Two nominations have been filed for the post of Sr. Vice President  of Indian Association of Tour Operators, while three nominations have been received for the post of Vice President. Two nominations each have been filed for both Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer’s positions and a total of four nominations have been filed for the position of Honorary Joint Secretary. IATO elections are scheduled for April 23, 2016. Some candidates have filed nominations for multiple positions and will have to retain only one position for which they want to contest. Hence they need to withdraw their names by 3 pm, March 22, 2016.

The nominees for the post of IATO President are: E.M. Najeeb, Maharaj I.S. Wahi, Pronab Sarkar, Sarab Jit Singh, and Vijay Thakur. The nominations were opened on March 17, 2016 by Akshay Kumar, Returning Officer, IATO Elections 2016 in front of the Executive Committee. The last date for withdrawal for nominations is March 22, 2016 and the elections are scheduled to be held on April 23, 2016.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during February 2016 were 8.47 lakh as compared to FTAs of 7.61 lakh during February 2015 and 7.56 lakh in February 2014. There has been a growth of 11.3% in February 2016 over February 2015. FTAs during the period January-February 2016 were 16.91 lakh with a growth of 9.0% as compared to the FTAs of 15.52 lakh with a growth of 2.5% in January-February 2015 over January-February 2014.The Percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during February, 2016 among the top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (12.96%) followed by USA (12.94%), UK (12.45%), Canada (4.71%), Sri Lanka (3.86%), Germany (3.51%), France (3.46%), Malaysia (3.34%), China (3.08%), Russian Federation (3.07%), Australia (2.69%), Japan (2.37%), Thailand (2.28%), Nepal (1.69%) and Afghanistan (1.65%). The Percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during February 2016 among the top 15 ports was highest at Delhi Airport (32.33%) followed by Mumbai Airport (17.24%), Chennai Airport (7.33%), Haridaspur Land check post (6.98%), Bangalore Airport (5.66%), Goa Airport (4.52%), Kolkata Airport (4.21%), Hyderabad Airport (2.69%), Cochin Airport (2.65%), Ahmedabad Airport (2.18%), Gede Rail (2.00%), Sonauli Land check post (1.58%), Trivendrum Airport (1.48%), Amritsar Airport (1.44%) and Tiruchirapalli Airport (1.27%). Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) during February 2016 were Rs 13,627 crore as compared to Rs. 11,642 crore in February 2015 and Rs. 11,510 crore in February 2014. The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms during February 2016 over February 2015 was 17.1% as compared to the growth of 1.1% in February 2015 over February 2014. FEEs from tourism in rupee terms during January-February 2016 were Rs. 27,296 crore with a growth of 15.0% as compared to the FEE …

Mid-market travel, which is a key growth segment for the region’s hospitality and tourism sector, has been selected as the official show theme for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016, which will take place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from April 25-28, 2016. “Data released by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) revealed that up to 50% of the 3,600 new hotel rooms to enter the Dubai market in the final months of 2015 have a 3-star or lower rating, while competitive room rates are set to rival the luxury market, as 69% to have four stars or less according to research,” said Nadege Noblet-Segers, Exhibition Manager, Arabian Travel Market. “This will add much-needed midscale room stock to the emirate’s hotel landscape, where three-star or below room supply only accounted for 29% of total availability in the first quarter of 2015,” she added. Destinations like Dubai are already putting in place programs to encourage investment into midmarket hotels such as the release of government land plots for three and four-star hotel projects, speeding up of the construction permit approval process to just two months, and the waiver of the 10% municipality room tax for four years upon completion. Dubai currently has a total hotel key count of approximately 94,000. This figure is set to rise to between 140,000 and 160,000 keys by 2020 with around 20% set to target the mid-market hotel sector. A host of global hotel brands and local UAE-based operators are targeting the aggressive brand expansion in this area, especially after the latest Knight Frank report. The study revealed that the Dubai segment showed a year-on-year RevPAR increase of 0.5% during the first quarter of the year, …

The inaugural day of the India Aviation 2016 saw Air India sign an agreement with ALAFCO, a Kuwait based leasing company for leasing 14 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The delivery of aircraft is likely to start from early next year. The historic agreement was signed between Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani and the Vice Chairman and CEO of ALAFCO Ahmad Al Zabin in the presence of CEO of CFM Paul Abanga and Philippe Combet Vice President Sales and his team from Airbus. This induction will augment Air India’s capacity in domestic market. Air India already has strong infrastructure maintenance facilities for the Airbus A320 family. The partnership between Air India and Airbus dates back to 1989 when the erstwhile Indian Airlines became the launch customer to induct the Airbus A320. Speaking on the momentous occasion Ashwani Lohani CMD Air India said, “This is a very important partnership for Air India. The A320 aircraft will add strength to our existing fleet and enhance our role as a major player in the domestic market.” These A320neo aircraft will come fitted with the new generation CFM leap engines which will reduce noise and emissions, enhance the operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption by at least 15% while offering the passengers the best in class comfort. Air India and CFM enjoy a long standing partnership as CFM engines are fitted on the existing A320 family aircraft.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that on March 10, 2016 it received a non-binding proposal from a consortium of companies to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Starwood for $76.00 per share in cash. Pursuant to separate agreements entered into by Starwood, stockholders would additionally receive consideration in the form of Interval Leisure Group (“ILG”) common stock from the previously announced spin-off of its vacation ownership business, Vistana Signature Experiences, and subsequent merger with ILG, currently valued at approximately $5.50 per Starwood share, based on the 20-day VWAP (volume weighted average price) of ILG common stock ending March 11, 2016. As announced on November 16, 2015, Starwood entered into a definitive merger agreement with Marriott International, Inc. under which Marriott would acquire Starwood in a stock and cash transaction. Starwood has received a waiver from Marriott enabling it to engage in discussions with, and provide diligence information to, the Consortium in connection with its proposal. Starwood commenced discussions with the Consortium on March 11, 2016. The Marriott waiver expires at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 17, 2016. Starwood’s Board of Directors has not changed its recommendation in support of Starwood’s merger with Marriott. The Board, in consultation with its legal and financial advisors, will carefully consider the outcome of its discussions with the Consortium in order to determine the course of action that is in the best interest of Starwood and its stockholders. The Consortium has not completed diligence and there are a number of matters to be resolved in the Consortium’s proposal. There can be no assurance that discussions will result in a binding proposal from the Consortium or that a transaction …

The FICCI-KPMG ‘India Aviation Report 2016’, launched at the civil aviation exposition in Hyderabad, reveals that with 81 million trips, India’s domestic aviation market grew at over 20.3% during January to December 2015-the highest growth rate recorded in the world. It further said that India is well on its way to become the third largest aviation market by 2020, owing to increasing disposable incomes, fall in prices of Aircraft Turbine Fuel (ATF), increase in tourism, visa reforms, etc. have placed India in a unique position. This is bringing the country closer to achieving its vision of becoming the largest aviation market by 2030. The report highlights that the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016) is likely to provide a significant fillip to the industry. The various fiscal and monetary incentives, liberal policies focused on ‘ease of doing business’ and enhanced push for regional and global connectivity are extremely positive. Steps taken to revive and operationalise around 160 airports in India, if chosen carefully, will improve air connectivity to regional and remote areas. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the sector will get substantial support from the state in terms of financing, concessional land allotment, tax holidays and other incentives. The report strongly suggests that in order to ensure high-geared growth, it is imperative to broaden the base of domestic flyers through greater air connectivity in Tier 2/3 cities. Many Indian states have taken positive initiatives, largely in the field of development of airports, reduction in sales tax rates on ATF and direct subsidy to airlines for improvement of connectivity. The government and industry are engaged closely in addressing the various opportunities and challenges in the aviation sector; and that’s a welcome sign. …

GoAir has relocated its arrival operations from Terminal 1A to Terminal 1B at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai. In essence, GoAir’s complete operations, both departures and arrivals at Mumbai, shall now operate from Terminal 1B. Effective March 15, GoAir will be able to offer customers convenient flight transfers and under a single roof in Terminal 1B at Mumbai. The last GoAir flight arriving at Terminal 1A was Delhi-Bombay flight, G8 342, at 23.55hrs while the first GoAir flight that arrived at Terminal 1B was G8 364 Ahmedabad-Bombay at 1.00hrs

Air India has announced its Summer schedule for 2016 with new flights between Bengaluru-Trivandrum, Kolkata-Agartala, Vijaywada- Bengaluru and the much-awaited Delhi-Vienna. The national carrier will also increase frequency on Mumbai-Bhopal, Delhi-Amritsar, Delhi-Pune, and Delhi-Kullu (Himachal). Starting March 27, the new schedule will offer a daily return flight from Bengaluru to Trivandrum which has been planned by A321. The flight from Bengaluru will depart at 0700 hrs, while the return flight will depart from Trivandrum at 0855 hrs. Increasing its frequency on the domestic sectors, Air India has also added a daily return flight on the Mumbai – Bhopal sector. The flight will offer day-return facility to its passengers with a flight from Mumbai departing at 1930 hrs. The return flight from Bhopal will take off at 2130 hrs. Frequency on the Delhi- Pune sector is also being enhanced with number of flights added to and from Pune. The flight from Delhi will depart at 1830 hrs whereas, the flight from Pune will depart at 2120 hrs. On its international routes, Air India will start operations on the Delhi–Vienna sector with flights operating thrice a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by B787 commencing April 06, 2016. The Delhi-Vienna-Delhi flight will have a convenient departure at 1400hrs from Delhi arriving Vienna at 1845hrs. The return flight will have a night departure from Vienna at 2245hrs arriving Delhi at 0925hrs (+1). Passengers looking for more options to Punjab will also be able to enjoy the fourth frequency with return flights on Delhi (Del)-Amritsar (ATQ) vv sector. The flight from Delhi will depart at 0500 hrs while the return flight from ATQ will depart at 0650 hrs. The existing thrice a week flight …

Thai AirAsia has announced the first ever daily direct flights from Kochi to Bangkok Don Mueang starting from May 17, 2016. The inaugural fares to Bangkok are available starting from RS. 2999 per way, and can be booked until 27 March 2016 for travel from May 17, 2016- May 22, 2017 on www.airasia.com. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO, Thai AirAsia, said, “India is a very important market for us and we are very committed to making air travel affordable and accessible from Kochi to Bangkok and beyond. As the first airline to launch a direct flight between Kochi and Bangkok, we are pleased to offer more convenience with a short 4 hour flight so travellers can have more time to enjoy our wonderful country. Beyond Bangkok, Thai AirAsia’s amazing connectivity allows for travellers to connect to over 20 destinations in Thailand including world famous beaches in Phuket and Krabi, and lush green mountains in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, among many other amazing cities. Beyond Thailand, passengers can also easily hop to other international destinations including Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Siem Reap, Myanmar, Mandalay and Luang Prabang among many other cities”. Soraya Homchuen TAT Director of Mumbai said, “We are very excited to welcome Indian visitors to Thailand. In 2015, a total of 1,069,149 Indian visitors arrived in Thailand making Indian travellers the 6th largest group of travellers to our country. Apart from our delicious Thai cuisine, we are also very proud to showcase our Thai hospitality and various attractions nationwide. Beyond Bangkok’s temples, shopping malls and night life, there is still much to explore and we invite you to visit our famous beaches in southern Thailand …