About India Outbound Magazine
India Outbound, a brand of Media India Group, is India’s only B2B travel media platform, that encompasses a print magazine, a website, an online TV channel and dynamic social media platforms, entirely dedicated to the promotion of foreign destinations and products in India. India Outbound is a niche platform not just for tourism destinations and products to promote themselves to the Indian travel industry, but also for decision makers to build/change their strategy in a context where the Indian outbound market is not only growing but changing with new dynamics. India Outbound brings to you the latest trends of the market with in depth analysis.
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US bans travel from India
The United States has imposed strict restrictions on travel from India that has stopped most non-American citizens from entering the country for an indefinite period from May 4, citing the surging Covid-19 pandemic in India. However, certain categories of students seeking to commence studies in the fall, academics, journalists and individuals have been exempted from the ban, the U.S. State Department has said. The US nationals, those having green cards, their non-citizen spouses and children below 21 years of age, are among the various categories exempted from the restrictions as well.
“I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as non-immigrants, of non-citizens of the United States who were physically present within the Republic of India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States,” says a presidential proclamation signed by Joe Biden. The new travel restrictions have been imposed for an indefinite period and will require another presidential proclamation to end it.
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European Commission proposes to ease restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU
The European Commission has proposed its member States ease the current restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU taking into account the progress of vaccination campaigns and developments in the epidemiological situation worldwide.
The Commission has proposed to allow entry to the EU for non-essential reasons not only for all persons coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation but also all people who have received the last recommended dose of an EU-authorised vaccine. This could be extended to vaccines having completed the WHO emergency use listing process. This reflects the latest scientific advice showing that vaccination considerably helps to break the transmission chain.
In addition, if Member States decide to waive the requirements to present a negative PCR test and/or to undergo quarantine for vaccinated persons on their territory, they should also waive such requirements for vaccinated travellers from outside the EU.
This should be facilitated once the Digital Green Certificate becomes operational, in line with the rules the Commission has proposed. Children who are excluded from vaccination should be able to travel with their vaccinated parents if they have a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken at the earliest 72 hours before arrival area. In these cases, Member States could require additional testing after arrival.
Those travelling for essential reasons, including notably healthcare professionals, cross-border workers, seasonal agricultural workers, transport staff and seafarers, passengers in transit, those travelling for imperative family reasons or those coming to study should continue to be allowed to enter the EU, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or which country they come from.
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Thailand reinstates 14-day quarantine for incoming international arrivals
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has rolled back decision to reduce the quarantine period following the Royal Thai Government’s announcement, and reinstated the 14-day quarantine for international visitors.
Effective from May 01, 2021, until further notice, Thailand’s latest restrictions to curb the new spread of Covid-19 infections are introduced as the country is preparing for the mass vaccination programme scheduled to start in June 2021.
According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), all foreigners who hold Certificates of Entry (COE) issued on or later than May 01, 2021, will be required to undergo quarantine for 14 days regardless of their nationality. Meanwhile, travellers who have obtained their COE issued prior to May 01, 2021, and arrived in Thailand before May 06, 2021, will be quarantined for seven or 10 days, depending on their vaccination status.
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Turkey to exempt restrictions for foreign tourists
Turkey, which is under lockdown since April 26, has decided to exclude the foreign travellers from curfew, who are in the country for tourism. The current lockdown will last until May 17.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s culture and tourism minister, has assured foreign visitors that they are exempt from the round-the-clock curfew. Foreign visitors will be able to carry out their activities provided that they have their passports with them. Public transportation will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity. Major museums and historical sites across nine cities including Istanbul, Antalya, Muğla and Nevşehir (Cappadocia) will remain open to foreign visitors during the lockdown. The country is also geared up to host two major upcoming events too, as per the original schedule, UEFA Champions League final on May 29 and Formula 1 from June 11 to 13.
As per the new Covid-19 guidelines, all passengers arriving Turkey who have visited India within the last 10 days, need to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival, at a place determined by the governorship. On the 14th day, they will be subjected to a PCR test, if the test result is negative, quarantine will be lifted. Passengers of 6 years and above also need to submit a negative SARS COV-2 certificate within the last 72 hours prior to the departure.
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Qatar National Tourism Council appoints BRANDit as India representative
Indian tourism promotion company BRANDit has been appointed as the integrated sales & marketing agency in India for Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) in a competitive tender bid. BRANDit will be responsible for defining and executing Qatar’s in-market trade engagement, product development and joint marketing campaign strategy while overseeing initiatives to promote the country’s attractions and events, including FIFA World Cup 2022. They will communicate QNTC's new tourism strategy as the country works towards realising the Qatar National Vision 2030, positioning Qatar as a world class tourism destination.
“We are excited to have BRANDit as our marketing and sales partner in India to promote Qatar’s new value proposition to tour operators, online travel agencies and consumers at large. The team at BRANDit demonstrated a deep understanding of Qatar’s positioning and proposed an integrated approach that will inspire Indians to make Qatar their next travel destination," said Philip Dickinson, vice president international markets, Qatar National Tourism Council.
“Qatar is a vibrant destination with innovation at the forefront. As travel gradually opens up, our role will be to support and deliver the next evolution of QNTC’s tourism strategy to place Qatar as one of the most desirable destinations for Indian travellers. It is an exciting time and with the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar is truly going to be a destination to discover and look out for,” commented Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO & co-founder, BRANDit.
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