Category Archives: Associations

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.

Ahead of the Union Budget-2025-26, CII has urged the govt to launch a national and international multi-channel marketing campaign, Incredible India 3.0, to showcase India’s diverse tourist attractions. Brand ambassadors in select countries and setting up special desks in Indian embassies abroad would further promote India Tourism, it said. Tourist safety is crucial for tourism promotion, thus, “Mission Suraksha”, with dedicated tourist police and round-the-clock security at major destinations, should be launched to ensure tourists’ safety and trust.

It is heartening to see that Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU), the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) and All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) have decided to observe 24th January as ‘Drivers’ Day.’ Satish Sehrawat, President,  and  K.S. Sawhney, Hon. Secretary, ITTA shared their excitement to be a part of this initiative. Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) is the premier national body of tourist transporters recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, under the provisions of CMVR 1989. Numerous members have received the coveted National Tourism Award a testament to their exceptional service and dedication. They specialise in catering to esteemed clients, including international tourists, through strategic collaboration with tour operators, travel agents, and hotels, offering a range of latest hi-end luxury cars and coaches to meet their transportation needs. Unlike other services, they do not pick up passengers from the roadside, ensuring a safe and personalised experience. Their expertise extends to high-profile events organised by various Ministries, including state head visits, overseas delegations, and mega events like the G20. As a leading association, they take immense pride in delivering unparalleled passenger transportation experiences, prioritising safety, reliability, and excellence for valued clients. Established on March 2, 1989, the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) proudly celebrates 37 years of dedicated service to the tourist transport industry. They firmly believe that drivers are the ambassadors of tourism industry. ITTA has consistently demonstrated its commitment to driver development, initiating pioneering programmes such as: Comprehensive one-week training for over 1,700 drivers during the Commonwealth Games and again in 2013. They are planning to conduct regular training programmes for drivers in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism. Recognition of …

Anil Kalsi, Vice President, TAFI has shared that the TAFI Convention had vibrant business sessions focusing on burning issues of NDC, travel scenario in the Artificial Intelligence and discussions on new avenues for revenue generation. The members also learnt about innovative and historical venues in Ninh Binh for meetings and conferences.

Sharing his expectations from the Union Budget 2025 for the hospitality sector, Vishal Kamat, Chairman, CII Maharashtra Chapter, said, “Our hopes for the Union Budget 2025 revolve around meaningful policy reforms and strategic incentives to stimulate growth. While we applaud the government’s hefty investments in infrastructure, the hospitality sector needs more than just highways and airports.”