Indian Government has mandated unrestricted domestic travel, international travel likely to catch up fast.
The Indian Government has mandated the States to do away with any restrictions on the movement of persons within the country. The policy of unrestricted travel first announced in Unlock 2 has been reiterated in Unlock 3 and 4 guidelines and the States are now lifting restrictions like e-passes, COVID-19 tests and quarantine, etc.
The States who allow unrestricted access are likely to benefit from huge pent-up demand, as the air, rail and road transport is also opening up.
Countries are also preparing to open up as the risk perceptions of travel have considerably subsided. Though it may be while before full normalcy is established, countries that open faster and with least restrictions are likely to tap into the pent-up demand in the coming season.
ReCONNECT, the virtual B2B travel trade exhibition launched by the organisers of India’s leading travel trade show OTM will see 3000+ travel industry professionals come together virtually on 18 th September.
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and Kenya Tourism Board have joined ReConnect as Premium Partner Countries. Tourism Fiji and Spain Tourism are Official Partners while Bangladesh is the Partner Country. Singapore Tourism Board is exhibiting as the Feature Country. Frankfurt Tourism, Visit Brussels and Zagreb Tourist Board will also be present as Feature Destinations for the first time.
Destinations like Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Ethiopia, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand, Zimbabwe and many others will be represented at the event. Amongst Indian States, Gujarat Tourism will be present as the Premium Partner State. The Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India is also setting up a virtual booth at ReConnect, extending its vital support for reopening tourism.
Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has joined in the capacity of the Hospitality Partner. STIC Travel Group is the Official Partner while helloGTX and Technogram are the Travel Technology Partners. OneAbove has come onboard as the DMC Partner.
ReCONNECT will take place on a proprietary virtual platform that allows ease of doing business where destinations can e-meet with their buyers and media to rebuild confidence and re-energise travel. Using the AI-powered Smart Matchmaking tool, sellers can connect with the most relevant buyers for digital networking. Virtual brand promotion, video conferencing and screen sharing are all a part of ReCONNECT.
Over 2,500 buyers have registered for the virtual event. Travel agents, corporate buyers, wedding planners and event managers comprise a diverse base of buyers interested in meeting with 200+ B2B suppliers representing 500+ destinations
from 18 countries in the virtual show.
The event is also hosting a global Conference Programme with the best minds of travel & tourism from India, Asia and beyond. Leaders from Bidroom, Genesys Digital, Lonely Planet India, Reliance, SAP Concur, Travelstop, Thomas Cook are going to discuss travel in a post-COVID world.
ReCONNECT is supported by travel associations like TAAI, TAFI, OTOAI, ADTOI, MTOA, IATTE, Skal International Mumbai South, IATO, ETAA, SATA, GTAA, TOSG, TAAN, VTA, ATAA, TAAS, TAG, TTAUP, HHTDN, EHTTOA, SIGTOA, TTAA, TAAP, UTEN, TLC, SGTCA and TAHAT.
The virtual event is designed to provide the long-awaited booster shot to the Indian travel trade community and their global partners, in the wake of lockdowns.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.