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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

To be in effect from April 1, the new Champion Sector scheme initiated by Ministry of Tourism will help boost the M!CE sector by reimbursing part of the hotel expenditure incurred for the guest, subject to certain terms and conditions. For India’s tourism ministry, M!CE is an important component and …

In an effort to double its numbers from India by 2030, South Africa’s tourism ministry recently announced an e-visa regime for Indian passport holders on a pilot basis. The project was launched in the fourth week of January 2020. Hazel Jain South African Tourism recently concluded the 17th edition of …

The travel fraternity believes that the sector needs more nurturing from the government to reach its potential, as it hails the recent policy amendments in terms of GST and e-Visa fee. Nisha Verma Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, EbixCash Travel & Holidays Tourism is not a pampered sector just because GST …

Global Panorama Showcase (GPS) will go completely digital in 2020, with the first event of the year being hosted in Nagpur between January 27 and 28. Harmandeep Singh Anand, MD, GPS, has said that starting with GPS Nagpur from January 27-28 this year, they will go completely digital and have …

As the Budget draws closer, spokespersons of the tourism and hospitality industries talk about their expectations, some of which include, further reduction in GST and improvement of tourist facilities. Subhash Goyal, Secretary General, FAITH The tourism industry should be treated on a par with the export industry, particularly export of …

The newly-elected team of OTOAI will focus on three key areas as part of its immediate agenda – building relationships with governments and tourism boards, doubling membership within a year, and conducting more trainings. In a recently concluded ceremony, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) unanimously elected its new …