A Heritage Walk was conducted on 26 Oct 21 by the Andaman Association of Tour Operators in association with the Ministry of Tourism (India Tourism Port Blair). The walk was a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations by AATO. Students of BBA Tourism of JNRM College participated in the walk along with AATO members and India Tourism officials. The walk was flagged off from National memorial Cellular Jail by AATO president Shri.M.Vinod and Assistant Director India Tourism Port Blair Shri.Ramakrishnan. JNRM faculty members Shri.Abdul Salam & Ms.Saida also graced the occasion. From Cellular Jail the participants walked to the Battle of Aberdeen war memorial where Joint Secretary AATO Shri.Saikat Biswas briefed the participants about the famous war of Aberdeen and the importance of the war memorial. The walk terminated at JNRM college, where the participants were distributed certificates and refreshments. Speaking on the occasion Shri.M.Vinod highlighted the importance of Celluar Jail in the freedom struggle of India and urged the students to carry forward the vision of the freedom fighters on the occasion of 75 years of India’s independence. Delivering the vote of thanks Shri.K.Hamza, General Secretary of AATO thanked India Tourism Port Blair, JNRM tourism faculty and Heaven on Ocean Tourism (Coral Safari) for the support rendered for conducting the Heritage Walk. AATO in association with the ministry of tourism will be conducting FAM trips for the JNRM students and also organise photography & Essay writing competition as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has initiated a campaign to raise awareness on the copyright issues faced by hospitality establishments over playing recorded music. The campaign has been launched in the wake of recent incidences that occurred in Pune when two Mumbai-based private firms extorted Rs1.37 lakh from businessmen under the pretext of issuing them copyright licenses for staging musical performances at marriage ceremonies in a star hotel. HRAWI has met and submitted a written appeal to the Pune Commissioner of Police requesting him to take cognizance of the crime and register economic offence against the private agencies for extortion

EaseMyTrip will be entering into a non-binding agreement offer with Traviate Online Private Limited for the acquisition of the business. This will be the first-ever acquisition by EaseMyTrip that will add a new revenue stream and fast track its expansion in the B2B hotel and holiday space. The consummation of the proposed transaction is expected in 3 months, subject to finalisation of definitive agreements, customary closing conditions and other necessary approvals, as may be required.

The next three to five years could see failures of multiple airlines that do not have the financial strength to invest in decarbonisation, says the CAPA-Envest Airline Sustainability Benchmarking Report 2021. “Climate change is a critical challenge, and climate inaction is a critical mistake. We have partnered with Envest Global to assess the impact on airlines of increased pressure to reduce aircraft carbon emissions, and to assist them in understanding global trends and meeting the growing expectations of stakeholders,” says CAPA Chairman Emeritus Peter Harbison.

G Kamala Vardhan Rao, DG, Tourism, has said that every state is competing when it comes to tourism. “Every state has a different budget allocation in a big way. Hence when state governments worlk alongside central government, it’s a fine way of synergy and a way forward by developing products. Once product is developed, we are now seeing some green shoots after the pandemic,” he said.

Speaking at the Conference of Tourism & Culture Ministers of Southern Region in Bengaluru, Ajay Bhatt, MoS, Tourism, has said that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, MOT has sanctioned 15 projects, which include projects in Andhra Pradesh worth ₹141 crore; 5 projects in Kerala worth ₹413 crore; three projects in Telangana worth ₹266 crore; projects worth ₹73 crore in Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry projects were ₹148 crore.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, in his address at the Conference of Tourism & Culture Ministers of Southern Region in Bengaluru, has said that the event is in line with the Prime Minister’s idea of cooperative federalism where GoI and state governments come together to find solutions for better India and for best cooperation. “Tourism sector is one of the major sectors that will create maximum employment. We should concentrate on creating employment generation in the southern region as well,” he said.

As the news of international borders and reinstating of e-visa has been announced, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has appointed tourism officers in 20 Indian missions abroad in a bid to boost overseas marketing and promotions. These officers were already posted in embassies in the countries where promotions will take place, revealed Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism.

A delegation from TAAI was present at the inaugural ceremony of IITM in Bengaluru. Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon. Secretary General, TAAI, said, “TAAI wishes to congratulate the organisers of IITM for extending the invite to TAAI for attending the ceremony. We are delighted to be a part of such an amazing event.” Amish Desai, Chairman, TAAI Karnataka Chapter, added, “We would like to thank the Hon’ble Minister for gracing the occasion with his presence. We are looking forward to early revival of the sector with such positive steps.”

Team India tourism, North East and the officials of Ministry of Tourism (MOT), India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Nagaland government visited Khonoma, an Angami Naga village recently to conduct recce for ensuing ITM 2021in Nagaland. ITM 2021 is scheduled from 28-30th November 2021 in Nagaland, just before the popular Hornbill Festival in its capital Kohima. As per MOT, the idea to conduct the ITM before the event is to take advantage of the festival’s popularity.