Anil Singh

Private trains by April 2023

The Ministry of Railways has recently invited Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for private participation in the operation of passenger train services through introduction of 151 modern trains over 109 pairs of routes, divided across 12 clusters on the Indian Railways’ network. Manas Dwivedi This is the first initiative of private …

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Sri Lanka ready for Indian visitors

Sri Lanka Tourism’s first Virtual Summit that was conducted in association with Spiceland Holidays and supported by OneWorld on 22 June, 2020 received more than 7,000 registrations. Though its plans for the India market this year couldn’t quite pick up pace amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it hopes to now resume …

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Is tourism really an MSME?

Ministry of Tourism has claimed that with the inclusion of the service sector in the MSME definition, the tourism industry can avail the benefits that have been announced in the Atmanirbhar Bharat package. However, the industry’s reactions are quite varied on this. Here’s how… EM Najeeb, Senior Vice President, IATO …

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The frontline warrior with a difference

A self-made man with humble beginnings, Rajeev Jain, Director, Rashi Entertainment, grew to dizzying heights through hard work and determination. As the founding member of Events & Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), he had the foresight to create an organized body for the industry.   In these troubles times, EEMA needs …

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EEMA – A love affair that never ends

Necessity is the mother of invention. And it was necessity that invented EEMA. Necessity in the form of a 600-page lawsuit filed against small companies that certainly did not have the bandwidth to fight a giant. Rajeev Jain, Presidential Candidate’s journey at EEMA The Goliath was T-Series. The Davids were …

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Rework the strategy?

TRAVTALK spoke to former secretaries of tourism on the sector not finding a mention in the stimulus package by the government, and the subsequent displeasure. This is what they had to say… Could a change in strategy be the answer to the industry’s woes? While all the former secretaries that …

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DDP launches ‘CovidSMART’ e-training

DDP Group has taken another big step towards empowering the tourism industry of India, and has launched CovidSMART — a training and certification programme which will ensure that the tourism industry is ready to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively deal with its impact on the sector. CovidSMART is DDP …

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We are all suffering together

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C) for Civil Aviation, has said that his ministry is constantly in touch with travel agents and other stakeholders in dealing with the crisis they presently face. While the government has resumed evacuation flights for Indians stranded abroad, no news has been shared yet …

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DDP pledges Rs. 1 crore to trade

The DDP Group, to support travel and hospitality companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis, has created a media fund of Rs. 1 crore under its ‘Standing with the Trade’ initiative. The move will help support businesses by providing targeted advertising campaigns, free of cost. In light of the current COVID-19 …

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A revival plan for the industry

Trade associations share their recommendations to various ministries, urging them to take necessary steps to revive the tourism industry. Relief on both GST and Income Tax as well as suspension of licence renewal fee have been suggested. Meenakshi Sharma, DG, Ministry of Tourism As an industry, we should start formalising …

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