Category Archives: Associations

SKAL International Pune, in collaboration with TAAI, TAFI, IIHM and PHA, is set to host “Pedal for a Purpose,” a unique cycle marathon on 22 September, 2024, aimed at bringing together the travel fraternity and their families for a day of fun, networking and social impact. Pedals United for a Meaningful Impact This monumental event will mark the beginning of World Tourism Week celebrations in Pune and is designed to create a meaningful social impact on the city. Participants will embark on a dynamic 15-20 km cycling journey through central Pune,  with impactful stopovers dedicated to various social causes including, road safety, tree planting and reducing plastic use. Purpose Beyond the Finish Line “Pedal for a Purpose” is about more than just cycling. It is a platform for the travel fraternity to come together and make a difference. The day will conclude with a grand celebration featuring food, games, music and a flea zone, providing ample opportunities for networking and socialising. Join SKAL Pune in Pedalling a Difference If you’re a part of the travel and tourism industry in Pune, don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while celebrating the spirit of travel. Join “Pedal for a Purpose” on 22 September, 2024 and be a part of something truly special.

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) concluded its highly anticipated webinar on 27 August 2024,  titled “Safe Journeys: Enhancing Women’s Safety in Tourism.” Organised by the ATOAI Women’s Collective and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the event marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of safer travel for women. The event saw a robust attendance from various segments of the travel trade, including tour operators, travel agents, and hospitality professionals. Representatives from state tourism departments, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, also participated, underscoring the significance of the event. Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in her opening remarks, emphasised the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for women, both as travellers and professionals within the tourism industry. She highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to addressing safety concerns and promoting gender equality across all levels of the sector. The distinguished panel of experts, Hannah Pearson, Regional Director APAC, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Dilshad Master Kumar, Director Bull’s Adventures & Outward-Bound India Himalaya, Outdoors Leader, TEDx Speaker and Mohit Aggarwal, CEO, Asian Adventures shared profound insights and forward-thinking strategies on safeguarding women in the tourism sector. The discussion left participants with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in enhancing women’s safety within this industry. The key takeaways from the session included several critical areas essential for advancing women’s safety in tourism: First, the importance of adhering to internationally recognised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) was emphasised. These guidelines help ensure consistent and reliable safety practices across different regions and sectors, creating a unified approach that travellers and service providers can trust. Second, the …

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is proud to announce an upcoming webinar, organized by the ATOAI Women’s Collective with support from the Ministry of Tourism titled “Safe Journeys: Enhancing Women’s Safety in Tourism” In an era where the safety and well-being of female travelers are at the forefront of global discussions, this webinar aims to address and enhance strategies for ensuring safe and secure travel environments for women. Bringing together some of the most distinguished experts from the tourism industry, the session promises to be both enlightening and impactful. The session will feature a panel of distinguished speakers who are leaders in their respective fields. Our panel of experts will share insights, tools, and resources that can help us all contribute to a safer travel experience for everyone. Join us for this insightful panel discussion on Tuesday, 27th August 2024, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Distinguished Panelists: Hannah Pearson, Regional Director APAC, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) A pioneering force in Asia’s tourism landscape, Hannah Pearson brings over a decade of expertise in travel startups and consulting. Her groundbreaking reports and co-hosting of The South East Asia Travel Show underscore her role as a leading authority in Southeast Asian tourism. Dilshad Master Kumar, Director Bull’s Adventures & Outward Bound India Himalaya, Outdoors Leader, TEDx Speaker With a trailblazing career spanning 23 years, Dilshad Master Kumar is a transformative figure in media and adventure. From her trailblazing media ventures to her leadership in high-altitude treks, including Everest and Siachen, Dilshad’s TEDx talks and work with Bull’s Adventures & Outward Bound India Himalaya epitomize resilience and empowerment. Mohit Aggarwal, CEO, Asian Adventures An influential advocate for conservation and …

According to the global authority on the economic and social contribution of travel and tourism – WTTC, taxes provide an opportunity to help fund necessary changes in travel and tourism infrastructure. However, any taxes levied should be used to stimulate and promote economic growth and job creation in the sector. It says that well-designed tourism taxes can be both practical and meaningful tools in the sustainable management of a destination’s resources and the development of tourism infrastructure.

A total of 415 deals (comprising mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and venture financing deals) were announced in the travel and tourism sector during January to July 2024, which was a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 10.4% compared to the 463 deals announced during the same period in 2023, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Deal activity remained a mixed bag across different regions and countries, with some of them experiencing a fall in deal volume, while others showcasing improvement. And the same was the case with the deal types under coverage as well.” A significant part of the decline was driven by North America, which saw its deal volume fall by 30.9% during January-July 2024 compared to January-July 2023. Asia-Pacific and South and Central American regions also showcased YoY decline of 16.3% and 42.9% in deal volume during January-July 2024, respectively. However, Europe saw YoY improvement in deal volume by 16.8% during the review period as some of the key markets in the region witnessed growth in the number of deals, whereas deal volume for the Middle East and Africa mostly remained at the same level. Meanwhile, key markets including the US, South Korea, China, Australia, and France witnessed a 30.4%, 5.6%, 50%, 27.8% and 45% decline in deal volume during January-July 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year. However, markets such as the UK, India, Japan, Spain, and Germany experienced improvement in deal volume during the review period. An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database also revealed that the volume of M&A deals declined by 6.6% during January-July 2024 compared to January-July 2023, whereas the number of venture financing deals fell by 25.4% YoY. …

The Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) successfully hosted its inaugural roadshow in Mumbai on 20th August 2024 at the IMC, Churchgate. The event brought together 25 exhibitors from various sectors of the travel and tourism industry, with over 100 Travel Agents and Tour Operators participating and benefiting from this vibrant gathering. The exhibitor lineup showcased a diverse range of participants, including Domestic and International DMCs, Tourism Boards, Visa Experts, Hotels, Loan Advisors, Insurance Partners, and Airlines. The Mumbai Board Team, consisting of Mr. Jagat Mehta, National Director; Mr. Abhijit Khadilkar, National Director & Membership Head; Mrs. Dipti Pradhan Thakoor, National Director & Event Head; and Mr. Dharmesh Advani, National Director, spearheaded the event with strong support from ETAA Coordinators and the ETAA Mumbai Committee. The roadshow marked a significant first for the team, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from both exhibitors and travel agents. Sponsored presentations by M/s AVNI MICE and RupeeBoss Financial Services Pvt Ltd. added value to the event, while India Tourism made a notable appearance. Tourism Malaysia and Qatar Tourism offered complimentary hotel packages, and Oman Air and Indigo sponsored hampers for the lucky draw. Exciting lucky draws were held every 30 minutes, sponsored by various Exhibitors, with participants walking away with a variety of delightful prizes. The ETAA Business Partners Meet 2024 set a new benchmark for industry collaboration, energizing the travel community with fresh connections, exciting opportunities, and a shared vision for the future of travel.

Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT), the travel business division of ITDC, has been appointed as the official travel partner for India’s Paralympic team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence and ensures a seamless travel experience for the athletes, coaches, and the entire Indian contingent. A grand send-off event was organized at The Ashok, New Delhi, where the Nation’s Paralympic heroes were honoured. The event symbolized the nation’s collective pride and optimism as our Paralympics athletes embark on their journey to Paris 2024.

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) celebrates the milestone of bringing over 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries under the hotel sustainability basics (basics) programme. It is planning to expand across India with the help of major hotel brands such as Radisson India.

IATA urges all governments to promptly share their regulatory changes with IATA to ensure this information reaches the entire airline industry. Willie Walsh, DG, IATA, says, “The reality is that without the proactive support of govts, if IATA is not aware of the changes before new regulations take effect, its virtually impossible for airlines to comply with country requirements. All we are asking is for govts to promptly communicate regulatory changes concerning passengers air cargo or airport charges to IATA. Let us do the rest.”

A key highlight of the TAFI Western India AGM was the discussion on one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry: the severe shortage of trained staff. Jay Kantawala, its Chapter Chairman, says, “The need to build a robust pool of new employees has never been more urgent. Members shared suggestions on how we can address this challenge like collaborating with tourism institutions and colleges that specialise in tourism programmes.”