Tour operators from Kashmir Tourism Trade Bodies Joint Forum (KTTBJF) have demanded some measures that need to be taken by the Government for the revival of the tourism industry in J&K. They demanded that tour and travel operators have gained popularity and need to be recognised as a tourism unit and all the industrial benefits must be given to the tour operators as are given to the hoteliers. They also urged that the tourism incentive scheme should be extended for the next 15 years and travel agents and tour operators should be included, and all the pending cases should be cleared at the earliest. They also demanded a waiver on the GST and claimed that the Government should first let the tourism sector breathe first. They also pointed out that the adventure tour operators are going through many problems and for the last 3 years they have not been able to pay the bank EMIs of the loans they have taken for increasing the infrastructure for adventure tourism.
Read More »HAI writes to PM appealing to extend help for the hospitality sector
Hotel Association of India (HAI) has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate intervention to provide relief to the hospitality industry which is on the verge of collapse, in five key areas—one-time settlement of loans and extension of loan moratoriums till September 2021, waiver of all statutory liabilities at Centre, State and Municipal levels for the pandemic period, stimulus package subsidising of salaries of hotel employees, according ‘Infrastructure Status’ and to bring Tourism & Hospitality to the concurrent list of the Constitution. In its request HAI pointed out that over 40% of hotels have shut or are on the brink of closure and 70% of overall jobs are now in danger directly or indirectly.
Read More »COVID-19 certificates for international travel must be free, universally available: UNWTO
The World Committee on Tourism Ethics, an independent cell of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), has said that vaccines should not form part of vaccination holiday packages and must remain a global public good. The committee believes that the COVID-19 certificates for international travel must be free and available to all without any discrimination. UNWTO adopted a few recommendations on such certificates for global travel under the Chairmanship of Pascal Lamy. They have also recommended that these certificates must be limited in time and use.
Read More »OTOAI waives off annual membership fee for FY 2021 – 2022: Riaz Munshi
The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has waived off the annual membership fee for the financial year 2021 – 22. The association has reduced the fees by 50% for the financial year 2020 – 2021. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “This is not the time to make money or fill up reserves. We understand the plight of our fellow industry colleagues and this gesture is our way of showing our solidarity to them. The outbound from India has been severely affected and it will indeed take a while before things go back to normal. The second wave has hit all businesses, especially tourism (which had started to pick a little in December / January) severely and different entry laws / requirements by different countries has made outbound travel very challenging. I would also like to urge people in the travel fraternity to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest possible so that whenever tourism opens, our customers do not hesitate reaching out to us and it will also send out a positive message to the world.”
Read More »IATO urges Finance Ministry to consider GST rationalisation at GST council meet
In a written appeal, IATO has urged the Union Finance Minister to ask the GST council to consider rationalisation or lowering of GST on various tourism related services at their upcoming meeting. In a statement, IATO has said that this would help boost the sector as and when the revival happens. Rajiv Mehra, President IATO, said “The inbound tourism has been the worst hit and if we were to get these financial relief it will help us give us some strength to bounce back. Sincerely hope that our requests will be given serious consideration by the GST council. I would also request the Ministry of Home Affairs to start planning on opening an E-Tourist Visa in phases as Vaccination in many source markets like USA, UK and other European Markets are almost complete. This can be done in stages and on reciprocal basis, so that inbound tourism business can start which will not only revive economic activities but also will bring back jobs lost during the last 14 months.”
Read More »OTOAI waives off annual membership fee for FY 2021 – 2022
Keeping in mind the prevailing tough times where the tourism sector has been one of the worst hits, the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has waived off the annual membership fee for the financial year 2021 – 22. The Association had reduced the fees by 50% for the financial year 2020 – 2021. The move is a testament of the fact that the association recognises and empathises with the challenges being faced by the outbound tour operators in India today. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “This is not the time to make money or fill up reserves. We understand the plight of our fellow industry colleagues and this gesture is our way of showing our solidarity to them. The outbound from India has been severely affected and it will indeed take a while before things go back to normal. The second wave has hit all businesses, especially tourism (which had started to pick a little in December / January) severely and different entry laws/requirements by different countries has made outbound travel very challenging. I would also like to urge people in the travel fraternity to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest possible so that whenever tourism opens, our customers do not hesitate to reach out to us and it will also send out a positive message to the world.”
Read More »KTO’s first Virtual Korea Travel Expo in India from 22-24th June 2021
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), New Delhi office has announced its 1st virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ B2B event for India market from 22nd- 24th June 2021. Participants will get a chance to interact with over 15 top Regional Tourism Boards, Attractions and DMCs of Korea, which are already confirmed to exhibit in the event. The ‘Korea Travel Expo’ is aimed at reconnecting Indian travel agents to their previously known suppliers and also a variety of new exhibitors who are looking forward to connect with the Indian market for the very first time. Interested travel agents can register themselves at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email Jaspreet at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.
Read More »NIMA reconstitutes its 2021-22 Executive Team, Jagdeep Bhagat remains National Coordinator
NIMA, on the occasion of its 7th Foundation Day, has reconstituted its Executive Team, and has announced Jagdeep Bhagat from Vee Bee Tours as the National Coordinator for the second time. Gajesh Girdhar from Paryatan, Muzaffarnagar, has been announced as the Chairman Emeritus, while SanJeet from Buzz Travel Marketing is the Mentor for the association. Vikas Khanduri of Holiday Merchants is the Advisor for the team.
Read More »MP to launch ‘Safe Tourism for Women’ project at 50 destinations
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is all set to launch a special project ‘Safe Tourism Destinations for Women in MP’ with the support of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). The project will be implemented in a phased manner at 50 destinations in the state in the next three years at a cost of Rs 27.98 crores.
Read More »Self-guided tours will become a viable alternative to large group experiences: Arival Research
During ATM Virtual, Arival research carried out with 1500 respondents on the outlook for tours, activities, attractions, and key trends shaping the sector’s revival post-COVID-19 pandemic revealed that as travel resumes, self-guided tours and experiences will become a viable alternative to large group experiences. The research identified that almost all operators (99%) implemented health and safety measures.
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