Category Archives: Associations

The Ministry of Tourism expects 30.5 million international visitors to come to India by 2028. According to Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI,  hotel occupancy rates are anticipated to rise to 75 per cent or higher, driven by increased leisure and business travel and a surge in foreign arrivals. The MICE segment is set to contribute significantly, with India hosting multiple high-profile global events.

The number of Indians wanting to fly business class has seen a sharp uptick this holiday season compared to last year. While the trend is more pronounced in international travel, travel agents and online platforms suggest that it is also emerging on many domestic routes. Data shared by MakeMyTrip showed that business class bookings from India across domestic as well as international routes have gone up by 50% this year compared to the same period last year. This is based on the analysis of search and booking data between December 16 and 31. For international bookings, there has been an 80% rise in business class bookings, and for domestic bookings, the jump is 27%.

Indian travellers are fast becoming a global powerhouse in tourism, driven by rising affluence, increasing travel ambitions, and a focus on premium experiences. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Indians spent a record $34.2 billion on outbound travel in 2023, firmly establishing themselves as key contributors to the global tourism market. This trend is set to grow further, with 66% of Indian travellers planning to travel more in 2025, leading the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in both travel intent and spending, as per Skyscanner. The appetite for premium travel is evident in the soaring demand for business-class bookings. Data from MakeMyTrip shows a 50% year-on-year increase in business class bookings, with international flights witnessing an impressive 80% jump, while domestic flights saw a 27% rise

SKAL International India, a premier global organization of travel and tourism professionals, is proud to announce the launch of its Inaugural National culinary competition, ‘Culinary Sherpa,’ aimed at fostering young talent in the hospitality industry. The competition is set to inspire and recognize the next generation of chefs from hotel management institutes across India. The Culinary Sherpa competition took place in multiple cities, bringing together top culinary talent from premier hotel management colleges. Students competed in a series of rounds that challenged their creativity, skill, and understanding of culinary arts under the mentorship of industry stalwarts and SKAL members. The competition received tremendous response across India, with hotel management students from cities such as Bangalore, Tirupati, Goa, Pune, Chennai, etc., participating with enthusiasm. Competition Highlights: Eligibility: The competition was open to students from hotel management institutes across India. Rajagopaal Iyer, Director, Young SKAL India said “The success of the Culinary Sherpa program highlights the immense talent and creativity of India’s young culinary minds. This initiative not only provides students with a platform to showcase their skills but also connects them with industry leaders, setting the stage for their future success in the hospitality sector. At Young SKAL India, we are committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals, and Culinary Sherpa is a testament to that vision.” Sanjeev Mehra, President, SKAL International India, shared, “Culinary Sherpa is an exciting initiative to nurture young talent and prepare them for the dynamic hospitality industry. By engaging with students and showcasing their passion for food, we aim to create a platform that bridges education and industry opportunities.” Key Objectives of Culinary Sherpa: Promote innovation and excellence in the culinary arts among students. Encourage …

Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.

IATA forecasts a global airline profit of $36.6 billion in 2025, despite ongoing challenges. This will be a hard-earned achievement as airlines navigate lower oil prices, high load factors, cost controls, decarbonisation efforts, and a return to normal growth levels following the pandemic. Association expects airlines to adapt and thrive.

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) has announced the result of its unopposed election for the post of Office Bearers for the term 2024-2026 in New Delhi. Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, has been re-elected as Chairman, Ajeet Bajaj, ATOAI and Ajay Prakash, TAFI are the new Vice Chairmen. In contrast, Rajiv Mehra, IATO and Kanwarjeet Singh Sawhney have been declared the General Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. FAITH is the Policy Federation of 10 National Associations in India representing the entire Tourism and Hospitality Industry of the country which includes ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) and Cause Partner – AIRDA.

Highlighting the crucial role of the private sector in India and globally as a driving force for tourism growth, MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, urged the government to frame suitable structures for effective PPP. He said HAI’s two main demands—providing industry benefits and allowing infrastructure status—would bring in more revenue to the government, create millions of direct and indirect jobs, and promote inclusive growth.

The TAAI Northern Region team celebrated its 73rd year of establishment in Delhi, marking a significant milestone for the travel industry. Gracing the occasion were RK Suman, Regional Director North, Ministry of Tourism, and Neeraj Malhotra, Chairman, TAAI-Northern Region. The event brought together TAAI members, travel agents, and key industry stakeholders, fostering dialogue on pressing issues and collaborative opportunities. Members leveraged the event to discuss the challenges being faced by them in diverse areas and activities to be conducted in the future. A presentation on how to use the NIDHI portal has also been held to guide members on registering as travel agents. NIDHI ID (NID) is a unique national identifier for relevant stakeholders in the tourism, which improves delivery of services. One can avail of the benefits and incentives through it. Apart from this, registered entities can apply for relevant Certification/Classification/Recognition on this portal. Emphasising his commitment to educate members and provide support to them, Neeraj Malhotra, said, “My priority is to empower our members through knowledge-sharing events like these. I am dedicated to resolving their issues, be it with IATA, VFS, hotels, or airlines”. Aligning with TAAI’s national leadership vision of ‘members first,’ he informed us he is taking multiple initiatives to resolve members’ concerns including staff insurance policies and regular feedback forums. He also revealed that the launch of the association’s new logo will be held in January, 2025. Looking ahead, Malhotra expressed excitement about future milestones. “January 2025 will see the launch of TAAI’s new logo, to be unveiled in Delhi and Mumbai, as we gear up for TAAI’s 75th year in 2026—our golden jubilee,” he shared. Highlighting a major concern, he called out the inefficiencies …

Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours Kesari Tours Private Limited , takes the charge as new OTOAI President. Speaking about the first steps in his new role, he shared, “The aim is to change the perception and to grow the association pan-India, especially in the Western region and the Southern side. The way OTOAI is working, we will do well in both these areas.”