Category Archives: Associations

FHRAI has written to Prime Minister seeking a special relief package for the tourism and hospitality sector due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-induced lockdowns. The association has requested that the Centre treat it as the “most distressed sector due to Covid-19. The industry has reported losses of ₹140,000 crore and around 500 lakh jobs were lost due to the pandemic. 

In the wake of Omicron, 95% of international bookings and 80% of domestic bookings have been postponed or cancelled said Sunil Gupta, Chairman Northern Region, IATO. “We have been severely impacted by the surge and Omicron, it is disheartening since we work hard on bookings and itineraries and everything suddenly cancels” he added. 

The ETAA north India committee organized a networking event at the Taj Ambassador, New Delhi on December 8, ensuring all appropriate COVID protocols. The Chairperson, Sangeeta Manocha announced the new core committee for the north India Chapter, with Punit Bhasin taking on the role of Vice Chairman, Gaurav Arora as the Joint Secretary and the addition of the new Membership Head, Deepika Khanna, along with Saurabh Tuteja as General Secretary, Dinesh Kumar – Treasurer, Praveen Ghai – Joint Secretary.

FHRAI has signed MoU with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to promote hospitality and related infrastructure in the Union Territory. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President represented the hospitality industry at the event and signed the joint MoU for FHRAI at the Real Estate Summit 2021. Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs graced the event.

Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UNWTO, said that there is a need to rethink the whole sector, boost rural tourism, and improve safety for travellers. “This has been very tough two years, but we see that in the future, we need to rethink the sector fully and that maybe an opportunity,” she said.

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Pune Chapter recently organised a fruitful meeting in Pune for about 60 members. The meeting was led by Chapter Chairman Sunil Uttam and Secretary Sameer Kulkarni. Pune sales heads of all five domestic airlines along with leading international Emirates’ were present at the event.

Highlighting the interest in UNWTO’s innovation and start-up competitions, UNWTO has been showcasing talent and readiness to hear new voices and embrace new ideas. Their global innovation ecosystem is now made up of more than 12,000 start-ups from 160 countries, with US$83 million mobilized and 300 corporate partners currently working on new tourism technologies.

Travel & Tourism sector’s employment is set to rise by 0.7% in 2021, representing 2 million jobs, followed by 18% increase in 2022 – only 10 million below 2019 levels. However, there is dire need to proactively address the current issue of staff shortages that the sector is facing, particularly in developed countries. Highlights WTTC’s latest economic projections from October 2021.

ATOAI’s active membership criteria has been revised. “We want people who’ve been actively involved in adventure travel, have their own equipment, guides, and manage adventure activities themselves, while those who promote adventure travel through operators continue to be in the associated group. The genuine active members are those who have their own operations.” stated Vaibhav Kala, Vice President, ATOAI.

As per press release by Hotel Association of India, The room rates have mostly returned to pre-covid levels at leisure locations. 2022 will be a year of hope, survival, and subtle recovery for the hotel industry in India. “Our industry is alive to the new trends that will shape the future—like use of technology, digitalisation, sustainable practices and increasing productivity in business,” stated M.P.Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI.