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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Reviving tourism: Travel agents from across India to converge in Kashmir this weekend
Reviving tourism: Travel agents from across India to converge in Kashmir this weekend NEW DELHI: Travel agents from across the country will converge in Kashmir this weekend in a bid to revive tourism there following this once-thriving industry's near-total collapse after the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), which is one of the country's biggest umbrella organisations for agents with over 1,600 members, is holding its meeting in Srinagar and Pahalgam from June 13-16 to instill confidence among the fraternity. 'Our members from all over the country will go to Kashmir and assess the situation for themselves. Once and if they feel confident about the place and about the safety & security of tourists, they will again start presenting Kashmir as a destination,' said TAFI VP Anil Kalsi, adding, 'We will be staying across hotels, including houseboats, and have meetings with govt representatives. Airlines will also be a part of this meeting we are having in Kashmir. ' Srinagar hotels and flights commanded a big premium before the Pahalgam attack as Kashmir was seeing unprecedented tourist footfalls post Covid. But after the April 22 attack, tourists already there left Kashmir in droves and those who had plans to visit cancelled the same. 'What happened in Pahalgam was tragic and shocking beyond words. Authorities there need to regain confidence and trust of tourists for the latter to return there,' said a Delhi-based travel agent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo If the agents' meet finds the situation safe enough for that to happen, what incentives will the local hotels and airlines offer for tourists to return? 'The near complete collapse of demand has left airfares and hotel tariffs at near bottom levels, so prices are very low. Gulmarg's Khyber, for instance, used to have daily tariffs of about Rs 75,000 which are now down to Rs 21-22,000 and the hotel is offering packages,' said Kalsi. J & K is currently focussed on ensuring a safe Amarnath Yatra as they hope that will send out a message that tourists can return to Kashmir. The yatra duration has been curtailed to 38 days, instead of 52 days in 2024, and will be on between July 3 and Aug 9, 2025. A total of 581 companies from various Central Armed Police Forces, along with personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, will be deployed along the pilgrimage routes to ensure safety of the lakhs of pilgrims. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Philippines now visa-free for Indian tourists
Philippines now visa-free for Indian tourists NEW DELHI: Philippines has joined the increasing ranks of countries that have become visa-free for Indian tourists from Sunday. Post-Covid, several places have gone either visa-free or visa-on-arrival to attract the high-spending desi tourists. These include Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka (free electronic visa), Seychelles, Maldives, Philippines, Indonesia (visa on arrival) and Hong Kong (online pre-clearance required), according to Travel Agents Federation of India VP Anil Kalsi. 'Indian nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible and non-convertible period of 14 days for tourism purposes, upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, confirmed hotel accommodation/ booking, proof of financial capacity, and return or onward ticket to the next country of destination,' according to the website of the embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi. The reason for this change is also stated clearly: 'enhancing tourism arrivals from India.' 'Indian nationals holding valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom (AJACSSUK) visas or residence permits may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible period of 30 days for tourism, upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, and return or onward ticket to the next country of destination,' it adds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Forget To Block Ads Before Sunday Lifestyle Tech Tips Click Here Undo These updated visa-free privileges for Indian nationals can be availed of at any Philippine port of entry, and are not convertible to a visa-based stay or other admission status categories. Indian nationals must also not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in order to be admitted into the country without a visa. 'Indian nationals transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities are required to apply for an appropriate Philippine visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country or origin, place of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian nationals. Indian nationals who are eligible for e-Visas may also apply through the official Philippine e-Visa website . The DFA reminds that e-Visas may not be extended or converted to other visa-based stay or other admission status categories,' the embassy says. India has seen a spurt in outbound travel post-Covid by its nationals, while foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) to the country are yet to return to 2019 levels. In 2024, India is provisionally estimated to have received about 97 lakh FTAs, about 1.4% more than the previous year. India had crossed the 1-crore FTA mark for the first time in 2017 and had peaked at 1.1 crore in 2019. On the other hand, more Indians are travelling to foreign shores than they did in pre-Covid times. Barring the West, other countries — especially in Southeast Asia — are going all out to woo the high-spending desi globetrotters by majorly simplifying visas to boost their economies. The travel industry in India is requesting Govt to take steps to help boost inbound numbers that will create much-needed jobs and earn forex.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US B1/B2 visa wait time exceeds 1 year for Indians: Report
Despite the US fully resuming visa operations, demand for tourist and business (B1/B2) visas continues to far exceed available appointment slots, creating major backlogs across US consulates in India. According to an Aviation News report, wait times have hit critical levels, stretching from 7.5 to 13.5 months in Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Chennai has the longest delay, at 13.5 months, causing many to miss urgent events. These prolonged delays are disrupting travel for family functions, weddings, business events, and even emergencies. Priority appointments remain limited, offering little relief even in urgent cases. The report quoted a homemaker trying to travel to New York for a wedding, who said the earliest available slot was only in March next year, well after the event. The situation is similar in Delhi and Mumbai, where wait times have exceeded nine months, making timely access to B1/B2 visa appointments increasingly difficult for applicants nationwide. Business travellers are among the worst hit. With no clear or predictable appointment system, applicants are left checking the portal repeatedly without success, making travel planning extremely difficult. While general applicants face year-long waits, limited priority slots are mainly allocated to emergency cases and student visa categories. Faheem Sheikh, Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana), told Aviation News that most summer priority appointments are being given to F1 student visa applicants preparing for the upcoming academic year in the US. The US on Monday announced visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of Indian travel agencies accused of knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. The State Department stated that Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work daily across the embassy and consulates to identify and target those involved in illegal immigration, human smuggling, and trafficking. It added that these visa restrictions are being imposed to disrupt networks that facilitate illegal immigration and that the US will continue taking similar actions to cut off such operations. The Department emphasised that US immigration policy aims both to warn foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration and to hold accountable those who violate the law, including facilitators of illegal entry. This visa restriction policy is global and applies even to individuals eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. When asked for details about the travel agencies or individuals affected, a US embassy official in New Delhi declined to provide specific information.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
US Visa Appointment Delays Leave City Residents in Limbo
Hyderabad: Planning a trip to the United States for leisure or work? Be prepared to wait—possibly for over a year. Applicants across Indian metros are facing unprecedented delays in securing appointment slots for B1/B2 (business and tourist) visas, with wait times stretching from several months to more than 13 months in some cities. In Hyderabad, the earliest available appointment is 7.5 months away. Delhi and Mumbai fare worse, with average wait times of 9 and 9.5 months respectively. Chennai tops the list with a staggering delay of 13.5 months—crossing the one-year mark. "I was hoping to travel to the US for my nephew's wedding in August but the earliest date I'm getting is next March," said a homemaker. "It's heartbreaking. We've planned the trip for months, and now everything's up in the air. " For business travellers, the delay is proving to be more than just inconvenient—it's becoming a financial hurdle. "I had multiple conferences lined up this year, but I have already had to cancel two," said an entrepreneur from the city. "What's frustrating is the complete lack of clarity. You keep checking the website, but it's like a game of chance." While students and emergency travelers are given limited priority slots, the general applicants looking to visit family, attend events, or explore travel opportunities are left stranded. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 Reasons to Plug This Into Your Home Today elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The prolonged wait times are also affecting those with urgent personal reasons to travel. "My daughter is giving birth in October, and I was hoping to be there for her," said 65-year-old, from Sindhi Colony. "But the next date is in February. I don't understand why it's taking so long." With summer travel plans already on hold for many, there is growing frustration among applicants who say they feel stuck with no clear solution in sight. "This is usually the time students are given priority. Until appointment timelines improve, we can only wait, and keep refreshing the portals," said Faheem Sheikh, chairman, Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana).
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hyderabad students struggle to secure US visa appointments as deadlines loom
1 2 Hyderabad: With the May intake approaching, many students bound for the US are still struggling to secure visa appointments, with available slots pushed more than two months ahead. This comes despite the US consulate's recent announcement of thousands of additional visa slots, which were booked almost instantly. Hyderabad-based students, whose colleges are set to begin in early June, remain in limbo as they wait for interview current wait time for F1 visa appointments exceeds two months. Hyderabad leads with a 75-day wait, followed by Kolkata and New Delhi at just over 60 days, while Chennai has a 45-day waiting period."I have to reach by the first week of June, but here I am, not even getting dates. My consultants also don't have much idea. I've already received my I20. I'm clueless at this point as to what to do next," said Randheer K from the city, who is also heading for a master's in data echo the same anxiety. "Chennai has a waiting period of a little over a month, but when they open slots, it's just five or ten at a time, usually for the next day. It's impossible to catch them," said Mahendra B, who is planning to pursue his master's in Data Science in New York. "I've been waiting for over two months now, I don't know how I'll manage to reach on time," he consultancies acknowledged that while such slot shortages are typical, students usually manage to secure appointments at least a month before departure. This time, however, many are already in their month of departure with no slot in sight."Even we do not have much details. In fact, the ones who are receiving the slot, most visas are being rejected. January intake was the worst for us, and this does not look any different. Over 300 students scheduled to leave by June are waiting for the visa slots," said Arvind Manduva from a registered consultancy in the Yuvaraj from another registered consultancy in the city added that it is better to plan early. "Students should start applying at least six months before to avoid last-minute rush. The situation is very different now from earlier now. There are multiple levels of scrutiny and it will only increase, hence starting the process as early as possible is advisable," he the Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana) added that the system is severely short-staffed. "Between May and August, only student visas are usually processed, but this time even F1 slots are scarce and the waiting periods are long. The immigration authorities have 52 counters, but only 50% of them are operational. That means fewer people to process the growing number of applicants," said Abdul Majid Faheem, chairman of the federation.
