Category Archives: Associations

India has recorded a 16 per cent increase in international tourism expenditure during the first three to nine months of 2016. Destinations around the world welcomed 956 million international tourists between January and September 2016, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This is 34 million more than in the same period of 2015, a 4 per cent increase. Among the top five source markets, China, the world’s top source market, continues to drive demand, reporting double-digit growth in spending (+19%). Likewise, robust results come from the United States (+9%), which benefited many destinations in the Americas and beyond. Germany reported a 5% increase in expenditure, the United Kingdom, a 10% increase, and France, 3% growth. Demand for international tourism remained robust in the first nine months of 2016, though growing at a somewhat more moderate pace. After a strong start of the year, growth was slower in the second quarter of 2016 to pick up again in the third quarter of the year. While most destinations report encouraging results, others continue to struggle with the impact of negative events, either in their country or in their region. Tourism spending grew notably in Australia and the Republic of Korea (both +9%), and moderately in Italy (+3%). By contrast, expenditure from the Russian Federation declined 37% and from Canada a slight 2%. Beyond the top 10, eight other markets reported double-digit growth: Egypt (+38%), Argentina (+27%), Spain (+19%), India (+16%), Thailand (+15%), Ukraine (+15%), Ireland (+12%) and Norway (+11%). “Tourism is one of the most resilient and fastest-growing economic sectors but it is also very sensitive to risks, both actual and perceived. As such, the sector must continue to work …

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) welcomed Wesgro from South Africa as its newest government member. It is the official Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. The announcement was made by Dr. Mario Hardy,  CEO,  PATA at the Association’s annual Aligned Advocacy Dinner in London, UK on Monday November 7, 2016 where the guests included Inge Dykman, Head of Leisure Tourism and Trade, Wesgro. Their aim is to promote the city and its five surrounding regions: the Cape West Coast, Cape Overberg, Cape Karoo, Garden Route & Klein Karoo and the Cape Winelands to the domestic and international markets. “As PATA continues to strengthen the tourism links between the continent of Africa and the Asia Pacific region we remain committed to helping destinations in Africa attract greater numbers of international visitors,” said Dr. Hardy. “Wesgro will surely benefit from our in-depth research and insights, human capital development programmes and our busy calendar of conferences and marts as they look to develop a responsible, sustainable and profitable destination.” Tim Harris, CEO, Wesgro said, “The Asian market is extremely important and valuable for Cape Town and the Western Cape’s tourism, trade and investment strategy. PATA provides an excellent platform for us to directly engage key stakeholders in this market, learn from them and make Cape Town and the Western Cape a more attractive and accessible destination for them.”

The AgentExperience platform is built on the base Konnect.travel platform provided by QuadLabs and supports the IATA/IATAN ID Card program. With an IATA/IATAN ID Card travel agents are recognised around the world for being a travel professional and important distributor of travel products. In return travel suppliers provide benefits and incentive programs to ID card holders. The AgentExperience site showcases the various benefits, offers and promotions provided by global travel suppliers for the business or leisure travel of the registered IATA/IATAN ID card holders. The new AgentExperience provides travel suppliers enhanced functionality in promoting benefits and incentives programs, as well offers suppliers and ID Card Holders the opportunity to complete the booking process on AgentExperience. The new AgentExperience is offered in Canada first and will soon be available for more than 120,000 ID Card Holders worldwide. Major suppliers around the world have participated in this travel solution to distribute their content and real time inventories. Konnect.Travel provides functionalities for travel agencies to manage their customers, bookings, enquiries and will also facilitate the payments between travel agencies and suppliers. “We are delighted that IATA has selected the Konnect.travel platform to launch its new AgentExperience site for travel agents and suppliers. We are confident that this will evolve to become a global distribution channel for multiple suppliers around the world” said Gaurav Chiripal, CEO of QuadLabs Technologies Pvt. Ltd. “We are excited to partner with QuadLabs for the new AgentExperience platform. The new site will bring more benefits to the IATA/IATAN ID Card holders and the suppliers. We are happy that in leveraging on the Konnect.travel solution, we can offer ID Card Holders not only the possibility to book travel for themselves …

PATA India Chapter, in cooperation with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, conducted its business development roadshow in six European cities from October 17-27, 2016, which was attended by nearly 80 Buyers from the market. Air India & Jet Airways have contributed to augment the connectivity between important European cities and India. The roadshow started in Helsinki (Finland) on October 17, and moved on to Stockholm (Sweden) on October 18, Copenhagen (Denmark) on October 20, Vienna (Austria) on October 24, Prague (Czech Republic) on October 26, and concluded in Warsaw (Poland) on October 27. PATA India Chapter’s Executive Director, Runeep Sangha, said, “We are more than satisfied with the response we have received from the European market. Since last year we have covered European Countries and hope to firmly establish ‘Share of Mind’. Scandinavia represents a high end long haul market and the interest shown by Travel Agents and Tour Operators from Helsinki, Stockholm & Copenhagen is encouraging. Vienna, Prague & Warsaw are emerging European source markets and demonstrate keen interest in India. The Indian Ambassadors in the Helsinki & Prague spoke to the participating Buyers and assured them of their fullest cooperation to not only facilitate travel to India but also partner in promotional activities. Similarly Consular staff in Stockholm, Vienna & Prague supported the Roadshows with their presence and assurance. At the event, India was represented by 14 sellers including Airlines, State Tourism Boards, Ayurveda Resorts and Destination Management Companies. Dr. U.S. Mishra, Additional Director India Tourism, Amsterdam, and Mr. Jitendra Jadhav, Additional Director, India Tourism, Frankfurt, made significant contribution to the hosting and coordination of these Roadshows were also present in their respective markets. The event brought …

Outbound Tour Operators Association of India is going to have its members’ meet in multiple cities across the country. Guldeep Singh Sahni, President, OTOAI, said, “We are planning our members’ meet in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and are also planning to have a big event in South India.” Sahni also said that the Southern and Eastern chapters  will be more active now. He added, “We are also looking at having more action in the Western chapter too.”

Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) is mulling to have its next convention in Turkey. Riaz Munshi, Vice President, OTOAI, said, “We are going to have our Educational Tour in Turkey next year in March and also might have the Convection there. It’s not fixed yet but we are still in talks with them and you will shortly hear from us.”

Zubin Karkaria, CEO of VFS Global, and CEO of Kuoni Group, was conferred with the ‘Award of Distinction’ by the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), for his long-standing contribution to the Indian travel and tourism industry. The award was presented to Karkaria at the 63rd TAAI Convention held in Abu Dhabi on 14 October 2016. The award recognises his pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit and his role as a mentor in the industry. Presently, VFS Global serves 51 client governments and operates in 126 countries across 5 continents. The company, which pioneered the concept of visa process outsourcing, has facilitated travel across the world by enhancing efficiencies in the visa application process and making the overall visa application experience easier and more convenient for potential travellers. The ISO 27001:2013 certified company (for Information Security Management System) has been recognized for maintaining highest levels of security, while adhering to best practices in technology, innovation, and streamlined service delivery. Karkaria, who has been a part of the travel industry for more than 25 years, established visa processing multinational VFS Global in 2001. In 2015, he became the first Asian to head the Switzerland headquartered Kuoni Group.

P.P. Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) and Rajat Sawhney, VP, ADTOI, recently met with Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary (Tourism & Culture) Govt. of Maharashtra, to discuss about the possibilities of organising ADTOI convention in the state. This was revealed during the ADTOI General House Meeting held in New Delhi. Both sides are listing out the deliverables to take the proposal forward, said Khanna. ADTOI also announced the formation of its various committees and the names of members who will be part of those committees. Khanna also revealed that state governments like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Chhattisgarh to organize ‘State Specialist Programme’ for the benefit of members and their frontline staff. Chetan Gupta, General Secretary, ADTOI also informed the members about the study tour organised by Haryana Tourism to Kurukshetra.

The Skål International Club of Mumbai recently held its 60th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai where it announced its new team. The new incoming board has Partha Chatterjee, a veteran hotelier taking over the mantle of the President for the term 2016-2018. Others include Burjis Mehta (Vice President), Kuldeep Bhartee (Vice President), Sunil Acharya (Secretary), Vaibhav Kedia (Treasurer), Rosita Haribal (Member – Memberships), Jyot Jhaveri (Member – Memberships), Arvind Tandon (Member – PR), Ajay Chhabria (Member – PR), Sujata Mariwala (Member – Sponsorships), Vinayakk Laud (Member – Sponsorships), Kunal Sampat (Member – Events), Suresh Gulrajani (Member – Events) and Sonalee Vaz (Member FVF). Speaking about the focus of the new team Chatterjee said, “Events, Networking across Fraternal clubs and Chambers of Commerce, trade with each other and introductions to Government bodies for improving tourism in the country will be the focus for the coming year.” Carl Vaz, Outgoing  President for Skål Club of Bombay and current Second Vice President, Skål International India, said “It has been a memorable journey since taking over in 2012. We have managed to bring back Skål Bombay from the brink of closure where it languished at just around 30 odd members to over 150 as on date. Skål Bombay now boasts of a wide representation of senior travel professionals comprising travel agents and tour operators, hospitality, airlines and tourism boards. My goal of turning around Skål Club of Bombay has been achieved.” Skål Bombay has 154 members across every sphere of tourism activities from hotels, travel agents, airlines, railways, cruise liners, airports, car rentals, restaurants, golf courses, conference organisers, casinos, etc.

India’s first Aero Expo organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in association with Litmus Communications, will be held in New Delhi this November. The expo aims to deliberate on remote and regional connectivity, development of technology and infrastructure, along with the new opportunities embodied in the industry in terms of enhancing connectivity, technology integration and performance optimisation. The two-day event will take place near New ATC Tower, IGI Airport, New Delhi, in the presence of Ashok Gajpathi Raju, Civil Aviation Minister and officials from the aviation industry across the globe. The Aero Expo 2016 will also showcase aircraft, aircraft machinery and equipment, aircraft interiors, airlines, airline services and air cargo and airport infrastructure developers. Commenting on the event K. N. Rao, Chairman, Civil Aviation Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “In a major boost to regional air connectivity, the recently announced plans and policies in India are noteworthy. India is already the fastest growing aviation market in the world and the move to improve regional air connectivity is expected to further boost the industry by providing a new set of growth opportunities to both domestic and international airlines alike along with a new lease to the allied aviation services and skilling industries.” “I would like to encourage professionals from the different industries to participate including national and international companies, professional associations and universities to have a memorable and rewarding event, and I am confident that we will all benefit from our mutual interaction at the event,” said Dr Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry.