Whereabouts June 2021 by whereabouts

RNI No.: DELENG/2014/59308

Volume VI Issue IX June 2021

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Phuket Reopening! Change a Boring Quarantine into a Joyous Relaxing Time

TOP NEWS

AVIATION

NTO

HOSPITALITY

DESTINATION

AVIATION

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Reader, As you know, we are at the verge of passing- out from the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic and started moving towards normalcy in a phased manner. Many destinations across the globe are preparing to receive international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, with some restrictions and SOPs during the post pandemic era. In this issue you will have a chance to read about the latest information and guidelines about such destinations so that you can plan well in advance before travelling.

Editor Rajesh Tiwari rajesh@whereabouts.in +91 9818525672

Consulting Editor Shayan Mallick

Correspondents Jai Kishan Kaparwan Nisha Awasthi whereabouts.in@gmail.com

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Principal Advisor Anil Prakash

Legal Advisor Advocate Brijesh Tiwari

Production & Distribution Production Manager Subhash Solanki Distribution Executive Anoop Singh

Accounts CA Rishabh Rana

Technical & Web Support Amit Agrahari All information in Whereabouts is derived from sources, which we consider reliable and a sincere effort is made to report accurate and up to date information. All contents of this publication are reserved worldwide. Reproduction in any manner without prior written permission is prohibited. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of component courts and forums in Delhi only. Whereabouts is own, printed & published by Rajesh Tiwari. Whereabouts is printed at Pritika Printers, A-21/27, Naraina Industrial Area, PhaseII, New Delhi 110028 and published from E-8/401, Nehru Vihar, Delhi 110094. Editor Rajesh Tiwari

CONTENTS TOP NEWS P 03 - 05 Tourism notified among top priority sectors for Covid-19 vaccination in West Bengal

Indigo connects Darbhanga Aeroprime appointed PSA to Kolkata, Hyderabad via for Uzbekistan Airways direct flights News Desk News Desk

ndiGo has announced Darbhanga as its new domestic destination in the 6E network. The airline will connect Darbhanga to Kolkata and Hyderabad via direct flights, effective July 05, 2021. Being the 6th largest metropolis in Bihar, Darbhanga is also one of the fastest growing cities of India owing to the increasing opportunities in manufacturing and trade across the states. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to have one of Bihar’s largest cities, Darbhanga, as our new domestic destination in 6E network. Increased connectivity between the three states will help promote trade and commerce in the region. IndiGo is committed to provide wider networks with an affordable, on-time, safe and hassle-free travel experience onboard our lean clean flying machine”. IndiGo is amongst the fastest growing low-cost carriers in the world. With its fleet of 280+ aircraft, the airline is operating around 1200 daily flights and connecting 67 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations.

Odisha to announce financial package for tourism sector New upcoming tourism policy to aid further investments in Jharkhand

ASSOCIATION P 06 - 08 OTOAI waives off annual membership fee for FY 2021 – 2022 Jagdeep Bhagat re-elected as NIMA National Coordinator IATO appoints Co-chairmen in various states, targets more membership

TECHNOLOGY P 09 Travelport partners with Amazon Web Services to accelerate digital transformation in travel retailing

NTO P 10 - 13 Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists GNTO optimistic to regain pre-crisis level of incoming travel from UAE by end of 2022

COVER FEATURE

P 14-19

Phuket Reopening!

DESTINATION P 20-23 Outdoor Activities in Germany Summer Activities in Czech Republic Kevadiya : Absolute Amazing Destination

HOTEL P 24 - 25 Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists

AVIATION P 26 - 27 Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists

he appointment was made as Uzbekistan Airways seeks to reinforce the brand awareness of the airline, as well as provide a proactive on-the-ground engagement with customers and clients within the key strategic market of India. Uzbekistan Airways is the flagship carrier airline of Uzbeksitan, headquartered in Tashkent. From its hub at Islam Karimov Tashkent International airport, the airline currently flies international services twice a week to India under the air-bubble agreement, apart from services to Asia, Europe and North America plus serves a number of domestic destinations. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director, Aeroprime stated: “Our appointment is a perfect reflection of Aeroprime’s specialised offering of localised expertise and networks, which gels perfectly with the airlines’ philosophy and vision. The airline will be supported by international best practices of Aeroprime, to expand their market share and sales in India.” As market experts, Aeroprime provides dedicated airline management and travel representation services to some of the world’s most renowned travel brands.

THAI Airways to operate 16 destinations in July - Sept 2021 As per the Regional Flight Schedule Q3 (July to September 2021) Thai Airways will operate weekly flights to Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. News Desk

hai Airways International (THAI) will operate flights to 16 destinations during the July-September 2021 period in response to increasing demand for leisure, business, and transit travel, said Nond Kalinta, Chief Commercial Officer, Thai Airways. As per the Regional Flight Schedule Q3 (July to September 2021) Thai Airways will operate weekly flights to Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. In addition, THAI operates cargo flights to regional destinations; such as, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Singapore, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo (Narita). The airline is also planning to increase flights under its 2021 Winter Programme in response to travel demand. The International Flight Schedule Q3 (July-September 2021) include from Bangkok to London (2 weekly flights), Copenhagen (2 weekly flights), Frankfurt (3 weekly flights), Paris (1 weekly flight), Zurich (1 weekly flight) and Sydney (2 weekly flights). THAI prioritises hygiene excellence and is accredited with the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) standard,

recognised by the World Travel and Tourism Council under the Council’s SafeTravels global health and hygiene protocols. THAI also strictly complies with the COVID-19 preventive measures by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) during flight operations. After every flight, all passenger cabins will undergo disinfecting and deep cleaning.

TOP NEWS

Tourism notified among top priority sectors for Covid-19 vaccination in West Bengal News Desk

n an attempt to speedy recovery of the tourism and hospitality sector in the State of West Bengal the Government is endevouring to vaccinate all the industry stakeholders within minimum possible time. Therefore, the state government has notified Tourism sector (including hospitality) as one of the priority sectors for

vaccination against Covid-19 in the state. As per the order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department of Government of West Bengal stated that the groups such as Tourism, Industrial Workers, Rice Mill Workers, MSME Artisans, Domestic Workers, Cable TV Operators etc. will be covered under (ii) Groups which are public facing Groups exposed to public mingling. DMs will ensure overall coordination in the Districts under guidance of respective departments’ secretaries. The order will come into immediate effect. Accordingly all concerned departments will take required action.

The vaccination of such groups will be organised by the respective departments on the priority basis. Tourism Department has been appointed as the Nodal Department for the vaccination drive of the stakeholders of tourism including hospitality. Meanwhile the State Government has decided to extend the lockdown in the state till June 15. The state has registered around 16,225 new covid-19 cases in the first week of June, raising the tally to 13,18, 203. The State now has 1, 23,377 active cases with 11, 79,999 patients recovering from the disease.

Tourism Minister appreciates Incredible IITFC programme News Desk

nion Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel virtually addressed the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Gwalior’s event organised on the occasion of World Environment Day. Secretary Tourism, GoI Arvind Singh; Joint Secretary Rakesh Verma; ADG Tourism Rupinder Brar and Economic Advisor to Tourism Ministry Gyan Bhushan were also virtually present in this event. The Minister virtually inaugurated the newly upgraded website of IITTM, IITFC communication seminar.

Odisha to announce financial package for tourism sector News Desk

itineraries and immersive experience packages to promote these packages.”

hile interacting with the stakeholders through a virtual meeting organised recently, Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha revealed: "The Chief Minister is expected to soon announce financial packages for the tourism sector. The need is to work towards sustainable tourism, and we cannot have a situation where risk management is not taken care of.” He further informed that the budget allotted for the tourism sector this year has seen an unprecedented increase. “The Chief Minister wants to take Odisha tourism to global standards. We all must understand that the sector needs help to bounce back.”

Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi Minister of Tourism Odisha

Vishal Kumar Dev Principal Secretary Tourism Government of Odisha

Elaborating more on the financial package for tourism, Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Services and Tourism, Government of Odisha Vishal Kumar Dev said: We are working on a detailed support package to be offered to the industry, which would include hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and self-employed

people including photographers, guides, etc., among others."

"For the long term, there has been a change in our approach to infrastructure development. We are developing infrastructure in a very planned and integrated manner. We are also looking at destinations in a holistic manner and a preparing master plan for each destination. A priority destination list has been identified consisting of 70 circuits and the government will invest in a big way. Our infrastructure development budget for this year has been doubled," he added.

Highlighting the measures to promote Odisha tourism, Dev further informed, “We are looking at roadshows, road trips from the neighbouring states, and scaling up of eco-retreats to cover more destinations. We have selected a partner that will help us in curating various

“We will also be investing in new products, especially cruises and houseboats. We have selected India's largest river cruise operator to start catamarans. By early next year we will have Odisha on the luxury river cruise map of the country,” concludes Dev.

June 2021 3

TOP NEWS

New upcoming tourism policy to aid further investments in Jharkhand News Desk

itender Kumar Singh, Director, Department of Industries, Govt of Jharkhand while addressing the webinar on 'Impact of COVID-19 On Jharkhand's Economy' said that in order to attract more investment in the state and revive the industry in Jharkhand, the state government has taken few measures including the New Jharkhand Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy. "This is in draft stage and within a week the new policy will get notified," Singh informed. Emphasizing the potential of tourism sector in the state, he further said that the Department of Tourism is in the process of

drafting the new Tourism Policy. "The policy will be implemented in next 2 months. The new policy also has new attractive incentive provisions which will further boost the sector," Speaking on the other incentives and plan of the state, Singh said that the state government is also working on the food policy and industrial park policy. To further support the industrial revival in the state he said that the government is revamping the single window clearance system. "In the coming few months we are hoping for recovery and reviving our single window clearance system along with expediting all clearances and compliances. With this,

Himachal Pradesh eases Covid-19 restrictions News Desk

s Himachal Pradesh is moving towards normalcy after the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, the state has decided to ease the Covid-19 restrictions for the incoming visitors. As per the new guideline there will be no requirement of RT-PCR tests for the travellers entering the state. The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh has issued the standard operating procedure (SOPs) for opening of tourism

units in the state as per the guidelines, advisory issued by Revenue Department Disaster management cell and health family welfare department. Earlier shops were allowed to open from Monday to Friday between 9 am to 2 pm, while dhabas, restaurants and other eateries can operate all days till 6 pm which has been extended from 9am to 5pm from June 14 with shops remaining closed on weekends. The buses within the state will ply with 50 per cent occupancy.

our industrial production and clearances will get a major boost. To reduce the industrial compliances, 121

Uttarakhand to announce Covid-19 relief package for tourism sector News Desk

he tourism and hospitality industry of Uttrakhand has suffered at multiple levels due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. Citing the findings of a study conducted by IIM Kashipur, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of Uttarakhand Satpal Maharaj said that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused losses worth Rs 1600 crore to the tourism industry of Uttarakhand in 2020 besides rendering around 23000 people jobless. In an attempt to extend the support to the first and worst pandemic hit industry, the state is pinning its hope on a relief package for hoteliers, owners of roadside eateries, tour and travel operators and people connected with adventure tourism who are facing a livelihood crisis. The minister informed that he

4 June 2021

compliances have been reduced, reengineered, and uploaded on the DPIIT portal as well," added Singh.

has submitted a proposal to the Chief Minister seeking a relief package to inject life into the embattled tourism industry. According to the Minister, a relief package for the tourism industry at this hour will give it the much needed shot in the arm. The Chief Minister has also been asked to include folk artistes as beneficiaries of the relief package as they do not get a chance to perform and earn with no cultural programmes being held by the tourism and culture department for more than a year.

TOP NEWS

Government will unveil various projects focusing on the revival, Kerala Tourism Minister "The government will implement all possible measures to ease the current problems being faced by the industry. Special marketing campaigns will be conducted once the second wave of Covid-19 recedes," said the Minister.

News Desk

erala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas assured the stake-holders that the government will unveil various projects focusing on the revival of the vital sector ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, including special marketing campaigns. The Minister P A Mohamed Riyas was addressing a virtual meeting of representatives from various associations of Kerala Tourism and Hospitality sector including KTM and CII. The meeting was convened to elicit suggestions for revival of the industry that has been hit badly by the pandemic and work out plans for an impressive comeback. While addressing the stakeholders, the Minister said

P A Mohamed Riyas Tourism Minister Kerala

that the government will closely work together with the industry with the aim of doubling the tourists' arrival by 2025, and hoped that 2022 will be turn out to be a ‘Covid-19 Free Tourism Year’.

U. S. to resume student visa appointments for July & August News Desk

tudent visas remain a top priority for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India. The Embassy is making every attempt to facilitate student travel in time for the fall semester. As such, on June 14, 2021 U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India will open limited July and August student visa appointments at posts across India. Students beginning a new program with a program start date on or after August 1 may travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to the program start date and do not need to submit a request for a national interest exception. Continuing students may also resume their programs on or after August 1, and travel 30 days before their program resumption date. We are unable

to approve expedite requests for Fall 2021 students with scheduled appointments in July or August. If your appointment date may result in a potentially late start, please reach out to your school to discuss options.

KEY POINTS: US embassy intends to start intensive two months of interviews starting July 1st. Tens of thousands of interview slots would be available starting Monday, 14th June. Keep a close eye on the website to book your appointment. You need RTPCR test before 72 hours of flying. Currently, there is no need to quarantine. Type of vaccination currently depends entirely on individual schools. They might accept it or might ask you to get vaccinated once you reach campus.

The participants explained to the Minister how the pandemic had resulted in a severe setback for the entrepreneurs and all others engaged in the sector. They noted that unlike any other state, Kerala Government had provided total support and encouragement to the industry during the crisis. The Minister told them that the urgent task will be promoting internal tourism and the arrivals from other states. "Apart from completing the present projects on a time-bound manner, two

new heritage projects focusing on Ponnani and Aranmula will be planned and implemented quickly," he added. "The roads to tourism centres will be developed and more tourism circuits will be formed by connecting destinations. Through the socially-committed Responsible Tourism, the benefits of tourism sector will be made available to more people. The government's goal is to support the kind of tourism that brings benefits to entrepreneurs, tourists and local community alike," the Minister pointed out. Rani George, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism, V.R. Krishna Teja, IAS, Director, Tourism, and Biju BS, Dy. Director (Mktg) were also present.

KTM collaborates with Kerala Tourism to vaccinate stakeholders News Desk

erala Travel Mart Society (KTM) is organizing a Covid Vaccination Drive in collaboration with the Kerala Tourism Department, to give priority to those who are working in the tourism sector. The aim is to make Kerala the first 100% tourism vaccinated state in India by providing complete vaccination to those working in the tourism sector and other tourism associates. To reach this goal Tourism Department has introduced priority vaccination for the age group of 18-44 years and has appointed nodal officers to carry out this task. In addition to this, district-wise KTM members have been appointed as liaison officers to assist nodal officers with this initiative.

a help desk to create more awareness. He requested that all members of the tourism sector to utilize this opportunity and get vaccinated. This will help our industry to prepare for the safe re-opening of the tourism sector in Kerala and restart our businesses soon.

Baby Mathew Somatheeram has informed that KTM has launched

June 2021 5

ASSOCIATION

OTOAI waives off annual membership fee for FY 2021 – 2022

TAAI leads Airline Passenger Joint Council of IATA

News Desk

While elaborating on the impact of Covid-19 on the Outbound sector Munshi said: “The outbound from India has been severely affected and it will indeed take a while before things go back to normal. The second wave has hit all businesses, especially tourism severely and different entry laws / requirements by different countries has made outbound travel very challenging.”

eeping in mind the prevailing tough times where the tourism sector has been one of the worst hits, the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has waived off the annual membership fee for the financial year 2021 – 22. The association had reduced the fees by 50% for the financial year 2020 – 2021. The move is a testament of the fact that the association recognises and empathises with the challenges being faced by the outbound tour operators in India today. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, "This is not the time to make money or fill up

Riaz Munshi President OTOAI

reserves. We understand the plight of our fellow industry colleagues and this gesture is our way of showing our solidarity to them.”

“I would also like to urge people in the travel fraternity to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest possible so that whenever tourism opens, our customers do not hesitate reaching out to us and it will also send out a positive message to the world," concludes Munshi.

Jagdeep Bhagat re-elected as NIMA National Coordinator News Desk

etwork of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) has elected the new Executive Team for 2021-22 term during its 7th Foundation Day celebrated on May 25th, 2021. Jagdeep Bhagat of Vee Bee Tours & Travels, New Delhi has

been re-elected as the National Coordinator of NIMA whereas Gajesh Girdhar of Paryatan Muzaffarnagar has been elected as the Chairman Emeritus. National Coordination of NIMA Jagdeep Bhagat feels that the association rededicate and reiterate its mission to keep on providing value to the members and work towards betterment of Indian MICE industry. The newly elected team will continue working to fulfill NIMA's Vision 2025. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the tourism industry worldwide collapsed and in India, it’s no

6 June 2021

different. The tourism industry in India is one of the worst hit and when it felt the light at the end of the tunnel earlier this year, the current Covid wave put us again on back foot. “We at NIMA strongly believe, only the Strong Resilience of our members and other fellow colleagues in trade will help in bringing the glory again to our industry as and when this pandemic ends,” added Bhagat. Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) is a conglomeration of MICE operators from various parts of the country who work together for the growth and betterment of the industry. Established in 2014, NIMA is only ‘not for profit’ network dedicated for the benefit of MICE operators in India and it doesn’t charge any membership fees from its members. Currently it has over 150 members out of which more than 30% are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

he 59th Airline Passenger Joint Council of IATA (APJC) was held virtually and attended by the airline representatives and agency representatives of TAAI & TAFI. Jyoti Mayal – President TAAI was unanimously selected to Chair the meeting. The agency representatives took up all the important points of concern and have made recommendations through APJC to PAPGJC / PSG which shall be taken up at PAconf also. TAAI was represented by Vice President – Jay Bhatia, Hon. Secretary General – Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon. Treasurer – Shreeram Patel and UFTAA President & Past President – TAAI, Sunil Kumar Rumalla.

Ixigo launches real time COVID-19 vaccine slot finder

o increase the chances of getting a vaccination appointment, ixigo has launched 'Vaccine Slot Finder' tool on its flights & trains app displaying real-time slot availability from the CoWIN website. This tool can be easily accessed in the 'What's New' section on the app by tapping on the 'Find vaccine slots' option. One can select their area pin code or the district along with the age group and specify the dose they qualify for. If a slot is available, they will be redirected to the coWIN website to book the appointment. In case of unavailability of a slot, users get an option to select 'notify me when slots are available'. Rajnish Kumar, CTO & Director, Ixigo said, "With this initiative we want to support the government's efforts in accelerating mass vaccinations by providing our users seamless access to vaccine slots."

ASSOCIATION

IATO appoints Co-chairmen in various states, targets more membership News Desk

Tours has been given this responsibility.

ndian Association of Tour Operators’ Executive Committee had reviewed and restructured the Regional and State Chapters recently to expand its wings and strengthen membership base in states and UT’s such as Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu. In continuation, the Association has further expanded its wings by appointing Co-Chairman and In-charge in various States and Union Territories. While elaborating on the development IATO’s President Rajiv Mehra said: “With the step taken by the Executive Committee, IATO has touched almost all corners of the country, and we hope to see more tourism stake holders to join the Association who will be able to promote these places with more vigour with the help of tour operators from metro cities.” According to the latest development, Rajasthan

Sikkim being a prime tourist destination needed a CoChairman. Keeping in view the distance between North Bengal and Sikkim Namgyal P Sherpa of Namgyal Treks & Tours, Gangtok has been appointed as Co-chairman to assist Chairman of Sikkim and North Bengal Chapter who is based in Siliguri, Darjeeling. Rajiv Mehra President IATO

being the large state with strong membership base was considered to have a Co-chairman and appointed Mahendra Singh of Holidays N Vacations, Jaipur to look after the various developments across the state. Keeping in view the importance of Varanasi as a big tourist attraction both for international and domestic tourists Bhuvanendra Vikram Singh of Prime Value

Mohamed Jadwet has been appointed as Co-Chairman in Andaman & Nicobar to assist the Chairman based in Chennai. Besides the above, two State In-charge have been appointed in Manipur and Tripura to assist Chairman of IATO North East Chapter. H. Radhakrishna Sharma of Seven Sisters Holidays and Soumen Dutta of Hindustan Tour & Travels have been appointed State In-Charge of Manipur and Tripura respectively.

KTS seeks rehabilitation package for tourism & hospitality sector News Desk

arnataka Tourism Society – the representatives for all tourism and hospitality sector in the state has appealed to the Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for a rehabilitation package for the stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector of the state who have been affected by the second wave of Covid-19. The Society has also submitted a memorandum to Tourism Minister C P Yogeshwar, Tourism Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey and Sindhu B Rupesh, Director, Tourism Department. “The COVID-19 second wave – coincidentally which commenced exactly after one year of the first wave, has hit

our sector once again, with a vengeance and in the process derailed the entire sector putting great stress on the stake holders who barely managed to overcome the situation of the COVID crisis. Data of COVID II suggests that the present plight of the sector is far more severe with almost irreversible damage when compared to COVID I regime,” said S. Shayam Raju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society. Tourism and hospitality is the sector that has seen the worst impact of COVID-19 with a negative growth of 73 percent during the period April December 2020 compared to the same period last year. Also, this is the sector that couldn't enter into the recovery phase since

the eruption of COVID-19. As per a study report by McKinsey published in October 2020, recovery of the tourism sector to 2019 level may kick start as late as 2024. KEY POINTS Deferment of payment of Property Tax for 2021-22. Deferment of payment of Excise License Fee. Exemption/Waivers in Electricity Bills. To waive off the demand charges from April to September 2021. Energy charges payable on actual consumption basis only. Exemption from payment of Vehicle Quarterly Road Tax.

Seven thousands travel agents enrolls for Yas Expert programme News Desk

xperience Hub, the trade and promotion arm of Yas Island Abu Dhabi, has enrolled more than 7,000 travel agents into its distinguished 'Yas Expert' programme - a destination training and certification program for travel professionals and agents. Among the 7,000 enrolled, more than 5,000 travel agents have already received certification and been recognised as a Yas Expert, joining an elite team of specialists with enhanced knowledge of the destination and all it has to offer.

Throughout the pandemic period, Experience Hub has been virtually engaging with travel trade in key source markets including UK, Russia, China, India and GCC, and training them online to assure continuous product knowledge in preparation for gradual market re-openings. Liam Findlay, General Manager, Experience Hub said: "Experience Hub continues to show its commitment to global partners by refining and enhancing its valuable trade programmes such as Yas Expert. Our top priority through the travel slowdown has been to support our industry and evaluate how we can improve our offering ready for the travel rebound. We look forward to helping more agents globally to become Yas Experts and showcase a destination like nowhere else.”

June 2021 7

ASSOCIATION

Sejoe takes over as IATO’s South Regional Head News Desk

he IATO Executive Committee has relooked and restructured the Regional and the State Chapters to expand its wings and strengthen the membership of the association. Sejoe Jose, Managing Director of Marvel Tours has been given the bigger responsibility and appointed as the Chairman of IATO Southern Region which would cover Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andaman Nicobar, Puducherry and Lakshadweep. He will take over from E.M. Najeeb who has been the Chairman of Southern Region and has immensely contributed for the growth of IATO in Southern Region.

James Kodianthara, Managing Director, Concord Exotic Voyages has been appointed as the Chairman of IATO Kerala Chapter in place of Sejoe Jose. Jitendra Kejriwal, Chairman, Arika Tour & Travels Mumbai has taken over as Chairman Maharashtra Chapter replacing Vasuki Sundaram. Separate Chapters have been created for Uttarakhand and Ladakh with Nidhish Sharma, Managing Director, Garhwal Adventure Dehradun and Tsering Namgyal, Managing Director, Windhorse Expeditions India, Ladakh being appointed as Chairman for Uttarakhand and Ladakh respectively. Speaking on the development, IATO’s President, Rajiv Mehra

mentioned he is sure that the new appointments will help strengthen IATO’s membership base pan India and especially in Uttarakhand and Ladakh as there was no separate Chapter Chairman in these two states. “With having State Chairman

located at those places, besides increasing membership base, IATO will have better coordination and interaction with the state governments and the local trade,” he added.

FAITH suggests GST rationalization to enable support to the industry News Desk

Some of the measures proposed are briefly mentioned below:

Hotels to be allowed to charge IGST which will enable seamless availability of credit across India to all travel agents and tour operators and will thereby lead to building up a sustainable domestic holidays,meetings and conventions business within the country.

AITH the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel and hospitality industry of India has made suggestions to Finance Ministry, Tourism Ministry & the CEA for GST rationalization of Indian Tourism Value Chain, to be taken up in the upcoming GST council meeting the next week. The association has suggested to initiate the process of undertaking a review and rationalisation of GST applicable across different aspects of the Indian tourism, travel and hospitality industry. FAITH feels that this rationalisation will enable some rationale support once the tourism industry attempts to begin its long crawl back from the pandemic.

8 June 2021

Tour operators to be enabled a special presumptive GST rate of 1.8% with full GST setoffs. The current rate of 5% without setoffs structurally implies that tour operators have an inbuilt margin of around 27.8% which is an inherently flawed assumption in the internet economy. Travel Agents be also allowed the option of exploring the reseller model for charging as they are distribution

arms for airlines. This option will enable travel agents to structure optimal partnerships as per their business requirements between their clients and their airline partners. Tourist transporters be allowed the provision for availing GST setoffs on interstate Tourist transport taxes, taxes on parking fees and on taxes on fuel which is their biggest input costs. Restaurants should be also allowed the option of charging GST at 12% with full Input tax credits and the rate should be delinked from any room tariffs if they are part of hotels. GST refund on purchases by foreign tourists to be implemented as already enacted under GST. -Tax Refund for Tourists (TRT) Scheme of the IGST Act

and its applicability should be ensured across all the product and tourism services availed by them in India. This will prevent India from exporting its taxes on tourism and will increase our global competitiveness in world tourism. Tourism, travel & hospitality players must be allowed to get refund of unutilized GST credit lying with state governments which will enable them to get much needed liquidity. Hotels to be enabled to charge 12% GST with full setoffs irrespective of their tariff categories which will ensure that Indian hospitality GST becomes more competitive globally as in most tourism focused countries it is below 10 %.

TECHNOLOGY

Travelport partners with Amazon Web Services to accelerate digital transformation in travel retailing News Desk

leveraging the broadest and deepest set of cloud capabilities and AWS’s proven global infrastructure, Travelport can enhance the performance of its platform and continue to develop new ways to simplify the travel booking experience. With people around the world beginning to return to travel, we look forward to working with Travelport to help the travel industry continue to innovate.”

s part of the long-term collaboration, Travelport will migrate its global platform that connects travel agencies and travel suppliers to AWS. It will also use AWS technologies, including High Performance Compute (HPC), storage, security, analytics, machine learning and databases to deliver a faster, easier, and more personalised travel booking experience. In addition, Travelport will use AWS Managed Services (AMS) to provide trusted operational expertise to help optimise platform efficiency and security. The collaboration, which unites globally renowned expertise in travel technology, cloud technology, and hyperpersonalised retailing, will focus on optimizing Travelport’s recently launched next-generation platform, Travelport+. It will also drive innovation in travel merchandising with the launch of a new accelerator programme that will incorporate talent from the tech startup community.

Optimising Travelport+ Travelport+ is an extensive, next-generation platform that creates a simplified, capabilityrich marketplace for travel retailing. To optimize the platform, Travelport+ will leverage AWS compute, which will enhance efficiency by enabling Travelport to easily scale capacity for processing while maintaining superior performance for HPC workloads. The company will also speed up content delivery through Travelport+ by leveraging its global network to cache content at “the edge” of the cloud, bringing it closer to end users anywhere in the world.

Greg Webb Chief Executive Officer Travelport

Sandeep Dwivedi Chief Operating Officer InterGlobe Technology Quotient

retail,” said Greg Webb, Chief Executive Officer at Travelport. “This landmark collaboration is specifically designed to address just that. AWS’s retail heritage makes them uniquely qualified to optimise digital retail platforms, simplify complex environments, and enable gamechanging innovation in the travel retailing space. With AWS as our preferred cloud partner, we are going to create a simpler, smarter, and better future for travel retailing.”

application of digital, especially in the unprecedented times, this collaboration with Amazon Web Services shall certainly bring long-term advantage to our customers. Hyper-personalized retailing in the industry has been a rather futuristic goal for many but not anymore. Travelport is indeed reinventing travel retailing as promised.”

Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer at InterGlobe Technology Quotient, said, “With growing demand for and

“Travelport is using the flexibility, scalability, and reliability of the world’s leading cloud to provide the speed and insights needed to put the customer first,” said Adam Selipsky, Incoming CEO of Amazon Web Services, Inc. “By

Driving Innovation To accelerate innovation in travel retailing, AWS will further enhance Travelport’s development and delivery model, enabling more rapid speed to market and the production deployment of solutions. This will give Travelport developers the ability to innovate faster and provide expanded access to solutions developed by AWS’s established and startup travel technology community. Travelport will also use AWS’s world-class capabilities, such as machine learning and advanced analytics, to improve its personalisation offering, leveraging the company’s latest technologies to explore new ways to simplify the way travel is retailed.

“The travel industry has struggled to keep up with the pace of change in digital

June 2021 9

NTO

Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists News Desk

the Arab International Women’s Forum.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, discussed the Kingdom’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic, having just opened up to international tourism in September 2019: “While the travel and tourism sector was paralysed globally, Saudi Arabia kept moving. Although the priority was to save lives, we were also committed to protecting livelihoods and saving jobs through our successful domestic tourism campaign, which resulted in a 33% increase in spending, hotel occupancy was at 50%, and the number of Destination Marketing Companies (DMCs) within the Kingdom increased from 17 to 93.”

s Saudi Arabia is preparing to reopen its borders for foreign tourists imminently, and it is well on its way to realising its ambition for attracting 100 million tourists per year by 2030. The country forges ahead with Vision 2030, with tourism earmarked as a key economic driver, tourism and travel leaders from the Kingdom convened at the ATM 2021 Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit on the Global Stage to discuss the strategy’s positive repercussions for the country, its people, investors and millions of global travellers. Addressing a capacity crowd at the inperson ATM 2021, were Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority, Majed Alnefaie, Acting CEO of Seera, Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), and Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Founder and CEO of FNN International and Chair of

Discussing the outlook for Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), CEO Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: “There are many things taking place in Saudi Arabia that will accelerate a return to profit for the airline. We will come out much leaner and stronger as a

business, with expected profitability in 2024, if not earlier, as the potential market for the Kingdom continues to grow at a fast pace. We may also see aircraft orders this year to meet that expected demand in capacity.” The domestic market strength was underscored in 2020 and Q1 2021, with SAUDIA operating its 28 domestic airports at close to 80% of its 2019 levels, and demand exceeding capacity at times. The numbers are expected to pick up even further with the recent resumption of international travel for residents and citizens and the operation of the new King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) as a true regional hub.

Tel Aviv to host first mega-event since COVID-19 outbreak Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality has announced the return of its iconic Tel Aviv Pride Parade on June 25th. News Desk

he Tel Aviv Pride Parade will be one of the first mass parades worldwide to return in a physical, in-person format – courtesy of Israel's high vaccination rates and lifting of restrictions following the country's emergence from the pandemic. The famous parade marks the climax of the annual Pride Month celebrations that have been taking place in the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo every year in the month of June since 1998. This year’s theme ‘A Community That Creates Change’ will be at the center of the Pride Month events, born of the desire to strengthen social involvement and shared activities within the LGBTQ+ community groups and wider society. The cultural sector will assume a prominent place in the Pride schedule. The city will salute gay artists in the fields of music, visual arts, writing, drag and more, who have always stood at the forefront of the LGBTQ campaign for equality and repeatedly proved that culture creates change and has a veritable impact on our reality.

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Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo:"Pride events in Tel Aviv-Yafo are a long-standing tradition, centered on a message of equality, acceptance, and human and civil rights. Tel Aviv-Yafo represents a warm home for all communities residing here and is proud to be a groundbreaking city in its approach to the LGBTQ community and a source of international inspiration. This year, more than ever, we will celebrate together, march together, and fight together for equality." The Pride celebrations in Tel Aviv have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors and Israelis who join in the citywide festivities every year. The 2019 Tel Aviv Pride Parade was attended by over 250,000, making it one of the leading events on the global LGBTQ calendar and the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. Key events taking place during Pride month 2021

June 15-26, 2021: Beach Parties at Hilton Beach The Gay Beach will open on June 15th, hosting 11 days of beach parties on the sandy shores of Tel Aviv's Hilton Beach. June 22, 2021: Wigstock 2021 The Wigstock drag festival will take place at Meir Garden, starring the best drag artists in Israel – including Ziona Patriot, Rama Rimming and Kay Long. June 16-19, 2021: Subculture Festival Temporary Farewell to the Tel Aviv Municipal LGBTQ Community Center.

NTO

GNTO optimistic to regain pre-crisis level of incoming travel from UAE by end of 2022 News Desk

ith a recent YouGov survey revealing that nearly half of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia residents are planning to make an international trip in 2021, the GNTB is eager to increase the GCC’s share of the 89.9 million overnight stays by foreign visitors it welcomed in 2019. Germany is extremely popular with GCC visitors, it recorded 1.6 million overnight stays from the Gulf region in 2019 and has a goal of reaching 3.6 million overnight stays by 2030.

L to R: Burkhard Kieker, Yamina Sofo and Ralf Ostendorf

“With the success of the national vaccination programmes in the GCC countries, particularly in the UAE where more than 11.5 million doses have been administered so far (over 70% of the UAE population have received vaccines and 40%

are fully vaccinated), we remain optimistic that the pre-crisis level of incoming travel from the UAE to Germany can be regained by end of 2022,” said Yamina Sofo, Director Sales & Marketing, German National Tourist Office Gulf Countries while speaking at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Commenting on Berlin’s readiness for the return of inbound tourism, Burkhard Kieker, CEO, VisitBerlin, said: “Like no other city, Berlin is poised for yet another new start in 2021 – off into the future – when we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the changes to our city, Berlin always retains an irresistible fascination and a multitude of possibilities – from bigcity thrills to unwinding, from adventures to relaxation, and from inspiring culinary adventures to traditional food and drink.” “As a vibrant cosmopolitan city, you can explore living history, internationally renowned museums, unique galleries, UNESCO sites and major historical buildings. Still, there is also space for waterside activities and beautiful countryside to discover around the city,” added Ralf Ostendorf, Director Market Management and Market & Media Relations Manager Asia, Australia, Middle East, visitBerlin.

Manaco re-launches campaign ahead of summer season News Desk

News Desk

he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to stage the ‘Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2021’ from 15th July to 15th September 2021, to reiterate the image of Thailand as a shopping destination, while also helping all operators affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, chaired an online meeting between TAT and more than 300 representatives and figures from strategic partners – shopping malls, airlines, banks, credit card companies, online shopping platforms and other tourism-related operators – to prepare for an ever greater and more exciting edition of the annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale event. “The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2021 will offer special deals, discounts, and privileges from over 10,000 establishments nationwide to Thai and foreign residents throughout the two-month period in the main tourism centres of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, which includes Pattaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket, and Songkhla, which includes Hat Yai,” Yuthasak said.

he Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority re-launching its communication campaign with a slogan which is definitely evolving; ‘Monaco For You At Last’. The campaign represents diversity of what Monaco has to offer tourists, focusing on themes including wellbeing, fine dining, culture, family, romance, sport, responsible tourism, gambling and casinos, weekend escapes, and shopping. Against a general background where things are slowly returning to normal, desire to travel is no longer restricted, particularly in the Principality of Monaco where numerous extra health precautions have been adopted by all businesses and tourism operators in order to reassure visitors. The Principality is now planning a recovery and

TAT to stage ‘Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2021’ from July 15th

demonstrating its resilience by sending a message of invitation which marks both the end of a long wait and the beginning of hope.

Products on offer at special prices will range from fashion, sports, communication technology, home decor, childcare, food and cuisine, hotel, spa, and various tourist industries. On top of special discounts, participating establishments will also offer gifts and many more privileges for Thai and foreign residents and create new enjoyable experiences in shopping both online and on-site.

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NTO

Amidst the global pandemic, the Maldives gained a momentum and is recognised as a safe haven for travellers because of its unique geographically isolated islands and the popular ‘one island one resort’ concept.

Explore the beauty and serenity of Maldives once travel restrictions ease News Desk

espite of being a small country in Asia, Maldives is a dream destination for many as it has beaches of pure white sand, covered by palm trees and rich foliage. It is a perfect holiday spot for families, friends, businesses, celebrities, individuals and honeymooners.

and connect with oneself and nature or just to experience thrill and adventure.

For lovers of marine life, it is undoubtedly a slice of heaven. For one thing, the country is made up of hundreds of islands which offer an enormous playground for divers to explore. There are channels connecting the ocean to the lagoons and the water coming from the ocean is full of planktons and nutrients which, in turn, attract an incredible amount of marine life including manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles and so much more.

Besides that, there are so many reasons to seek this sunny side of life- a divine opportunity for relaxation, secluded by a private island offering visitors the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the daily modern industrial life or a chance to arrive in the present moment

The under ocean experience in the country is truly unique with fully submerged underwater accommodation, dining and spa facilities positioned meters beneath the ocean surface. Instead of waking up to the sun, one can wake up to the colourful world of fishes and corals.

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Visiting and photographing the amazingly picturesque and sinking coral atolls of the Maldives should definitely be in everyone’s travel bucket list.

However, for now Maldives urge its Indian travellers to stay home and stay safe and follow all government guidelines while Maldives wait for their return.

COVID-19 SOPs: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVEL Here you can find out what you should consider when on holiday abroad, which regulations apply and what travellers need to know. The Government of Maldives has announced temporary suspension of tourist visa for travellers arriving from South Asian Countries, including India. Commenting on the situation, Thoyyib Mohamed, MD, MMPRC said, “During this unprecedented time, we opened our border with stringent safety measures. However, keeping in mind the safety of our residents and travellers, the ministry

recently had to announce the temporary suspension of tourist visas for those travelling from South Asia. The decision was taken to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of residents and visitors to the country. The ministry will review the situation and we are optimistic that there will be an ease in restrictions in the month of June. We are working hard to ensure that the destination remains a ‘safe haven’ for all travellers once it re-opens for our valued South Asian travellers.”

NTO

Maurititus to receive international travellers from July 15th News Desk

he Island will be opening in phases during 2021 and the First Phase, from 15 July to 30 September 2021, will enable vaccinated travellers to enjoy a resort holiday on the island. Holidaymakers will be able to enjoy facilities within their chosen resort premises, including the swimming pool and beach. If guests stay over 14 days and have negative PCR tests during their stay in the resort, they will be able to explore the island’s attractions. However, for shorter stays, they may leave the resort earlier and travel back home. A list of preapproved Covid-19 safe resorts will be available from 20 June 2021 on the official website. Travellers to Mauritius aged 18 years or over must be fully

vaccinated against Covid-19. They must undergo a PCR test between 5 and 7 days before departure and a negative result is required to travel to the island. Travellers will also have a PCR test on arrival at the airport in Mauritius and on day 7 and 14 of their resort holiday, as applicable. During Second Phase, from the 1st of October 2021, vaccinated travellers will be allowed entry without restrictions upon presentation of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. Unvaccinated travellers will be subject to 14 days in-room quarantine for both Phases 1 and 2 until further notice. The announcement follows the acceleration of the vaccination campaign and the progress made towards herd immunity

by the end of September. Frontliners of the tourism industry were prioritised during the vaccine rollout. This enables a prompt and safe restart of the Mauritius tourism industry. The country’s response to the pandemic ranked among one of the best in the world,

as the Mauritian Government responded promptly with stringent control measures and protocols. The safety of Mauritians and visitors has been a top priority since the outbreak of Covid-19 and the success is a result of a joint effort by the Mauritian Government and the island’s population.

Spain opens borders to vaccinated travellers News Desk

pain opens its borders to vaccinated travellers from all over the world from June 07, 2021 hoping an influx of visitors will revitalise its all-important tourism sector which has been battered by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nonvaccinated Europeans who can currently enter Spain with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours will be able to take a cheaper antigen test instead. However, the United Kingdom, a huge tourism market for the country, has not yet removed Spain from its list of at-risk countries, meaning British travellers will have to quarantine on their return home as well as pay for expensive Covid-19 tests. The British normally make up the largest contingent of tourists to Spain — in 2019 over one-fifth of Spain’s 83.5 million arrivals were from the United Kingdom. Across the country, from the Costa del Sol to the Canary

Islands, hotels and restaurants are reopening after months of closure, and airlines have restarted routes dropped during the height of the pandemic. Malaga airport was expecting around 20 different flights on Monday morning alone, from places around Europe such as Berlin, Lille, Frankfurt and London. Spain will also begin allowing cruise boats into its ports again from June 07. “Spain is a safe destination," Country’s Health Minister Carolina Darias insisted that Spain is a safe destination, adding that the country was in the process of reclaiming its global leadership in tourism. According to Jose Luis Prieto, President of Spain’s Travel Agents’ Union (Unav) is hoping for a spectacular recovery starting from June 07. According to him, over the last few weeks tour operators in Britain, France and Germany — Spain’s three main markets have been receiving a large number of enquiries.

June 2021 13

Phuket Reopening! Change a Boring Quarantine into a Joyous Relaxing Time

ne of the world’s most popular beach destinations, holding a special place in the hearts of the travellers from across the globe – Phuket has revitalised in the new normal and ready to welcome fully vaccinated travellers once again from July 1st, 2021. As Thailand starts to reopen its tourism sector to international arrivals from the countries heading towards normalcy to begin with, the travellers will find Phuket as always, a fantastic destination to experience. The ensuing wave of visitors to Phuket could find serene beaches, azure blue seas, and quieter hotels, while also experiencing a different pace of life on one of Thailand’s most famous island destinations. As a recent development, the Center for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) chaired by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha has approved the plan submitted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to open Phuket Province to international visitors who have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and who have tested negative upon arriving in the province. The approved plan stipulates that there would be no quarantine for international visitors who must remain in Phuket for at least 14 nights before traveling elsewhere. Also, there is no requirement of minimum stay in Phuket for those coming in Phuket and depart directly to home countries or other countries. The plan will come into effect on July 1st, 2021.

REJUVENATE AT THE BEACHES

huket is the biggest island of Thailand and sits on the Andaman Sea. The nearest provinces to the island are Phang-nga and Krabi. Being a big island, Phuket is surrounded by many magnificent beaches such as Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Laem Phromthep viewpoint is said to feature the most beautiful sunset in Thailand. Surin Beach is another well-known beach in Phuket. It is known for its white fine sands and glistening emerald jade clear water. At the north of the beach is a golf course. The beach is ideal for surfing lovers as there are big waves during the monsoon season. Therefore, the tourists visit here throughout the year. Moreover, facilities, resorts, luxury hotels or bungalows, restaurants, shopping places are all provided. Visitors can also enjoy the nightlife at the pubs or bars on the beach.

The Island readies to receive vaccinated international travellers as the country gradually reopens for tourism since Covid-19 outbreak. Your countdown begins now!

Hat Rawai, located approximately 17 kms from town is the less crowded, more peaceful and less commercial beach with a secondto-none pristine beach in the country. This cape is an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. Rawai was the fisherman village in the old days. It is now a popular place for longer-stay visitors with more choices of resorts, apartments and restaurants. A long-tail boat rental service is also available to nearby islands. Kamala Beach is still a popular destination for families and couples looking for a quiet break and safe place to snorkel and swim. Bangtao and Surin Beaches are quieter than before but remain a social epicentre for nightlife and home to some of the island’s most popular beach clubs. Also in northern Phuket, Mai Khao, Nai Thon, Nai Yang, and Sai Kaeo Beaches, other locations popular with international tourists, have all had a year to rejuvenate and flourish during the new normal. Karon and Patong, the beaches themselves are ready to welcome visitors on arrival with their gorgeous sands and inviting waters.

ATTRACTIONS

t isn’t all just beaches though; there are also fantastic classical architectures across the city. Phuket is one of the oldest cities with a long history in Thailand. The old buildings situated in Phuket town certainly represent the prosperity of the culture. These old buildings have been constructed more than hundred years since the mining business was popular. The very welcoming atmosphere and the famous Phuket nightlife, makes the island a hotspot for tourists in Thailand. Khao-Khat Views Tower is a popular view point among tourists. They always make a visit to capture the impressive scenery at this tower. From this tower, tourists can enjoy the 360-degree view such as Chalong Bay, Panwa Cape, Sire Island,

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Bon Island, tiny and large islands around Phuket including Phuket city. Phraya Ratsadanupradit Monument located in the center of Phuket, Khao Rang Hill is Phuket's recreational place with spectacular viewpoint. Wat Phranang Sang is a historic Temple. The compound was once used as a Burmese military camp in 1785. Phuket Gateway is used to welcome Thai and foreign tourists and facilitate their travel. Its main feature is a series of 29 pillars, from which local and international visitors can learn Phuket's history, arts and culture. In front of the building, there are also the sculptural works of art displaying a sea turtle and several of its gigantic eggs.

STROLL THE HISTORIC ROADS IN PHUKET OLD TOWN

influence of different countries that played a role on this Island.

The narrow streets in Phuket Old Town are always lined with street food stalls, hawker hubs and family-run restaurants. Delicacies available here include everything from local pancakes. They reflect the culinary

Take a stroll in the early morning and you will be impressed by Phuket’s cultural richness. In the morning, one can meet the locals at the typically busy dim sum shops such as the century-old shops like Juan Hiang on Chana Charoen Road, and Boonrat which lies behind the fresh market on Bangkok Road.

he old quarter of the world famous holiday place Phuket is full of cultural charm, ranging from remarkable architecture from various influences to delicacies inherited from ancient times.

June 2021 17

EATING OUT

ne of the best things about Phuket is its food culture and it goes without saying that foodies searching for good Thai food in the town don’t have to look far. Not only a variety of Thai food, but also diverse categories of restaurants Thailand has to offer, with different styles, layouts, and locations. When in Phuket, Baba Nest is a must visit. Baba Nest’s wrap around infinity Pool surrounds the rooftop deck overlooking 360° panoramic views of the surrounding islands, Andaman sea and Phuket’s Southeastern peninsula. Shi Shi Lounge, nestled in an oasis of calm and luxury with panoramic ocean views at the heart of The Habita, the exclusive Shi Shi Sunset Lounge has transformed into a dedicated wine bar and an unforgettable sunset viewpoint. Shi Shi Lounge, home to an exclusive selection of fine wines from around the world alongside delicious Mediterranean-inspired tapas is an ideal place to start the evening. Khwan Khanom Chin, Laem Thong Sea Food etc. are other places to explore. For visitors who think they know Southern Thai cuisine by sampling Thai classics and

street food snacks at the beach, it is time to be schooled local style: fresh seafood, strong fiery spices, pungent fermented flavours, farm-to-table crunchy vegetables, and slow-cooked stewed meats.

Some of the favourite Thai dishes include Pla Sai Thot Kamin (deep fried fish with fresh turmeric), Mu Hong (stewed

pork belly with herbs), Nap Chup Yam (chilli paste), Nam Phrik Kung Siap (shrimp chilli paste), Mi Hun Kaeng Pu (rice noodles with curried crab), Loba (deep fried stewed-pig’s head) and Yam Pak Kut (spicy fern salad).

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

he colorful lights and lively vibe of Phuket can keep you awake all night long. After dark, there are abundant places to go to, but some of the places mentioned below are fantastic. Phuket Fantasea is one of the most famous shows in Phuket. Inspired by exotic Thai heritages, it showcases the beauty and traditions of the country. With over 400 casts and crews, 44 elephants and many animals, the

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extravaganza show impresses the entire audience with a breathtaking Las Vegas-style theatrical show featuring new acrobatics, illusions, fireworks, stunts, aerial performances and more. Siam Niramit offers a full evening with a fabulous 70-minute show featuring great choreographies, songs, as well as a great international and Thai restaurant. The nonstop fancy show shows the history of Thailand, traditional lifestyle and beliefs, especially of heaven and hell.

SHOPPING

hopping plays a good part of a great holiday as it’s often more about entertainment and fun than real necessity. Phuket has a lot to offer to everyone. With 15 luxury brands, 500 lifestyle shops, 300 F&B outlets and three main attractions Phuket’s new iconic landmark – Central Phuket in Downtown Phuket is a world class destination. Central Phuket comprises two modernly designed buildings (Festival and Floresta) linked by moving walkways. With World of Luxury Brands, Aquarium & Theme Park, International Restaurants Buffet & Café, Sports Fashion, International Fashions, Thai Floating Market & Food Paradise, Made in Thailand Crafts & Must-Buy-Souvenirs, Thai Spa & Beauty World, Photo Spot & Thai Shows and Trimurti Shrine Central Phuket is the largest shopping center in Phuket. The unique concept combining a luxury lifestyle, Thai culture and family makes Central Phuket a must-visit destination in the Kingdom.

Jungceylon another must visit place for shopping, completely responds to every customer's needs. Consisting of many shops and restaurants, Jungceylon is regarded as the international shopping and leisure destination of Phuket. This is divided into four zones; ‘Silang Boulevard’ – a Thai fabric zone which sell handicrafts, souvenirs, Thai spas, art exhibitions, ‘The Port’ – an outdoor area covered with trees and a large lake, characterised by Chinese junks and river, ‘Sino Phuket’ – decorated with Chino-Portuguese architecture it consists of a restaurant and entertainment center, known as Patong's new Walking Street, and ‘Phuket Square’ – which is connected to the hotel, the Robinson and the cinema. This zone is also the center of various electrical appliances as well. One can get local sweets of Phuket, such as Tao So, Pang Pia, Pla Ching Chang, Tuk Ta Na Taek, Pia stuffed with sweetmeat and fish organs sour soup at A Takkae. Thai Batik, Ban Rak Bathik for fabric, Si Supphalak Orchid, Phonthip for food & beverages, King Kaeo Muk Rawai, Dino Plaza, BJ Souvenir are some of the best known places that can be explored for shopping in Phuket.

SHA PLUS CERTIFICATION

the booking at such establishment when applying for the Certificate of Entry or COE.

All foreign visitors coming to Phuket are required to stay in a ‘SHA Plus’ accommodation and must show proof of

Currently, there are 1,389 venues and businesses across Phuket that have received the Amazing Thailand SHA certificate. These include 882 in the hotel, accommodation and homestay category; 169 in the restaurants and diners’ category; 157 in the travel agency category, and 181 in

ll Amazing Thailand SHA-certified venues and businesses in Phuket where at least 70% of staff are inoculated are encouraged to register for the ‘SHA Plus’ Certificate at the ‘Phuket Must Win’ online platform.

other categories. For more information visit https://www.thailandsha.com/index

STAY Sri Panwa Phuket Luxury Pool Villa Hotel The Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa Seaview Patong Hotel Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort Andaman Seaview Hotel Thara Patong Beach Resort & Spa Centara Kata Beach Resort

TAT will be providing regular updates on Phuket’s preparations to safely reopen to foreign tourists ranging from entry requirements and public health procedures to local vaccinations and hygiene standards. For more information visit https://www.tatnews.org Content Courtesy : Tourism Authority of Thailand

June 2021 19

DESTINATION

Outdoor Activities in Germany Despite massive losses, city breaks remained by far the leading segment in Germany arrivals from Europe in the Corona year 2020, with 5.2 million trips News Desk

ith the gradual opening of tourist and cultural businesses in the German states and the relaxation of entry regulations will inspire potential travellers for their next stay in Germany. Despite massive losses, city breaks remained by far the leading segment in Germany arrivals from Europe in the Corona year 2020, with 5.2 million trips. Nature and recreation gained importance, outdoor activities are in greater demand, and interest in health and wellness topics and sustainable vacations is on the rise. Invention of Fast Food in Germany: Located along the banks of the Danube River, this little gem is home to Medieval architecture so stunning that its perfectly preserved Old Town has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stone Bridge is believed to be the oldest bridge still standing in Germany. Just a stone's throw away from the bridge stands a culinary relic of sorts that has been described as the oldest fast food joint in the world. A café, now known as the Sausage Kitchen is said to have opened on that very spot in 1146, just as the bridge was completed. Now. It's certainly a big hit with international tourists. Bratwurst Sausage, an Edible German Icon: Bratwurst sausages have come to be symbolic of Germany. According to statistics from the German Butchers' Association, the Germans consume the equivalent of around three kilos of them per person every year. And yet they did not actually originate in Germany. But whilst the Ancient Greeks may have grilled sausages over glowing

charcoal, it was the Germans that adopted the sausage as an edible part of their cultural heritage. The Bratwurst Sausage is Thuringian, Nuremberg and Coburg‘s top specialty and is known for it in whole world’ – that's something they're confident about over at the first German Bratwurst Museum in Mühlhausen, Thuringia. The German Divide is Still Illuminated at Night: Berlin has come to be an increasingly united city since the fall of the wall in 1989. Tourists can cross the former border without giving it a second thought and cyclists casually cruise along the Berlin Wall Trail. And yet if you look down at Berlin from space on a clear night, you'll see that it is still divided in one sense. The Modern Caravan: The caravans that modern campers tow behind their cars all around the world originated in Germany. Some 700,000 caravans are registered right now in Germany alone and they are growing in popularity. Camping holidays in Germany are all the rage at the moment, too, according to the statistics. Germany Home to 25,000 Castles: If you love visiting a good castle, you won't be disappointed by the huge selection just waiting to be discovered in Germany. The Thuringian Forest is an excellent place to start if you're looking for something a little different. The most famous castle in the whole of Germany is Wartburg Castle in Eisenach.

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COVID-19

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Here you can find out what you should consider when on holiday abroad, which regulations apply and what travellers need to know. Entry by Air/Risk Area: If you are arriving by plane from any country (from risk areas or non-risk areas) or if you have stayed in one of the risk areas in the last 10 days prior to your entry into the Federal Republic of Germany, you must observe certain rules. The latest Coronavirus entry regulation includes, a general obligation to provide evidence for entering the country in the aviation sector. People arriving by plane must, regardless of whether they have stayed in a risk area, present the carrier with a negative test result, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery before departure. Obligation to Quarantine: People who have previously stayed in risk areas are generally obliged to go directly to their place of residence or to another suitable accommodation. The basic quarantine period after previous stay in a simple risk area or a high-incidence area is 10 days and after previous stay in a virus variant area is 14 days. The regulation on the obligation to quarantine after entry from risk areas initially applies until July 28, 2021. More Information: https:// www.germany.travel/

Summer Activities in

Czech Republic News Desk

he Czech Republic is ready to host tourists. Non-essential travel is now allowed from green countries and persons from Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia. All other non-essential travel is still temporarily forbidden. The Government has approved the release of anti-epidemic measures, which will significantly simplify the planning of a trip to the Czech Republic. Summer in the Czech Republic is always a memorable experience – one can explore and see this beautiful destination the various choices available in the country to choose from based on your personal interests. Be it on bike or skates, on horseback, by the water, in the water, in the air or off for a round of golf? Choose your style. Here are a few summer activities, to add to your bucket list for your next visit to the Czech Republic! Golf: Czech Republic is a golfer’s paradise. The Kaskáda Golf Resort near the Brno Reservoir and the golf centre near the Konopiště Chateau both offer a range of golfing variations on many courses. Other golfing excursions take you to stunning chateau parks, such as a Windsor Gothicstyle chateau in Hrádek u Nechanic or the former site of Chancellor Metternich's office in Kynžvart. Hiking: Petřín, whose imaginary crown is the iconic watch tower, called the little Eiffel Tower, is one of the best areas to

explore in Prague, just a few miles from the Prague city boundaries is the fairytale like park Průhonice which is one of Europe's largest and mostly beautifully landscaped parks. For all countryside lovers who love the Šumava, the mountain path along the River Vydra is a stunning and enchanting place. Walking is the only way to get to the Punkva Caves and the bottom of the Macocha Abyss, and the same is true if you want to walk around the vast sandstone towers of Adrpach's rock cities or Bohemian Paradise's Prachov Rocks. Cycling: From Vienna to Brno or from the German border to the Elbe's source one you can ride the bike along the Ohře or the Elbe's banks. The witches' cycle path will take you past sites where previous inquisition trials took place. Single track trails in the Rychleby and Jizera Mountains will take you to places where you can really give your body a good workout, and all adrenaline junkies will be envious of you; explore this in the Rychleby and Jizera Mountains. Czech cities have been hosting increasing number of visitors from India, and the numbers are increasing with every passing year. While Prague and its attractions remain popular among travellers, an increased interest has been recorded in newer experiences such as Heritage Cities of Olomouc, Litomysl, Kutna Hora, and Kromeriz, which have oldworld atmosphere and abundant in sites protected by UNESCO.

COVID-19

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Here you can find out what you should consider when on holiday abroad, which regulations apply and what travellers need to know. The Czech Republic is ready to host tourists. Non-essential travel is now allowed from green countries and persons from Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia. All other non-essential travel is still temporarily forbidden. The Government has approved the release of anti-epidemic measures, which will significantly simplify the planning of a trip to the Czech Republic. When planning a visit to the Czech Republic, it is important where you come from. The individual countries are divided by color according to the degree of risk of infection ("traffic lights" system). If you are traveling from a country that is not part of the European Union, then contact your embassy in the Czech Republic and check whether you are authorized to enter the country. Foreigners (except for travellers from green countries) can come to the Czech Republic only on the grounds of essential reasons, not for tourism or visiting friends. The Ministry of Health recommends that everyone in the Czech Republic download the free eRouska application to their mobile phones. Visitors to all the facilities are required to wear respirators when entering, show either a negative test for Coronavirus, a vaccination certificate or a document on having undergone Covid-19. https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/

June 2021 21

DESTINATION Home to the world’s tallest – Statue of Unity, standing at a massive 182 meters against the backdrop of the dramatic Satpura and Vindhyachal hills, Kevadiya district of Gujarat has become talk-of-thetown among the travellers. With a number of activities and attractions in its vicinity the town is poised to leave its mark on the global map of tourism soon.

he remote town of Kevadiya which has been transformed into an absolute tourist destination is one of the pet projects of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. While recalling the initial days Prime Minister says it used to appear like a pipedream when, initially, Kevadiya was proposed as major tourist destination. Given the old way of working, this skepticism had logic as there was no connectivity of roads, nor street lighting, rail, tourist accommodation etc.

Kevadiya

Absolute Amazing Destination

ATTRACTIONS Statue of Unity: The SoU overlooks the vast surrounds and the river basin of the Narmada River and the sprawling Sardar Sarovar dam. It stands on the Sadhu Bet hillock, connected by a 300 metre bridge, which offers access from the mainland to the statue. More than 50 lakh visitor have come to see the SoU after it was dedicated to the nation and it is catching on after staying closed during the Corona months. It is estimated that the destination will attract about one lakh visitors daily from across the globe. Valley of Flowers: The Valley of Flower began with 48,000 plants in 2016 and has now reached up to 22,00,000 plants. Besides the parks, several photo booths and selfie points have been developed to take back fond memories of the visit. The spot resembles a rainbow of flowers setup on earth. More than 300 types of flowers are grown in this garden. Sardar Sarovar Dam: The Sardar Sarovar Dam is the third highest concrete dam (163 metres) in India after Bhakra (226 metres) in Himachal Pradesh and Lakhwar (192 metres) in Uttar Pradesh. In terms of volume of concrete involved for gravity dams, this dam is ranked as the second largest in the world with an aggregate volume of 6.82 million cubic metre; only after Grand Coulee Dam in the USA with a total volume of 8.0 million cubic metre being the largest. Nauka Vihar: Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation has initiated boat ride in Dyke-3 known as Panchmuli Lake in Kevadiya as a part of eco-tourism

22 June 2021

activity. Boating facility has been developed with the help of an external professional entity. Tourists coming to Kevadiya are also enjoying the pristine nature with this boat ride. Total duration of each ride is for 45 minutes and in a day eight rides are operationalised by the operator. This ride takes to dyke-4 as well as the entire water body is surrounded by lush green forests. Ecosystem around the lake is very rich in flora and fauna. Cactus Garden: The Cactus Garden is a unique botanical garden at the SoU site, created to exhibit a huge variety of Cacti and succulents, the true miracles of adaptation. The thought behind the development of the cactus garden is to provide an experience of the desert ecosystem in the midst of a landmass well entrenched in an aquatic surrounding. Ekta Nursery: Ekta Nursery is being developed in the vicinity of the SoU, in line with the Prime Minister's vision that visitors, when they return, should take back with them seedlings as a plant of unity. Out of the one million plants targeted, 0.3 million plants are in 'ready to sell' stage and the other 0.7 million are likely to be ready soon. Laser Light and Sound Show: A Light and Sound show using laser technology projected on the SoU takes place every evening except Monday. The colourful laser lighting system is accompanied by an excellent narration of the history and life of Sardar Patel, his contribution to the

Independence Movement and the unification of India as one nation Children Nutrition Park: Children Nutrition Park is unique which has been developed as a part of Kevadiya Integrated Development. It provides a high quality entertainment and vital knowledge to the children on healthy eating habits and nutritional values based on the theme of ‘Sahi Poshan Desh Roshan’. Entire park is designed and implemented for the benefits of the children and extensive use of state of the art technology is being made, which gives a fascinating experience to the children visiting the park. Dino Trail: Recent excavations in the Narmada Valley have revealed that

DESTINATION PM from Tuesday to Sunday. The Laser Light and Sound Show can be viewed from 7:30 PM onwards daily, except on Monday.

SHOPPING Ekta Mall: The very name Ekta Mall, symbolises unity in diversity, a hallmark of Indian culture. Here at Ekta Mall, handlooms, handicrafts and traditional textile showrooms as been opened from various states of India have come together to promote Indian Handicrafts, at a location that stands for unity and national integration. The Mall is spread over 35,000 square feet area. It is a one-stop-shop for a relaxing shopping experience rooted in the vitality and diversity of India’s traditional textiles and artisanal handicrafts. Built in a 2-storey building, 20 emporiums have been commissioned and each emporium represents a specific state of India. It is the right platform for retailing handicrafts and handlooms, integral to rural employment and social development of artisanal clusters in our country.

SoU Food Court: A new food court covering an area of 8,000 square feet is coming up at Statue of Unity. This food court is being built at par with international standards, with 7 kitchens and seating capacity for 650 people. Food court will offer the best of both international and Indian cuisines. Tourists can book your Statue of Unity tickets on its official website by selecting preferred time and day, or buy it directly at the site. ACCOMODATION The luxurious Tent City 1 and Tent City 2 are best options for accommodation in the vicinity of SoU. Both of the sites are just 1015 minutes away from main attraction SoU and Sardar Sarovar Dam. Offering views of Panchmuli Lake, Tent City 2 hillside resort is just 10 minutes' walk from a ferry terminal on the Narmada River.

Rajasaurus Narmadensis, an endemic species of dinosaur, was existing in the Narmada valley during Cretaceous period. A replica of the endemic dinosaur with the distinctive horn is created and exhibited for the visitors. The replica is about three times the estimated–original size; it measures 75 feet in length and 25 feet in height. Jungle Safari: A state-of-art zoological park with unique collection of indigenous and exotic animals and birds from the various Bio-geographic regions of the world is located at the picturesque hills near SoU and Sardar Sarovar Dam. This zoo will take you through an adventurous and exciting trip of watching wildlife, enjoying scenic beauty of the hills and entertaining experiences of a lifetime. Viswa Van: Viswa Van is a Global Forest and offers a natural aesthetic beauty. Vishwa Van is home to herbs, shrubs and trees native to all seven continents signifying the underlying theme of ‘Unity in Biodiversity’ in global context as well. Vishwa Van symbolises the life sustaining potion of forests in the context of all life forms in the planet. Vishwa Van has a diverse assemblage of flora representing every continent of the world.

BEST TIME TO VISIT Best time to visit Kevadiya is in the winter months of October to February, though the site is open all through the year. The Statue of Unity opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 6:00

SOU Souvenir Shop: Visitors can carry back with them several memories of their visit by buying mementos in the form of caps, t-shirts, Statue of Unity replica, pens, key chains, and note books, which are available at the Souvenir Shop located near the Statue of Unity and also at several other places at Kevadiya.

EATING POINTS Ekta Food Court: Ekta food court covering an area of 1617 square metre, has been developed near SoU. This food court is built as per international standards, with seating capacity for 650 people. The food court offers the best of both international and Indian cuisines.

GETTING HERE Air: Nearest Airport is Vadodara (90kms) well connected with all metro cities of India. Train: Kevadiya Railway Station is well connected by prominent cities such as Varanasi, Dadar, Ahmedabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Rewa, Chennai and Pratapnagar. Second option Vadodara is the nearest station on the busy Mumbai-Delhi Western Railway mainline well connected by premium trains like Shatabdi and Rajdhani. Road: NH8 passes through Vadodara, making it well connected by road as well. The statue lies about 90km from the city off a small town called Kevadiya.

June 2021 23

HOTEL

Atlantis launches online trade resource page News Desk

he Atlantis, Dubai online resource page now makes it easier than ever for travel trade to stay up to speed on the resort’s latest news and developments, as well as offering a vast range of maps, facts, brochures, and fact sheets at the click of a button. Created exclusively for travel trade partners, the platform provides an extensive offering of toolkits, brochures and helpful information, all available to download within an easy to use micro site that sits within the main Atlantis website. The platform allows partners to stay up to date on the latest offers and events, including the resort’s COVID-19 related deals, which provides guests staying five nights or more the option to claim back the cost of their arrival PCR tests as inresort credit up to the value of 700 AED

per person or avail complimentary on-site COVID-19 testing before departure if their home country mandates a return PCR. Guests staying ten nights or more can - take advantage of both offers. Kyp Charalambous, Vice President, Sales, Atlantis Dubai comments “The support and business from our Trade partners is extremely important to us, so we wanted to create a platform that was both easy to use and, more importantly, useful.” “We have divided the site into helpful sections from Resort to Rooms and F&B to Aquaventure, so that out can browse or print everything from half-board brochures and a map of the waterpark to a room benefit guide. The documents are accompanied by helpful facts and tips along the way, all designed to make guest education that much easier,” added Kyp. The Atlantis, Dubai online resource page will keep trade partners up to speed on this

Cheval Old Town Chambers to add 25 new apartments News Desk

rom mid July 2021, Cheval Old Town Chambers will have a stylish extension developed by owner Chris Stewart Group which includes 25 new apartments, a brand-new reception area and a lounge available for guest use. Located in Edinburgh's Old Town and opening directly on the famous Royal Mile at 329 High Street, Cheval Old Town Chambers will now offer a total of 75 apartments. The property is also introducing Luckenbooths, a multi-level bar and restaurant located on the ground floor of the Cheval Old Town Chambers on the iconic Royal Mile. Luckenbooths offers a family friendly destination for all day dining in stylish surroundings with a 140-seat restaurant

24 June 2021

and lounge as well as a sun trap terrace overlooking the most famous landmarks in the city. Mohammed Almarzooqi, Managing Director of Cheval Collection said: "It is with great pleasure that we are announcing further expansion in Edinburgh. After a challenging year, we are delighted to have additional stock in such a vibrant capital to enable us to meet demand as the hospitality sector begins to recover. As a brand we continue to evolve and adapt with new properties in high-demand locations and look forward to continuing our partnership with Chris Stewart Group." John Phillipson, Chief Operating Officer of Cheval Collection, said: "We are thrilled to announce this additional extension as part of our longer-term vision to grow our offering in the UK. Cheval Old Town Chambers can now be directly accessed from the Royal Mile and will benefit from a more prominent position. We hope to appeal to domestic and international guests looking for fully serviced apartments as an alternative to traditional hotel accommodation."

journey, including updates on the launch of Atlantis, The Palm’s sister property Atlantis, The Royal, in Q4, 2021. In addition, the microsite will provide everything from printable brochures and fact sheets to interactive maps of Atlantis Aquaventure, as it continues its evolution to become one of the largest waterparks in the world and Dubai’s first water-based theme park by Q4, 2021.

Barceló Hotel Group readies to receive guests during Expo 2020 News Desk

xpo 2020 Dubai is only a few months away and Barceló Hotel Group is working closely with all different stakeholders to make sure there is a suitable hotel catering for the different traveller needs. Barceló Hotel Group has rapidly grown as the leader in Spanish hospitality in the UAE, successfully launching 3 of their 4 iconic brands in the country – Royal Hideaway, Barceló, and Occidental. The group’s diversified UAE brand portfolio includes 5 operating properties and 1,600 keys across, Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, Barceló Residences Dubai Marina, Occidental Sharjah Grand, Occidental Dubai Production City, and the recent launch of Occidental Al Jaddaf in the vibrant commercial district of Al Jaddaf in Dubai.

ITC Hotels launches Welcomhotel Tavleen Chail News Desk

TC Hotels group has launched its second property in Himachal Pradesh — Welcomhotel Tavleen Chail with 65 well-appointed guest rooms, including 18 fairytale cottages and a luxury suite. Nestled amidst lush green forests, each of the property’s lodgings come with a private sit-out with breathtaking, panoramic views of the pristine mountains. This launch follows the inauguration of Welcomhotel Shimla about six months ago. With the addition of the premier mountain resort at Chail, the Welcomhotel brand currently boasts a portfolio of around 19 properties across India. Speaking on the launch, Nakul Anand, Executive Director – ITC Ltd. said: “With the Indian tropical summer approaching,

Welcomhotel Tavleen Chail is the perfect destination for work and pleasure. The heightened WeAssure hygiene and safety measures ensure travelers peace of mind as they enjoy the destination. Nakul Anand Executive Director ITC Ltd

we believe it is the perfect time to launch another Welcomhotel outpost in Himachal Pradesh. For those who love to take the road less travelled, Chail makes for the perfect destination. With the new ‘work from anywhere’ and the ‘workation’ concept gaining popularity,

“Collaborating with like-minded partners who bring unique hospitality experiences has further strengthened ITC Hotels footprint across the length and breadth of the country,” he added. Rooted in the lap of nature, Welcomhotel Tavleen Chail is the ideal getaway for the discerning traveller seeking peace, fresh mountain air and

nature in its purest form. Soak the abundant calm and the charm of the wilderness amidst picture-perfect backdrops. The experience is heightened by aesthetically-designed, well-appointed rooms/suites with a view combined with a wholesome yet contemporary local and authentic culinary experience. Set amidst a magical oak forest, the cottages are ideal for those seeking their “very own cabin in the woods”. Every room has a private balcony that offers enchanting views of the mighty mountains.

Courtyard by Marriott brand debuts in Sri Lanka News Desk

arriott International signed an agreement with Colombo City Centre Partners part of the Abans Group, one of Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerates with diversified interests in retail, real-estate development, environmental management and logistics to debut the Courtyard by Marriott brand in Sri Lanka. The hotel is expected to feature 164 rooms and is anticipated to open in late 2021. Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International said; “This signing underscores our long-term commitment to Sri Lanka as a strategically important market, offering the potential to grow our brands and provide customers with more choices.” “We are very pleased to

collaborate with Abans Group, who shares our vision to offer smart, intuitive service and high-quality accommodation in Sri Lanka,” commented Kiran Andicot, Regional Vice President - Development, South Asia, Marriott International. “We eagerly look forward to the opening of the first Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Sri Lanka. We are excited to have Marriott International with us at Colombo City Centre,” stated Aban Pestonjee, Chairperson of Abans Group. Behman Pestonjee, Managing Director of Abans Group, said: “This is a testimony to our confidence in the market and our commitment to contribute to the growth of the city. We gladly welcome the entry of Marriott into our prestigious mixed-use development, Colombo City Centre.”

June 2021 25

AVIATION

Middle East aviation experts optimistic about rebound in 2021 News Desk

egional experts while participated at the conference session entitled ‘Aviation – the key to rebuilding international travel, restoring confidence, global solutions and building business’ organized at ATM, elaborated on the state of the Middle East aviation industry and a timetable for its recovery, particularly after significant announcements recently by Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, relaxing travel and social restrictions. The list of panelists included George Michalopoulos – Chief Commercial Officer at Wizz Air; Hussein Dabbas – General Manager Special Projects for MEA Region at Embraer and John Brayford – President at The Jetsets. Overall, the panel was bullish about the recovery citing pent-up demand, which could initially outstrip the availability of flights, until airlines resume their regular pre-COVID scheduled services and routes, particularly on domestic and regional routes which they agreed would be the first to recover. “Domestic and regional leisure passenger traffic will recover first. This will be driven by massive pent-up demand, helped by relaxed ‘local’ restrictions and improved

consumer confidence,” said Dabbas. “This trend will ultimately increase demand from airlines for smaller more cost-effective aircraft - a maximum of 120 passengers, on direct routes, with increased frequency of service,” he added. To illustrate his point, Dabbas pointed to the Air France-KLM pre-pandemic decision to order 30 A220 jets while announcing the retirement of their A380 fleet, in a bid to improve the airline’s fuel efficiency and costs. “IATA estimates that domestic markets could recover to 96% of pre-crisis levels in the second half of this year, a 48% improvement over 2020 and a return to preCOVID levels in the third quarter of 2024,” said Dabbas. “As it stands the quarantine rules and other COVID regulations are confusing, they need simplifying. Governments should concentrate on PCR testing and vaccines. Passengers need a secure source of information covering the flight and the destination,” said Dabbas, “We are a oneworld industry.” Michalopoulos added, “Vaccine passports are the way forward and it is also important that we communicate just how safe onboard

air conditioning is. Some people think that re-circulated air in planes is not safe, that simply isn’t true. Aircraft have filtering systems which are as efficient as hospital ICUs.” Looking to the future, Brayford an industry stalwart whose company The Jetsets is pioneering fractional ownership in private business jets, said that airlines would need a clear plan moving forward. “A niche today might become a mainstream trend tomorrow, so no opportunity should be overlooked, the way in which some airlines have supplemented reduced passenger numbers with cargo is a good example. Flexibility and managing costs will also be key.”

Etihad Airways introduces ‘Verified to Fly’ service News Desk

erified to Fly will be available for all guests departing Abu Dhabi from 12 May 2021 (excluding China) and for flights departing Amman, Beirut, Dhaka and Manila shortly thereafter. Future developments are in progress to introduce the service on other destinations. Travellers flying from Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways will be able to validate their Covid-19 travel documents before arriving at the airport. Guests can arrive at the airport with confidence and with peace of mind, knowing they have met all essential requirements before their flight. With the formalities out of the way, verified travellers can enjoy fast track check-in at the airport by going to the dedicated Verified

26 June 2021

to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Aviation Group said: "As Etihad continuously looks for innovative solutions to simplify the travel experience, Verified to Fly removes any guess work from the equation and makes check-in faster. Guests have total peace of mind knowing that when they arrive at the airport, they have already met all Covid travel requirements". To use the Verified to Fly service, guests can sign-up by visiting Manage my Booking and will receive further information on how to submit their documents. Once the submission has been checked by the Verified

to Fly team, guests will receive a 'success' email if their documents meet government requirements. If requirements are missing or not met, the guest will be asked to resubmit or check their documents. Guests can also check their Verified to Fly status at any time by visiting Manage my Booking.

AVIATION

Editor Rajesh Tiwari rajesh@whereabouts.in +91 9818525672

Consulting Editor Shayan Mallick

Correspondents Jai Kishan Kaparwan Nisha Awasthi whereabouts.in@gmail.com

Art Director Mithlesh Gupta

Principal Advisor Anil Prakash

Legal Advisor Advocate Brijesh Tiwari

Production & Distribution Production Manager Subhash Solanki Distribution Executive Anoop Singh

Accounts CA Rishabh Rana

CONTENTS TOP NEWS P 03 - 05 Tourism notified among top priority sectors for Covid-19 vaccination in West Bengal

Indigo connects Darbhanga Aeroprime appointed PSA to Kolkata, Hyderabad via for Uzbekistan Airways direct flights News Desk News Desk

Odisha to announce financial package for tourism sector New upcoming tourism policy to aid further investments in Jharkhand

TECHNOLOGY P 09 Travelport partners with Amazon Web Services to accelerate digital transformation in travel retailing

NTO P 10 - 13 Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists GNTO optimistic to regain pre-crisis level of incoming travel from UAE by end of 2022

COVER FEATURE

P 14-19

Phuket Reopening!

DESTINATION P 20-23 Outdoor Activities in Germany Summer Activities in Czech Republic Kevadiya : Absolute Amazing Destination

HOTEL P 24 - 25 Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists

AVIATION P 26 - 27 Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open borders for foreign tourists

RNI No.: DELENG/2014/59308

Volume VI Issue IX June 2021

Price ` 180 Per Copy

Phuket Reopening! Change a Boring Quarantine into a Joyous Relaxing Time

TOP NEWS

AVIATION

NTO

HOSPITALITY

DESTINATION

Whereabouts June 2021

Articles inside

DESTINATION

COVER FEATURE

HOTEL P 24

AVIATION P 26

NTO P 10

TECHNOLOGY

ASSOCIATION P 06

TOP NEWS P 03