Category Archives: Associations

Special Director General of Police Varun Kapoor conducted a workshop on cyber crime and cyber security for the Travel Agents of Association of India at the Jal Auditorium on 8 April. The workshop was attended by the TAAI team as well as travel agents and stakeholders of the city. TAAI MP CG Chairman Hemendra Singh Jadon, Munish Kumar from Air India, Arvind Rathore from Indigo Airlines Travel Agents and trade partners were present in the workshop. Addressing the workshops, Dr. Kapoor said that the use of computers, smart phones has increased a lot and most of our time is spent on social networking sites, online games, shopping. The use of computers, smart phones, internet has become a part of our life. With their increasing use, the number of cyber crimes has increased. Children and women are most at risk from this. Cyber ​​criminals make their victims using email, chat rooms, social networking sites, fake websites and software. Due to this, incidents of digital arrests have also increased, for which awareness campaigns are being run across the country. It must be kept in mind that do not accept friend requests from unknown persons on social media. Do not share your personal information such as date of birth, address, phone number, bank account information, credit/debit card information, password and OTP, etc. Keep changing your passwords from time to time. If someone on the phone, claiming to be a bank employee, asks you for information about your bank account, credit card/debit card etc., do not give it. Do not like, comment and forward every post on social media unnecessarily and without investigation. Do not click on unknown links. Do not install software, apps, …

As India rapidly climbs the global ranks in adventure tourism from 99th to 38th position, ensuring safety and sustainability has never been more critical. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), in its impactful webinar titled ‘Safety First: Risk Mitigation in Adventure & Outdoor Tourism,’ laid down a clear path for the sector’s growth, grounded in preparedness, accountability and responsible practices. The session, held on 4 April, 2025, brought together key voices from the industry to chart a course toward safer, more resilient adventure tourism in India. With a vision of reaching the global top 10 in adventure tourism by 2034, ATOAI underlined that the sector’s promising growth must be supported by robust infrastructure, trained professionals, internationally certified equipment, highly trained adventure guides, safety standards, strong regulatory framework and Standard Operating Procedures. Delivering the keynote address, Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, reiterated the sector’s shared responsibility to uphold safety as a non-negotiable pillar. He stressed the urgent need for a cultural shift where safety, sustainability and standardisation go hand in hand with growth. “India is rising fast in global rankings. But with that rise comes a duty—to protect lives, build trust and set benchmarks,” Bajaj said. The webinar featured distinguished panellists who addressed the sector’s most pressing challenges and actionable solutions: Shantanu Pandit, Consultant, EKO India, emphasised that risk management is not a checklist but a process. He advocated for realistic risk assessments, ‘activity mapping,’ SOPs and training to embed a culture of prevention and preparedness at every level. Navita Shyam, Alpine Adventures Trail Tours, focused on medical readiness as a shared responsibility between operators and tourists. She highlighted the ‘3 Ps’—Plan, Prepare, Practice—and called for improved first-aid training, wilderness …

Erode Tour Operators Association (ETA) announced the installation of its new office bearers for the term 2025-2027. The installation ceremony took place on 23 March, 2025, bringing together distinguished industry leaders, travel professionals, and esteemed guests to mark this significant occasion. The newly elected leadership team includes Saravanan Muthukumaran as President, Ashokkumar as Secretary, Aishwarya Manoj as Treasurer, Nehru Natarajan as Joint Secretary, Sajith as FAM Trip Coordinator, Vignesh as Member Relationship Coordinator and Vasanthakokilam as Event Coordinator. The installation was officiated by K. Babu, Founder & Managing Director of Salem Tour & Travels (P), as the Chief Guest & Installing Officer, alongside Jeril James, Director of Ibex Group of Resorts, who graced the event as the Guest of Honor. Outgoing President Karthik Manoharan, Outgoing Secretary Saravanan Muthukumaran, and Outgoing Treasurer Shakunthalai Parthasarathy presented a detailed report on the association’s achievements over the past two years, highlighting key initiatives such as industry networking events, market updates, and FAM trips. Newly installed President Saravanan Muthukumaran shared his vision for the future, focusing on collaboration, industry growth, and strengthening relationships among tour operators, transporters, and hoteliers. The new leadership team is committed to enhancing the travel trade, expanding opportunities for members, and promoting tourism development in Tamil Nadu and beyond. ETA remains at the forefront of fostering business growth, networking, and knowledge-sharing within the travel industry. Under its new leadership, the association looks forward to an exciting and productive term ahead.

Emphasising on bridging the gap between Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and the hospitality sector during HRANI’s  11th Conclave in New Delhi, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI, said, “The direct linkage between hotels, restaurants, and FPOs is a game-changer for both sectors. This model not only ensures high-quality farm-fresh produce for the hotel industry but also enhances farmers’ income.”

TAAI has launched TAAI DMC Connect that offers Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in India and internationally an opportunity to remain connected with the Indian industry to help promote their products and services. In its website revamp, TAAI will offer DMCs an opportunity to actively engage with the industry. This will support members’ handhold and bring in quality relationship that can benefit our travelling customers.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) elections will be held on 10 May, 2025 at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi. The elections will be conducted for the post of President and new Executive Committee Members. The next elected President will replace Rajiv Mehra, current President, IATO.

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India is all geared up to organise its second edition of Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 on 26 March in New Delhi. The platform is focused on advancing sustainability into mainstream tourism and hospitality. The day-long event will see Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the Chief Guest. It will also have panel discussions focusing on key topics.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO in the recent luncheon meeting before the elections, expressed gratitude to members for their trust and support. He reflected on his 30-year association with IATO, from joining in 1995 to serving as Vice President and then President. Mehra expressed gratitude for members’ trust, highlighting key milestones like expanding membership beyond 2,000 and securing special hotel rates for small agents. He praised IATO’s transformation into a pan-India association and acknowledged industry and government support. Assuring continued dedication, Mehra welcomed new leadership, confident in IATO’s future growth.

TAAI hosted the ‘Women of Wonder Awards 2025’ in Delhi to celebrate women across India who have significantly impacted the travel, hospitality, and aviation industry. Among the awardees were Pravati Parida, Dy CM, Odisha, Mugdha Sinha, DG, MOT, etc. Out of 75 awards, 20 were received by TAAI’s Region and Chapter heads.

A delegation from the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), led by M Vinod (President, AATO) along with K Hamza, Vivek, Sajid, and Saikat Biswas, met Lieutenant Governor Admiral DK Joshi (Retd.) to discuss key concerns impacting the tourism industry in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The delegation emphasised the need for a comprehensive tourism policy and the formation of a tourism committee comprising stakeholders and officials for better coordination. They also requested support for the revival of AirAsia’s Kuala Lumpur flights, which were withdrawn in April 2024, and raised concerns over SpiceJet’s route withdrawal, which has led to increased airfare prices and inconvenience to travellers. AATO also urged the administration to open new islands for tourism to ease overcrowding at existing destinations and enhance the visitor experience. Additionally, the delegation requested the extension of Inland Vessel (IV) limits, allowing better maritime connectivity and smoother operations for tourism-related boat services. Joshi appreciated AATO’s efforts and assured that the administration is committed to addressing these concerns for the sustainable growth of tourism in the islands. AATO extends its gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for his valuable time and continued support in strengthening the Andaman tourism industry.