On behalf of the industry – Indian Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of India have welcomed the relaxations given in the new guidelines, especially removing clause of seven days home quarantine for international arrivals.
Recently, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has issued revised guidelines (Covid-19) for international arrivals, removing the category of ‘At Risk’ countries – introduced when the Omicron Covid variant emerged, and also recommending self-monitoring of 14 days for symptoms against the current seven days of home quarantine.
Sharing his views on the recent development, IATO’s President Rajiv Mehra says, “Besides this relief, list of high risk countries has also been removed, which is good for us as there were some key source markets in the list of high risk countries.” He has appealed that the guideline further be liberalised in next 10 days making it foreign tourist friendly.
IATO President thanked Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism and the entire team in the Ministry for supporting the industry in getting the guidelines revised from MoHFW.
Furthermore, IATO has now reminded the concerned Ministries for resumption of normal schedule International Flight Operations as per bilateral agreement which was in force before March 2020.
“Presently there are only limited air bubble flights operating to some selected countries and airfare is very high. Once normal international flight operation is resumed, airfares will come down drastically, and foreign tourists will start travelling to India,” Mehra mentioned.
Speaking on the same lines, Jyoti Mayal, President of TAAI says, “A special appreciation goes to the Ministry of Tourism from the travel-trade for their sincere and well-coordinated efforts to help combat aftermath of the pandemic and revival of businesses.”
“TAAI communicated with the Ministry of Health keeping the External Affairs, Home, and Tourism in the loop to consider waiving off the quarantine request. A much-awaited move will certainly boost the morale of travellers planning to visit India, and open up employment and business opportunities for the fraternity which is on the verge of collapse,” she added.
“To ensure that Indian tourism can regain and then build on its market share of 1% which was pre – covid in the global inbound travel, such a move shall infuse confidence in the industry, as well as the travellers, to look at India as a must-visit destination, especially post-pandemic,” said Jay Bhatia, Vice President.
