Category Archives: Associations

Reacting to the Budget-2025, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “The Indian government’s recent budget reflects a strong commitment to boosting tourism. With initiatives like visa waivers to attract international tourists and upgrading 50 major tourist sites in collaboration with states, the focus is on positioning India as a top global destination. These measures, including investments in infrastructure and connectivity, are designed to enhance India’s tourism appeal. Visa waivers, in particular, will ease travel hurdles, inviting more foreign tourists and driving revenue.” He added that the government also emphasises medical tourism, recognising India’s world-class healthcare facilities. Through partnerships with the private sector, medical tourism is poised for growth. Furthermore, the Udaan scheme’s expansion to 120 destinations will facilitate travel, while Mudra loans for homestays will support affordable accommodation options.

Commenting on the Union Budget 2025, Kanwarjit Singh Sawhney, Hon. Secretary, ITTA said, “The tourism sector is benefiting from initiatives like the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which could make flying more affordable for the middle class. The reduction or waiver of e-visas for special groups, likely to include Buddhist tourists, is a positive step. India is being recognised as a hub for medical, spiritual, and niche tourism, with a focus on lesser-known destinations beyond the popular Delhi-Agra-Jaipur triangle. While the government’s efforts are commendable, there is a call for improvements in GST and TDS policies, particularly the introduction of a unified GST where input credit can be claimed. Additionally, regulations on luxury vehicles and speed limits for tourism transport need revision.”

Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC shared her opinion on the Union Budget 2025 saying, “The government sometimes forgets the service providers and travel agents. However, the budget focuses strongly on infrastructure, including the UDAN scheme, which will add 120 new routes to the existing 619, boosting footfalls. There are plans for more helipads in hill areas and new green and brown airports. The addition of 50 tourist sites will promote sustainable tourism. E-visas, particularly for medical and adventure tourism, are another positive development. Skilling initiatives, including the establishment of five National Centers of Excellence, are also encouraging. However, the tourism sector requires more support, especially in marketing and international promotion.”

Expressing his happiness over the Budget 2025-2026, KB Kachru, President, HAI, said, “Budget is progressive, especially with its focus on tourism and job creation. The government’s commitment to developing 50 new destinations, improving infrastructure, and leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is promising. This year’s budget very well highlights the importance of promoting Buddhist tourism with neighbouring countries and simplifying visa processes to enhance international travel. With India’s world-class hospitals, we have great potential in medical tourism, but there is a need to collaborate with the medical fraternity to attract international visitors. The introduction of Mudra loans for homestays will support startups and entrepreneurs in expanding homestay offerings, further boosting tourism. Overall, the initiatives taken by the government in this year’s budget are the steps in the right direction for the industry.”

With the announcement of the Union Budget 2025, the tourism and hospitality sector witnessed a new dawn of hope for tourism activities in India, specially for infrastructure development. Appreciating the budget, K Syama Raju, President, FHRAI, said, “The plan to develop the top 50 tourism destinations in partnership with state governments is a major initiative. This collaboration will not only improve infrastructure but also help spread tourism across the country, attracting more visitors and benefiting local communities. Additionally, the inclusion of hotels in the harmonious master list and the granting of infrastructure status to the hospitality sector is a significant move. This aligns with our long-standing request for granting of Infrastructure Status to the hospitality industry. This will facilitate access to cheaper, long-term financing, enabling hotels in these newly developed destinations to upgrade their facilities and offer world-class services, further boosting the sector.” He further added, “The focus on medical and wellness tourism through the ‘Heal-in-India’ initiative in the Union Budget 2025 is a forward-thinking move that will strengthen India’s position as a global leader in healthcare. India has already earned a reputation for providing world-class medical treatments at a fraction of the cost found in developed countries. By promoting ‘Heal-in-India,’ the government aims to further capitalise on this strength, attracting international patients seeking affordable, high-quality healthcare services. This initiative will not only boost medical and wellness tourism but will also create a platform for India’s healthcare industry to expand its global footprint. With the support of the government, healthcare facilities across the country will be encouraged to offer specialised treatments and services, making India an attractive destination for patients from both developed and developing nations.” He also highlighted, “The introduction …

India’s travel and tourism sector is set for significant expansion. Its valuation is expected to more than double to $523 billion over the next decade. According to Julia Simpson, President, WTTC, the sector, which currently contributes around 7% to India’s GDP and employs approximately 45 million people, is projected to support 63 million jobs by 2034.

Every hotel room added to the ecosystem creates two direct jobs and approximately eight indirect ones, significantly contributing to tourism infrastructure, said KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India, Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. “Yet, despite its transformative impact, the sector remains under-recognized in policy priorities. HAI calls for the Budget 2025-2026 to announce imperative policy interventions that empower the hospitality industry,” he says.

Threeland Travel, a prominent Destination Management Company (DMC) specialising in Southeast Asia, partnered with the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) to provide exclusive travel services during the TAFI Convention 2025. Represented in India by Global Destinations, Threeland Travel facilitated pre- and post-familiarization trips to showcase Vietnam’s captivating destinations to Indian travel agents. These trips included Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang, and Hoi An, offering immersive experiences that highlighted the natural beauty, cultural richness, and authentic local charm. The TAFI Convention, held from January 17-21 in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, serves as a vital platform for fostering relationships and exploring new opportunities within the travel and tourism sector. Recognizing the immense potential of destinations like Ninh Binh and Phu Quoc for Indian travelers, Threeland Travel aims to introduce these unique locales to the Indian market and integrate them into mainstream travel itineraries. One of the key highlights of the FAM trip was the gala dinner, hosted by Threeland, which took place at the elegant Vesak Ballroom within the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex. The illustrious Tam Chuc Pagoda is the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam. Spanning an impressive 5,000 hectares, the complex is enveloped by serene lakes, verdant mountains, dense forests, and picturesque valleys, providing visitors with a truly tranquil and awe-inspiring experience. Tony (Tung Nguyen), Managing Director of Threeland Travel, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and the opportunity to support the FAM trips and host the gala dinner. “Collaborating with TAFI and Global Destinations to curate an unforgettable experience for Indian travel professionals has been a privilege,” stated Mr. Nguyen. “Hanoi, with its vibrant culture, Halong Bay’s breathtaking scenery, Da Nang’s coastal beauty, and Hoi An’s historical charm, offer immense …

Sunil Kumar, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said, “We intend to highlight focus on TAAI’s role in fostering collaboration between us and the industry, enhancing our relevance to our membership, and becoming the representative voice not only for our members but also for passengers and the broader industry. We must set up our own marketplace in India, which is one of TAAI’s objectives—to create a business network among members for connection and collaboration.”

As TAAI nears its 75th anniversary in 2026, celebrations began in January 2025 with the unveiling of a commemorative logo. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, emphasised that the next two years are going to be a runway for 2026, with the theme ‘connection, collaboration and celebration.’ He pointed out that TAAI will continue to expand committees and will focus on establishing a marketplace to enhance business network among members for collaboration.