Category Archives: Associations

Lamenting about one crisis situation after another, Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, suggests that planning for crisis situations and risk assessing businesses has become absolutely imperative today. “It’s very important that we ensure that as individuals we keep ourselves absolutely fit and have reserves for at least 9-12 months so that even if all hell breaks loose, we can still sleep easy.”

In a significant step towards enhancing the visa application experience for Indian travellers, VFS Global, the world’s leading technology services specialist in secure mobility solutions, and the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) joined hands to successfully host a Visa Insights Workshop titled Consultant-to-Officer Dialogues in Hyderabad, Telangana, on 17 May 2025. The interactive session was attended by 40 travel agents from the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh chapters of TAAI and staff from the VFS Global Visa Application Centre. The workshop facilitated dialogue between travel consultants and VFS Global, promoting transparency and mutual understanding in the visa facilitation process. The event featured discussions on the end-to-end process of visa applications handled by VFS Global, focusing on operational best practices, process timelines, document requirements, and traveller preparedness. The workshop provided a platform for travel agents to share challenges they face while assisting clients with visa applications, allowing VFS Global to address concerns, clarify procedures, and explore opportunities for continuous improvement, leaving all participants with a sense of optimism for the future. Sunil Kumar, President, Travel Agents Association of India, said, “This joint knowledge-sharing workshop by TAAI and VFS Global, is among the firsts of its kind. This is a commendable initiative that strengthens the bridge between visa consultants from travel companies and VFS Global frontline employees. Such collaborative efforts not only enhance operational efficiency but also empower our industry professionals with deeper insights needed to deliver exceptional service to travellers, especially in an evolving travel environment. TAAI is truly delighted to have partnered with VFS Global in launching the Pilot Programme in Hyderabad, which was attended by 40 experienced visa consultants who had a dialogue with over 25 VFS Global frontline …

Designed as a dialogue to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and offer strategic insights for the road ahead in Indian tourism, ATOAI is all set to hold a virtual event ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends’ today (20 May) starting from 4 pm. The one-hour online dialogue will bring together the leaders in the Indian travel and tourism landscape.

Satish Sehrawat, President, ITTA and Bobby KS Sawhney, Hony. Secretary, ITTA, said that they are organising a series of workshops across India for transporters to expand the association’s outreach and membership base. “Following the success of the Agra event, we are now gearing up for our next workshop in Jaipur this June, with more planned in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bengaluru,”  added Sawhney.

In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory changes and shifting traveller expectations, the tourism industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. The ongoing Indo Pak conflict has understandably raised fresh concerns and cast a shadow over the tourism sector. Yet, time and again, history has proven that our industry is built not just on destinations, but on determination. Recognising the need for collective insight and decisive action, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is stepping up with a timely and thought-provoking virtual event ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends.’ Scheduled for Tuesday, 20 May 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST), this one-hour online dialogue will bring together some of the most respected voices in the Indian travel and tourism landscape. The session is designed as a dialogue to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and offer strategic insights for the road ahead. The panel will feature: Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI – an industry veteran known for his leadership in Tourism, Adventure Tourism and advocacy for sustainable travel; Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online, Inc. – a pioneer in digital travel platforms, offering a sharp perspective on evolving consumer behaviour and tech trends; Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI – a respected voice for travel agents and tour operators with deep knowledge of global travel dynamics. Together, these thought leaders will explore how the sector can embrace change—through innovation, sustainability and resilience—while addressing some of the most pressing questions facing the travel industry today. “The tourism industry has weathered many storms—and every time, we have emerged stronger. We are at another such inflection point, offering us the chance to pause, reset and reimagine,” said Ajeet Bajaj. This session is open …

PATA Annual Summit is set to be held at Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korea (ROK) from 11-13 May next year. This is the first time in PATA’s history that two cities will co-host the Summit. Kim Namil, President, GCTO, said, “Our goal is to make PAS 2026 more than just a tourism event — it will be a platform for sustainability, innovation, and human connections.”

The report ‘Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel’ by WTTC warns that unless the travel and tourism sector acts collectively, SAF mandates introduced by governments, requiring a 5% to 10% blend by 2030, could increase travel costs and limit consumer choice. With Travel and tourism forecast to generate $16.5 trillion and support over 460 million jobs by 2035, scaling up sustainable fuel is an economic imperative.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has expressed its solidarity for the Indian Armed Forces in fighting against the terrorism and the countries those who are supporting terrorism. Ravi Gosain, its President, says, “We as responsible citizens of our country stand with our commitment for the national integrity, peace, and responsible tourism. During recent conflict between India and Pakistan, the two countries Turkey and Azerbaijan openly supported Pakistan who promotes terrorism. Turkey provided military assistance to Pakistan against India. We urge the Government of India to take firm diplomatic steps, including issuing travel advisories against nations that continue to support or aid Pakistan either directly or indirectly.” He added that travel is not just an economic activity but reflects the values and ethics of a nation. “As responsible stakeholders in the tourism sector, we believe that India must send a strong message to the global community that any form of support to terrorism, masked as financial aid or humanitarian assistance is unacceptable. IATO stands united with the nation and supports decisions that uphold India’s sovereignty and honor. We urge our members to give careful thought to the destinations they promote and align their efforts with the broader national sentiment and demonstrate solidarity with our armed forces and the values they protect,” Gosain says.

Highlighting policy measures by the Civil Aviation Ministry supporting future success, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, adds, “While we can truly celebrate these achievements, we must not take for granted the continued success of India’s aviation future. There is more work to be done. In particular, I would highlight three areas: costs, airspace and sustainability.”

Underscoring the importance of choosing partners wisely and advocated for an industry-wide roundtable involving all major travel associations to redefine bilateral travel strategies, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “Tourism is more than revenue; it builds visibility, partnerships, and diplomacy. Ensure that India’s tourism strategy aligns with national sentiment and global positioning.”