The annual budget allocation for FY 2021-22 is 61 per cent higher than the revised annual estimates of FY 2020-21, says Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism (MOT). He says that the budget will be used for various infrastructure projects and promotional activities for the tourism sector. Nisha Verma Arvind …

According to a PATA study, by the end of 2023, international visitor arrivals into and across APAC could return to 96 per cent of the volume of foreign arrivals received in 2019, albeit under a mild scenario. PATA’s report titled ‘Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2021-2023’ presents three growth prospects for …

The third India Tourism Mart, to be held from February 18-20, will be quite different from its previous editions, besides being a virtual affair. Subhash Goyal, Honorary Secretary General, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), shares details. Nisha Verma Preparations for the first Virtual ITM are in …

Keeping with the shared passion for cricket for both countries, the VisitBritain Cricket Carnival invites trade partners in India to form their ‘Dream Teams’ on the ‘Dream11’ App and participate in the tournament, as sports tourism continues to play an important role in driving future tourism into Britain. Hazel Jain …

TAAI, along with DDP Group, has launched a new avenue and stream for women in the travel trade. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, shares details on the initiative that has been aptly named ‘Women in TAAI and Travel’ (WITT). Nisha Verma Jyoti Mayal feels that the women in the tourism industry …

The Maharashtra hospitality sector is thankful for the industry status effective April 2021. But what about making finance available at a lower rate of interest with a longer gestation period, hoteliers ask. Hazel Jain In an event held in Mumbai recently, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India …

Medical tourism, already on the rise, can be a game changer in the future if the government and travel trade unite. Nisha Verma India was booming as a medical tourism destination pre-COVID. By mid-2020, India’s medical tourism sector was estimated to be worth US$5-6 billion. In 2017, 495,056 patients visited …

Government of Sikkim has announced that 2022 will be ‘Visit Sikkim’ year, a declaration on year-long tourism promotion and marketing for the state, focusing on having tourists in Sikkim for the whole year. Manas Dwivedi The northeastern state of Sikkim offers more than one could imagine. From pilgrimage, village and …

With COVID-induced lockdowns as the order of the day, the opening up of borders and sporadic lifting of travel restrictions is often accompanied by various caveats for would-be travellers. Here’s VFS Global addressing a few FAQs that are doing the rounds about travel-related COVID testing. In the new normal, travellers …

Korea Tourism Organization has announced an Online Korea Grand Sale 2021 targeted at travellers, starting from January 14 until February 28, 2021. The sale brings together K-content popular around the world. Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has an on-going culture and tourism festival with content that best describes Korea’s tourism offerings …