Category Archives: Associations

Aim to get 5-10% share of world’s adventure tourism market: ATOAI

Captain Swadesh Kumar, President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has said that India currently has negligible share in the US$ 750bn world adventure tourism industry which is poised to touch US$ 1.5 trillion in the post Covid world. “We want to work closely with the Central and State government to get at a respectable market share of 5-10% in the medium to long run in the international market,” he said.  

Read More »

Instead of being bailed out, we are now deprived of LTC fund: TAAI

Sharing her thoughts on the changes made by the FM on LTC, Jyoti Mayal, President of TAAI, said, “The Finance Minister in her stimulus speech has announced that government officials can use their LTC funds to buy consumer goods for the festive season. The tourism industry instead of being bailed out is now deprived of the LTC fund. Our industry is dying and our employees are losing jobs in every avenue but the Prime Minister has forgotten of our existence – the backbone of India.”

Read More »

‘Need for National Tourism Council and Tourism COVID-19 Fund’: FAITH

FAITH organised the India Tourism Vision Day, which saw the Presidents of 10 member associations of FAITH discussing the way forward. In his address, Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH, said, “Like the way GST council is structured, Indian tourism needs to be structured through a constitutionally empowered legislative body-A national tourism council headed by our Honourable Prime Minister along with the presence of all chief ministers.” Also, he shared that a tourism Covid 19 Fund should be set up by the MOT where interest free funds are given to support the employees and the operating costs of tourism companies.

Read More »

Duty of MoCA, DGCA to ensure SC refund order is followed

In a tweet directed at some of the Indian airlines as well as MoCA and the DGCA, TAFI said that it is the duty of MoCA and DGCA India under the leadership of Hardeep S Puri to ensure that the Supreme Court orders for refund of tickets are followed by all airlines. This would amount to contempt of court if not followed. We request the DGCAIndia and MoCA to intervene to ensure rightful credit.

Read More »

ETAA North Chapter with Pride Hotels hosts members for a ‘Comeback’ event

Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) in association with Pride Hotels hosted its North India members at a physical event called ‘The Comeback’ – an example of creating a safe event in the current times. Sangeeta Manocha, Chairperson of ETAA North India, says, “This is the time to come back as the travel industry has started taking baby steps.” Saurabh Tuteja, General Secretary added that travel industry has gone through many ups and downs from time to time and will surely bounce back this time as well. Dinesh Kumar, Treasurer emphasized that keeping patience is the need of an hour. Praveen Ghai, Joint Secretary is hopeful that domestic tourism has a golden time ahead and international will follow. Punit Bhasin, Joint Secretary added that this is the time, when we need to forget the past and be more innovative in creating the golden time ahead. Arush Mittal, Head-Alliance emphasized members that helping and supporting each other will be the key to success. Gaurav Arora, Head – Events added that soon industry will move to the normal state, MICE will surely pick up as people want to move out of their stress zone. Jagat Mehta, President – ETAA and Dharmesh Advani, General Secretary also shared their thoughts with the members via a video message. The event concluded with a performance by a Bollywood band. During the lockdown, ETAA conducted numerous knowledge sessions via online webinars on different destinations and tourism opportunities.  

Read More »

TAFI Guj Chapter organises four-day FAM trip within Gujarat

The Travel Agents Federation of INDIA (Gujarat Chapter) recently organised a four-day FAM trip within Gujarat to Saputara and Tent city 1, Kevadia. Led by Chapter Chairman, Jigar Dudakiya, the team undertook this educational tour sponsored by Gujarat Tourism. Keeping the health safety in mind, the TAFI team gave suggestions and precautionary measures which every members had to follow during the tour. They also distributed Covid kits to delegates that included steam machine with Genvol inhalant capsules, thermometer, sanitizer, and masks.

Read More »

Supreme Court says full refund to agents for tickets booked by them

The Supreme Court has pronounced the verdict on the airline refund case that was led by Pravasi Legal Cell. It has accepted DGCA’s recommendations on airfare refund and travel agents will get a full refund for tickets booked by them, and not directly to the passengers. The full refund scheme formulated by the DGCA has been approved by the Supreme Court. Both, the Indian Tour Operators Association of India (IATO) and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) had filed a writ petition in court for this. Sharing this happy development, Pradip Lulla, Acting President and Vice President, TAFI, says, “We are very happy with the verdict. The tickets purchased through travel agents will be refunded back to agents and coupons of passengers will be made through travel agents.” The judgement copy stated, ‘…the action on the part of airlines operating domestic as well as international flights in India, in refusing to refund the full amount collected for tickets to travel during the period of ban on air travel, as illegal and arbitrary…’ It adds, ‘It is the case of the petitioner that where the tickets are booked by travel agents from their account, refund should be made in the same manner and channel though which payments for tickets have been received by the airlines.’

Read More »

NSN Mohan elected as President of SKAL Club Hyderabad 2020-22

The Skal Club of Hyderabad conducted its 2020 AGM at the ITC Kakatiya Hotel on 25 September, 2020, which included the elections for the board of officers that would lead the 57-member club into the new decade. NSN Mohan, CEO, Kennedy Holidays has been elected the new president for the term 2020-2022. He said, “This is not the moment to be a defeatist, but to be a champion of innovation and positivity. We will plan a robust set of strategies and activities that will help our members engage amongst themselves to develop business synergies.” Other Board of Hyderabad include SK Ravichandran, CEO, Purple Hospitality, as its Vice President; Monik Dharamshi, MD of Dream Designer Holidays as Secretary; and Patti Narasimham, CEO of Uniglobe Sri Sai Travel as Treasurer.

Read More »
error: Content is protected !!