AGENTS

Punjab needs biz

A surge in tourism business before the 2nd wave saw stakeholders in Punjab rejoice. But, the state still has a long way to go. Nisha Verma In Punjab, while the second wave saw business dropping for most hotels and tour operators, things were not that bad before March, especially in …

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Overtourism ahead?

Countries are slowly opening to tourism, but will this bring in enthusiastic travellers in hordes and cause another problem? Hazel Jain While more travellers bode well for the travel trade around the world, there might be a thin line between revenge tourism and over-tourism. Jay Bhatia, Director, Tulsidas Khimji Holidays …

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Hybrid weddings in the offing?

The pandemic has brought on some serious changes to the travel, tourism, events and hospitality world. As with everything else, the parameters of the wedding segment are also witnessing tremendous alterations. TRAVTALK speaks with six industry experts to find out what these changes are. Rajeev Jain, Director, Rashi Entertainment Almost …

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A hope in vaccines

Vaccinations are getting the popularity vote because they safeguard one’s health and allow for travel. But will it work? Benazir Nazar, CEO, Akbar Holidays We have been receiving a lot of enquiries for both international as well as domestic holidays from travellers who have got both their doses of vaccination. …

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Relief measures by FM vital

Officials of the Ministry of Tourism and trade association heads are all praises and grateful to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the much-awaited relief declaring free e-Tourist visa till March 31, 2022 for the first 500,000 applicants. Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism We, at the Ministry of Tourism, welcome …

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Prepared for 2nd wave?

With the second wave of infections, tourism has seen several cancellations. Is the trade prepared? TRAVTALK finds out. Himmat Anand, Founder, Tree of Life Resorts It is my belief that opportunities do not come your way – they have to be created – and given the present re-emergence of COVID, …

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Domestic travel picks up in NE

Domestic travel, and especially sustainable travel, is slowly picking up within Assam and the Northeast, with FITs booking anything from three to nine-night packages to destinations that don’t have too many COVID restrictions. Hazel Jain With his finger on the pulse, Arijit Purkayastha, Chapter Chairman – North East, Association of …

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Better insurance cover?

Do insurance companies need to hone their products to meet the changing traveller demand for a better insurance cover? Travel agents say yes, along with better product knowledge for more clarity. Hazel Jain After a year of pandemic-related challenges, travel insurance has become a topic of conversation in the travel …

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Travel post vaccine

Industry stakeholders share their view on how, if at all, COVID vaccination will change the way people travel. Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO I believe that what WTTC is also saying is that once you have been vaccinated and given a certificate, it should be good enough to travel. There should …

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