Category Archives: Associations

In their latest set of interactions with GST commissionerate, FAITH has made a very specific request for 6 per cent. GST rating, at the lowest slab for the tourism & hospitality industry. The services sector is being considered for 18% and 12%, but considering that a lot of tourism sub-sectors in India are on abated rates currently & that worldwide tourism industry average indirect rates are between 6-9% Faith believes it is important to communicate the requirement for the lowest slab 6% for the industry. Additionally, FAITH has sounded the GST commissioner on the issue wrt presumptive rates & there is a likelihood that that will be considered positively. They have also sounded on export service status under section 2(44)c & have been informed that the place of provision of supply of service may being relooked at in the second draft of GST law. Over the past 4 months Faith has been running a persistent campaign with all policy makers at central & state governments to position Indian tourism on the lowest GST rate which will double the PAN India employment & GDP output resulting from tourism.

As part of its makeover plan, the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has announced that it will be organising at least two symposiums next year. Pradip Lulla, Vice President, TAFI, said, “We will have symposiums starting next year over and above our annual convention. One of our main objectives is to get on a digital platform where we can integrate our members. The Managing Committee is working on the details of the digital platform. We have already identified the platform but basic implementation needs to be firmed up. It will be confirmed by early next year. The symposium will discuss on how to improvise our existing Joint Bank Guarantee program. The convention details will be divulged by March 2017.” He added that TAFI is also looking at new ways of educating its members on how to do business better.

Japan Tourism is expanding its presence in India with a new office in Delhi scheduled to commence operations by the end of the year. This was announced at the first ever India-Japan Tourism Meet organised by FICCI in New Delhi from Oct 24-25, 2016. Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Immediate Past President-FICCI, Chairperson -FICCI Tourism Committee said, “Japan is the 10th largest source market for India with around 2.07 lakh Japanese arrivals in 2015. India has a very high potential to be one of the favoured destinations amongst the Japanese tourists, given the large number of destinations important from Buddhist interest as well as the burgeoning number of business tourists coming to India.” Giving his opinion on the summit, H.E. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, said that with the framework of Indo-Japan Tourism Council and Indo-Japan Tourism Summit, the industry should pursue action-oriented outcomes to improve travel and tourism relationship between Japan and India in a visible way. “This is a great opportunity for both governments and tourism industry to get together under one roof and to discuss the expansion of bilateral travel and tourism relations. The new networks that will be built among the participants today will create new opportunities,” he added.

Keeping pace with the rapid penetration of internet and mobile, FICCI has initiated the Online Travel and Technology Committee which will function under the aegis of the existing FICCI Tourism committee. The Committee will be led by Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online while the Committee will comprise of key stakeholders of online travel companies including MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip and various other key stakeholder and knowledge partners from the online travel sector.“The Committee has been formed for outlining the roadmap for a robust regulatory policy for the online travel industry and to encourage innovation in travel & tourism sector,” informed Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI.

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has launched a new logo with a tagline “The Way Forward” at The Ashok New Delhi. The new TAFI logo was unveiled by Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Govt. of India along with Dr. A.K. Manocha, Chairman & Managing Director, IRCTC, in the presence of TAFI President Praveen Chugh, TAFI Immediate Past President Zakkir Ahmed, Vice President Pradip Lulla, National General Secretary Aditi Bhende, Managing Committee Member and Convention Chairman Bharat Shah and Managing Committee member Teddy Thomas among others.

Global airlines’ body IATA has sought an abated rate of GST on flight tickets, saying the tax burden on the aviation sector was already high and the GST regime should conform to global standards and principles. Maintaining that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been ‘working closely’ with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Secretariat here to address some issues of concern to airlines, Director General of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac said, “The GST regime needs to adhere to international standards and principles.” “We have called for a zero-rating for international flights when the GST comes into effect next April. This seems unlikely. To limit its damage to the sector’s competitiveness, we would at least hope for abatement in the rate,” de Juniac said. He said the airlines in India faced “an onerous tax burden, including the imposition of service tax to services rendered abroad, including those for overflight charges, global distribution systems and international tickets.” This, he said, was “in contravention of international principles established by governments” through the UN body International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The IATA Director General and CEO, who met top officials of the government and Indian carriers during his two-day visit here, said he had shared these and other concerns with the government.

Durga Das Publications (DDP) / TravTalk was recognised for its contribution and support extended to the 63rd Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Convention held in Abu Dhabi from October 14-16. The award recognised the media support that the publication extended to the convention. A live streaming of panel discussions was disseminated amongst the delegates attending the conference. Many delegates also joined in the live streaming which allowed them to be a part of the convention despite their physical absence. The Convention discussed various industry issues on the theme- Tomorrow Begins Now; Rise Above the Routine. Stalwarts from the aviation, hospitality and tourism industry shared their opinions about the way forward for the industry in order to perform and not just survive.

The Indian Travel Congress and 63rd Convention and Exhibition of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) opened in Abu Dhabi with over 670 registered delegates from India. The three-day event, being held from October 14-16, 2016, began with the inauguration of the India Travel Trade Expo followed by the convention inauguration in the Etihad Ballroom at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi. The business sessions will be held on Oct 15 and 16, while he Gala Dinner will be held at Ferrari World, informed Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, during a pre-event press conference. The theme of the convention and exhibition is ‘Tomorrow Begins Now – Rise Above Routine’. The business sessions will be based on this theme and will project strategies and trends to conquer an opportune tomorrow. Kumar also expressed gratitude to Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority (TCA) for its support.

PATA Travel Mart 2017 will be held in Macao SAR from September 13-15. The 40th edition of the mart will be hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “It is an exciting prospect to be returning to Macao SAR for the fortieth anniversary of PATA Travel Mart, having previously held a successful Mart there in 2010. PATA and the MGTO enjoy a very special, unique and rewarding relationship that we treasure and hold in high regard. Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, MGTO, added, “PATA Travel Mart mobilises a relevant contingent of travel trade stakeholders from the Asia Pacific region and around the world and we are enthusiastic with the perspective of providing a first-hand update about the significant developments in our city since we last met in Macao for the PATA Travel Mart 2010 and in 2005 for the PATA Annual Conference.”

Ramesh Marwah has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United Federation of Travel Agents’ Associations (UFTAA) to better administer UFTAA and offer regular support to members. He will endeavour to create increased connect between members as well. This was informed by UFTAA to all its members through a formal circular. Commenting on his position, Marwah said, “I am very excited and proud to be a part of UFTAA-the illustrious global federation which is also celebrating its golden jubilee this year. Every initiative will be in the direction of retaining confidence of travel agency associations in UFTAA; making UFTAA a global platform for knowledge, learning and networking and also maintaining free flow of communication to ensure UFTAA remains first point of contact when any issue props up in any part of the industry worldwide.” He is a proven professional with about 40 years experience of serving in various leadership positions with reputed organisations including international airlines, Italian DMC, global OTAs, etc.