Category Archives: Associations

Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural edition of ETAA Business Partners Meet 2024 which brought together over 100 travel agents and 25+ B2B partners including international and domestic tourism boards, hotels, DMCs, and VFS Global, the Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) is excited to announce the 2025 edition of this highly anticipated event on July 11, 2025 in Mumbai. Dharmesh Advani, ETAA National Board Member, shares, “This year, the response has been even more enthusiastic—all tables were sold out within two weeks. The event will feature engaging and informative presentations by Global Destinations, along with participation from leading DMCs, Malaysian tourism board, Airlines, and VFS. Our official insurance partner, Asego, will also be present to guide attendees on comprehensive travel insurance solutions.” The event is open to both ETAA Members and Non-Members — all B2C travel agents are welcome! Contact Abhijit Khadilkar at +919820092837 for more details or register directly here.

The 3-day OTOAI convention scheduled for 10 to 13 July in Moscow is just 10 days away!

FHRAI has announced revised dates for its 55 Annual Convention, now scheduled from 18-20 September at Conrad Bengaluru, instead of the earlier 12-14 September. The event will bring together over 1,000 industry leaders to chart the future of Indian hospitality through innovation, sustainability and collaboration.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) joined hands with Nexus DMC, launching the innovative NEXTAAl platform. This collaborative effort aims to revolutionise the travel industry, offering unparalleled benefits and opportunities to the association’s members. The aim is to empower travel excellence through this strategic partnership.

In a significant policy shift, VK Saxena, LG, Delhi has withdrawn the requirement for police-issued licences and NOCs for 7 trade categories, including hotels, motels, guest houses & eating houses. K B Kachru, President, HAI, hailed it as a landmark decision, stating it would boost Delhi’s appeal as a competitive & investment-friendly hospitality hub.

Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, Jammu & Kashmir, has said that they are planning to hold roadshows in the remaining part of the year to increase their interaction with the associations.” A calendar of roadshows has been submitted to Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister & Tourism Minister, J&K. Once he approves, it will start.”

Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, said the recent US travel advisory is unlikely to impact inbound tourism significantly. “The advisory covers areas not on regular tourist itineraries. Most American tourists visit Rajasthan, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka—not Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand,” he explained. Gosain added that “J&K has always been under the ‘Do Not Travel’ category, so it’s not new.” On Northeast India, he said, “Tourists usually stick to capital cities like Guwahati or those in Nagaland and Meghalaya, which are exempted.” He emphasised that organised leisure travel from the US remains unaffected by the advisory.

Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, says, “IATO members, after visiting Kashmir, as part of ‘Rubaroo with J&K’, will be better equipped to apprise their clients about the on-ground situation in the valley and how safe it is.” The association’s 22-member delegation is visiting Pahalgam and Srinagar to promote the destination after the unfortunate terror attack.

IATO has taken a delegation of 22 members to Pahalgam & Srinagar, as part of its ‘Rubaroo with J&K’ initiative with an idea to revive tourism in the valley after the unfortunate terror attack some time back. In fact, LG, J&K has announced the reopening of many destinations in Pahalgam.

TAAI President Sunil Kumar announced a series of initiatives to revive tourism in Jammu & Kashmir. These include member and media meetings across 20 regional chapters, a special ‘Family and Friends’ package by the TAAI J&K Chapter, and a dedicated session on Kashmir at the TAAI Convention 2025. To enhance travel confidence, TAAI will also produce promotional videos and content highlighting the region’s offerings and safety, encouraging wider participation in the revival of Kashmir tourism.