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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UNWTO's crisis committee meets to explore safe travel in the age of vaccines
The cross-sector Global Tourism Crisis Committee of UNWTO has met for the first time in 2021 in Madrid to discuss the integration of vaccines into a harmonised approach to safe travel and launching a coordinated effort to boost confidence in the sector.
With countries around the world now rolling out vaccines against the Covid-19 virus, the committee noted that this opens a critical window in the fight against the pandemic and to promote the safe resumption of international travel. Members highlighted the importance of stepping up coordination, within the framework of the international health regulations, of vaccination certificates to ensure the implementation of common, harmonised digital-related travel principles, protocols and documents. This would be in line with the work being carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has reported at potential applications of digital technology to enable safe international travel and facilitate arrivals and departures.
“The rollout of vaccines is a step in the right direction, but the restart of tourism cannot wait. Vaccines must be part of a wider, coordinated approach that includes certificates and passes for safe cross-border travel. In the longer-term, we also need to restore confidence in tourism. The United for Travel campaign will help us achieve this, providing a clear and strong message that safe tourism is now possible,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO.
The crisis committee met against the backdrop of the 113th session of the UNWTO Executive Council held in Madrid as a hybrid event. The council brings together more than 150 in-person participants alongside participants representing governments and destinations of every global region, to advance UNWTO’s few other action points in the agenda. Zurab Pololikashvili was re-elected for the term 2022-2025.
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Over 100 million global travel & tourism jobs could be recovered in 2021, says WTTC
More than 100 million jobs could return to the global travel & tourism sector during 2021, as the world recovers from the crippling Covid-19 pandemic, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). A strong summer of travel is expected as the sector begins its road to recovery from late March onwards, with many major travel companies reporting a significant rise in forward bookings. The sector’s revival is backed by WTTC’s latest economic forecast, which gives further hope for the year ahead to businesses and millions of people employed in the sector worldwide.
Last year, during the height of the pandemic, WTTC warned 174 million global travel & tourism jobs were at risk. However, in its latest analysis, WTTC’s most optimistic scenario predicts as many as 111 million jobs could be revived – but this would still be 17 per cent below the 2019 figures, accounting for 54 million fewer jobs.
This best-case scenario, with travel recovery starting from late March, factors in widespread vaccination programmes and swift adoption of comprehensive test-and-trace regimes, together with continual, strong international coordination from the private and public sectors. However, the forecast’s more conservative outcome would still see a return of 84 million jobs, but this would be 25 per cent below the 2019 levels, with 82 million fewer jobs.
Under this scenario, the recovery of international travel is pushed to the second half of 2021. Vaccines would be rolled out more gradually, slowing down the removal of worldwide travel barriers and restrictions currently in place, while depressing demand to travel and reducing consumer confidence.
“WTTC first predicted the return of the sector through its 100 Million Jobs Recovery Plan, presented at last October’s historic G20 Tourism Ministers meeting, which was attended, for the first time, by 45 WTTC Member CEOs. Now we believe the sector’s return will become a reality,” says Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO.
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The Seychelles opens for all tourists
Known for its pristine beaches, Seychelles has re-opened its borders to all countries worldwide with immediate effect. Announcing the opening, jointly Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde and Minister for Health Peggy Vidot said on January 14 that the reopening will be executed in a two-step approach by simplifying and relaxing the restrictive measures to re-launch the tourism industry in Seychelles.
In the first phase of the opening, travellers will be required to produce proof of a valid vaccination certificate from the national health authority, minimum of two weeks after the administration of the second dose of the vaccine, along with a negative Covid-19 PCR report obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel. These visitors need not quarantine upon arrival to Seychelles.
The Seychelles is currently open to Indian visitors through private jet transfers only. Such travellers will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR report obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel. Visitors who haven’t taken the complete dose of vaccination or not travelling via private jets will not be permitted entry into Seychelles.
This will be in force until mid-March once Seychelles has vaccinated a large majority of its adult population. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has donated 50,000 doses of a China-manufactured Covid-19 vaccine to Seychelles, while the Indian government has offered 100,000 doses of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine by the end of January.
This announcement came at a time when the Indian government signed an air bubble agreement with Seychelles allowing Air Seychelles to fly into the destination from India.
“2021 has kicked off on a positive note presenting us with a wide scope to promote safe holidays to the Seychelles islands. Until now, the destination was limited to visitors only through private jet transfers but this move will offer a much-needed new option to Indians looking for an international holiday,” says Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO & Co-founder of BRANDit, the marketing and PR office for Seychelles Tourism Board in India.
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India becomes the top source market for the Maldives amid pandemic
India has always been a key market for the Maldives. Since the reopening of the borders, the arrival statistics have shown gradual and constant growth. As per the statistics of its Ministry of Tourism, by the end of 2020 India became the number one source market with 62,905 Indian tourists holidaying in the island country, thus accounting for 11.3 per cent of the total market share.
Maldives opened its borders on July 15, 2020, with strict safety measures for the travellers. Resorts, liveaboards and guesthouses have opened their doors for tourists in line with the health guidelines. Incoming travellers from India to the Maldives were largely influenced by Bollywood celebrities opting for stays at high-end resorts and organically promoting the destination. The Maldives recorded 555,399 arrivals in 2020 and achieved their target of 500,000 arrivals for the year. For 2021, the authorities are targeting 1.5 million arrivals.
“Despite the pandemic, Maldives tourism has done well. We expected a good last quarter for tourism, but the results were beyond expectations in December. India has always been our focus market. Over the last few years, Maldives has very rapidly ascended the list of the most preferred holiday destination for Indians. During this unprecedented time, we had to re-strategise our marketing activities in order to accommodate the current trends and in order to gain the maximum out of our market efforts,” says Thoyyib Mohamed, the managing director of MMPRC (Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation).
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Royal Jordanian Airline appoints STIC Travel Group as India representative
Royal Jordanian Airline (RJ), the national carrier of Jordan, has appointed STIC Travel Group as their India GSA for passenger services. The airline which joined the One World Airline Alliance in 2007 operates scheduled international services over four continents from its main base at Queen Alia International Airport, Amman.
From India, passengers can fly on any carrier up to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha and further connect to RJ for their onward destinations.
“The recent appointment of STIC Travel Group as the GSA for Royal Jordanian Airlines in India is a testament to the company’s commitment and proven track record to offer genuine representation and sales and distribution tie-ups. Travel agents can contact any of the STIC offices across India and together we can contribute to the growth of Royal Jordanian’s business in India,” said Subhash Goyal, chairman, STIC Travel Group.
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Czech glass bead ornaments on UNESCO world heritage list
Czech glass bead ornaments from the village of Poniklá have been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Czech glassmaking and crystal production have had a tradition spanning many centuries. And in the village of Poniklá, the area near the Krkonoše Mountains, a completely unique tradition in the world is still alive.
The glass beads were formerly used to manufacture necklaces, brooches and hat needles, as well as earrings and to decorate folk and theatre costumes. From the first half of the 20th century, most of the production moved to festive ornaments through which more than 400 families made their living by making glass beads and fashion jewellery in Poniklá and its surroundings. The items are made in various shapes from elongated and pear-shaped to round, both small and fairly big, from clear, coloured smooth and indented glass. For all the right reasons, it is a tourists' favourite spot while visiting Czechia not only to admire this unique magical craft but they also make excellent gift items and memorabilia.
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Visit Jersey unveils ‘Restore Your Balance’ marketing campaign
Visit Jersey’s new marketing campaign aims to raise awareness of the destination’s tourism offerings in order to attract more visitors throughout the year. The Restore Your Balance campaign will spread the tourist board’s message of ‘Little Island Big Spirit’.
As part of the new campaign, Visit Jersey has launched four itineraries focusing on nature, adventure, family and heritage, “which aim to restore visitors’ balance and sense of wellbeing”.
“Now is the time to remind potential visitors that our tranquil island offers the chance to reconnect with our families and friends while being surrounded by nature which will restore balance and lift spirits. As restrictions ease, we very much look forward to welcoming first-time and past visitors back to our shores once again,” says Amanda Burns, chief executive at Visit Jersey.
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