Category Archives: Associations

Members of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) chose Ajay Prakash as their new national president via electronic voting today. The results were announced at around 5:30pm. He will lead the new team with  Kamal Ramchand as the Vice-President. Other winners include Abbas Moiz as the National General Secretary, and Hitank Shah as the Treasurer. The five Managing Committee Members are Anil Kalsi, Lalith Jain, Rani Bachani, Rai Achal Krishna and Seeraj Sabharwal.

Liz Ortiguera, CEO, PATA, will share her insights on the future of travel & tourism in APAC at the PATA Tourism PowerHouse webinar on 29th July, at 12 pm. Prof John Koldowski, School of Tourism, Leshan University, China and a renowned tourism analyst, will also share his views on outbound tourism from India at the webinar. To attend, register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bku5hVW-TRq5f_SiqmD5IQ

HRAWI has offered waiver of annual membership fees for 2021-22. The offer is a one-time relief measure for members who can choose to opt for a part, i.e. 50% or full waiver of the annual fees. Members who have already paid their fees for the current year 2021-22 but would like to receive the waiver can request their fees to be carried forward for the next year.

Members of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) will be choosing between two candidates who have stood for the post of the national president for the new term. They are Rajat Bagaria and Ajay Prakash. TAFI will conduct its national elections via e-voting on July 24, 2021 along with its AGM and EOGM through an online platform. . Results are likely to be announced at around 17:00 hours on 24th July 2021 through an online platform.

Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Managing Committee met Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon. Minister of State for Tourism & Shipping, in Goa. The team wished him for his new assignment. Also, they gave him a Memorandum with few requests, which will help in reviving tourism economy in Goa.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO and Pronab Sarkar, Immediate Past President, IATO met with Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, in her office to thank her for the recent announcements for revival of tourism and also to seek support from the government on issues like SEIS, TCS, GST, ECLGS and export industry status. A communication from IATO mentioned that the meeting was historic and fruitful. On issue of ECLGS, she said that revised rules and guidelines are being issued to the banks. On the other issues raised by the IATO representatives, she gave a very patient hearing and assured to look into their suggestions/recommendations favourably based on its merit.

After completing a long and successful stint at the Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India, Dr. Himanshu Talwar has now joined the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) as Executive Director. He thanks everyone for extending their unwavering support over the years.

Subhash Goyal, President, Confederation of Tourism Professionals, has said that the Government should announce immediately E-Tourist Visa and Scheduled International flights in the month of September/October. “The Tourist season to India is from October to March. While domestic tourism is helping a few hotels but people like Govt. recognized Tourist Guides, Tourist Transport Operators, Tourist Taxi Drivers pan India and small Tour Operators and Vendors are starving. We have to fulfil our Prime Minister’s dream of making India a 5 trillion dollar economy,” he said.

Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has submitted a representation to the CEO of NITI Aayog – Amitabh Kant – highlighting hospitality industry’s plight with reference to Oyo’s business model. The Association has specifically pointed out that certain recent activities conducted by Oyo to earn goodwill have actually come at the expense of partner hotels.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, will be addressing the 10th PATA and MOT Update & Outlook Meeting on 20th July at 12pm. He will be sharing the steps and initiatives by MOT with the PATA Members and the larger tourism fraternity in this meeting. Register on https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EYIAfgQRRFSMGGpL-zamhQ.