Category Archives: Associations

Alison Cryer, Founder & MD, Representation Plus, has said that the industry needs to innovate and come up with new experiences to meet the new needs. “The modern global traveller is much more conscious than before,” she added while speaking at the PATA India webinar recently. She also advised that regular communication from the industry as well as the tourism boards is expected by UK tour operators when it comes to destination India.

A group of 18 inbound Tour operators from Delhi undertook a Trip to Dholpur and Ramsagar Lake with an appeal to the government for opening up Tourist Visas and regular international flights. People from the tourism and hospitality industry travelled to Dholpur in Rajasthan from 15th to 18th September to make an appeal to the government to initiate issuance of tourist visas under the banner of “Unlocking International Tourism”. Beginning of this month, the government announcement to extend the ban on international flights by another month put further jitters in the inbound tourism market from India. Already hit by the pandemic, the tourism industry has been suffering for more than 18 months now leading to massive job losses in the industry and multiple tour operators and hotels shutting shop. It is estimated that the tourism industry in India contributes to almost 10% of the GDP and more than 8 million livelihoods. As vaccination across the globe keep increasing by the hour, more countries are opening up borders to the people, especially the double vaccinated population. Multiple countries in Europe are now accessible to fully vaccinated Indians enabling them to restart travel to foreign destinations. However, the same has not been offered to tourists wanting to come to India as e-visas remain suspended, even though the government has indicated that the same would start soon. Around 25 people made their way to Dholpur in Rajasthan and also met 4 time Member of Parliament and a hospitality industry stalwart himself, Mr. Dushyant Singh. Dushyant Singh assured everyone that the government is working hard to come out with the new guidelines to reopen international travel towards India. Sanjay Razdan, Director – Razdan Holidays …

Uttar Pradesh government recognised the efforts of Prateek Hira in the field of Tourism on the occasion of World Tourism Day and to mark 50 years of the Department of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh Government. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath on 27 September conferred the State Award to Prateek Hira and his company Tornos, declaring it as the best tour company in the state of UP. Prateek has been in the travel trade since the last 27 years and apart from being in business of operating tours he also chairs the FICCI’s Tourism Committee in Uttar Pradesh and UP Chapter of IATO. Government of Uttar Pradesh in its citation has recognised his efforts in promoting the state of Uttar Pradesh and taking it to new heights in the field of Tourism. His cooperation with the department of tourism and involvement with tourism academia and researches is commendable. FICCI’s report on the potential of Culinary Tourism in Uttar Pradesh authored by Prateek Hira, Manish Ahuja and Anirban Chaterjee was also released and launched on this occasion by the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, in presence of Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ashutosh Tandon , Jal Shakti Minister , Dr. Mahendra Singh, Mayor of Lucknow, Mrs Sanyukta Bhaita and the Principal Secretary Tourism & Culture Mr. Mukesh Meshram.

Diego Barcelo Perez, Founder & CEO, CCIBA Spain in his presentation at the ‘Destination India – European Perspective and Opportunities’ webinar by PATA India, shared that India should do PR activities to reduce the perception that India is an ‘infected’ destination. He also said that this is the time for India to promote itself in Spain, because next month Spanish people will start planning their travel in 2022.

Sebastian Sarrasin, Director, Representation Plus Europe, has revealed that French people are keen to travel abroad. “Looking at the searches for online booking engines, we found that around 60% of French people are looking for a holiday next year and want to book a long haul holiday, while 29% wish to remain in Europe and only 11% wish to spend the holiday in their own country,” he said during his presentation at the ‘Destination India – European Perspective and Opportunities’ webinar by PATA India.

Alison Cryer, Founder & MD, Representation Plus, while speaking at the ‘Destination India – European Perspective and Opportunities’ webinar by PATA India, said that while UK travellers to India look for culture, spiritual, wellness, experiential, holiday of a lifetime, volunteering, and MICE. However, she said, “MICE will come back, but not before 2024.”

The first ever congress of tourism professionals from across the country in Manipur concluded at Classic Grande, Imphal today. The event which started on World Tourism Day-September 27th, 2021, was organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, in association with MATO (Manipur Association of Tour Operators) under the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. The congress witnessed the participation of representatives from tour operator associations and travel agents, hoteliers from Manipur and other neighbouring North-Eastern as well as other states, and home-stays owner from Manipur. Speaking at the inauguration of the Congress, Shri P. Vaiphei, Additional Chief Secretary-Tourism, Govt. of Manipur, congratulated the organising teams of the congress for sending out the message of restarting the tourism industry in the State for a quick recovery. The participating delegates from different states had productive idea sharing sessions with state tourism officials and tour operators from the state.  The Manipur Association of Tour Operators showcased a wide array of tourism products and services available in the state during the inaugural function of the congress. A FAM trip to various tourist destinations in the state was organised as part of the event in order to give the participants a first-hand experience of the state. Director (Tourism), Shri W. Ibohal Singh, gave a presentation on the tourism products of the State and emphasised on the need for the North Eastern states to come together while promoting the region as a favourite tourist destination for domestic and international travellers. He highlighted the arrival figures of international travellers to the State which increased by leaps and bounds every year till the outbreak of the COVID pandemic at the end of 2019. The participation of members of premiere tour …

According to the results of the SAP Concur study, Indian business travellers (99%) want to resume work travel within the next 12 months. Nearly 78% of business professionals surveyed in India were eager to start a journey, and according to the study, the percentage was much higher than the global average. About 84% of Indian business professionals felt that their inability to extend travel would hurt them both professionally and personally. Respondents from India said that most business activities such as new deal sign ups, (47%), customer additions (41%) and contract renewals (43%) would be adversely affected if their organizations did not increase business travel.

GTFF in association and support of Netherlands Tourism, announces a diverse slate of films, workshops and seminars ahead of the October 21-24 virtual event. Having received entries from almost every continent, GTFF 2021 film selections include feature films that showcase fascinating world regions and cultures ranging from Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, France, Nepal, Zambia, and Russia, among many other destinations. GTFF 2021 film categories screened during October 21-24, 2021 include Feature Films, Documentaries, Short Films and Tourism Commercials. Netherlands Government Board of Tourism and Conventions will host a seminar for visitors to the country on ‘Beyond the Tulips’ that educates audiences on what else there is to experience visiting the country outside of its iconic Tulips, and discusses the future tourism strategy of the Netherlands. During the presentation, travel professionals can discover the diversity of travel experiences found in the Netherlands with information geared to imbue marketing knowledge on successfully selling the destination in global markets. A special seminar from the Uganda Tourism Board will introduce travel professionals to the newest up and coming travel destination that is heating up the world. Seminar participants will have the opportunity to win a US 700 value Gorilla Tracking Permit as well as register for a 10 day hosted educational visit to the country operated by Venture Uganda. Travel Professionals can learn about Belize of Central America and the Caribbean, with a tourism seminar delivered by the Belize Tourism Board. Travel professionals may also find out about Familiarization programs for the trade to Africa, South America and Asia by attending the event. There is no cost for travel professionals to attend Tourism Seminars. To receive a free travel trade tourism seminar pass, travel professionals …

In an attempt to revive tourism and reboot the travel business in the eastern part of India, the Skål International Kolkata elected its new management team for the next season 2021 – 2023. Skål International clubs worldwide consist of travel and tourism industry company owners and decision makers, thought leaders and industry influencers at the highest level. At present India has 14 Skål International clubs which work very closely under a national leadership team with all the global tourism entities in support of their members’ good business. At its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Kolkata on September 23, the new Skål International Kolkata committee re-elected Sk Sanjeev Mehra as the President, Sk Amin Asghar as the First Vice President, Sk Punam Arora as the Second Vice President, Sk June Mukherjee as the Secretary, Sk Jay Saraogi in Membership Development, Sk Pramod Lunawat and Sk Avanti Chattoraj as Auditors, Sk Sreemoyee Mitra in PR & Communications, Sk Avijit Sarkar in CSR and Sk Ritu Jolly in charge of Young Skål. With an ambitious objective ahead to bid for the Skål World Congress in 2024, the new team will now work towards bringing the world travel community in the city of joy. Sk Manav Soni, the past President of the club is now the Skal IPP and represents Skal at the international level. The Skål International India President Sk Carl Vaz was present in the occasion held at the Taj Bengal Hotel and expressed his confidence that the young and dynamic Skål International Kolkata team will not only take the club to a newer height but will also make a significant contribution to the overall sustainable tourism industry revival. Skål International …