ISA Tourism (India Sales Associates, ISA) will be the India representatives for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort in Maldives. Mr Manas Sinha, Director of ISA said, “With this partnership, the ISA team will focus on building CONRAD Maldives awareness within the travel trade and driving reservations from the luxury outbound travel market. Additionally, they will generate leads for corporate meetings and leisure groups including family travel and small special interest groups.”

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Western India Chapter has announced that its current team has returned to office unopposed. Jitul Mehta is the Chapter Chairman, Burjis Mehta as the Secretary, and Jay Kantawala as the Treasurer. The team will take over office for the two-year term starting January 2021. Jitul Mehta says, “The work that we started in our previous term will continue with more vigour and determination now with a focus on getting the industry back on its feet.”

ARRA Hotel Group is on an expansion spree and has signed up 25 properties across India, which are under various stages of reinvention as per our standards. Anshu Malik, MD, ARRA Hotel Group, says, “We will operate the above properties under our flagship Brand Arra which is our upscale brand and Twist which is Budget young feel brand. We are opening 5 properties by February 2021 in Gurugram, Manesar, Jim Corbett, Nainital and Dehradun with 450-room inventory.”

Hotel Association of India (HAI) has launched its West Bengal Chapter, and has submitted a memorandum of industry demands to West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Dr. Amit Mitra, seeking industry status for the hospitality sector. The association has suggested that this will help in reducing costs and encourage re-investment while bringing greater transparency in the sector functioning. A favourable policy decision of according industry status and allowing benefits available to manufacturing will strengthen the Indian hospitality industry, preserve and unlock its immense potential to make a significant contribution to the State’s GDP and jobs, supporting the post-pandemic economic revival of the region. MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India, said, “The Association believes that granting industry status to the sector will enable hotels across the state to avail benefits towards electricity and water tariff at an industrial rate, lower property tax, rationalisation of taxes & license fees, simplified approval process for hotel projects & hotel operations and other benefits accorded to industries – thus helping in ushering transparency, reduce costs, and encourage reinvestment. Such small steps are crucial for revival of the sector after the disastrous impact of the Pandemic and essential considering the extent of employment and income the sector generates.”

STB India Virtual Tradeshow 2021 is all set to kick-off today for South India. The virtual show will begin from 10am till 4pm, where Singapore stakeholders and travel trade from South India can engage in B2B meetings. The subsequent editions of the show will be held on 15th, 19th and 21st of January in North, West and East India respectively. Register on www.stbindiatradeshow2021.com, email: jaspeet.kaur@ddppl.com, or call +919650196532.

IATO, in association with TravTalk University, is hosting a webinar titled ‘Website Secrets Revealed’ today at 11:30 am. During the session, Digital Marketing Specialist Gaurav Gurbaxani will educate attendees on the most common mistakes to avoid in developing a website. To register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91-9650196532.

Vistara has announced special, non-stop flights between Delhi and Frankfurt, starting 18th February 2020. The twice a week flight will be on Thursdays and Saturdays, as part of the ‘transport bubble’ formed between India and Germany and the aircraft will be Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Himanshu Talwar, Assistant Secretary General, FHRAI, has been given the additional responsibility as the Additional Director at FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FIHM), Greater Noida. Management of FHRAI has bestowed the new responsibility on Talwar, where he will be working under the guidance of the Secretary General, FHRAI.

Kashmir Travel trade has opened their residential homes for tourists stuck up due to closure of national highway and the air connectivity, after consistent snowfall in the valley. In a statement issued to press, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) issued a helpline to reach out to the stranded tourists who need any help for accommodation, medical assistance, food, and other services. Farooq Kuthoo, President, TAAK, said, “Many travellers are stranded here in Kashmir due to cancellation of the flights and closure of national highway. Keeping up with the legacy of hospitality that Kashmiris are known for through centuries we would not see our guests’ sufferings.” They have assured the stranded tourists through social media, newspapers and radio not to worry and contact on the helpline numbers displayed for any assistance. He also appreciated the department of Tourism for establishing a helpline for the stranded tourists and offering them free accommodation in department owned hotels.

TAAI has recently concluded its AGM virtually, which saw its national team, heads and ECs state and region chapters, as well as members in presence, revealed Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI. “We completed first year of our 2019-21 tenure. Our team was appreciated for its hard work. Now, we are working on our way forward. We had also invited Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO, FAITH and we had a detailed dialogue with the office bearers and the Management Committee, and regional chapter teams, who gave their inputs on how they want TAAI to be a futuristic organisation,” she said.