Category Archives: Associations

Indian Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, and IATO are organising an online interactive meeting on 21st August 2020 at 1130 hours to 1330 hours, where 10 tour operators each from India and Azerbaijan will be participating. From India, only MOT recognised tour operators will be able to participate. Interested members can send their entry to IATO latest by 4 pm, 18th August. If more than 10 names are received, participation will be decided by draw of lot.

In an exclusive interaction with TravTalk, PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, said that during their meeting with the Tourism Minister, he suggested that MOT bring out a comprehensive study on domestic tourism so that trade members are aware about hotels, transporters, communication and infrastructure in a particular state, to help avoid chaos and confusion.

PATA India Chapter requested the Minister of Tourism that since all states have different SOPs and quarantine rules, there is a need to develop on the One Country One Rule concept. Runeep Sangha, Executive Director, PATA India Chapter said, “The MOT website should be one point of authentic information for tourists, and if there are any changes, they should first be intimated to MOT, who can update its website accordingly before they are put into the public domain. We also told them that tourism is a perishable commodity, and if the moment is gone, the opportunity is gone, and the result is that you lose revenues which will never come back. Therefore, it’s important for related ministries to understand that and work together with MOT as one. Another point we made was that there are over 50 NTOs that are jostling for the attention of FTOs, so we should focus on FTOs, work hand-in-glove with them for promotions and incentives and if we do that =, our returns will be better. In advertising, we should focus on travel trade media rather than mainstream media, because the rate of response to travel trade media will be much higher than that in mainstream media. On domestic tourism, there should be commonality of rules and regulations between states, and they should provide relief to people who go on domestic holidays. Instead of twice in a block of 4 years, they should make it every year.”

TAAI President Jyoti Mayal was given an exclusive opportunity and invited on 13th August 2020 to have a Joint Meeting with Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri. Suggestions were taken on: – Creating Demand & Supply for the growth of domestic tourism in India. – Opening of routes as per demand & study in Udaan scheme for destinations in North-East India, Khajuraho, Orchha, Dehradun & more. – Better use of International Airports. – Helicopter charters. – Opening up of skies for Domestic as well as international routes. Discussion on airline refunds was made along with other points including challenges of the trade due to pandemic and changes required to enhance the business of travel and tourism by agents. Both the ministers along with Director General Tourism Meenakshi Sharma and ADG – Rupinder Brar and Dy. Secretary, Civil Aviation Usha Padhee were present in the meeting, who assured full support and encouragement to the trade.

Swadesh Kumar, President, ATOAI, revealed that in their recommendation to the minister, they have said that the COVID-19 guidelines which have been formulated by ATOAI for the adventure tourism activities should be accepted by the MOT, so that it can be circulated to the entire country and the state governments.

Pradip Lulla, Vice- President, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), has said that they have postponed their elections, which were due this year. “We had an MC meeting recently, where we took a decision on our elections. Because of the pandemic, we have decided to postpone our elections. We will continue having our AGMs though.”

Rajiv Mehra, Vice- President, IATO, shares that in the all association meeting with the minister recently, they suggested that once the number of COVID cases come down and the government decides to welcome international tourists, IATO must be consulted to make the policy for e-tourist Visa. “The e-tourist visas should be free until 31st March, 2022 to attract tourism. Then from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2024, the visa fee should not be more than $10 for a one-year visa and not more than $25 for a five-year visa,” he shared.

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, has said that they had met Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism & Culture, along with the other association heads, where they have requested him to initiate a meeting with Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, so that they can discuss their issues with him, especially regarding restructuring tourism business, refunds, money stuck with airlines, and also about Air India and the service fee that the agents charge for booking VBM flights.

TAAI has voiced its dejection on Air India’s social media post as well as communications to travellers to book on their website and verify airfares with the airlines before booking with agents. The airline has also stated that agents block inventory on GDS. The association has written to MoCA & Air India to withdraw the same.

7M Tours has launched a global job search portal, Tourism Jobs primarily for companies in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The portal was launched virtually amidst the presence of travel trade leaders from around the world. From India, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI among others took part and lauded the noble initiative. The portal is live at www.tourismojobs.com.