Category Archives: Associations

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) joined hands with Nexus DMC, launching the innovative NEXTAAl platform. This collaborative effort aims to revolutionise the travel industry, offering unparalleled benefits and opportunities to the association’s members. The aim is to empower travel excellence through this strategic partnership.

In a significant policy shift, VK Saxena, LG, Delhi has withdrawn the requirement for police-issued licences and NOCs for 7 trade categories, including hotels, motels, guest houses & eating houses. K B Kachru, President, HAI, hailed it as a landmark decision, stating it would boost Delhi’s appeal as a competitive & investment-friendly hospitality hub.

Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, Jammu & Kashmir, has said that they are planning to hold roadshows in the remaining part of the year to increase their interaction with the associations.” A calendar of roadshows has been submitted to Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister & Tourism Minister, J&K. Once he approves, it will start.”

Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, said the recent US travel advisory is unlikely to impact inbound tourism significantly. “The advisory covers areas not on regular tourist itineraries. Most American tourists visit Rajasthan, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka—not Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand,” he explained. Gosain added that “J&K has always been under the ‘Do Not Travel’ category, so it’s not new.” On Northeast India, he said, “Tourists usually stick to capital cities like Guwahati or those in Nagaland and Meghalaya, which are exempted.” He emphasised that organised leisure travel from the US remains unaffected by the advisory.

Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, says, “IATO members, after visiting Kashmir, as part of ‘Rubaroo with J&K’, will be better equipped to apprise their clients about the on-ground situation in the valley and how safe it is.” The association’s 22-member delegation is visiting Pahalgam and Srinagar to promote the destination after the unfortunate terror attack.

IATO has taken a delegation of 22 members to Pahalgam & Srinagar, as part of its ‘Rubaroo with J&K’ initiative with an idea to revive tourism in the valley after the unfortunate terror attack some time back. In fact, LG, J&K has announced the reopening of many destinations in Pahalgam.

TAAI President Sunil Kumar announced a series of initiatives to revive tourism in Jammu & Kashmir. These include member and media meetings across 20 regional chapters, a special ‘Family and Friends’ package by the TAAI J&K Chapter, and a dedicated session on Kashmir at the TAAI Convention 2025. To enhance travel confidence, TAAI will also produce promotional videos and content highlighting the region’s offerings and safety, encouraging wider participation in the revival of Kashmir tourism.

HRAWI has planned to organise its annual Convention from 8-9 October at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. The regional association is expecting more than 1,000 attendees this year. It is still to confirm the convention’s theme. It will conduct its Conclave & Awards: Empowering Hospitality at Della Enclave Villa Resort in Lonavala on 26th June.  

Debjit Dutta, Chairman, IATO West Bengal Chapter, has clarified that the recent news reports of a 3-month tourist ban in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve that created panic across the trade is false. “Upon intervention by IATO West Bengal, the Forest Department has officially confirmed that the news is false and unverified. Such misinformation available on social media severely impacts tourism, disrupts local livelihoods, and damages the reputation of sensitive destinations. Media must verify facts with competent authorities before publishing,” he adds.

To boost tourism revival in Jammu and Kashmir, TAAI launched its ‘Rally for Valley’ campaign, showcasing solidarity and support for the region’s travel industry. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said that the campaign will run for the next three months, till the end of September, with region-wide efforts to regain traveller confidence and strengthen tourism in Kashmir.