Category Archives: Associations

With the allocation for Incredible India campaigns abroad cut down drastically, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “The government announced to develop 50 destinations this year but we are yet to see any progress in the projects announced in 2023. We have no idea what will happen with earlier announcements. But a decrease in promotional activities overseas will impact tourism activities.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO showed dismay on the budget allocation of a mere ₹ 3 crores made to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for overseas promotion and marketing in the Union Budget announced by the Finance Minister on 1 February 2025. “It is shocking that the budget of ₹ 33 cr has been reduced to ₹ 3 cr. Infact the earlier allocated budget of ₹ 33 cr was also miniscule and not enough for overseas promotions and publicity,” he said. Mehra said, “It is really surprising that on one side the Government is extolling the contribution of the tourism sector for its contribution in economic growth of the country and employment generation and on other hand the government is just allocating a peanut budget of ₹ 3 crores for promoting the country abroad. As a result, the Ministry of Tourism, would not be able to participate and set up India Pavilion in any of the International Travel and Tourism Marts, nor would the Ministry be able to do any overseas publicity and conduct any overseas road shows. This has been happening post covid every year where the Ministry of Tourism has to approach the Ministry of Finance to get approval/sanction for participation in any overseas travel mart/fair. This has led to reduced participation of tourism stakeholders in such marts leading to poor travel promotion and marketing.  In comparison, countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Mauritius etc. set up big Tourism Pavilion in international markets which give them ample opportunities to increase inbound tourism to their respective countries. Our government needs to understand that without showcasing our country’s Tourism products in Global Travel Mart and events it is very difficult …

Moscow City Tourism Committee hosted a prestigious gala dinner, brought together more than 170 key partners including prominent associations like TIA, OTOAI, NIMA, MICE agencies, TO and TA, government officials and media, along with delegates from Moscow, to celebrate the strengthening bond between India and the Russian capital. The event highlighted the growing collaboration in tourism and business sectors, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to enhancing ties with India’s outbound tourism market. This initiative aligns with Moscow’s strategic focus on the MICE sector, aiming to position the city as a premier destination for Indian business and leisure travellers. The evening welcomed guests with the unique traditional “Moscow Tea Time” followed by captivating performances from the renowned ‘Rusy’ dance troupe, blending Russian folk songs with modern choreography to showcase Moscow’s rich cultural heritage. It was an unforgettable spread of elaborate cuisines and extraordinary lucky draw prizes generously offered by the Moscow travel and MICE industry. Distinguished delegates included Ivan Fetisov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai; Dr. Elena Remizova, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in India and Director of the Russian House in New Delhi; and Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, and Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, addressed the audience, emphasizing India’s significance as a top focus market and highlighting the growing popularity of the hassle-free e-visa among Indian travellers, noting a 1.4-fold increase in 2024 compared to 2023 with over 61,000 visits in the first nine months. Their speeches emphasized strengthening of unparalleled business opportunities and new attractions for the Indian travellers. Speaking on the occasion Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the …

Reacting to the Budget-2025, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “The Indian government’s recent budget reflects a strong commitment to boosting tourism. With initiatives like visa waivers to attract international tourists and upgrading 50 major tourist sites in collaboration with states, the focus is on positioning India as a top global destination. These measures, including investments in infrastructure and connectivity, are designed to enhance India’s tourism appeal. Visa waivers, in particular, will ease travel hurdles, inviting more foreign tourists and driving revenue.” He added that the government also emphasises medical tourism, recognising India’s world-class healthcare facilities. Through partnerships with the private sector, medical tourism is poised for growth. Furthermore, the Udaan scheme’s expansion to 120 destinations will facilitate travel, while Mudra loans for homestays will support affordable accommodation options.

Commenting on the Union Budget 2025, Kanwarjit Singh Sawhney, Hon. Secretary, ITTA said, “The tourism sector is benefiting from initiatives like the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which could make flying more affordable for the middle class. The reduction or waiver of e-visas for special groups, likely to include Buddhist tourists, is a positive step. India is being recognised as a hub for medical, spiritual, and niche tourism, with a focus on lesser-known destinations beyond the popular Delhi-Agra-Jaipur triangle. While the government’s efforts are commendable, there is a call for improvements in GST and TDS policies, particularly the introduction of a unified GST where input credit can be claimed. Additionally, regulations on luxury vehicles and speed limits for tourism transport need revision.”

Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC shared her opinion on the Union Budget 2025 saying, “The government sometimes forgets the service providers and travel agents. However, the budget focuses strongly on infrastructure, including the UDAN scheme, which will add 120 new routes to the existing 619, boosting footfalls. There are plans for more helipads in hill areas and new green and brown airports. The addition of 50 tourist sites will promote sustainable tourism. E-visas, particularly for medical and adventure tourism, are another positive development. Skilling initiatives, including the establishment of five National Centers of Excellence, are also encouraging. However, the tourism sector requires more support, especially in marketing and international promotion.”

Expressing his happiness over the Budget 2025-2026, KB Kachru, President, HAI, said, “Budget is progressive, especially with its focus on tourism and job creation. The government’s commitment to developing 50 new destinations, improving infrastructure, and leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is promising. This year’s budget very well highlights the importance of promoting Buddhist tourism with neighbouring countries and simplifying visa processes to enhance international travel. With India’s world-class hospitals, we have great potential in medical tourism, but there is a need to collaborate with the medical fraternity to attract international visitors. The introduction of Mudra loans for homestays will support startups and entrepreneurs in expanding homestay offerings, further boosting tourism. Overall, the initiatives taken by the government in this year’s budget are the steps in the right direction for the industry.”

With the announcement of the Union Budget 2025, the tourism and hospitality sector witnessed a new dawn of hope for tourism activities in India, specially for infrastructure development. Appreciating the budget, K Syama Raju, President, FHRAI, said, “The plan to develop the top 50 tourism destinations in partnership with state governments is a major initiative. This collaboration will not only improve infrastructure but also help spread tourism across the country, attracting more visitors and benefiting local communities. Additionally, the inclusion of hotels in the harmonious master list and the granting of infrastructure status to the hospitality sector is a significant move. This aligns with our long-standing request for granting of Infrastructure Status to the hospitality industry. This will facilitate access to cheaper, long-term financing, enabling hotels in these newly developed destinations to upgrade their facilities and offer world-class services, further boosting the sector.” He further added, “The focus on medical and wellness tourism through the ‘Heal-in-India’ initiative in the Union Budget 2025 is a forward-thinking move that will strengthen India’s position as a global leader in healthcare. India has already earned a reputation for providing world-class medical treatments at a fraction of the cost found in developed countries. By promoting ‘Heal-in-India,’ the government aims to further capitalise on this strength, attracting international patients seeking affordable, high-quality healthcare services. This initiative will not only boost medical and wellness tourism but will also create a platform for India’s healthcare industry to expand its global footprint. With the support of the government, healthcare facilities across the country will be encouraged to offer specialised treatments and services, making India an attractive destination for patients from both developed and developing nations.” He also highlighted, “The introduction …

India’s travel and tourism sector is set for significant expansion. Its valuation is expected to more than double to $523 billion over the next decade. According to Julia Simpson, President, WTTC, the sector, which currently contributes around 7% to India’s GDP and employs approximately 45 million people, is projected to support 63 million jobs by 2034.

Every hotel room added to the ecosystem creates two direct jobs and approximately eight indirect ones, significantly contributing to tourism infrastructure, said KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India, Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. “Yet, despite its transformative impact, the sector remains under-recognized in policy priorities. HAI calls for the Budget 2025-2026 to announce imperative policy interventions that empower the hospitality industry,” he says.