Category Archives: Associations

Putting women on centre stage of Travel & Tourism will ensure a better future for the sector: WTTC

Julia Simpson, President & CEO WTTC said, “Putting women on centre stage of Travel & Tourism will ensure a better future for the sector. One of the major barriers to improving gender diversity is the lack of insightful and robust data in the public domain. Companies need to hold themselves accountable to guarantee progress is made over time.” 

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Indian airports not able to realise opportunity despite geographical advantage: CAPA India

Despite having a natural geographical advantage, Indian airports have, to date, not been able to realise the opportunity that exists, according to CAPA India. According to its research, for years India has ceded traffic to offshore hubs. In fact, over the last couple of decades, there has been a structural evolution from hubs to mega-hubs, particularly in the Middle East, supported by world class airlines with large widebody fleets. It will discuss this and more at its research briefing on ‘Prospects for airport hubs in India’ at 4pm IST today.

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NIMA signs MoU with Saint Petersburg Convention Bureau to boost MICE ties

We are pleased to announce the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the St. Petersburg Convention Bureau. This is a step forward after we had a similar agreement with the Moscow City Tourism Corporation, where we agreed to promote Russia as a MICE-friendly destination for all of the movement coming from India. This is a bilateral movement because this understanding will promote MICE both within and outside of India. And Russia is looking for increased participation from Indian stakeholders because, given the current geopolitical situation in the world, India is Russia’s preferred source market. Similarly, as inbound tourists to our country, Russians have always been preferred. 

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TCS increase will hamper both our business and government revenue: Riaz Munshi

Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, has said that the TCS being increased to 20% will hamper our business and at the same time there is going to be a huge deficiency in government revenue as people would prefer to either book through foreign tour operators or foreign OTAs to save GST and TCS both. “At present as well, outbound tour operators and government of India is losing revenue on the same grounds,” he added. 

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NDRF organizes Disaster Management Training Course for ATOAI Adventure Guides

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) organized a six-day Disaster Management Course from 30th January 2022 to 4th February 2023 at 8 Battalion, NDRF, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh for adventure guides. The adventure guides from across the country successfully completed the 6-day course on Disaster Management, Search & Rescue, First Aid & CPR, Fire Safety, Water Emergencies, Snake & Animal Bites, Group Exercises / Leadership, communication skills and related topics. The adventure guides were awarded certificates on completion of the course by Commandant Praveen Kumar Tiwary, Commandant 8th Battalion NDRF. The adventure guides were also made honorary wardens for keeping ‘the great outdoors’ pristine and to ensure that ATOAI safety guidelines are followed in letter and spirit. Commandant Praveen Kumar Tiwary says “NDRF is known for its professional acumen in the field of disaster response and rescue operations. This course is going to be a force multiplier for the participants. The people associated with adventure sports are passionate and having tremendous set of skills. This course is certainly going to help them in their future endeavours. The training imparted in this course will enable them to respond effectively in trying times”. Speaking to the adventure guides at NDRF Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI said “ATOAI has always endeavoured to be a ‘Force for Good’ for our country and tried to pitch in during natural disasters. This is the value system ATOAI stands for and these training sessions will enable adventure guides who are trained professionals and spread across the country, to be force multipliers for rescue and support during natural disasters. This will also up-skill adventure professionals/ guides in providing …

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TCS for overseas tour packages above ₹50 lakh increased from 5% to 20% in Budget 2023-24

In the Union Budget 2023, it was announced that the government has increased Tax Collection at Source (TCS) for overseas packages from 5%to 20%. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, says that instead of reducing the TCS, it has been increased and it will hamper the business. Rajeev Sabharwal  (CA), Chief Executive, Gaurav Travels, says outbound industry should oppose this move.

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Subhash Goyal appointed Honorary Patron for NIMA

Dr Subhash Goyal (MBA, PhD), Chairman – STIC Travel Group and Member – National Tourism Advisory Council, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has been appointed as the Honorary Patron for the Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA). “His vast experience in the Global and Indian tourism industry will be a guiding force for us to further the objectives of NIMA for the betterment of our members and other stakeholders of the Indian MICE industry,” said a statement from NIMA.

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‘Inter-ministerial board with state govts can resolve adventure tourism issues in India’: Ajeet Bajaj

Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, has said that setting up the National Board for Adventure Tourism by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is a welcome step, “We have already had two board meetings and are gaining momentum. This inter-ministerial board with state governments’ participation will help resolve many issues pertaining to adventure tourism in India.”

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India’s domestic air traffic in Revenue Passenger Kilometers or RPKs increased by 11.1% YoY: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shared that air travel recovery across the world continued through November 2022, with India’s domestic recovery catching up with 2019 numbers soon. “In India, domestic RPKs (Revenue Passenger Kilometers) increased by 11.1% YoY and ASKs by 0.5%. November RPKs were 12.2% short of 2019 results,” it said.

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