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. These trends, India Outbound analyse and predict them.

25 million jobs at risk with airlines shutdown: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released a new analysis showing that some 25 million jobs are at risk of disappearing with plummeting demand for air travel amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Globally, the livelihoods of about 65.5 million people are dependent on the aviation industry, including sectors such as travel and tourism. Among these are 2.7 million airlines jobs. In a scenario of severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, IATA research calculates that 25 million jobs in aviation and related sectors are endangered across the world

“There are no words to adequately describe the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the airline industry. And the economic pain will be shared by 25 million people who work in jobs dependent upon airlines. Airlines must be viable businesses so that they can lead the recovery when the pandemic is contained. A lifeline to the airlines now is critical,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director-general and CEO.

Etihad Airways appeals its members to donate their reward points

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, has launched a campaign to encourage its club members to donate their Etihad Guest Miles to support the prevention and response efforts in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A global initiative in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and with the Emirates Red Crescent in the Middle East, Etihad Guest is trying to support basic infection control and adequate containment measures for refugees and other forcibly displaced people.

Robin Kamark, the chief commercial officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said that in these extraordinary times, all need to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation to support those in need. Coronavirus does not discriminate and hits the most vulnerable the hardest. Our members have always been so charitable when donating miles and we thank them in advance for continuing to be so generous with their hard-earned miles.

Donated miles will be used to purchase essential healthcare equipment including ventilators, gloves, masks and soap. The members who have donated will receive information detailing the monetary value of how their miles have helped those impacted or at risk by the pandemic.

Qatar Airways Cargo prioritises essential medical supplies and aid relief

Qatar Airways Cargo has increased services around the world, operating freighters and freight-only passenger aircraft to ensure the continuity of global trade and transportation of essential supplies to where they are needed during this critical time.

In the past month, the airline has transported over 50,000 tonnes of medical and aid supplies to impacted regions around the globe. This equates to roughly 500 fully loaded Boeing 777 freighters. Additional capacity has been introduced to cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Paris, Amsterdam, Muscat, Kuwait, New Delhi, Beijing and Melbourne.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker said, “Now, more than ever it is important to support global trade that ensures the supply of essential goods and vital aid worldwide. I am thankful to the airport authorities, ground handlers, cargo agents and governments around the world who have helped us increase our services to fulfill the demand for time sensitive freight. I also want to thank many of our long-standing commercial customers that have supported us to prioritise humanitarian relief shipments to badly-effected regions over their existing commercial arrangements.”

Easter services of the Holy Week in the Holy Land to live stream from Jerusalem

As the world continues to live in isolation, the Israel Ministry of Tourism has informed that the Holy Week Easter services will be live streamed from Jerusalem. Not only that, the audience will be transported to the streets of Tel Aviv, beaches of Eilat and the historical walled city of Jerusalem from the comfort of their home.

As in Christianity, the week that precedes Easter is regarded as the Holy Week which includes important services held on Palm Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday millions are not able to participate in the services this year. Hence the celebrations for the Holy Week will be live streamed from Jerusalem for parishioners from all over the world that wish to attend.

The Israeli government approved a general closure across the country to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus which bars Israelis from leaving the community where they reside, other than in exceptional circumstances, such as the need for urgent medical care. The intercity travel is banned for the entire week and a curfew is imposed.

Thailand grants automatic visa extensions for foreigners affected by COVID-19s

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that foreigners in Thailand who have been affected by COVID-19 will be granted automatic visa extensions. The measure covers three groups of foreigners.

Foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand but are now overseas and required to return to Thailand within a year of their departure. Since they might not be able to re-enter Thailand in time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be granted an extension of their compulsory return deadline. However, they are required to return to Thailand as soon as the situation improves within the period specified by the Immigration Bureau.

Foreign visitors whose visas expired on March 26, 2020 or thereafter will be granted automatic visa extensions until 30 April, 2020, and extensions for notification of staying in the Kingdom for those whose expiry date of stay permit falls within the period March 26 – April 30, 2020. However, when the situation improves or returns to normal, they are required to proceed with their visas within the period specified by the Immigration Bureau.

Visitors from neighbouring countries who hold a temporary border pass issued on March 23, 2020, or thereafter will be allowed to stay in Thailand until the borders are re-opened. They will be required to leave Thailand within seven days after the borders reopen.

Singapore’s Changi Airport T2 operations suspended till November 2021

01, 2020, due to steep decline in passenger traffic and slow recovery of air travel demand expected in the near term.

Moreover, operations at Terminal 4 have been scaled down considerably due to a “very small number of flights” serving the once-bustling transport hub, stated CAG in a press release. Should these remaining airlines choose to suspend or adjust their flight schedules, CAG will also consider temporarily suspending operations at T4.

Tan Lye Teck, CAG’s executive vice president of airport management, said, “With airlines suspending flights in response to the sharply reduced travel demand, the consolidation efforts seek to help our airport partners during this difficult time. While the scale of our operations will be reduced in the near term, Changi Airport remains open to serve the airfreight and passenger flights that continue to operate.”

Tourism boards continue launching new inspirational video clips to stay afloat

In a time of uncertainty and social distancing, tourism boards are trying innovative ways to communicate will video messages by lifting the spirit of their audiences.

Visit Jamaica has come up with a specially curated Spotify playlist featuring the best of the island’s musical legends. The "Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright" playlist reminds the viewers to keep their heads high and attitude bright with melodies from Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Beenie Man and many more!

The Monaco Tourist & Convention Authority's usual slogan, "FOR YOU", a warm invitation to take advantage of all the incredible things the Principality has to offer, has evolved into a simple declaration of affection. So today, the message is "MISS YOU", supported by friendly messages and pictures, to remind the viewers of those precious times that they look forward to sharing again.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) launched a range of far reaching support initiatives, aimed at its hospitality, leisure and development partners, during the peak of COVID-19 crisis and to lay the strong foundations for future recovery. In a move that further reflects the emirate’s ‘ONE RAK’ commitment to transparency, ease of doing business and global community spirit, the tourism authority has sent all business partners and stakeholders a comprehensive contingency plan, which maps out short to mid-term solutions to mitigate the negative impact of coronavirus on travel to Ras Al Khaimah.

India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group