Category Archives: Associations

SKAL International India, a premier global organization of travel and tourism professionals, is proud to announce the launch of its Inaugural National culinary competition, ‘Culinary Sherpa,’ aimed at fostering young talent in the hospitality industry. The competition is set to inspire and recognize the next generation of chefs from hotel management institutes across India. The Culinary Sherpa competition took place in multiple cities, bringing together top culinary talent from premier hotel management colleges. Students competed in a series of rounds that challenged their creativity, skill, and understanding of culinary arts under the mentorship of industry stalwarts and SKAL members. The competition received tremendous response across India, with hotel management students from cities such as Bangalore, Tirupati, Goa, Pune, Chennai, etc., participating with enthusiasm. Competition Highlights: Eligibility: The competition was open to students from hotel management institutes across India. Rajagopaal Iyer, Director, Young SKAL India said “The success of the Culinary Sherpa program highlights the immense talent and creativity of India’s young culinary minds. This initiative not only provides students with a platform to showcase their skills but also connects them with industry leaders, setting the stage for their future success in the hospitality sector. At Young SKAL India, we are committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals, and Culinary Sherpa is a testament to that vision.” Sanjeev Mehra, President, SKAL International India, shared, “Culinary Sherpa is an exciting initiative to nurture young talent and prepare them for the dynamic hospitality industry. By engaging with students and showcasing their passion for food, we aim to create a platform that bridges education and industry opportunities.” Key Objectives of Culinary Sherpa: Promote innovation and excellence in the culinary arts among students. Encourage …

Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.

IATA forecasts a global airline profit of $36.6 billion in 2025, despite ongoing challenges. This will be a hard-earned achievement as airlines navigate lower oil prices, high load factors, cost controls, decarbonisation efforts, and a return to normal growth levels following the pandemic. Association expects airlines to adapt and thrive.

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) has announced the result of its unopposed election for the post of Office Bearers for the term 2024-2026 in New Delhi. Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, has been re-elected as Chairman, Ajeet Bajaj, ATOAI and Ajay Prakash, TAFI are the new Vice Chairmen. In contrast, Rajiv Mehra, IATO and Kanwarjeet Singh Sawhney have been declared the General Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. FAITH is the Policy Federation of 10 National Associations in India representing the entire Tourism and Hospitality Industry of the country which includes ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) and Cause Partner – AIRDA.

Highlighting the crucial role of the private sector in India and globally as a driving force for tourism growth, MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, urged the government to frame suitable structures for effective PPP. He said HAI’s two main demands—providing industry benefits and allowing infrastructure status—would bring in more revenue to the government, create millions of direct and indirect jobs, and promote inclusive growth.

Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours Kesari Tours Private Limited , takes the charge as new OTOAI President. Speaking about the first steps in his new role, he shared, “The aim is to change the perception and to grow the association pan-India, especially in the Western region and the Southern side. The way OTOAI is working, we will do well in both these areas.”

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) successfully concluded its elections on 5th December 2024, marking the end of the 2022-2024 term. The association introduced its new team for the term 2024-2026. Working committee members President: Himanshu Kesari Patil, Kesari Tours and Travels Vice President: Shravan Bhalla, High Flyer General Secretary: Sidharth Khanna, Khanna Enterprises (Regd.) Joint Secretary: Monia Kapoor, Travel O Holidays Treasurer: Gurdeep Singh Gujral, Gujral Tours and Travels The new leadership team is well-positioned to guide OTOAI with vision, dynamism, and a commitment to propelling growth in the outbound tourism sector. The election process was managed by Sanjay Datta, Managing Director, Airborne Holiday, who served as the Election Officer for the OTOAI elections. Executive Committee Members To strengthen the governance structure, the Executive Committee (EC) comprises both retained and nominated members. The EC members for the term 2024-2026 include: Riaz Munshi, N. Chirag Travels Adl Abdul Karim, Flycreative Online Ankush Nijhawan, Travel Boutique A Unit of Lap Travels Rohit Shorey, Destination Travel Services Vineet Gopal, Engee Holidays Vinayak Laud, Vinaayak Holidays The new team will officially commence their duties on 6 December, 2024. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and member engagement, the 2024-2026 team is dedicated to advancing OTOAI’s goals and promoting outbound tourism both domestically and internationally. OTOAI extended gratitude to the outgoing OTOAI team for their remarkable contributions, which included hosting impactful events, forming strategic collaborations, and signing numerous MOUs that enhanced the association’s footprint.  

At its 16th annual convention, ATOAI launched the Roadmap & Toolkit for Arunachal Pradesh, positioning it as a model for sustainable adventure tourism. Aimed at enhancing its identity as the “Last Shangri-La,” the initiative integrates ecological, cultural, and technological advancements, promising a balanced approach to promote pristine experiences while preserving local heritage.

TAAI, celebrating its journey from 1951 to 2026, will launch the ‘TAAI 75 Years’ initiative in early 2025. Sunil Kumar, President, said, “We’re starting early to ensure the initiative grows and transitions into a significant industry event. The celebrations will honour our legacy, foster partnerships, and highlight the evolution of India’s travel industry.”

Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI, said, “Delinking F&B rates from accommodation tariffs will empower the industry to adjust pricing based on market dynamics and customer demand, fostering growth across all segments. It will also streamline tax compliance, ensuring a win-win for both the industry and government revenues.”