Category Archives: Associations

TAFI’s Pune (Maharashtra) chapter recently elected its new team for the term 2021-23. Sunil Uttam has been elected Chairman, Sameer Kulkarni is Honorary Secretary and Pramod Bidkar is Honorary Treasurer.

To ensure that there is shared tourism vision across the centre & state, FAITH has proposed the creation of a National Tourism Council of Chief Ministers headed by the PM along with Tourism Minister. That should be supported by a common industry status across the country for the complete tourism industry by putting it in the concurrent list.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be organising the PATA Annual Summit (PAS) 2021 online from April 27-29. The three-day virtual event will bring together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers.

Sharing his expectations on the impending Budget, Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI, says, “We request Nirmala Sitharaman and Prahlad Singh Patel to bring tourism under the Concurrent List of the Constitution along with granting industry status to the hospitality sector. Lack of adequate support is impeding survival and revival efforts.”

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will conduct its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election on January 20, 2021. The event, which will be organised virtually, will allow the association to discuss the proceedings and events of the past year, and also help it plan the agenda for 2021, informs Vinayak Koul, Hony. Secretary, ATOAI.

IATO in association with TravTalk University will organise a webinar on Human Resource (HR) strategies in the post-COVID world, today at 11:30 am (IST), where renowned labour law expert, Dr Aditi Kaushal will speak on HR policies, draft of the new appointment letter and help understand new labour laws. Register now at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/210/0vz1oik4

The Northern India Chapter and Pune Chapter of TAFI has elected a new team after elections. Khushvinder Sarna of The Federal Travels & Tours has been elected as the Chairman of Northern India Chapter whereas the new team in Pune Chapter was elected unopposed where Sunil Uttam will remain the Chapter Chairman.

Continuing with its chapter elections, the Travel Agents Federation Of India (TAFI) Gujarat Chapter has announced its new team for the term 2021 – 2023. Manish Sharma has been elected as the Chairman, Ankit Bajaj as the Secretary and Sohel Kadri as the Treasurer. The new team came onboard unopposed and was announced at an event in Gandhinagar on January 12, 2021. Jigar Dudakiya was the immediate past Chairman for the chapter.

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Western India Chapter has announced that its current team has returned to office unopposed. Jitul Mehta is the Chapter Chairman, Burjis Mehta as the Secretary, and Jay Kantawala as the Treasurer. The team will take over office for the two-year term starting January 2021. Jitul Mehta says, “The work that we started in our previous term will continue with more vigour and determination now with a focus on getting the industry back on its feet.”

Hotel Association of India (HAI) has launched its West Bengal Chapter, and has submitted a memorandum of industry demands to West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Dr. Amit Mitra, seeking industry status for the hospitality sector. The association has suggested that this will help in reducing costs and encourage re-investment while bringing greater transparency in the sector functioning. A favourable policy decision of according industry status and allowing benefits available to manufacturing will strengthen the Indian hospitality industry, preserve and unlock its immense potential to make a significant contribution to the State’s GDP and jobs, supporting the post-pandemic economic revival of the region. MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India, said, “The Association believes that granting industry status to the sector will enable hotels across the state to avail benefits towards electricity and water tariff at an industrial rate, lower property tax, rationalisation of taxes & license fees, simplified approval process for hotel projects & hotel operations and other benefits accorded to industries – thus helping in ushering transparency, reduce costs, and encourage reinvestment. Such small steps are crucial for revival of the sector after the disastrous impact of the Pandemic and essential considering the extent of employment and income the sector generates.”