KTM Virtual 2021 meet to be held from March 1 to March 5 By TBM Staff | Mumbai
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the March 1-5 virtual Kerala Travel Mart 2021 (KTM), an event hat will give an aggressive push to the stateâs tourism that suffered a huge blow in the wake of the COVID pandemic but is now showing signs of resurgence.
This is for the first time that the event, which ensures a stellar convergence of domestic and foreign buyers in the vital sector, is being held virtually and in strict observance of the pandemic protocols.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran will chair the inaugural function at the Uday Palace Convention Centre at Kowdiar in the heart of the city on February 28 at 7.30 pm. Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac will be the chief guest at the ceremony being organised by KTM Society, which is Indiaâs biggest organisation in the travel and tourism segment.
Airlines not expected to turn cash positive until 2022: IATA By TBM Staff | Mumbai
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released new analysis showing that the airline industry is expected to remain cash negative throughout 2021. Previous analysis (November 2020) indicated that airlines would turn cash positive in the fourth quarter of 2021. At the industry level, airlines are now not expected to be cash positive until 2022.
Estimates for cash burn in 2021 have ballooned to the USD 75 billion to USD 95 billion range from a previously anticipated USD 48 billion. The following factors play into this estimate:
⢠Weak Start for 2021: It is already clear that the first half of 2021 will be worse than earlier anticipated. This is because governments have tightened travel restrictions in response to new COVID-19 variants. Forward bookings for summer (July-August) are currently 78% below levels in February 2
Lakshadweep plans to develop cruise tourism
Aimed at generating employment opportunities and simultaneously bringing foreign exchange to Lakshadweep, a proposal for cruise tourism has been prepared by the Union Territory (UT) government to match the model already being facilitated for tourists in Maldives and Mauritius.
In its proposal, the UT administration has informed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding its plan for fabrication of a dedicated tourist ship in the islands.
The Lakshadweep administration has also prepared a draft policy for promotion and tourism in the UT along with the proposal for the Cruise tourism, which refers to holidays that are entirely or partly based on a cruise ship.
UK plans new Tech Visas to boost fintech: Report
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is planning to lay out details of new fast-track âTech Visasâ in his Budget statement next month as part of efforts to boost the UKâs financial technology industry, according to a UK media report.
The senior Cabinet Minister has drawn up details for the scheme to attract global talent to UK start-ups and its GBP 7-billion fintech sector, proposals which are said to have the backing of his boss â UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. âThe Daily Telegraphâ quoted Whitehall sources with knowledge of the plans to say that the new visas are likely to be approved by Tech Nation, Britainâs national network representing tech entrepreneurs. âThe final details are still being drawn up, but insiders expect it will be similar to the Global Talent Visa announced last year to attract the worldâs leading scientists to Britain,â th