Category Archives: Associations

Sharing his comments on the increase in Schengen visa fee from June 11, 2024, Ajay Prakash, National President, TAFI, says, “People don’t mind paying it if they get visas on time. But if you charge more money and still make people wait for a visa, you are shooting yourself in the foot. But it is not a huge increase to push people away to other countries. It is not about the cost alone, it’s also about the speed and ease of visas.”

Domestic airfares in India have surged up to 40% in key routes due to higher traffic and capacity constraints in the last six quarters. The fares on top 20 domestic routes had not moved significantly during the last two decades, says CAPA India. India is now one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, with an average of 4.5 lakh passengers daily, it stated. 

The World Economic Forum published its 2024 edition of its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) which measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of the tourism sector. It offers insights into tourism economies’ strengths and areas for improvement, and the interconnected nature of tourism development, as well as facilitating strategic planning and multistakeholder dialogue to encourage sustainable growth.     United States The United States is the top scorer in the TTDI and the largest contributor to T&T GDP, both within the Americas region and globally. While the recent increase in sector wages has helped contribute to climbing operation costs, it has also helped partially bridge the T&T sector’s historically low wages in countries such as the United States. Thanks to typical advantages ranging from favourable business environments and open travel policies to well-developed transport, tourism and ICT infrastructure and natural, cultural and non-leisure attractions, United States ranked highest.   Portugal The growth in ‘bleisure’ travel and digital nomads has created new opportunities for businesses and destinations that can offer favourable conditions for business travel and leisure activities. In particular, economies that combine strong ICT infrastructure and healthcare standards, relatively reasonable cost of living, favourable visa policies and rich tourism attractions rank among the most attractive for digital nomads, with countries like Portugal and Spain ranking among the top for attractiveness for this new market.   Uzbekistan Newly ranked developing country of Uzbekistan experienced the greatest growth in TTDI scores between 2019 and 2024. While most high-income economies have experienced slight changes in their TTDI scores, the performance of Uzbekistan (+7.8%, 94th to 78th) has shown the most improvement in both score and rank compared to …

The Network of Indian MICE Agents completing its landmark 10th anniversary on 25 May, plans to go global to expand its membership. “Over the last decade, NIMA has achieved umpteen accolades and significant milestones and is a true representative of Indian M!CE operators,” said, Gajesh Girdhar, Founder, NIMA.

The 2024 edition of the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) released by World Economic Forum states that India has climbed to the 39th position, while US topped the list. India also ranks the highest in South Asia among the lower-middle-income economies. Earlier, India was ranked 54th in 2021 published index. Covering 119 economies, the TTDI measures the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable and resilient development of the sector, which in turn contributes to the development of a country.

MTF invites the travel trade industry to Melangé, an exclusive industry partnership event designed to create new friendships and business collaborations. This unique, focused, and dynamic two-day event to be held on 19 & 20!Sept 2024 is tailored for exhibitors and buyers of diverse travel products. Special offers are available for early birds who register before 31st May. MTF Style Event at one of the most premier venues in India –  Jio Convention Centre BKC. Pradeep Saboo, Organiser, MTF, says, “We understand the power of meaningful connections and innovative collaborations. Our event offers a carefully curated environment where your products and services will be showcased to an audience of discerning buyers ready to explore new opportunities. Melangé is your platform to engage with industry leaders, present cutting-edge travel solutions, and foster impactful business relationships. Join us at Melangé, elevate your brand, connect with key decision-makers, and be part of an event that prioritizes quality interactions over quantity. Seize this opportunity to network, inspire, and be inspired. Let’s create a vibrant mosaic of collaborations and drive the travel industry forward together. Your participation at Melangé is not just an exhibition; it’s an investment in the future of travel.” A special offer is available for exhibiting partners is available. Registrations done before 31 May, 2024 will lead to : A) 50% discount on the published price B) With Category D, a Gold Sponsorship will be offered gratis C) With Category E, a Platinum Sponsorship will be offered gratis Register as an exhibitor here:  https://mtf.events/melange-exhibitors-registration/    

Recently concluded PATA Annual Summit in Macao has set a new record for industry, attracting an impressive turnout of over 400 delegates from more than 25 destinations. This remarkable number of registrations marks the highest in PATA’s history since COVID, signalling the unwavering determination of industry professionals to rebuild and reimagine tourism.

While suggesting to reimagine tourism at PATA’s Annual Summit in Peter Semone, Chair, PATA, stated, “To improve existing models of tourism, we have to incorporate principles of ecotourism, promote cultural exchange, leverage technology for more immersive experiences, and prioritise the well-being of local communities.”

In a bid to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, FHRAI organised a pivotal gathering of tourism stakeholders. The event ignited discussions to propel Union Territory’s tourism development through regulatory frameworks, facilitating investments, and implementing innovative marketing strategies to showcase J&K as a premier tourist destination.

Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency announces its partnership with the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India to organise a mega familiarisation (FAM) trip for its members from 30 June to 6 July. The initiative is dedicated to highlighting the myriad attractions of Türkiye to Indian travel agents. A total of 40 OTOAI members from across India will be participating in this exciting endeavour, representing diverse regions and tourism interests.