In a recent development, the IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) Executive Committee has appointed Gurinder Singh as the Chairman of the IATO Punjab Chapter with immediate effect from 6 January 2025. Singh, the Managing Director of Discover Punjab Tours & Travels will lead the association’s efforts in fostering ties with the local tourism industry and government bodies. As a seasoned tourism professional, his deep industry knowledge and strong bonds with the Punjab government are likely to play a significant role in achieving the association’s goals and targets. With this appointment, IATO is eyeing to expand its membership base in the state while creating more tourism opportunities.
Read More »India’s hospitality & tourism future bright, market set to grow from $32 bn in FY20 to $52 bn in FY27: FHRAI
K Syama Raju, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “The future of India’s hospitality sector and tourism is bright, with substantial growth expected in 2025 and beyond. Domestic tourism is projected to grow by 15–20%, driven by govt initiatives. The travel market is on track to reach $125 billion by FY27, with the hotel market set to grow from $32 billion in FY20 to $52 billion.
Read More »Maharashtra hotels & restaurants to operate till 5 am for New Year’s Eve
HRAWI advises members on responsible festive season practices The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI has issued a comprehensive advisory for its members to ensure smooth and lawful operations during the upcoming festive season. The guidelines, aimed at maintaining safety, compliance and guest satisfaction, encompass specifics including operational timings, promoting responsible bar tending and drinking, staff contribution transparency and adherence to noise and music regulations. Members are reminded to comply with locally permitted hours and secure necessary licenses for special events; strict age restrictions for alcohol consumption through display of appropriate signage and initiatives like valet and ride-hailing services to deter drink-and-drive incidents. The advisory also instructs F&B establishments to adhere to permissible decibel levels and enforce music cut-off times and to obtain permissions for live events in advance. HRAWI thanks the Maharashtra Government for allowing hotel and restaurant establishments in the State to operate till 5 am on the 31st of December 2024. “Our goal is to ensure a festive season that is enjoyable for patrons while being compliant with local laws. Adhering to these guidelines will promote goodwill and maintain the integrity of the hospitality industry. Collaboration with local authorities is essential to preventing incidents and promoting safety during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. We urge our members to proactively support initiatives like responsible bar tending and drinking including the right to refusal; provision of valet services and, following music and noise regulations,” says Pradeep Shetty, Spokesperson, HRAWI. HRAWI has further advised members to ensure service charges to be capped at 10 per cent, transparently communicated and fairly distributed among staff. The measure aims to safeguard customer trust and prevent any disputes. The advisory also highlights …
Read More »Minister Shekhawat addresses concerns of tourist transporters, to engage with banks regarding issue of loans
Addressing the issue of banks not proving loans for big cars or imported cars during the Indian Tourist Transporters Association convention, Union Culture & Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said, “I will engage with the banking sector to ask about their apprehensions and understand why this happens and what can be done to resolve this. We will discuss these issues and work together to find a solution.”
Read More »FHRAI requests Ministry of Tourism to establish a central portal by NCHMCT to address skill gaps in hospitality sector
FHRAI suggested Ministry of Tourism to establish a central portal by NCHMCT to address the ongoing human resource shortages and skill gaps faced by the hospitality industry. It also suggested updating curriculums every 3-5 years as per industry trends, and balancing the allocation of seats for both managerial and frontline roles.
Read More »Occupancy rates anticipated to rise to 75% or higher, driven by increased leisure and business travel: Pradeep Shetty
The Ministry of Tourism expects 30.5 million international visitors to come to India by 2028. According to Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI, hotel occupancy rates are anticipated to rise to 75 per cent or higher, driven by increased leisure and business travel and a surge in foreign arrivals. The MICE segment is set to contribute significantly, with India hosting multiple high-profile global events.
Read More »More Indians want to fly business class this holiday season
The number of Indians wanting to fly business class has seen a sharp uptick this holiday season compared to last year. While the trend is more pronounced in international travel, travel agents and online platforms suggest that it is also emerging on many domestic routes. Data shared by MakeMyTrip showed that business class bookings from India across domestic as well as international routes have gone up by 50% this year compared to the same period last year. This is based on the analysis of search and booking data between December 16 and 31. For international bookings, there has been an 80% rise in business class bookings, and for domestic bookings, the jump is 27%.
Read More »India leads global tourism surge with record spending and luxury travel trends
Indian travellers are fast becoming a global powerhouse in tourism, driven by rising affluence, increasing travel ambitions, and a focus on premium experiences. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Indians spent a record $34.2 billion on outbound travel in 2023, firmly establishing themselves as key contributors to the global tourism market. This trend is set to grow further, with 66% of Indian travellers planning to travel more in 2025, leading the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in both travel intent and spending, as per Skyscanner. The appetite for premium travel is evident in the soaring demand for business-class bookings. Data from MakeMyTrip shows a 50% year-on-year increase in business class bookings, with international flights witnessing an impressive 80% jump, while domestic flights saw a 27% rise
Read More »SKAL International India launches ‘Culinary Sherpa’ competition for aspiring chefs
SKAL International India, a premier global organization of travel and tourism professionals, is proud to announce the launch of its Inaugural National culinary competition, ‘Culinary Sherpa,’ aimed at fostering young talent in the hospitality industry. The competition is set to inspire and recognize the next generation of chefs from hotel management institutes across India. The Culinary Sherpa competition took place in multiple cities, bringing together top culinary talent from premier hotel management colleges. Students competed in a series of rounds that challenged their creativity, skill, and understanding of culinary arts under the mentorship of industry stalwarts and SKAL members. The competition received tremendous response across India, with hotel management students from cities such as Bangalore, Tirupati, Goa, Pune, Chennai, etc., participating with enthusiasm. Competition Highlights: Eligibility: The competition was open to students from hotel management institutes across India. Rajagopaal Iyer, Director, Young SKAL India said “The success of the Culinary Sherpa program highlights the immense talent and creativity of India’s young culinary minds. This initiative not only provides students with a platform to showcase their skills but also connects them with industry leaders, setting the stage for their future success in the hospitality sector. At Young SKAL India, we are committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals, and Culinary Sherpa is a testament to that vision.” Sanjeev Mehra, President, SKAL International India, shared, “Culinary Sherpa is an exciting initiative to nurture young talent and prepare them for the dynamic hospitality industry. By engaging with students and showcasing their passion for food, we aim to create a platform that bridges education and industry opportunities.” Key Objectives of Culinary Sherpa: Promote innovation and excellence in the culinary arts among students. Encourage …
Read More »Bilateral flying rights key to India’s aviation growth, offer more direct global connectivity: IATA Chief
Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.
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