In-the-Issue

Virgin Atlantic offers flexibility

Virgin Atlantic has resumed its service from Delhi and will start Mumbai operations from September 17, 2020. Alex McEwan, Country Manager – India, Virgin Atlantic, claims that bookings will now be more flexible for travel agents, as he simultaneously clears the air on the airline’s restructuring and recapitalisation plan. Nisha …

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Azerbaijan virtual travel event on October 14

  Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB), the national promotion body designed to support the growth of Azerbaijan’s tourism industry, will host its biggest virtual travel trade event – Travel Business Azerbaijan Online (TBA 2020) – on October 14, 2020. “In these challenging times it is important to reconnect with our partners …

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Rent villas from Baywatch Stayzz

‘Adversity is a blessing in disguise’ goes the old saying, and no one understands this better than Manish Kriplani, MD, Baywatch Travels, who has helped fill the gap in demand and supply for luxury villas through his latest venture – Baywatch Stayzz. The brand offers serviced luxury villas for rent, …

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GPS & TWAI offer NDC platform

Global Panorama Showcase (GPS) has tied up with Airlines Technology by TWAI to offer the NDC technology to its members as part of its ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives’. The new offering is said to be affordable for the travel agent, with a substantial difference in price from other platforms. Nisha Verma …

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Our Faith is completely shaken

Airline commissions have gone down to almost zero, but IATA fees have multiplied almost seven times. Does the IATA membership benefit agents enough to renew it every year? Tarun Malhotra, Director of InORBIT TOURS, shares his view. In the current situation, most of us have cut down salaries of our …

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IATA: To be or not to be?

That is the question a lot of the travel agents are asking themselves these days. TRAVTALK speaks to IATA as well as the various national trade bodies to get their perspective to help our readers make an informed decision going forward. FY2020 saw 97% renewal of accredited agencies in India: …

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Policy must ease doing business

The National Tourism Policy, which had been in the pipeline for a long time, is now under the observation of various trade associations, as the Ministry of Tourism seeks suggestions and feedback from them. TRAVTALK spoke to association heads to understand the recommendations they plan to make. Subhash Goyal, Secretary …

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An event-full comeback for Dubai

The beat is back in Dubai’s events sector with an array of regional and international artists heralding its restart. Event  organisers have received a boost from Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), which has given the green light for hosting live events, indoor and outdoor concerts in …

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IATO seeks revision of refund

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has given its recommendations to the Ministry of Tourism on issues  faced by its members, and also appealed for a change in guidelines under MDA and recognition to tour operators.  Rajesh Mudgill, Honorary Secretary, IATO, shares more details. Manas Dwivedi During a virtual …

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Vistara reviews European options COVID

Vinod Kannan, CCO, Vistara, says that the airline will add close to 40 more aircraft to its fleet by 2023, while using its existing fleet to densify its network. He adds that while the pandemic did throw challenges their way in terms of ticket refunds and revenues, they managed to …

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