in town. The hotel also has some of the city’s most impressive conferencing facilities, including a rooftop open-air banqueting venue.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 12 hotels in Kerala, including two under development. Vivanta hotels celebrate individuality and are crafted for a generation of movers who delight in small surprises and fun twists.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

EMIRATES LAUNCHES INDIA HUMANITARIAN AIRBRIDGE EMIRATES WILL OFFER CARGO CAPACITY FREE OF CHARGE TO NGOS, TO SHIP URGENT COVID-19 RELIEF ITEMS ON ALL ITS FLIGHTS FROM DUBAI TO NINE CITIES IN INDIA

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mirates has set up a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India to transport urgent medical and relief items, to support India in its fight to

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control the serious COVID-19 situation in the country.

Emirates will offer cargo capacity free of charge on an “as available” basis on all of its flights to

nine cities in India, to help international NGOs deliver relief supplies rapidly to where it is needed.

In the past weeks, Emirates SkyCargo has already been

transporting medicines and medical equipment on scheduled and charter cargo flights to India. This latest airbridge initiative takes Emirates’ support for India and for the NGO community to the next level.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman, and Chief Executive said: “India and Emirates are deeply connected, since our first flights to India in 1985. We stand with the Indian people and will do all we can to help India get back on its feet. Emirates has a lot of experience in humanitarian relief efforts, and with 95 weekly flights to 9 destinations in India, we will be offering regular and reliable widebody capacity for relief materials. The International Humanitarian City in Dubai is the largest crisis relief hub in the world and we will work closely with them to facilitate the movement of urgent medical supplies.”

The first shipment sent as part of the Emirates India humanitarian airbridge is a consignment of over 12 tons of multi-purpose tents from the World Health Organization, destined for Delhi, and coordinated by the IHC in Dubai.

Giuseppe Saba, CEO of International Humanitarian City, said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid built the International Humanitarian City, so Dubai, in coordination with humanitarian agencies, would be able to www.tourismindia.org

assist communities and families, most in need – around the world.

The creation of the humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India, facilitated by Emirates SkyCargo, Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, and UN agencies, to transport urgent medical and relief items, is another example of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision for the IHC, being brought to life. Last year over 1,292 shipments were dispatched from the IHC in Dubai, setting the standard for humanitarian response globally. We appreciate the great efforts by IHC’s partner Emirates SkyCargo establishing this humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India in this time of need”.

The freight division of Emirates has a close partnership with IHC, developed over several years of delivering relief materials to communities across the world

Mr. Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Cargo

impacted by natural disasters and other crises. IHC will support Emirates SkyCargo in channelling relief efforts to India through the airbridge.

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NEWS/ AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS CARGO SUPPORTS INDIA QR Cargo Convoy arrives at Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi airports with Medical Aid and Equipment Qatar Airways Cargo’s WeQare initiative.

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hree Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 freighters has arrived in India carrying approximately 300 tonnes of medical supplies from around the world to support COVID-19 relief efforts. The three flights has landed one after the other bound for Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi as part of Qatar Airways Cargo’s WeQare initiative.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Ex-

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ecutive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Having seen with great sorrow the impact this further wave of COVID-19 infections has had on people in India, we knew we had to be part of the global effort to support the valiant health care workers in the country.

“As the leading air cargo carrier in the world, we are in a unique position to offer immediate humanitarian support through the provision of aircraft to transport much-needed medical supplies, as well as coordinating logistical arrangements.

We hope today’s shipment and further shipments

in the weeks to come will help ease the burden on local medical workers and provide relief to the impacted communities in India.”

Ambassador of India to Qatar, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Deepak Mittal, said: “We deeply appreciate the gesture of Qatar Airways to carry free of charge essential medical supplies to India and supporting the fight against COVID-19.”

The cargo shipment included PPE equipment, oxygen canisters and other essential medical items, and consists of donations by individuals and companies around the world in addition to existing cargo orders.

Qatar Airways has been a leader in the fight against COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic and provided similar aid flights to China, shipping supplies to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai in February 2020.

EMIRATES

SHOWCASES ITS PREMIUM ECONOMY SEATS AT ATM The highly-anticipated Emirates premium economy seat will be on display for visitors to experience.

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mirates will be showcasing its Premium Economy seats for the first time at Arabian Travel Market 2021 (ATM).

The region’s leading travel and tourism exhibition will run from 16-19 May and will be the first in-person travel industry event to take place since the onset of the pandemic.

The Emirates stand will offer travel industry visitors from over 60 countries a chance to experience the airline’s signature product and recently introduced service enhancements across every cabin class onboard its iconic A380 aircraft, and is a reminder of the elevated onboard experiences in store for travellers once they get back to the skies.

The highly-anticipated Emirates premium economy seat will be on display for visitors to experience. The seat boasts an abundant pitch of up to 40-inches, and visitors trying out Emirates’ premium economy seat will also notice its generous width of 19.5 inches and ability to recline into a comfortable cradle position with ample room to stretch out.

The seats are covered in www.tourismindia.org

cream-colored anti-stain leather with automobile-inspired stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to Business Class, all designed to provide optimal comfort and support with 6-way adjustable headrests, calf rests, and footrests. Customers will also find other meticulous details including easily accessible in-seat charging points, a wide dining table, and a side cocktail table, as well as a storage area.

Emirates will also showcase its Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suites exhibit, Boeing 777 Business Class seat, the newly refreshed A380 On- 29 Board lounge, along with other iconic products such as the First Class Shower Spa and the latest version of the game-changer Economy Class seats.

Across both the Emirates A380 and 777 Gamechanger products, visitors will notice new interior

finishes and design details featuring the Ghaf tree motif, as well as an updated champagne colour palette.

Visitors to the Emirates product exhibits will be able to try out all of the products on the stand, and all seats and surfaces will be cleaned and sanitised after each use. In keeping with ATM’s stringent health and safety protocols, the Emirates stand will operate at a limited capacity at all times to ensure proper social distancing of visitors as they explore the products.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS INTRODUCES UV CABIN DISINFECTION TECHNOLOGY ON BOARD

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Qatar Airways becomes the first global carrier to operate Honeywell’s latest Ultraviolet (UV) Cabin System version 2.0, further advancing its hygiene measures on board

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atar Airways becomes the first global carrier to operate Honeywell’s Ultraviolet (UV) Cabin System version 2.0, further advancing its hygiene measures on board.

The latest version of the Honeywell UV Cabin System that is owned and operated by Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), has been introduced to add flexibility, improve reliability, mobility, and ease of use compared to its predecessor, with extended UV wings that treat both narrow and wide areas on board, reducing the overall disinfection time. This version also includes a hand wand that disinfects areas like the cockpit and other smaller spaces and is non-motorised leading to less battery consumption. In clinical tests, UV light has been shown to be capable of inactivating various viruses and bacteria when properly applied.

After receiving 17 units of the latest version of the Honeywell UV Cabin System V2, the devices have all undergone comprehensive testing onboard Qatar Airways’ aircraft. The airline aims to operate them on board all aircraft turnarounds at Hamad International Airport (HIA).

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As the first global airline to operate the latest verwww.tourismindia.org

The airline’s onboard linen and blankets will continue to be washed, dried, and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are rigorously sanitised after each flight sion of the Honeywell UV Cabin System V2 onboard our aircraft, it is significantly more user friendly and technologically advanced.

QAS has continued to maintain our impeccable service during the outbreak of COVID-19, specifically supporting repatriation flights and increased cargo workloads.

“As the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 31 Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating, the first airline in the Middle East to begin trials of the innovative new IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app, and most recently, the first airline in the world to operate a flight with the fully vaccinated crew and passengers – it is in our core to continuously be at the forefront of innovation, and

to keep implementing the latest safety and hygiene measures onboard and on the ground.”

QAS continues to uphold its world-class handling standards and long-standing relationships with all airlines, and together with HIA ensures a safe and seamless journey for all passengers. Qatar Airways aircraft will continue to be regularly disinfected using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The latest version of the Honeywell UV Cabin System V2 will be utilised as an additional step after manual disinfection, to ensure the very highest standards of cleanliness.

The airline’s onboard linen and blankets will continue to be washed, dried, and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are rigorously sanitised after each flight. These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves.

Qatar Airways’ aircraft also features the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection.

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FEATURE / HOSPITALITY

TREEHOUSE CHAIL VILLAS: A HIDEOUT TO UNWIND C

Chittor Fort is magnificence and artistic exemplary got it a space in the UNESCO Heritage Site in 2013

hail, a premier hill station in Himachal Pradesh, is known for its salubrious beauty and virgin forests. Chail is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate yourself from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Treehouse Chail Villas is an el-

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egant and quaint resort perched on the height of 7000 ft. amidst the Shivalik Mountains, flanked

by Deodar and Pine Trees. Inspired by nature and nestled in its own secluded surroundings with breathtaking views of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges,

Chail Villas is built around a central courtyard with 32 rooms and small niches overlooking the valley or verdant greens of the Apple Orchards.

The Palace is well known for its architecture. It was built as a summer retreat during the

British Raj, Is also frequented by hikers as it offers wonderful views of the lower Himalayas. It has good trekking points from Junga and Ashwani Khad at Solan. There are many camping sites for campers and hikers, so camping in Chail is the most sought-after activity for enthusiasts.

Whether you are a traveler or a nature enthusiast, those looking to take a break and simply unwind can Indulge in a refreshing morning walk in the natural fitness trail of lush green deodars, pine, wild roses, and oaks or try the thrilling outdoor adventures like Valley Crossing, Burma Bridge, and a trip to Chail Sanctuary which houses leopard, Indian muntjac, goral, porcupine, wild boar, and Himalayan black bear. In the evenings, unwind over a glass of your favorite spirit while romancing the twinkling Shimla.

The resort offers spacious cottage-style rooms, duplex suites overlooking the verdant apple orchard, and valley view www.tourismindia.org

rooms all overlooking the valley; there is no place better than Treehouse Chail Villas to spend your holiday on a hill station.

Kali Ka Tibba Kali Devi’s famous pilgrim center in Himachal is about 11 km from the hotel. Chail Cricket ground world’s

highest cricket ground with a height of about 2444 meters from sea level established in 1891 by Maharaja Bhupender Singh, who was a cricket enthusiast. Chail Cricket ground is about 7 Kms from Treehouse

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FEATURE / HOSPITALITY

Chail, a premier hill station in Himachal Pradesh, is known for its salubrious beauty and virgin forests. Chail is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate yourself from the hustle and bustle of city life . Treehouse Chail Villas provides you with exactly what you need to refresh and unwind.

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Chail Villas.

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary,110 Sq.km wildlife sanctuary was established in 1976 and since then it is declared as a protected area under the concern of the Government. Along with Oak and Pine trees surrounding, the sanctuary has some of the wildlife that can be seen including wild Boar, Goral, Sambar, Spotted Dear, Himalayan Black Deer, Langurs, Porcupines, and Flying Squirrels. A huge variety of birds can be found from Golden Eagles, Grey Headed

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Flycatcher, Khalij Pheasant, Chirpheasants, and other birds.

Although the sanctuary is open the whole year from 7 am to 6 pm, the best period to visit is from March to October. It is about 29 kms from the hotel.

Kufri, a small hill station in Shimla District in Himachal Pradesh is about 26 km from the Hotel. The Name ‘Kufri’ comes from the local language which means ‘Lake’. The places to visit in Kufri are Kufri Fun World, Skiing in Kufri, Horse Riding to the Mahasu Peak, The Himalayan

National Park.

Narkanda is surrounded by tropical forests, woodlands, and majestic hills situated at a height of 9000ft and is famous for its natural beauty and apple orchards. This is one place in Himachal Pradesh that tourists should not miss. It has a lake called Tannu Jabar Lake and is one of the most important tourist destinations in Narkanda is also famous for its trekking routes and is about 70 kms from the hotel and 61 Kms from Shimla.

HYATT REGENCY CHANDIGARH APPOINTS ASHWINI KUMAR AS GENERAL MANAGER H

yatt Regency Chandigarh has announced the appointment of Mr. Ashwini Kumar as General Manager.

Ashwini Kumar started his career in the GCC hospitality industry in 1981 working with the Oberoi Hotel in Dammam. In 1989 he moved to Dubai and joined Hyatt Regency, it was here that he developed his passion and approach for hotels with the values of Hyatt that have continued over the past 32 years. From then on he moved to Grand Hyatt Dubai as the EAM of the rooms division, followed by Resident Manager and then Hotel Manager.

After his time at Grand Hyatt Dubai, he led a team of roughly 200 associates as his first position of General Manager for the opening of Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi followed by General Manager of Park Hyatt Jeddah.

His last assignment was leading the team as General Manager at Grand Hyatt Amman.

Having managed more than 1,400 associates from across 56 nationalities in the past, Ku-

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mar continues to lead by example.

An accomplished hotelier, proven operational innovator, problem solver and a revenue strategist, his mentoring approach ensures that everyone feels responsible and is motivated to progress in their career. He has been known for his experience to bring effective and positive change to the hotels.

On his return to homeland, he said “I am for37 tunate to get this opportunity to reconnect with the City Beautiful where I had spent unforgettable years as a student at DAVcollage.

With more than four decades in the industry, Kumar remains committed and passionate to bringing the best service and product to the customer.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

HYATT

ANNOUCES RETURN OF HYATT LOVES LOCAL H yatt Hotels Corporation has announced Hyatt hotels across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia regions have launched more than 160 Hyatt Loves Local collaborations in a continued effort to help revitalize and advance care to communities and small businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the success of the 2020

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community-driven initiative, which provides complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic, Hyatt Loves Local has evolved to further meet the current needs of Hyatt communities and guests, including collaborating with more minority-owned and female-owned businesses and delivering reimagined experiences inspired by the new travel

WITH MORE THAN 160 SMALL BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS TO HELP REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES landscape. In turn, Hyatt Loves Local connects those in-needs directly with Hyatt guests and locals through distinctly local offerings, including wellbeing, arts and entertainment, “voluntourism,” traveling with pets and culinary experiences.

Aligned with Hyatt’s Change Starts Here commitment to accelerate Hyatt’s longstanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, nearly half of the 100 participating hotels are teaming up globally with more than 65 minority-owned and female-owned businesses, two groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

“Based on how enthusiastically guests and colleagues embraced Hyatt Loves Local since launch last year, we are excited to expand the program with more than 100 new community collaborations that truly support the people, businesses and organizations that are the foundation of the local communities in which Hyatt hotels operate,” said Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, loyalty, brand marketing and insights “Hyatt has been advancing care across communities for more than 60

years and to see Hyatt’s role helping small businesses thrive through Hyatt Loves Local last year has been a rewarding experience. We are proud to continue supporting communities while simultaneously offering our guests experiences that celebrate the future and recovery of travel.”

The latest Hyatt Loves Local trends and collaborations include:

Emphasizing

Wellbeing:

With a focus on safety first and wellbeing always, Hyatt is reimagining the hotel journey with new wellbeing amenities and offerings that support local wellness providers who were forced to reduce or reshape their offerings during the pandemic: • Hyatt Regency Chandigarh is collaborating with wellness brand H2 Origin. The brand had to permanently close their brick-and-mortar space, so the hotel is providing comwww.tourismindia.org

plimentary space in the hotel’s Amaira Spa & Club to lead guided meditation and yoga classes for guests beginning May.

Pet Projects:

Pet adoptions boomed during the pandemic lockdown with many travelers planning to bring their furry friends along for their next trip. Hyatt hotels are collaborating with local pet businesses to offer pampering and perks to pet travelers: • Andaz Delhi is working with animal rescue, medical and adoption shelter, Touch and 39 Treat Animal Trust, to build a community where people value and respect stray animals.

Guests are invited to volunteer daily to help feed strays or with rescue missions to support this very important cause. This collaboration began in March 2021 and will be ongoing through the year.

• Grand Hyatt Goa is supporting local NGO, Welfare for Animals (WAG) - an organization

dedicated to rescuing stray animals from the streets of North Goa. As part of this collaboration, animal-lovers staying on property have the opportunity to spend a day volunteering to help injured and stray animals under the care of WAG. Alternatively, guests can sponsor an animal for a year as a way to ensure their long-term care. This collaboration began in 2018 and is ongoing through 2021.

The Art of Hospitality:

As museums, movie theaters, and concert venues continue to face strict regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19, consumers are hungrier than ever to reconnect with arts and culture again. Hyatt hotels are serving guests art, music and film experiences in a socially distant manner: • Alila Diwa Goa has teamed up with Jim Fernandes, a local singer and musician to perform live for guests on Saturdays from 7-10pm, and MAY 2021 TOURISM INDIA

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY Moinuddin, a local food cart owner and one of the hotel’s regular vendors is providing food carts for onsite events.

• Alila Fort Bishangarh is collaborating with villagers who lost contracts for their services during the long pandemic shutdown. The hotel provides venues for artist Mohammed Rafiq Khan to perform Rajasthani Sufi folk arts, support for Ms. Leela’s work with the Fort’s organic farm and livestock, and work for Matu Singh and his crew with the hotel’s real estate development. The collaborations are ongoing through 2021.

• Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences is collaborating to help sisters, Sujata and Taniya (Su and Ta), behind saree- and apparel-maker Suta to offer various programs featuring the brand’s owners and artisans, including a High Tea and panel discussion for female entrepreneurs in June 2021 (invite-only), a weekly pop-up at Grand Brunch on Sundays for Suta to display and sell their collection, and private experiences for guests and locals including “Know and Experience Indigenous Crafts of India,” “Learn Indian Draping Styles,” and “Learn an age-old Indian craft directly

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from Suta artisans.”

award-winning food hall Anna-

pandemic have inspired many travelers to volunteer their time to support local organizations who seen a dip in volunteer support over the past year, and Hyatt hotels are connecting guests with these opportunities: • Alila Diwa Goa in India teamed up with a local Podher (breadmaker) offering guests the experience to learn about the local breadmaking artistry and volunteer to prepare fresh breads for children at the nearby community center.

• Reimagining Hotel Gift Shops: Hyatt properties are taking onsite retail to new, hyper-local heights by inviting local makers and businesses to create and sell their products on property, resulting in guest experiences that educate and make a positive impact on communities: • Andaz Delhi is featuring two artisanal food organisations: Darima Farms, a female-run maker of all-natural, preservative-free cheese in the village of Darima, and House of Umang, a female-run collective of producers, specializing in honey, at the hotel’s

Awareness”.

• Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is offering space to two local companies - Elemental by Nanya, a female-owned maker of handcrafted, earth-friendly concrete décor, will display her items for sale to guests and locals near the hotel’s 24/7 restaurant during brunches and events through May 2021, while Paul and Mike, a farm-to-bar maker of chocolates, fine flavors and real floral distillates, has been offered complimentary banquet space for interactive exhibitions, tastings and product displays through June 2021.

• Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad is supporting the creativity of local women by providing popup outlets for two local female-led businesses to showcase their products. SEWA Kalakruti, led by Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Cooperative Federation, is an organization aimed at teaching local, underprivileged women crafts and arts, while The Heritage Shop, run by a young female artist, is a curated art & lifestyle boutique whose mission is to pay tribute to India’s First World Heritage City, Ahmedabad. Both businesses are receiving complimentary space in the property’s lounge and cafe on alternate weeks during the hotel’s Sunday brunches to showcase and sell handcrafted items and artworks to guests and locals.

The hotel is also featuring artistic postcards from The Heritage Shop in its front office for sale to guests as souvenirs. The pop-up shops are debuting in June and will continue weekly through September.

• Hyatt Regency Chandigarh is collaborating with two local brands. Female-owned

Stepping up for Volun- Maya, whose slogan is – “Eat tourism: The struggles of the Mindful. Shop Artisanal. Raise

Phulkari brand, Phulkaris of Punjab, is receiving complimentary space weekly during Sunday brunches to sell their hand-embroidered clothing and accessories through June; and the hotel is outfitting its entire team with masks (100,000 orders to date) made by female artisans supported by Insha-eNoor - a local NGO. • Hyatt Regency Chennai has been collaborating with local, minimalist men’s and women’s fashion designer Vivek Karunakaran (VK) to create a special, socially distant shopping experience for guests and locals since September 2020.

The pop-up will be ongoing through 2021.

• Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort is indulging guests with departure gifts that help local businesses, including specially made tea bags from Anandini Himalaya Teas; handmade photo frames from Green Shop; and recommended pot-

tery workshops from Dharam- ey-Sanjay Gandhi National Park kot Studio as a unique guest ex- Forest. The hotel will feature perience. farm-totable brunches serving New experiences on the indigenous recipes while offermenu: Nurturing the local ing space in Glasshouse restaucommunity, Hyatt properties rant for the Adivasis (tribe) to are collaborating with artisans set up a farmers’ market with to enhance their existing F&B fresh produce available for purportfolio, thus giving the arti- chase by guests. The “Farm-tosans an opportunity to thrive Table” brunches will be held on amid the pandemic while inno- Sundays at 12:30-3:30pm in vating on the range of healthy June and July. and organic offerings for guests.

Guided by its purpose of care, • Hyatt Raipur is col- Hyatt’s multi-layered Global laborating with T-Tales, the Care & Cleanliness Commitment country’s first sustainably led further enhances its operational tea-maker, to launch an onsite guidance and resources around Bio-Café in June 2021. This will colleague and guest safety and feature organic products that peace of mind. More informaspeak to climate, social, and or- tion on Hyatt’s commitment ganically sustainable practices can be found here: hyatt.com/ in line with Hyatt’s vision of ad- care-and-cleanliness. vancing care for communities.

These and more Hyatt Loves • Hyatt Regency Mumbai Local collaborations are being is collaborating with the citi- offered through Summer 2021 zen-action committee Rewil- and beyond. For more informading Aarey that supports eco- tion about Hyatt Loves Local logical sustainability and the and participating property colindigenous tribes in the Aar- laborations, please visit hyatt. com/hyattloveslocal

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

ISOLATE, RELAX AND REJUVENATE SELF ISOLATION PACKAGES

Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park has exclusively curated a self-isolation package

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loft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park, a Marriott International hotel has exclusively curated a self-isolation package for those looking out for the well-being of their family members and themselves.

With hygiene measures intact and timely sanitization of rooms and the hotel, Aloft is a safe place for your stay in such challenging times. This self-isolation package includes high speed internet to keep yourself entertained all time or catch up with work, in-room service of breakfast, lunch and dinner that are healthily prepared under strict hygiene conditions.

If you are in doubt to choose a place for yourself or your family members, without a second

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thought, you can have a safe stay at Aloft. Aloft Cessna Business Park is a perfect confluence of leisure and business featuring 191 spacious, loft–like rooms, an urban design aesthetic, live music performances, and an active social scene. Aloft Bengaluru Cess-

na Business Park has everything India’s next-generation traveller seeks in the best hotels in Bangalore. The Aloft rooms are equally cheery, audacious, and spacious.

It features a multi-cuisine all-day dining restaurant- ‘Nook’. Light meals, snacks, healthy bites are

catered at ‘Re-Fuel’ and ‘W XYZ Bar offers a wide range of signature cocktails with live music in a splendid ambiance. Fitness gym is known as ‘Re-charge’ and a pool ‘Splash- Outdoor Pool’ are added facilities that Aloft Hotel offers.

QUARANTINE MEALS AT HOME!

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Healthy Meals Home Delivered to you

f you are isolating at home and are unable to cook, then fret not! Leave your worries to Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park as the hotel is home delivering healthy and tasty meals at your doorstep, at your comfort. These quarantine meals cover Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner and is made with utmost care and under strict hygiene measures. The food is packed in environmental friendly boxes and is delivered using contactless delivery.

The menu for Breakfast is 1 Staple, 1 Morning Bakery and 1 Tetra Pack Juice. The Lunch / Dinner includes 1 Salad, 1 Vegetable, 1 Lentil, 1 Rice, 2 Pc Tawa Paratha and 1 Dessert.

This just does not limit to people who are isolating - in these overwhelming times, take care of yourself and your loved ones health without skipping a meal by ordering from Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park. www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / TECHNOLOGY

DOTPE LAUNCHES A HARD-HITTING #ORDERDIRECT

TO SAVE THE RESTAURANT COMMUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC

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ith restrictions and state-government induced lockdown announced across the city to contain the second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic, the restaurant fraternity is striving to refrain from the brink of being crippled yet again. To help those businesses stay afloat, DotPe has rolled out a compelling video campaign #OrderDirect urging people to avoid using third-party aggregator apps for ordering food from local restaurants and use DotPe’s platform to do it directly from them.

Established in 2020, DotPe offers a multitude of digital solutionsto restaurant businesses and helps them with their payment and order-related needs.

Its path breaking O2O tech platform can eliminate various hassles like app download procedures and allowing users to commence ordering by simply scanning a QR code or ordering remotely via WhatsApp. The platform’s sophisticated enterprise-grade technology has already empowered F&B players like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Haldiram’s, Social, among others.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Anurag Gup44

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ta, Co-founder& COO ofDotPe said“With the second wave of the pandemic, the restaurant owners are once again struggling to keep their businesses alive. Many food aggregators are worsening the situation by introducing heavy commissions and guidelines that squeeze these businesses. This is why we want to encourage people to support the local restaurants and start ordering from them directly. The campaign revolves around motivating people to change the way they order food.

Over 10000 restaurants now on DotPe, customers can easily order directly using Whatsapp and support their local restaurants.

Conceptualised and created by All Things Small, the short video urges the consumers to skip the food apps and order directly from their local restaurants to help them stay afloat

This will not only help them survive the pandemic but also ensure that their staff can retain their means of living. In fact, if the deliveries for direct orders increase, the restaurant owners can employ more people and take control of their business.

It’s amazing to see the massive response we have been receiving for this video on various social media platforms. In the days to come, we are hoping that more and more people will come together as a community and order directly to support local businesses.”

Conceptualised and created

by All Things Small, a Mumbai-based media company dedicated to telling true stories, the video features a restaurant owner describing the woes of being associated with food delivery apps. Paying for offers and discounts along with extraordinary commissions to these apps leaves them with almost nothing to sustain their businesses. The video appeals to the consumers to cut out the app-based convenience and switch to ordering directly from their local restaurants through their phone numbers or links mentioned on their social media platforms.

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NEWS / DESTINATIONS

OFF-BEAT DESTINATIONS HIGH ON INDIAN TOURISTS’ LIST India and Middle East market has been a key source market for Malaysia Tourism mainly due to the historical and traditional ties between these countries

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ndian youngsters are in the queue for off-beat destinations and soft adventures in Malaysia will be in the spotlight for most Indian travellers, instead of the usual offbeat destination and soft adventure in Malaysia will be in the spotlight for most Indian Travellers instead of the usual sightseeing for when the borders reopen for leisure travel again.

A survey conducted by the Malaysian tourism board found that Indians especially youngsters are waiting to explore offbeat less crowded destination of the South Asian country.

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virtual press meet held at Gulf travel show concluded recently.

Mr. Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director of International Promotion Asia & Africa Division – Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board said that India and Middle East market has been a key source market for Malaysia due to the historical and traditional ties Summer has always been a key Middle East market driver as we receive many travellers during this period whilst the month of May is the peak for Indian tourists.

Mr. Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director of International Promotion Asia & Africa Division Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board

He said adding that over the past year, the pandemic has hindered the situation.

Periasamy was however optimistic to welcome tourists from India and the Middle East market in the coming months when the Covid numbers come under When the borders reopen, he said Malaysia expects to see a surge in tourist from India and other parts of the region due to revenge traveling .

As per our survey most of the youngsters then will avoid the conventional sightseeing and main city.

The focus is expected to shift to other destination and soft adventure like diving and snorkelling he said.

To prepare for this Malaysia is updating and training the Tour Operators based in India regularly. Periasamy said they will also promote the said destinations and activities aggressively when the borders will reopen.

Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia, Dubai also said that when the borders reopen they will see flexibility in booking and timings of checking in the hotels among several other adjustments Staying in sight digitally The Malaysian tourism board is also taking to social media platforms to ensure that Malaysia stays on travellers mind and www.tourismindia.org

remained their first choice when things return to normal Mokthar said that this year they are promoting the #Wemissyou to the market . it indicates that we miss the tourist coming to our beautiful country and we can’t wait to see them again at the Malaysian shore soon.

Periasamy said that digital activities will be a part of their confidence building measures among travellers and tackle The Tourist competition from neighbouring countries our Emphasis will be on making our presence on

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Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism - Middle East MTPB, Dubai, UAE

digital platforms most of our campaign for consumers and travelers will be hosted on platforms like YouTube Instagram and Facebook among others we are also digitalizing most of our material to reach out to people he said our periasamy was quickly to add that conventional advertising in newspaper and magazine will still play a vital role City best tour operators feel it is just a matter of time before tourism returns to normal or even exceeds the pre covid situation as I’m charice of travel of India a tour operator in R T Nagar said they are getting few enquiries from Malaysia as the borders are still closed but it is a promising the station at present Sharif is getting lot of enquiries for Maldives Mauritius Dubai and Sri Lanka want the Malaysian daughters reopened the demand will definitely go up of BIT activities will be most sought-after because people are eager to try different things in fact a lot of tourist head to Genting Highlands in Malaysia which is known for its casan of he said MAY 2021 TOURISM INDIA

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ABUDHABI’S ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL ITB India has connected stakeholders to the Indian travel market through a three-day, business-to-business, virtual event.

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he first edition of ITB India held from 7th to the 9th April was organised with the aim to bring together key travel industry leaders and international exhibitors from various segments, including MICE, leisure, corporate and travel, and technology, allowing trade visitors to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing business relations with the most critical players in India.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has presented a virtual exclusive session as part of the event, where HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Di48 48

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rector of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, discussed Abu Dhabi’s roadmap for the future of travel and tourism.

Addressing the UAE capital’s continuous efforts to overcome the challenges which have been brought on by the pandemic, and focused on the importance of collaboration within the industry and highlights the emirate’s long-term vision to deliver appealing yet distinctive tourism and cultural destination that is ready to welcome the world.

Showcasing the ambitious Go Safe campaign, which has standardised health and safety protocols across the emirate, he has also discussed other pioneering initiatives, real-time trends, and

Abu Dhabi boasts a wide range of tourism and MICE offerings, catering to all types of travellers upcoming projects and attractions that will create memorable experiences for travellers in Abu Dhabi.

“We are delighted to participate in the inaugural ITB India. India is

a key source market for us and we value the trust that Indian travellers have in us as a destination,” said HE Al Shaiba. “Through our ongoing initiatives to maintain high standards of safety and hygiene, including the Go Safe initiative and a countrywide efficient vaccination drive, we aim to make Abu Dhabi the preferred travel destination for Indian travellers.

“Abu Dhabi boasts a wide range of tourism and MICE offerings, catering to all types of travellers.

We look forward to connecting with the trade travel market to work towards building a collective approach that will create unforgettable experiences for our target audiences.”

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NEWS / DESTINATIONS

MALDIVES LAUNCHES ‘I’M VACCINATED’ CAMPAIGN Visit Maldives and Ministry of Tourism, Government of Republic of Maldives has jointly launched “I’m Vaccinated” campaign to ensure the Maldives remains one of the safest destinations in the world for travellers.

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isit Maldives together with the Ministry of Tourism launches “I’m Vaccinated” campaign in order to share a positive message regarding the vaccination of staff working in the tourism sector as well as promoting the initiatives undertaken to ensure the Maldives remains one of the safest destinations in

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the world for travellers.

Under this campaign, the ultimate target is to make Maldives the first fully vaccinated tourism sector in the world. Along with the unique geographical formation of the islands which offer natural physical distancing, and the stringent health and safety measures in place, a fully vacci-

nated tourism sector will become an added advantage in encouraging tourists to visit the destination.

The campaign was launched during a special press event held on 28th April 2021 organized by Visit Maldives and the Ministry of Tourism. The event was joined by the Minister of Tourism, Minister

of State of the Ministry of Health, Secretary General of Guesthouse Association of Maldives and Vice Chairman of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry.

The event commenced with opening remarks by the Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom.

The Minister remarked upon the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry during 2020 and emphasized the immense sacrifice, effort and hard work invested by the health industry, tourism industry, and all members of the Maldivian society. In addition, the Minister stated that being able to provide vaccination to members in the tourism industry was a huge accomplishment. The Minister officially initiated the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign followed by a short video showcasing the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ logo.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir stated that over 65% of the eligible Maldivian population have received the vaccine and over 90% of the eligible tourism industry is vaccinated. The Minister of State of the Ministry of Health placed importance on practicing health and safety measures regardless of the vaccination and placed emphasis on the importance of achieving herd immunity. He thanked MMPRC and the Ministry of Tourism for launching the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign as the campaign will promote the vaccination drive and motivate facilities in the tourism industry to vaccinate their staff.

Afterwards, MMPRC presented the esteemed delegation with a special ‘I’m Vaccinated’ badge.

The badge will be presented to members of the tourism industry who have received the prescribed dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Following the launch of the program, The Managing Director www.tourismindia.org

of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Mr Thoyyib Mohamed stated that the purpose of the ‘I’m Vaccination’ campaign is to promote vaccination for all members in the tourism industry and for Maldives to have the first fully-vaccinated tourism industry in the world. The Managing Director of MMPRC also unveiled a microsite that will be launched under the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ Campaign and social media activities that will be initiated alongside. .

The microsite will display a counter displaying the number of tourist industry staff vaccination as well as information regarding registration for vaccination of employees and the latest HPA guidelines. Furthermore, the social media campaign component of the campaign will present images and videos of workers in the tourism industry with a pinned vaccination badge that will be presented to them by Visit Maldives once they receive the prescribed dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccination. The social media campaign will further help advertise Maldives as a ‘safe haven’ destination across the globe.

Speaking at the conference, Secretary General of Guesthouse Association of Maldives, Saudhulla Ahmed Hassan Didi noted on the impact of COVID-19 on the guesthouse industry and

island communities while Vice Chairman of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, Mr. Salah Shihab recognized the sacrifice undertaken by members of the tourism industry as they had to stay apart from families during the pandemic, stating that the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign gives hope to workers across the industry.

The campaign will uplift the destination’s beautiful name in the global market and reassure travellers that Maldives will further remain as one of the safest destinations to travel to during this unprecedented time. In addition, the campaign will also ensure travelers from all over the world of the immense effort and investment into ensuring the safety of both the local population and travellers.

On 1st February 2021, Maldives initiated the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the government aims to provide free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens and residents of Maldives in the upcoming months. The initiation of the vaccination drive is bound to offer hope to the local population, as well as ensure the safety of tourists. This conveys the message that Maldives is a lowrisk destination for travellers and will hopefully generate a surge in tourist arrival

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NEWS / DESTINATIONS

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM JOIN HANDS WITH NETFLIX SA SA Tourism and Netflix SA form collaboration with South Africa as the Star

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n a partnership that can best be described as aiming for the stars, South African Tourism (SA Tourism) and Netflix, the world’s leading streaming service have agreed to explore joint opportunities that will benefit both organizations to showcase stories made in South Africa, and watched by the world.

The agreement will allow for exploration and collaboration on projects both in South Africa and in key source markets that drive international arrivals to the country.

Since Netflix’s launch in South Africa in 2016, the company has dedicated itself to investing in productions (original and licensed content) that are made in South Africa and bringing these unique and diverse stories to the world.

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Currently, the service is available to 204 million members in 190 countries around the world and continues to showcase South African culture, fashion, music, art, scenery and languages through stories made in South Africa by local and international creators.

Netflix stories provide a global platform to showcase South Africa to the world through content made in South Africa, to be watched by the world. To date, the streaming service has released a diverse slate of content from South Africa across different genres including; Netflix original series like Queen Sono, Blood & Water, How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, Kings of Joburg; films like Seriously Single, Catching Feelings, Santana, Baby Mamas, Keeping up with the

Kandasamys and most recently; the Oscar-nominated nature documentary My Octopus Teacher and Netflix’s first original standup show, Loyiso Gola’s Unlearning (which premiered this week on 23 March).

Netflix has also brought stories from other parts of the world that were filmed in South Africa, like the films Holiday in the Wild and Last Days of American Crime as well as global Netflix series, Sacred Games, The Crown, Black Mirror and Kissing Booth (1 & 2). Through these stories that transcend beyond Mzansi borders, the local creative industry has benefitted, on and off screen, from the opportunity to showcase their art and talent on a global stage.

Each production resulted in the

support for local businesses and entrepreneurs - the full supply chain of creating a show includes local stylists, make-up artists, etc which ultimately leads to a positive economic impact in the country.

“As we continue to lure the world to our beautiful country in these trying times, we have to look at non-traditional tourism partnerships as a source of driving arrivals,” explains Sisa Ntshona, CEO at SA Tourism.

“Netflix reaches millions of eyeballs globally, and by working closely with Netflix, we are able to latch onto a massive opportunity to influence the audience to think more closely about South Africa and thus convincing them to visit our country.”

The partnership will also see SA Tourism working closely with Netflix in promoting the country’s must-visit sights through its locally-produced series into international markets.

“We have 11 global country offices and there will always be

opportunities for our international offices in key source markets to latch onto opportunities to showcase South Africa through the title Netflix launch,” adds Ntshona.

“This past year, when entertainment mattered more than ever, our 204 million members around the world connected with new worlds, and most importantly with each other, through stories from South Africa and across the globe,” says Ben Amadasun, Netflix Director of Content in Africa.

“Storytelling is a powerful tool that can foster connection and understanding while creating greater affinity towards a culture or place. That’s a big responsibility

and at Netflix, we don’t take that lightly. It’s why we value this important collaboration with SA Tourism as it will help us create more opportunities to support local creatives as they showcase the beauty of South Africa through their stories delivered to millions of entertainment fans around the world on Netflix,” adds Amadasun.

Going forward, the partnership will explore various opportunities and initiatives that will go towards showcasing South Africa, not only to South African audiences but also to global members of Netflix.

More on these initiatives will be revealed at a later date.

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SKYDIVE INTO THE TROPICS AT NIYAMA PRIVATE ISLANDS

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ADRENALINE JUNKIES DELIGHT AS SKYDIVING LANDS AT NIYAMA PRIVATE ISLANDS MALDIVES

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arachute into paradise with a thrilling new experience at Niyama Private Islands. The new tandem skydiving experience, which has just launched for guests to experience, takes off from Dhaalu Airport just a short speedboat ride from the resort in the Maldives’ southern Dhaalu Atoll.

Tandem skydiving is the best way for dare devils to experience this adrenaline-fuelled sport in the safwww.tourismindia.org

est and most stunning of environments. Guests play an active role in the jump, descending by freefall over 55 the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean from a height of 12,000 feet, with a seasoned instructor connected from leap to landing. The jump involves a one-minute freefall at the extreme speed of 200km/hour before the parachute opens for a five minute ‘flight’ down to the white sand beaches, set

to a backdrop of spectacular birds-eye views of the resort and the wider atoll.

For photographic evidence, the dive can be captured by a hand camera, whilst for those wishing to share their full dare-devil experience with family and friends and on their social channels, an outside camera can be arranged with a separate skydiver, to create the ultimate memories.

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ESCAPE TO THE

‘BEST OF MALDIVES’

AT ANANTARA KIHAVAH VILLAS Embrace pure white shores lined with swaying palms

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nantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has presented yet even more reasons why a Maldives escape is a balm for the soul with its ‘Best of Maldives’ stay package. A promise of great

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adventures awaits with a trio of experiences designed to awaken wanderlust; snorkelling with majestic manta rays, stargazing at the only overwater observatory in the Maldives, and fine dining un-

derwater at SEA, the world’s first oceanic restaurant and wine cellar.

The pinnacle of all dining chronicles lies in a sublime culinary journey undersea. Perched at the edges of Anantara Kiha-

vah’s famed house reef, descend six meters into SEA, the resort’s award-winning underwater restaurant and wine cellar, home to over 450 labels and vintages dating from the 17th century. An exceptional feast for the senses, savour a gourmet four-course lunch, whilst luxuriating in panoramic views of marine life at play amongst vibrant corals.

The second aquatic experience in the ‘Best of Maldives’ stay package is a once-in-a-lifetime exploration – snorkelling with manta rays. Owing to the abundance of krill and plankton that accumulates in Hanifaru Bay during the season, bear witness to the annual migration of these mysterious gigantic oceanic creatures as they feed. Once in the water, be mesmerised by their graceful movements of glides and somersaults. Curious and friendly, they often swim within centimeters of snorkellers, managing to avoid contact at the last second, making for the most extraordinary of memories.

From the ocean to the sky, the grand finale in the package revolves around the universe. With its proximity to the equator, the Maldives is truly an astronomer’s

paradise and Anantara Kihavah is the perfect place for spectacular views of both the southern and northern skies. Custom-built for such stargazing encounters, SKY is a unique cocktail bar and home to the most powerful telescope in the Indian Ocean, in the only over-water observatory in the Maldives. Perched over the aquamarine lagoon, the bar proffers front-row seats on low oversized daybeds to ocean views from every vantage point during the day, and as night falls, the open roof deck comes alive. Sip Champagne and nibble on Asian-inspired tapas, whilst absorbing knowledge imparted by the resort’s Sky Guru on this cosmic journey as

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you gaze upon the stars.

A choice of accommodation options awaits in the ‘Best of Maldives’ stay package. Take your pick of either a beach pool villa nestled along a pristine stretch of private beach or an over-water pool villa poised over the crystal-calm lagoon with sweeping ocean views. Each hideaway boasts a large infinity-edge pool, dining pavilion, spacious wooden sundeck, and ample lounging areas complete with swinging daybed, hammock, and sun loungers.

All villas feature his and hers walk-in wardrobes, rain showers, outdoor showers, and oversized bathtubs big enough for two, while a sunken glass-bottom bathtub in the overwater pool villas offers a mesmerising view of the sparkling ocean. Seamless style is achieved with light, airy, contemporary interiors featuring local accents in every room with all the comforts of a-homeaway-from-home provided for.

To further enhance the experience, all villas are serviced by a personal Villa Host 24 hours a day.

Indulge in the quintessential Maldivian living experience in an over-water pool villa, make up for a lost time in creating memories of life-affirming moments with loved ones at this island sanctuary.

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