January 2021
Dear Friends, Guests, Patrons and Partners in Travel,
Namaste and wish 2021 brings in warmth, happiness and prosperity to all!
After a great challenging year gone by, we welcome a new year that ushers in new hopes of wellness, well being, empathy, compassion and peace and a radiant atmosphere of growth and achievements.
We wish to thank each and everyone across the globe - near and distant - for standing strong during these testing times. It has been a rough walk but it sure has been one of great learning. As an organisation, we witnessed our core members and our partners across the globe who chose to walk along braving the odds in oneness.
I take this opportunity to express gratitude to each one of our team members and partners who chose the rough over the smooth, a little less over a little more, to hold hands and to lend the strength of togetherness - it sure has helped us sail through and we sure will catch up the shore very soon too, which we see not too far in the horizon!!
The Covid-19 vaccine is the sure light at the end of the tunnel and is now visible. India has become the biggest buyer of Covid-19 vaccine with 1.6 billion doses which could cover almost 60% of the population and India being the world's largest producer of vaccine, it is expected that the larger population will be vaccinated by the end of this year. To add to this the coming together of insurance coverages with international partners is all setting the ball to roll to ensure safety and security for travellers.
The Mantra : "The secret of success is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." is what we go by and are most certain the dawn of prosperity is round the corner.
Wishing all the very best and looking forward to welcoming you to this land of warmth and hospitality.
With best wishes,
Anjali Babbar Basu
CEO
World's biggest COVID-19 vaccination programme set to begin in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday 4th Jan, "World's biggest COVID-19 vaccination programme set to begin in India. For this, the country is proud of the contributions of its scientists and technicians,". This was announced a day after, the Drugs Regulator approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country.
Lauding the scientists and technicians for the ''Made in India'' vaccines, he said the country is proud of them.
India is biggest buyer of covid-19 vaccine with 1.6 billion doses, experts say this could cover 60% population
India is the largest buyer of COVID-19 vaccines in the world with 1.6 billion doses, according to a global analysis, a number some scientists say could cover 800 million people, or 60 per cent of its population, and will be enough to develop ‘herd immunity’.
India manufactures more than 60% of all vaccines sold across the globe. “There are many vaccines being produced in countries around the world but there’s only one nation that has the manufacturing capacity to produce sufficient quantities to satisfy the demands of citizens in every country, and that’s India,” said Australia’s ambassador to India, Barry O’Farrell, after touring vaccine manufacturing sites in India with many other diplomats.
Recent Survey revealed that the notable increase in travel demand is expected in the next 3 months
Announcing the findings of its recently conducted study to identify the travel Intent among consumers, Siddhartha Butalia, Chief Marketing Officer Air Asia India states the travel purpose and preferences of consumers pre and post Covid, and their travel intent going forward reveals that 50 per cent of the respondents definitely plan to travel over the next three months while another 36 per cent indicated that they are considering travelling.
Stressing on the phenomenon of pent-up demand , especially among younger demographics, who have exhibited more resilience and optimism about travelling during the current festive season, the study suggests a notable increase in travel demand in the next three months.
Expressing confidence in air travel, individuals ranked travel by flight as one of the lowest Covid risk activities, safer than eating out or visiting a mall. As an even more gratifying testament, risk levels were rated even lower by those who have flown recently and experienced the evident efforts by airlines and airports to ensure safe and contactless travel. This is also validated by the high NPS scores AirAsia India has observed on the Covid-protection measures implemented on-ground as well as in-flight.
To sum up, the survey indicates that, ‘for those who intend to travel, flights and personal vehicles have increased as preferred modes of transport, gaining share from other modes of transport, specially train travel.’
Indian Government plans COVID-19 cover to woo foreign tourist
With an eye on restarting international tourism in 2021, the government is all set to rollout insurance policies for foreign tourists visiting India – covers that will include treatment for Covid-19. The plan, in the final stages of being firmed up, will see the tourism ministry facilitate tie-ups between Indian and International insurance companies. They will also work out mechanisms to get Indian hospitals empanelled with international insurance companies so that international tourists can use their insurance cover for obtaining treatment in India.
Statue of Unity (Tallest Statue in the World, Gujarat - India) attracts more tourists than Statue of Liberty
India’s Statue of Unity is one of the most celebrated structures in the country today. The statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the state of Gujarat is one of India’s most priced developments in recent years. Now, according to reports, the Statue of Unity is getting more tourist footfall than the Statue of Liberty.
The massive structure is the tallest statue in the world as of today, standing at 182 m tall. Located on the banks of the Narmada River in Gujarat’s Kevadia, it was completed in October 2018. The beautiful location makes it an even better experience. The statue stands on the banks of Narmada, while Vindyachal and Satpura ranges surround it.
Vistara eyes direct flights to USA
Vistara, an Indian full-service airline owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, is eyeing direct flights to the United States as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes demand for non-stop travel. While the specific timeframe and aircraft requirements are yet to be finalised, Vistara is studying various scenarios for starting direct flights.
By mid-2023, Vistara expects 20% to 30% of its total seat capacity to be deployed on international routes against earlier less than 10%.
Successful completion of speed trial of vistadome tourist coach
With rooftop glasses and seats that can rotate up to 180-degrees, the Indian Railways is making sure that train journeys are memorable for passengers onboard these newly-designed vistadome tourist coaches. The coach is also equipped with a Wi-Fi-based passenger information system. Some of the scenic routes on which these coaches would be operated by the Indian Railways are those operated by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Kashmir Valley, Araku Valley, Dadar and Madgaon, Kangra Valley Railway and Matheran Hill Railway.
Taj Hotels enters Darjeeling with Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa
Taj Group has entered Darjeeling in West Bengal with a Tea Estate resort located between Siliguri and Darjeeling in the foothills of the Darjeeling mountains. Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa, Darjeeling, is a 72-room resort within the Makaibari Tea Estate, home for the world’s first tea factory established in 1859.
The resort is spread in over 22 acres amidst the tea gardens with panoramic views of the rolling hills. The design of the resort itself is inspired by the meandering tea terraces and blends with nature.
Taj Chia Kutir offers choices in terms of culinary and F&B in Darjeeling. These include The Chia Veranda, the all-day diner; Sonargaon, the fine dining restaurant, offers North West frontier, Punjabi and Bengali cuisines. Guests can enjoy an elaborate high tea and tea tasting session with the Tea Sommelier at the charming Makaibari Tea Lounge. The elegant all-glass bar offers enchanting views of the tea gardens.
Jet Airways would be back in the skies by the Summer of 2021
The consortium of UAE-based businessman Murari Lal Jalan and London's Kalrock Capital - which has won the bid to revive Jet Airways - said it expects to start operating the airline by the summer of 2021. The consortium is awaiting the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) and other regulatory approvals, including reinstatement of slots and bilateral traffic rights by the civil aviation ministry and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
It is also planning to launch dedicated freighter services once the carrier takes off the ground again. The committee of creditors (CoC) has already approved the airline's revival plan submitted by the consortium in October.
Jet Airways was grounded on April 17 due to liquidity crisis and subsequently went into administration in June 2019.
"As per the resolution plan, Jet Airways intends to operate all of its historic domestic slots in India and restart international operations. The Jet 2.0 program is aimed at reviving the past glory of Jet Airways, with a fresh set of processes and systems to ensure greater efficiency and productivity across all routes.
"If everything goes as per plan and the Consortium receives the regulatory approvals on time, Jet Airways would be back in the skies by the Summer of 2021," the consortium said in a release.
Gwalior and Orchha in UNESCO World Heritage Cities list
Madhya Pradesh tourism is all set for a big overhaul with Gwalior and Orchha finding a place in list of UNESCO World Heritage Cities. The news is expected to boost sustainable development as well as tourism potential for both the cities. Both the cities have been included by UNESCO as a part of an urban planning project.
After getting included in the heritage city list, the face of Gwalior and Orchha will totally change and UNESCO along with the state tourism department will make a master plan for the beautification of the two places, the official said.
A UNESCO team will visit the state next year and after having a look at the heritage properties will prepare a master plan for their development and conservation.
