Category Archives: Associations

Sharing his goals, if elected as the President of IATO, Lally Mathews, representing Team for Change said IATO should have representation from different regions & states in the decision making the process of the EC. “If elected, the priority would be to amend the constitution for inclusive participation of regional chapters. We need to empower regions and make them part of the decision-making process,” he said.

TAAI has announced that it will conduct its Tourism Conclave this year at the Statue Of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat from March 9 to March 12, 2021. It is being organised in association with Gujarat Tourism. TAAI will announce more details about the event such as focus, speakers and theme soon. The venue had recently hosted the ADTOI annual convention.

Reiterating that IATO has always been and will always remain a national apex body of the industry, Rajiv Mehra, contesting for the IATO President from the Team Moving Forward in the upcoming IATO Elections on 6th March said that it’s wrong to say that IATO is a Delhi-centric association. “For some years now, we have had chairmen of our chapters across the country who have been very active. Plus, there are Regional Chapter Chairmen in all regions. All are equally involved and doing their job wonderfully. When the notice for elections goes out, every member is entitled equally to volunteer, to participate, to nominate themselves, No one has ever stopped anyone from any part of the country from being part of the election process. So it is very wrong to say IATO is Delhi centric. We very pan India in everything we do,” he said. “Change for the sake of change is very easy and also very dangerous. I and my team are very experienced and committed to serving IATO members. My team has individuals who over the years have made very good relationships and understanding with various Government bodies be it the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Finance, Civil Aviation. Besides this, we also enjoy very good relations with bodies like FICCI, CII, PHD etc. We have the full understanding of issues being faced by all of us and we promise to deliver. I am confident of this,” he further said. Sharing more inputs, Mehra said, “We have already shared the highlights of our efforts and achievements by email to the entire active membership. You can gauge our capabilities from the glimpses of our document. Equally, you can assess our …

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel and hospitality industry of India (ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) & cause partner AIRDA in association with Ministry of Tourism and KPMG as its Knowledge Partner, kick-started it’s annual India Tourism Mart (ITM) with a physical inauguration today. India Tourism Mart – ITM, which is a buyer-seller meet is taking place in a virtual format from 18th – 20th Feb 2021. In his inaugural address, Subhash Goyal, Chairman – ITM 2021 and Hony. Secretary, FAITH emphasised how the year gone by was the darkest in the history of mankind and tourism was the worst hit where the travel fraternity was literally left hanging from a thread. He urged the industry to come together and consolidate their efforts for the revival of tourism in India. “For us to revive the tourism industry and save millions of jobs, we look forward three key actions from our policymakers – re-starting of e-tourist visas; reinstatement of scheduled international flights, at least to those countries with which India has air-bubble arrangements, with the necessary precautions on safety to allow willing travellers the opportunity to travel again and modification of policies to help subsidise or reduce the financial burden on the sector.” Reiterating Goyal’s viewpoint, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said, “We have already started issuing medical visas and we are planning to soon restart E-Tourist Visas and schedule International flights in a phased manner. On a reciprocal basis, first with those countries with whom we have an air bubble agreement. …

TAFI’s Western India Chapter organised a meet-up at Sula Wines, Nashik with about 45 members attended the event, led by Chapter Chairman Jitul Mehta, where they tasted wine and learnt about wine making and bottling from Sula experts. The team also discussed its agenda on the future of travel and the update on current scenario in terms of business.

Speaking on the sidelines of ADTOI’s annual convention at Kevadia, PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, said, “We should all go for ‘Vocal for Local’ and bring make all efforts to promote domestic tourism. Gujarat Tourism has developed Kevadia and it is one of the best upcoming MICE facility in the country. The city has everything – all amenities and great connectivity. MICE travel in India should be incentivised. This is the time to grab all corporates from India for events.”

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, in his address at the 10th ADTOI Convention has said that Kevadia is the most powerful example of how tourism can improve the standard of living of all. He also added that things are returning to normal in the last quarter of this financial year, adding that 2020 was unprecedented in many ways. Singh also informed that constant discussions are going on with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Health Ministry to relax the ban on tourist visas and the right decision will be taken in this matter when the appropriate time comes.

PATA India Chapter team had a meeting with Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, who would also be the Chairman, PATA India Chapter. There were discussions on important matters in inbound travel, and some of the points included that there is a need to promote summer markets as soon as possible, which shall be supported with virtual roadshows. The team also suggested free visa for tourists for a year; and reduced entrance fee to monuments that will attract tourists.

Sharing his immediate agenda if elected as the new President of IATO, Rajiv Mehra, MD, Uday Tours & Travel said he will get the membership fee waived off for members for 2021-2022 as soon as possible. Another priority he mentioned is a WhatsApp group within 7 days post results, where members can get all important information and communication from the association. He further  said that his team’s target is to get SEIS for the tour operators for the next 5 years by getting it included in Foreign Trade Policy 2021-25 and to remove the requirement of minimum Rs. 2 crores turnover of foreign exchange earnings in MDA Guidelines for overseas promotion

ADTOI, with support from MOT, is all set to kick-off its 10th Annual Convention today with support from Ministry of Tourism at Kevadia, Gujarat. The inauguration ceremony will start at 5pm today, and will be graced by the presence of Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State, Tourism & Culture. The business sessions will begin tomorrow, which will see Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism addressing a session on ‘Role of Aviation in Promotion of Tourism’. Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism will moderate a session on ‘Technology is Future-Travel Real from Virtual’.