Category Archives: Associations

This is a proud moment for India on the global stage! SanJeet, Director of DDP Publications, was honoured with the prestigious PATA Award of Merit at the PATA Annual Summit 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye. In recognition of his tireless contribution to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and steadfast support of the PATA Chapter network, SanJeet, Director of DDP Publications Private Limited, was honored with the PATA Award of Merit at the PATA Annual Summit 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye. A PATA member since 1999, SanJeet has served over 18 years in key leadership roles, including two terms on the Executive Board. He has been instrumental in strengthening the India Chapter and was a driving force behind bringing the PATA Travel Mart to New Delhi in 2023. This award celebrates his enduring legacy and continued commitment to shaping the future of global travel and tourism.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) expressed its deepest sorrow and strongest condemnation of the recent heinous attack on innocent tourists in Kashmir. This despicable act, targeting those who came in the spirit of discovery and peace, is an attack not only on the lives of individuals but on the very fabric of the nation’s hospitality and harmony. TAAI mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. An act of violence against tourists is a direct strike at the soul of Tourism’s spirit and an attempt to instil fear and disrupt the positive narrative of Jammu & Kashmir. Such cowardly acts aim to derail the region’s tourism-driven resurgence, but TAAI stands united in saying, “We will not let terror define our future.” TAAI reaffirms solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir. They have promoted this breathtaking destination for decades and will continue to do so with unwavering determination. The association urges members, industry partners, and the travelling public to continue supporting Kashmir’s tourism sector and its resilient community, whose livelihood depends greatly on this vital industry. While incidents like these may cause short-term disruptions, TAAI said, “We are confident that with proactive government support, robust security measures, and the collective resolve of all stakeholders, tourism in Jammu & Kashmir will recover and thrive once again.” “We call upon the authorities to act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure enhanced safety and protection for all tourists. The spirit of Indian tourism is unbreakable, and together, we will ensure it emerges stronger than ever.”

Addressing global geopolitical tensions and climate change, PATA leadership predicted a future of regional travel dominance. With rising airfare costs and increasing environmental awareness, long-haul tourism may become less viable. Asia’s intra-regional strength, where 80 per cent of arrivals come from neighbouring countries, positions it well for this shift. “We must stop assuming tourism equals Western arrivals,” said Peter Semone, Chair, PATA. “Our biggest spenders may already be next door.”

With Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in the Asia-Pacific market, PATA signalled readiness to support the kingdom with market intelligence and regional insights. While acknowledging Saudi’s robust in-house expertise, PATA highlighted its value as a connector offering knowledge from decades of Asia-focused tourism development. The collaboration could involve joint projects, knowledge sharing, and practical guidance to help Saudi adapt its tourism products for Asian travellers.

Peter Semone, Chair, PATA, used the platform of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 in Istanbul to call for a radical industry reset. Destination management must now take priority over destination marketing, he suggested. Noting decades of marketing-first approaches, he emphasised the risks of unchecked tourism growth. “If we do not manage tourism better, we risk eroding the very places we promote,” he added, pointing to global pressures on ecosystems and communities.

Peter Semone, Chair, PATA, announced that the 2026 PATA Annual Summit will be held in Gyeongju and Andong, South Korea, for the first time across two cities. This special edition marks PATA’s 75th anniversary, with a focus on heritage, innovation, and resilience. The event will unveil the new PATA Index, designed to measure the visible and invisible impacts of tourism, moving beyond outdated metrics like arrivals and spend.

FHRAI will host its 55th Annual Convention in Bengaluru from 12–14 September 2025, bringing together over 1,200 hospitality leaders. FHRAI President K. Syama Raju said, “The Convention is an opportunity to build a roadmap for resilient, inclusive and eco-conscious hospitality growth in India,” highlighting Bengaluru’s global appeal and focus on innovation.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched a new vision and mission to redefine its role in shaping the region’s tourism landscape. The refreshed vision, “A meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy”, emphasises purpose-driven growth. PATA’s mission focuses on sharing knowledge, enabling networking and protecting tourism assets through innovation, collaboration and adaptability. With this strategic shift, PATA aims to equip the travel trade with tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global environment, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, resilience and industry unity across Asia and the Pacific.

Calling on Agoda to immediately reverse the recent changes to its commission structure, K Syama Raju, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “We strongly urge Agoda to uphold equitable business practices and maintain complete transparency in their engagements with Indian hotel partners.”

According to WTTC, today, only 1–2% of Indian tourism is sustainable compared to 10% globally. Deep Kalra, Founder and Chairman, MakeMyTrip, said, “India’s sustainable tourism market is modest, about $37 million or roughly ₹320 crore, but projected to grow to $216 million in 10 years.” Based on a MakeMyTrip survey, he said that 79% of travellers care about sustainability but lack access, affordability and trust. “They just need better tools,” he emphasised.