About India Outbound Magazine

India Outbound 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.

OTOAI meets tourism minister of India, still hoping to get some relief

In continuation of its efforts to highlight the issues and concerns of the outbound industry to those in office of power, Riaz Munshi, president, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), along with representatives of some other industry associations, met with the Indian minister of tourism Prahlad Singh Patel, where they reiterated their demands for relief for the sector. For long, OTOAI has been advocating a five-point agenda, namely a roll-back of a new tax at source (TCS), not making PAN card mandatory for foreign remittances for foreign nationals and non-resident Indians, to grant relief from GST, allow outbound tour operators to take interest-free loans and expansion of working capital.

“The tourism minister listened to all that we had to say and was sympathetic and understanding regarding all the issues. He has assured us that these would be taken up on priority. The minister told the trade bodies that he was hopeful of a positive outcome and that relief would be announced soon. We are keeping our fingers crossed,’’ says Munshi.

UNWTO launches new reopening guidelines in association with Google

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has released a new set of guidelines to help tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainable from COVID-19. The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism. The guidelines were produced in consultation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee and aim to support governments and private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis. The organisation warns that international tourist arrivals could fall by between 60 pc and 80 pc this year. This puts 100-120 million jobs at risk and could lead to USD 910 billion to USD 1.2 trillion lost in exports.

WTTC launches Safe Travels Protocols & Stamps

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the second phase of measures to rebuild global consumer confidence to encourage the return of travelling. The latest protocols are designed to drive the return of safe travel and enable industries, namely tour operators and convention centres, meetings and events to thrive once again. They also provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, airlines, airports, operators, and travellers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 world. Gloria Guevara, WTTC president & CEO, said, “For the first time ever, the global private sector has rallied around our Safe Travels protocols which will create the consistency needed to allow a re-invigorated travel & tourism sector re-open for business. Among the most important of these measures are those which will enable the aviation sector to take-off. Aviation’s return is critical to help repower the global economic recovery.

Earlier this week, WTTC unveiled its landmark new global safety stamp to encourage safe travels and the reopening of the travel & tourism sector. The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented. Destinations will also help to award the stamp of approval to local suppliers. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia minister of tourism, said, “As Chair of this year’s G20 Tourism Track, we are putting public-private cooperation at the heart of international efforts for a swift recovery. The WTTC’s new Safe Travels global protocols are an essential step on that path to recovery, by helping to provide consistency and reassurance for travellers.”

Asaf Zamir becomes the new tourism minister of Israel

Asaf Zamir took charge as new tourism minister of Israel this week, replacingYariv Levin who was appointed in the position in 2015 and made significant changes to the tourism landscape in Israel. During his time, he oversaw a considerable increase to the inbound tourism industry. Zamir takes charge at a difficult hour when the not only Israel, but the entire world is fighting a battle and tourism business is seeing an all time low figures. ‘‘We need to rebuild the tourism industry, open the hotels as quickly as possible, the tourist attractions, and all the industries that supports tourism - restaurants, cafes and bars… as quickly as possible. Encourage domestic tourism, open the sky and minimise damage so we can return to growth of the tourism industry,” he said. Offering unparalleled pilgrimage for three religions and a unique cuisine, besides the Dead Sea and some fine beaches on the Red Sea, Israel is targeting luxury MICE tourists from India, a market that has been growing consistently.

‘‘The arrivals from India have exceeded expectations in the last few years and we have seen the same trend in 2019. India is currently third biggest source market in Asia. While keeping the current momentum going, the idea is to aggressively work towards improving connectivity between India and Israel. I think we have finished 2019 with approximately 71,000 travellers to Israel because we had the elections in India and Israel. Israel is a dynamic place with religion, culture and business for MICE. We have a heritage more than 2,000 years old and you can feel the vibe of this place. The mixing of pilgrimage, leisure and MICE is a winning combination for the travellers and for us," Sammy Yahia, director (India), Israel Tourism, told India Outbound.

World's tallest tower At the Top Burj Khalifa opens in Dubai

As the emirate reopens after a lockdown, Dubai's At the Top (ATT) Burj Khalifa says that levels 124-125 are now open to visitors. Thermal screening and temperature checks would be carried out for health and safety. Children below 12 years old and adults over 60 years old are not allowed until further notice as ordered by the Dubai Municipality. ATT says it is redefining hygiene and safety standards.

India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group