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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.

WTM London, too, goes virtual

Joining the long and yet growing list of tourism events that have been cancelled, in the physical mode, this year, WTM London has also called off the live event and gone virtual. One of the leading travel exhibitions of the year, WTM London and Travel Forward, its co-located event on travel and hospitality technology decided to conduct the event entirely virtually in November in the wake of a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 in many countries including the UK. Live shows had been set to take place at ExCeL London (November 2 - 4, 2020); however, the continuing travel restrictions, imposition of quarantine requirements and local lockdowns across Europe also added to the situation making it quite impossible for the organisers to hold the show this year. “Sadly, this year will be the first time since we launched WTM London in 1980 that there will be no live event. We have worked tirelessly to organise a physical show, but the increasing number of travel restrictions and the uncertainty around the world means it will be impractical for many overseas visitors to attend in person. Additionally, there remains uncertainty around business events and conferences being allowed to take place in the UK,’’ says Simon Press, senior director of WTM London. WTM Virtual will take place from November 9 - 11, offering delegates the chance to arrange one-to-one virtual meetings to do business, attend conference sessions and roundtables, take part in speed networking, investment summit, marketing forum, UNWTO, WTTC & WTM ministers’ summit and more.

United Airlines announces new nonstops to India

United Airlines has announced plans to expand its global route network with new nonstop service to India, Africa and Hawaii. With these new routes, United will offer more nonstop service to India and South Africa than any other U.S. carrier. Starting December, it will fly daily between Chicago and New Delhi and, in spring 2021, United will become the only airline to operate between San Francisco and Bangalore, India. However, the newly announced international routes are subject to government approval. ‘‘Now is the right time to take a bold step in evolving our global network to help our customers reconnect with friends, family and colleagues around the world,’’ said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of international network and alliances. The airline has been operating nonstop service for 15 years to to New Delhi and Mumbai. Chicago has the second-highest population of Indian-Americans in the United States and customers from more than 130 U.S. cities can connect on United through O'Hare International Airport.

Oman Air to resume flights from October 1 including India

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, will return to scheduled service from October 1 with flights to 16 cities in 12 countries including India. The airline will connect Muscat with Mumbai, New Delhi, Kochi, London, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Cairo, Dubai, Doha, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Lahore and Islamabad, with more destinations to be added in the near future. Flights to India are subject to Indian authorities lifting restrictions for scheduled international passenger flights.

According to a news report by moneycontrol.com, Oman Air had terminated contracts of about 125 pilots, including many from India, in the latest round of layoffs to cut costs. Some of the expat pilots have been sent on leave without pay.

India unlikely to make it for Thailand’s special tourist visa

Though government of Thailand has approved in principle a proposal by the ministry of tourism and sports to grant a special tourist visa (STV) for long-staying visitors, it is highly unlikely that India will make a cut in the first merit list.

Under the STV scheme, long-staying visitors can stay in the country for 90 days, which can be extended twice, each for a further 90 days. The visa will cost 2,000 Baht (INR 4700) for each 90-day extension. The special visa scheme is expected to become effective after the official announcement and will be available until September 30 2021. The STV will be granted to long-staying visitors who comply with Thailand’s Covid-19 control and preventive measures. Replying to a query by India Outbound on India figuring on the list, the Ambassador of Thailand to India said, ‘‘Don't know, but India is unlikely to be a front runner country due to ‘perceived’ high Covid-19 risk.’’

Lesser-known airports more resilient: ForwardKeys

ForwardKeys, the leading travel analytics firm's July flight data and airport traveller volumes have revealed the rising importance of lesser-known airports. The study indicates that most resilient airports by volumes of departing travellers in July are Dallas, Chengdu, Moscow Domodedovo & Sharjah beating some of the major hubs! Among the top five airports, Moscow Domodedovo saw by far the lowest decrease of departing passengers this July in Europe when compared to last year (-32 pc); as it was the case for Sharjah airport (-25 pc) in the Middle East and Africa region.


India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group