Category Archives: Associations

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for June 2022 showing a strong recovery. In terms of the domestic passenger market, India constitutes 2.2 percent of the global share, it revealed. Demand for air travel remains strong. “After two years of lockdowns and border restrictions people are taking advantage of the freedom to travel wherever they can,” said Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

NIMA held M!CE Forum 2022 in Jaipur from 29-31 July. Anand K Tripathi, Addl. Director, Rajasthan Tourism said that M!CE has huge potential. Jagdeep Bhagat, National Coordinator, NIMA, said, “The event offered a good networking opportunity to the members from across India. The idea behind this forum is to update the members about the opportunities in the industry and what’s going on in the world.”

MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India (HAI), has said that for some time to come, domestic tourism will continue to be the driving force. “Expansion of accommodation and access will be crucial factor to sustain this tempo of domestic tourism,” he added.

Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UNWTO, has said that the rate of growth in India is fantastic. “International travel opened in India in March this year, and it’s the domestic market that’s lifted the base line of travel activity.”

The NIMA MICE Forum 2022 is scheduled to be held from July 29-31 at Crown Plaza in Jaipur. Speaking about the event, Jagdeep Bhagat, National Coordinator, Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) said that the 3-day event will provide a good networking opportunity to its members. The idea behind this forum is to update members about opportunities in the industry. It will also have panel discussions, product showcases, and networking opportunities among the Indian MICE fraternity.

According to the WTTC Annual Research INDIA, the domestic visitor’s spend in India in 2021 was close to 2019 levels. The figures revealed that it was $155.8 billion in 2019 and 151.1 billion in 2021. In 2020, however, it was only $97 billion. 

According to WTTC Annual Research India, it has been revealed that India visitor spend on leisure was $153.6 billion in 2021, as compared to the business spend of $6.3 billion during the same period. This meant that the leisure spend was 24 times higher than business spend.

Travel Agents Federation of India’s eastern region chairman Anil Punjabi said with a lot of bookings and enquiries from people from various countries and Indian states, tourist arrivals to Kolkata and other parts of the state will be at an “all-time high” this time during Durga Puja. 

Speaking about the current visa delays, Ajay Prakash, TAFI President, says, “Business has been hampered by the current visa challenges for almost every country. It is easier to look at an Asian destination. So while the Indian travel trade and the traveller is suffering, the destination is also suffering. So it is in everyone’s interest to get this back on track.”

The Delhi High Court has stayed the recent guidelines prohibiting hotels and restaurants from levying service charge automatically on food bills. Justice Yashwant Varma, while dealing with petitions by NRAI and FHRAI challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)’s guidelines, said the issue requires consideration and directed the authorities to file their reply.