Category Archives: Associations

According to UNWTO, the tourism sector’s swift recovery has continued into 2023. It shows that overall, international arrivals reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2023. An estimated 235 million tourists traveled internationally in the first three months, more than double the same period of 2022.

Sharing his views on the immediate repercussions of Go First bankruptcy, Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, says, “Aviation is a business fraught with uncertainties. With capacity being pulled out after the Go First airline development, airfares will increase further, especially since we are in the peak holiday season.”

Sharing a concern of his members, Ajay Prakash, TAFI President, wrote to Kaushik Khona, CEO of Go First, requesting that the refunds for canceled flights be effected as a direct credit to the agents’ bank accounts, rather than being placed in a credit shell. He wrote, “It is not possible for them to refund the money until it is received from your airline. You do this and the entire travel agent fraternity will stand by you and completely support your airline as soon as it takes off again.”

Sharing a concern of his members, Ajay Prakash, TAFI President, wrote to Kaushik Khona, CEO of Go First, requesting that the refunds for canceled flights be effected as a direct credit to the agents’ bank accounts, rather than being placed in a credit shell. He wrote, “It is not possible for them to refund the money until it is received from your airline. You do this and the entire travel agent fraternity will stand by you and completely support your airline as soon as it takes off again.”

Riaz Munshi, president, OTOAI said, “There is a significant change in travelling pattern, travellers are now taking multiple trips during the year. They prefer to travel for more number of days, explore newer destinations and uncover off-the-beaten track experiences”. 

Inbound tourism to India is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 12 per cent from 2022 to 2027, driven by rising disposable incomes, growth of the middle class, and increasing awareness of India as a tourist destination, revealed a report by Nangia Andersen in association with FICCI.

CAPA India has said that India should urgently introduce mechanisms to institutionalise consumer protection, providing full refunds in the event of airline closure, along the lines of @ATOLprotected in the UK, which is run by the @UK_CAA). CAPA India has been recommending this since 2011: CAPA India

IATO President Rajiv Mehra has written to the Prime Minister requesting him to restore the Service Export Incentive Scheme (SEIS). As an alternative to this, IATO suggested the introduction of a scheme in the new Foreign Trade Policy, as the inbound tourism sector is still suffering and needs hand holding by the government. Additionally, the association seeks roll back of TCS of 20% to 5% on Overseas Tour Packages announced in the Union Budget.

Jobs portal, Indeed, reveals the top job roles highlighting a remarkable increase in job opportunities in the hospitality sector, in the duration of March 2022 to March 2023. With a growth of about 60% in job posting and 20.10% increase in job seeker interest on the platform (clicks), the career opportunities in this industry are flourishing.

MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, believes that to attract medical tourists, maintaining global standards is a primary requisite. “Thematic creatives on niche tourism products like medical tourism are being used in government campaigns to cater to diverse consumer interests,” he adds.