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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.

Ban on international flights extended till August 31

The Indian government has again extended the ban on international commercial passenger flights till August 31. But as usual the restriction shall not apply to international cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). However, travel will take place under the travel bubble arrangements done with select countries.

Last month, in the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases across the country, the civil aviation ministry had extended the ban on international flights till July 31. Prior to that, the earlier order had said the ban would be in place till July 15. The ban on international flights was extended even as capacity on domestic routes has been hiked to 45 pc from the earlier 33 pc.

To allow a gradual increase in the movement of passenger traffic during the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘Travel Bubble’ agreements were drawn with the United States, France, Germany and Kuwait. Air France and United Airlines of the U.S. have begun operating a limited number of international flights under the “air bubble” arrangements with India. More similar arrangements are likely to fructify and ease passenger movements from different countries, the DGCA statement added.

Spain and Slovakia offer free visas to Indian travellers

The Embassies of Spain and Slovakia have agreed to issue gratis visas to all Indians who had been issued a visa earlier this year but could not undertake travel in the last few months because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision came following an appeal by OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), which had sent letters to Embassies in India, requesting them to issue free visas to all those travellers who despite having received valid travel visas this year could not undertake the planned visits.

“Applicants who could not travel on their Schengen visas to Slovakia, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, can apply for this visa fee waiver individually at the time of the submission of their new application. This possibility covers not only tourists, but all the Schengen visa categories,’’ says Ivan Lancaric, Ambassador of Slovakia to India.

“Please be informed that the Embassy of Spain will reissue the visa without any cost. The petition for the same should be routed through BLS only for which the applicant will be asked to pay the service tax to BLS,” said an official statement from Spanish embassy.

The development was welcomed by Riaz Munshi, president of OTOAI. “We are pleased with this development and remain hopeful that in times to come, more European Embassies will agree to issuing gratis visas. We understand that it will take some time for outbound travel to pick up from India but moves such as these will help in building people’s confidence for international travel while also offering some relief to their pocket."

On arrival in France, PCR test mandatory for 16 nations

The French government has announced a list of 16 countries with a heavy circulation of the virus, from which it is only possible to enter with a negative PCR test from before travel or on arrival. The 16 countries are Algeria, Bahrain, Brazil, India, Israel, Kuwait, Madagascar, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US).

For UAE, Panama, Bahrain and the US, a PCR test is mandatory 72 hours before departure. Travellers are required to present a negative test result before boarding a France-bound plane, otherwise they will be denied boarding. For other countries on the list, a PCR test is mandatory upon arrival in France.

Portugal introduces travel insurance for international visitors

Foreign visitors planning their holidays in Portugal can now get a Portugal Travel Insurance, a travel insurance adapted to the pandemic caused by Covid-19. The initiative is promoted by RNA Seguros de Assistência, a service provider.

The coverage is for the entire country and covers, among others, medical, surgical, pharmaceutical and hospital expenses associated with Covid-19, as well as cancellation, interruption or holiday period extension expenses, also due to the same pandemic. The objective is to guarantee visitors to Portugal, that they can travel around the country, safely and with confidence.

This is an initiative that Turismo de Portugal is disseminating to international markets to strengthen the security of the destination, which comes in addition to the creation of the Clean & Safe Stamp and the renewal of the Portugal Health Passport, which now includes Covid-19 tests and to be available to all who visit the country.

In order to project the country and encourage resumption of tourism activities, Turismo de Portugal teams present in 25 strategic markets, are trying to position Portugal as a tourist destination of excellence, one of the goals of the Tourism Strategy 2027.

Airlines & airports warn European governments on inconsistent travel restrictions

Europe’s airline and airport associations have written to prime ministers, transport, health and home affairs ministers across the European Union, Schengen and the UK, setting out deep concerns over their failure to implement coherent and science-based approaches to travel restrictions. The letter, sent jointly from Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is highly critical of the introduction of new restrictions relating to selected countries. Many of these restrictions, state the organisations, are inconsistent with the principles laid out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Despite repeated calls for a science-based, harmonised and coordinated approach to new restrictions – differing national approaches have emerged. Some of these unilateral national measures are contrary to expert guidance and further damage consumer confidence. Moreover, the imposition of such restrictions fails to take into account other options governments have to protect their citizens, such as effective track-and-trace systems.

“The European Aviation sector is urging EU/Schengen States and the UK to reconsider restrictions to travel that have been imposed between them – including quarantines,” state the three associations in the letter. “We fail to see any valid science-based and proportionate justification for such restrictions from a health policy perspective”. The aviation associations assert that renewed efforts must be urgently put into effectively co-ordinating and aligning responses to the evolving epidemiological situation.

The Great Migration goes unnoticed, trouble for the Maasai

When Kenya reopened its borders for international tourists on August 1, the annual Great Migration was in progress, having begun in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and culminating in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Every year in the dry season between July and October, as part of the world’s largest wildlife migration, about 2 million wildebeest, accompanied by thousands of zebra, eland and gazelle, make the arduous journey in that direction, returning to Tanzania in early October. It is one of the top experiences in the African bucket list for many travellers.

But one of nature's most spectacular sights went largely unwatched this year as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are felt as far as the continent's wilderness. Travel restrictions kept tourists away for the annual wildlife migration in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve and only a handful of guides and park wardens were there to watch thousands of wildebeest antelopes make their famous trek in search of new grazing pastures.

Although the absence of tourists makes little difference to the giant herd of animals, it's a serious problem for the park, the local government and the surrounding community. “Covid-19 has really affected so many operations for us here in the reserve in the sense that the revenue, the funds, that the county government was collecting from Maasai Mara National Reserve has gone to zero,” said chief warden James Sindiyo.

The effect for the people who live on the edge of the park and who rely on tourism is also significant. Kadele Kasare, one of the local Maasai people, said they depend on the money they earn from visitors. ‘‘The biggest problem is food,’’ he said. ‘‘We are not getting enough food and at times when there is no money from the tourists, we sell our cows and other livestock. But now even the market has been closed. So, we are facing a lot of difficulties,” he added.

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority partners with Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC (LFC) and Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) along with Economic Development Board Mauritius have formed a global partnership as part of the island nation’s drive to become a leading global tourist destination and business hub of Africa. The three-year partnership will see Mauritius benefit from a range of LFC digital, social media and marketing assets.

As well as being one of the top premier luxury holiday destinations in the world with one of the highest rates of return visitors, Mauritius is also one of the most business and investment-friendly locations in the world. The island has been an established centre for international banking and finance for at least 20 years and plans to grow this reputation for business around the world.

Billy Hogan, managing director and chief commercial officer at Liverpool FC, said, “This is an exciting partnership and we’re delighted to build on our existing relationship with Mauritius following the opening of the LFC International Academy on the island in July 2019. We look forward to working with Mauritius Tourism and its Economic Development Board to support their ambition to further establish the country as a leading tourist destination and economic forum.”

“Mauritius is proud to be an official partner of Liverpool Football Club, a global football elite and Premier League champions. This collaboration aims at strengthening and propelling Mauritius as a thriving economic powerhouse and a world-class tourism destination,” Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, prime minister of Mauritius said.

Jalesh Cruises to start sailing from November

As part of its Mission Begin Again, the Indian government has announced that it will permit cruise ships to commence sailing from October 1. With this major development, Indian cruising company Jalesh Cruises, announced the commencement of its cruise MV Karnika from November 6, 2020.

Jalesh Cruises will also offer all passengers complimentary rapid Covid-19 and all other flu related testing at the time of embarkation! Passengers will receive their test results in 15 minutes and can board the ship. Other than its Indian destinations, at the moment the only international country Jalesh Cruises cover is Sri Lanka and touches Trincomalee. Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO, Jalesh Cruises said, “The announcement by the Indian government to permit sailing by cruise companies comes as a fresh breath of air to all of us. We have been waiting to set sail with passengers and we eagerly await November. The health and safety of our passengers and our crew has been and will always be our priority.”

PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2020 goes virtual too

Virtual PTM will be a business-to-business travel contracting and virtual networking event that will try to mirror and enhance the features of the long-standing PTM, which boasts over four decades of experience in connecting qualified international buyers and sellers from all of Asia and the Pacific region through pre-matched business appointments, says Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the organizers of the event. Virtual PTM 2020 will take place from September 23 - 27.

“As some destinations have slowly restarted tourism through either domestic or regional travel, eventually international markets will follow. Virtual PTM allows business to begin exploring new opportunities and markets, particularly as travel behaviour and patterns will be dramatically different post Covid-19. Asia Pacific will be the leading force of tourism’s global recovery from Covid-19, as both an inbound destination as well as a robust source market,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy.

The event will offer two full business days with a possibility of up to 50 appointments across all time zones from September 24 - 25. There will be two trade visitor days on September 26 - 27.


India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group