Category Archives: Associations

World tourism day which is marked every year on September 27 is just two days away. The day is held worldwide to highlight how tourism adds huge economic value and fosters social, cultural and political integration in the world. But unfortunately this year, it just acts as a reminder of stark reality facing the tourism sector. Highlighting the woes of the IATO, today submitted a memorandum to Meenakshi Sharma, DG Ministry of tourism bringing to her notice how in the event of complete halt of operations and no financial support from the government, the industry which contributes about Rs 15 lakh crore to the economy and provides direct/ indirect employment to more than 5 crore people is on the brink of closure. The pandemic has hit all the sectors of the economy but tourism has been the worst hit with inbound tourism taking the biggest hit. Since March when the flights and visas were cancelled, the business has been absolutely zero as a result a lot of small tour operators have shut and larger ones which are still running are working with skeleton staff which is required for maintenance, creditors and supplier’s payments and payment of mandatory government dues. The closure has led to a direct economic loss of Rs 6 lakh crores and indirectly the economy has lost Rs 15 lakh Crores which is about 9 % to 10 % of the economy. In terms of employment, more than 4 crore jobs have been lost. The situation becomes alarming as the situation does not look like improving in the next six months too. IATO has represented about the woes to different wings of the government but so far no relief …

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the winners of the PATA Gold Awards 2020. The winners were announced during the Online PATA Gold Awards Presentation as part of Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2020, taking place from September 23-27. Kerala Tourism, India received the PATA Gold Award 2020 Grand Title Winner in Marketing for Education and Training for its “Human by Nature Print Campaign”. Also, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka won the PATA Gold Award 2020 for its campaign, “Script Your Adventure” in the Marketing Campaign (State and city – Global) category.  The PATA Gold Awards 2020 attracted 121 entries from 62 organisations and individuals worldwide. The winners were selected by an independent judging committee of 16 personalities from various destinations.

International Tourist Arrivals drop by 56% in 2020, from that of 2019, which recorded 1.5 Billion arrivals across the world, revealed UNWTO. In Asia-Pacific, this drop was 60%, in Middle East 52%, while in Africa it was 47%. Europe saw a percentage decline of 58% in arrivals, and for US it was 47%.

Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2020, will be held virtually this year. To be held from 23rd-27th November, KTM Virtual 2020 will be an online buyer-seller event. The flagship inbound event of ‘God’s Own Country’ is usually held biennially in Kochi, Kerala.

Speaking at the PATA India Chapter’s webinar ‘Europe-The New Order’, Margreet van Egmond, Director Spain, Travel Marketing Concept (TMC), has said that travel agencies and associations across Spain are asking for one focal point for information on India. “In India, many regions have different protocols when people enter, and hence agencies are asking for one focal point, so that people can go to one destination, which has all the inputs, which is very important,” she revealed.

Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore in association with the Karnataka Tourism Forum and Indian Motorcycle Riders Group organised a Biker’s Rally from Bengaluru to Mysuru recently. The rally was flagged off from the Oakwood property in UB city. It is aimed at reviving tourism, instil confidence and showcase Indian roads as safe provided all safety measures are followed.

TAFI has requested the GST Council and the Finance Ministry to review the refund of GST on air ticket refunds, and extend the date applicable for refund GST till March 31, 2021 due to the delay in total refunds by airlines. It said that as per rule, if tickets are not refunded till September 30, 2020, then GST will not be refunded and customers will end up losing 5% in the economy class ticket and 12% in business class of the ticket value. TAFI has also filed a case in Supreme Court for airline refunds and the next hearing is on September 23.

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, met with the GST Commissioner to push for TCS. “We have already shared a document with the GST Commissioner on behalf of FAITH and I went personally also yesterday to give a letter to withdraw TCS, which is scheduled to be applicable from October 1. Also, we are wanting to discuss the GST reseller model, which has been approved, but it still needs to be implemented and it hasn’t come from the Government as a circular. So we are also following up on that,” she said.

PATA India will conduct a webinar on September 17, 2020 at 3pm IST titled ‘Europe: The New Order’ to bring a European perspective on tourism. It will have key international as well as Indian thought leaders sharing their perspectives. Market expectations and opportunities from countries like Austria, Benelux, Germany, Spain and Switzerland will also be tabled.

During a webinar hosted by FHRAI, Suman Billa, Director, UNWTO, said, “UNWTO estimates a drop of 50-60% in the international tourist arrival this year. It will take 2-3 years to bounce back. To survive, we will have to create a domestic market. We also need harmonisation of protocols in each state.”