Category Archives: Associations

According to WTTC, Travel & Tourism is currently responsible for 8.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While many of the sector’s biggest companies have set 2050 emission-reduction targets, just as many have just started to consider how to address climate change in their business. 

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “Tourism has never been more important for our economies or for our societies. Its potential is enormous. And so, on this World Tourism Day, we celebrate tourism’s ability to drive growth while also highlighting the vital need for investments to ensure such growth is inclusive and sustainable.”

After a halt of 4 years, OTOAI plans to conduct its 5th convention in Sarova Hotels, in Nairobi, Kenya from 24 to 27 November. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, “We are holding convention in Kenya as it is getting important for Indian market. We will diclose the theme soon.”

Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI said, “We aim to make India amongst the top 10 adventure tourism destination in the world. Border tourism, sports tourism, adventure tourism will boost inbound tourism as well as foster India to become adventure tourism hub.

Speaking in New York at the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit, Ajay Prakash, National President of TAFI, stated that 2023 marks the midpoint in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the celebration of the International Day of Peace 2023 coincides with the UN Summit to mark this milestone. He takes over as the Global President of IIPT.  

The 40th IATO Annual  Convention is set to be held in Puri, Odisha in September 2025 informed Rajiv Mehra, President – Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). He added that the proposal was accepted by the Odisha Government Tourism Department. This will be IATO’s third convention in Odisha. Mehra also informed that the 33rd IATO Annual convention held in 2017 in  Mayfair Convention Centre, Bhubaneswar, and it was a very successful convention and was attended by about 900 delegates from all over the country. He also informed that Puri will be a very attractive destination for IATO members and we expect about 1000 delegates to join for the convention. He thanked Aswini Kumar Patra, Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Odisha and Odisha Tourism for accepting IATO’s proposal. IATO will soon announce the venue for 39th IATO Annual Convention which is also being finalized.

The ATOAI will organise its seminar combined with an adventure tourism roadshow tomorrow at The Park New Delhi from 9am to 5.30pm. the event will include sessions on best practices and selling adventure travel. It will also offer buyers an opportunity to meet authentic sellers and network with them. To register, visit https://forms.gle/8FGiGDasqHGjxaHG6_

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has announced its TAFI Convention 2023, which will take place onboard Costa Serena from November 4-7, 2023. Registrations are open for members interested in attending this. Starting November 2023 until January 2024, Costa Serena will offer 23 sailings visiting Mumbai, Cochin, Goa and, for the first time ever, Lakshadweep islands.

Speaking about the upcoming IATO Convention in Aurangabad, Radhika Rastogi, Principal Secy, Tourism & Culture Affairs, Maharashtra Tourism, said that the Ministry expects a lot of productive thinking and discussions at the convention. Maharashtra has a lot to offer to tourists. Tourism is ultimately a multi-stakeholder industry and govt is only a small player. And this convention is a great opportunity for all of us to exchange our ideas.”

Rajnish Kaistha, Senior Vice President and Chairman of the convention said that we have overwhelming response from the members and we  expect about 900-1000 delegates from all over the country to participate which will include senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and States, industry leaders, tourism and hospitality professionals, travel trade media.