THE UK has lifted its travel advisory for visits to key tourist areas in Kashmir such as Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh in the wake of improvements in the area’s security.

This makes the UK the third country to withdraw its travel advisory for Kashmir, following Germany and Japan in 2011, though it remains intact for travel to remote areas of the region.

Meanwhile, the US, Australia, New Zealand and several European countries still have travel advisories in place.

To further initiate dialogue with other trade players, negate the threat perception and persuade other countries to do away with travel advisories, Jammu & Kashmir Tourism is participating in roadshows in several countries.

Reacting to the news, P P Khanna, director of Diplomatic Travel Point New Delhi, said: “The withdrawal of the UK’s travel advisory on Kashmir will open the floodgates (of tourists) as the country is a prime source market for inbound tourists to India.

“Surely, other countries will follow suit now that the perception of insecurity in travel to Kashmir has been dispelled. Kashmir is and will continue to be a prime tourist destination in India.”

In 1H2012, Kashmir received 14,500 foreign tourists, a 24 per cent rise over the same period last year.

THE UK’s unpopular UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) came under fire on Monday night at the House of Commons, with travel industry leaders calling for a freeze on its planned increase and a reduction in duty levels.

Hosted by PATA CEO Martin Craigs, the dinner saw 50 global business leaders, members of parliament, ministers and international press come together in an aligned advocacy event aiming to draw attention to unfair taxation and travel-related schemes that were hurting tourism, especially UK outbound to longhaul destinations.

The UK APD is levied on outbound passengers and is said to be the world’s highest tax by a wide margin. The tax has also risen 140 per cent for economy class passengers and 325 per cent for business class passengers since 2007, and will be increased further next year.

According to Craigs, 73 per cent of PATA member destinations were in the two most heavily taxed bands of the UK APD.

An economy passenger from the UK flying to Australia has to pay 92 pounds (US$147) in taxes, while a business class passenger has to fork out 184 pounds. These amounts are to be revised to 94 and 188 pounds respectively come April 2013.

Craigs said the UK APD had turned away tourism and trade from Asia-Pacific, the world’s highest growing economic region.

“It is now time for a ‘declaration of interdependence’ among travel industry bodies. The travel industry is being victimised disproportionately by this tax. It negatively impacts travel industry jobs in the UK and abroad at a time when we desperately need to create growth,” he said.

“The best is yet to come, as we cajole and, where necessary, coerce political non-believers and short-termers into realising that travel and tourism is the fastest job-creating industry in the world.”

AMADEUS today launched Mobile Access, a browser-based mobile device reservation solution that allows travel consultants to make bookings on the go.

Rolled out in India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan, this is the smartphone and tablet version of Amadeus Selling Platform.

Powered by Resbird Technologies, India, Mobile Access enables travel experts to access a range of travel content, such as fare quotes, bookings, PNR creation, modification and cancellation, ticketing and sales reports across air, cars and hotels.

Bruno des Fontaines, vice president, business solutions, Amadeus Asia-Pacific, said: “As consumers increasingly look to travel comparison sites and even direct bookings to arrange their travel, Mobile Access helps travel agencies maximise sales, efficiency and customer service in a highly competitive environment.

“Not only does the tool support new sales, but it allows travel (consultants) to provide a premium service to existing customers, ensuring customer loyalty with no additional cost involved.”

JAPAN Airlines (JAL) and Bangkok Airways (PG) will launch their codeshare tie-up on November 15, applicable on selected flights between three airports in Japan and Bangkok operated by JAL, as well as between Bangkok and four destinations in Asia on PG.

Customers on both airlines travelling from Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports and Osaka’s Kansai airport will see a smoother transit through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and onward to Mumbai, Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai and vice versa.

The two carriers have also linked their mileage programmes, enabling members on both sides to redeem award tickets on either airline for departures on or after November 15.

All reservations, sales and redemptions for codeshare flights and award tickets begin November 8.

PG’s senior vice president, network management, Peter Wiesner, said: “This new partnership will offer better flight connectivity for passengers travelling from longhaul routes with Japan Airlines to Bangkok for their onward journey to Mumbai.

“Moreover, Thailand’s key destinations, namely Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai, always have great potential, which attracts a large number of tourists, especially Japanese.”

TAUZIA Hotel Management has launched economy brand Yello Hotels to complement its midscale Harris Hotels and the budget Pop! Hotels.

Yello Hotels – which takes its name from the word ‘hello’ – is targeted at today’s middle-class, Internet-savvy travellers, who make up 60 per cent of Indonesia’s population. The hotel’s design and décor are based on the concept of street art to reflect values like freedom of expression.

Rooms will feature king-size beds with 100 per cent cotton linen, while other offerings include free Wi-Fi, tablet corners and a healthy breakfast.

The group expects to operate 20 hotels under this brand, with four under construction: one in Jakarta, one in Bali and two in Surabaya. All are expected to open by end-2015.

Tauzia Hotel Management president director, Marc Steinmeyer, said: “We want to have a network of hotels in major cities and also in resort areas.The properties can range from 80 to more than 400 rooms, depending on the location and potential demand. Public facilities such as swimming pools will be optional depending on the location.”

While younger travellers are the main target group and direct bookings will be an important source of business, Yello Hotels will still use travel consultants and OTAs.