Category Archives: Associations

HAI has presented ‘Vision 2047 – Indian Hotel Industry-Challenges & the Road Ahead’ to V Vidyavathi, Tourism Secretary. It highlights that direct contribution of hotel industry to GDP was $40 bn in 2022, expected to reach $68 bn by 2027, and $1 tn by 2047.

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) will hold its national AGM as well as elections for the new term on September 2, 2023 in Mumbai. This will take place after all regional and chapter elections are over and new teams have been appointed. 

ADTOI celebrated its 27th Founders Day on 7th August 2023 at the Metropolitian, New Delhi. Association was constituted on 7th August, 1996 with a purpose of uniting and merging the efforts of all domestic tour operators actively trying to promote different regions of India. PP Khanna, President, ADTOI launched the ADTOI mobile app during the occasion. The mobile app in Android and IOS have been developed, the android version is already available and the IOS will be available within a week. Ved Khanna, Treasurer, ADTOI shared the reason behind the app, “The major reason was smooth functionality as domestic tour operators complained that they did not recieve mails or was unable to communicate or get in touch with the office bearers.” At the event, the ADTOI Founder Members and the past Presidents were honoured and facilitated for their vision and contributions to building the association. Also, on the occasion, the criteria for nomination for the AKR Awards were announced. The AKR AwardS was instituted by ADTOI, in memory of Anil Kumar Rajput, the travel Industry veteran who did groundbreaking work in researching and promoting new destinations.            

KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South-Asia, Radisson Hotel Group and Vice President, Hotel Association of India, launched his book ‘ Humility and Agility: The Life of a Hotelier’, where he informed, “We will have the best Radisson hotel in the country opening in Srinagar in the next three months.” 

Speaking on the impact of AI & ChatGPT on travel industry at the PATA India Chapter’s webinar, Matt Gibson, CEO, UPTHINK said, “AI is no replacement for travel professionals, as it cannot offer the personalisation that tour operators/ travel agents can give.”    

PATA India Chapter will organize a webinar on AI & ChatGPT 2023 today at 11 am. The speaker of the event is Matt Gibson, CEO of UpThink, a digital specialist in content, SEO, influencer marketing & AI integration for the travel industry.

The 38th IATO Annual Convention will take place in Aurangabad from September 29 to October 2, 2023. Ravi Gosain, IATO VP, said they expect about 900-1000 delegates from all over the country at the event. The theme of the convention is ‘Inbound Tourism and Emerging sustainable trends’ and there will be 5 post tours.

Tejbir Singh Anand, VP of ATOAI, says that Maharashtra is one of the most mature markets in India for adventure tourism. “It is a fantastic market. Its not just about money; its also about the attitude and aspirations. In Maha we find people who are more aspirational have a long bucket list. It definitely tops as a source market, with Pune and Mumbai being the icing on the cake.”

The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) in partnership with the Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore, took center stage on 01 August 2023, as they organized a highly successful roadshow at the prestigious Hotel Grand Regent in Coimbatore. The event aimed to foster mutual growth and cooperation between the two vibrant travel communities, while promoting the mesmerizing tourism opportunities in the Andaman Islands. With a turnout of 50 travel agents from Coimbatore, the event was graced by the presence of AATO’s President, M. Vinod, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in elevating the Andaman Islands as a prime tourist destination. The roadshow proved to be an invaluable platform for networking and knowledge sharing among the participants. Highlighting the event’s significance, M. Vinod, President of AATO, said, “We are excited to collaborate with the Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore for this incredible roadshow. This platform has allowed us to showcase the diverse and breathtaking tourism opportunities that await travelers in the Andaman Islands. We are confident that this event will lead to fruitful partnerships and an increase in tourist footfall to our beautiful islands.” The event commenced with a panel discussion on “Tourism Opportunities in Andaman” that was moderated by the Joint Secretary of AATO, Saikat Biswas. The discussion delved into the untapped potential of the Andaman Islands as a year-round travel destination, featuring its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and thriving marine life. The insightful session garnered active participation from travel agents and industry experts, enabling the exchange of ideas on promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) organised an insightful seminar aimed at simplifying the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for the hospitality industry in Panaji. The seminar was held on the heels of the 50th GST Council meeting which took place on July 11, 2023, in New Delhi. The event saw attendance from 42 hospitality professionals including hotel and restaurant owners from across Goa. CA Jinit R Shah, a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience, conducted the seminar, providing in-depth knowledge and practical insights on GST related topics to the participants. The seminar focused on a variety of GST-related topics that are relevant to the hospitality industry. These topics included the rates applicable to restaurant services within hotel premises with different room tariffs, free food supplied to staff, food packaging, tips and service charge, covers charges, and sponsorships. For hotels, Mr Shah shared insights on the break-up of room tariffs and the applicable GST rates, including when there is provision for extra beds, or when guests use hotel utilities such as laundry services or consume from the mini-fridges in the rooms, among others. “The GST has been a complex and challenging tax regime for our industry and this seminar has helped us to better understand the rules and how to comply with them. His insights and practical examples tailored specifically for the hospitality sector have been immensely valuable for our members. The seminar has empowered professionals to navigate the GST landscape with confidence and efficiency, addressing doubts and providing valuable resources. The seminar has not only helped us clarify doubts on a variety of GST related topics but, has also equipped us better to …