Category Archives: Associations

FHRAI has submitted a comprehensive list of recommendations on the upcoming Union Budget 2022-23 to the Finance Ministry outlining some of the much-needed expectations of the Hospitality industry. “We are requesting that hotels & tourism related sectors be included in infrastructure projects listed in the NIP set up under the DFI by the Ministry of Finance for promoting infrastructure funding”, said Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.

A TAFI delegation led by President Ajay Prakash called on Jyotiraditya Scindia to discuss the current situation and to seek assistance for the revival of the travel and tourism industry. He told the delegation that he is fully seized of the difficulty faced by agents and travellers alike due to the suspension of scheduled flights and stated the govt. will resume normal flights as soon as it is prudent.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) of the United Nations calls out against the introduction of blanket restrictions on travel, as witnessed in recent days. This call echoes the concerns raised by UNWTO Members during the 24th UNWTO General. Countries from all global regions expressed their solidarity with Southern African states, calling for the immediate lifting of travel bans imposed on specific countries and for freedom of international travel to be upheld.

Rajiv Mehra, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), has said that the MOT has spoken about taking stalls at Fitur and ITB. “We have asked our members about the same and around 30 IATO members have expressed willingness to participate in these travel shows. Fitur is scheduled in January, while ITB is scheduled in early March, 2022.

According to the latest forecast by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the same amount was lost in 2020, making it one of the sectors hit hardest by the health crisis. The coronavirus pandemic would likely cost the global tourism sector $2 trillion in lost revenue in 2021, revealed UN’s travel body, calling the sector’s recovery “fragile” and “slow.”

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “WTTC supports the World Health Organization (WHO) position in calling for borders to remain open and safe travel to continue. Closing borders will not prevent the spread of new variants. The latest variant is increasingly being detected in countries around the world. The way to keep safe is to focus on the vaccination status of individual travellers rather than placing whole countries onto red lists”.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, has revealed that the CM of Gujarat, Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel has confirmed to attend the 36th IATO Convention. “Sripad Yesso Naik, MoS, Tourism has also confirmed his presence for the valedictory session, scheduled on 18th December. We will also have Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, for our session on revival of business along with Dr. V Venu, Additional Chief Secretary, Kerala Tourism.”

As the tourism industry bounces back with all safety protocols, the Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), South Chapter recently initiated a knowledge session for its members. Many crucial changes in travel agents booking systems which will initiate digitalisation were announced. The session was held at The Paul Hotel Bangalore on 26 November and was all about discussions of TIDS and The Paul John Hotels & Resorts familiarization tour at Domlur, Bengaluru. The Travel Industry Designatory Service (TIDS) is an identity management program designed by IATA, Canada for all non-IATA travel companies made available free of cost globally. On procuring ETAA recommendation letter, the TIDS procedure will be complete. Travel agents and tour operators availing the service will get updated on the IATA agency list. This additional agency listing in turn with benefit airlines and hotel industry globally.

As per the WTTC report, 68 million travellers prefer to book a “Greener Choice” marked flight that is a lower-carbon flight option. In the long run ‘the country side’ destinations, will be the popular choice. The pause in travel has intensified people’s zeal to travel sustainably, with over eight out of 10 (83%) global travellers desiring sustainable travel in the future.

FHRAI has submitted a representation to the FM, Nirmala Sitharaman. In spite of the fact that the scheme was announced for both the health and tourist sectors, the hotel industry has been waiting for the government to inform it for almost five months. The FHRAI has expressed its displeasure with the government’s lack of concern for the hospitality industry.