Category Archives: Associations

Over 600 delegates from India’s travel trade community joined the 68th Annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The convention took place from 17–19 September in Abu Dhabi and was themed “Business with Goodness,” bringing together leading travel agents, tour operators, airlines, and hospitality partners. The successful convention further deepened tourism ties between India and the UAE, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for culture, leisure, and business travel.

Tourism India Alliance (TIA) successfully concluded its Malaysia Mega Destination Showcase FAM trip, bringing together a strong delegation of 40 leading travel agents and tour operators from across India. The FAM cum study tour was organized in association with Malaysia Tourism, Langkawi Development Board, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association (MITTA), and Malaysia Airlines, with the objective of showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthening bilateral tourism ties between India and Malaysia. Over the course of the program, delegates explored the unique attractions of Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Genting along with some of Malaysia’s emerging destinations. The showcase highlighted the country’s vibrant culture, pristine natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and strong positioning as a preferred destination for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel. Participants had the opportunity to engage in exclusive property visits, cultural experiences, and B2B networking sessions with Malaysian DMCs, hoteliers, and tourism stakeholders, aimed at creating stronger collaborations and future business opportunities. Speaking on the occasion, Mukesh Jain, EVP – Tourism India Alliance (TIA), said: “This Mega Destination Showcase has been an eye-opener for our delegates, many of whom were visiting Malaysia for the first time. The warmth, hospitality, and excellent support extended by Malaysia Tourism, Langkawi Development Board, MITTA, and Tourland DMC made this program truly memorable. We believe this initiative will significantly contribute to enhancing Malaysia’s visibility and appeal among Indian travellers, particularly in the leisure and MICE segments.” “We are grateful to Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General – Tourism Malaysia, Dato Aruldass Arulandu, President – MITTA and Mr Amit Mehta, Regional Manager – South Asia, Middle East & Africa at Malaysia Airlines for their unconditional and generous support that …

At its 75th AGM, HRAWI re-elected Jimmy Shaw, Managing Director, The Waterfront Shaw, Lavasa as its President. Nirav Gandhi (Sr Vice President), Chetan Mehta (Vice President), and Pradeep Shetty (Honorary Secretary) continue in their current roles, while Gurbir Singh Bedi will take charge as Joint Honorary Secretary. Paramjit Singh Ghai assumes the position of Honorary Treasurer.

The 55ᵗʰ FHRAI Annual Convention has kicked off in Bengaluru with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, projecting India as a $30 trillion economy by 2047. Highlighting hospitality’s rising demand, he noted industry status for 50 iconic destinations and said 18 states had extended this recognition. He stressed investments today will power tourism and hospitality growth tomorrow.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has signed an MoU with Amadeus and officially launched the TAAI Marketplace in Abu Dhabi at its 68th Convention. Speaking on the same, Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director – Travel Sellers, India and subcontinent, Amadeus, said, “We aim to make this marketplace the Amazon for the travel trade industry.”

The 68th TAAI Convention was inaugurated at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, in his address said, “At this convention, we will not only explore business techniques and innovations, but also how our actions can amplify the good that sustains both communities and commerce.”

The Skål International India National Congress 2025, held recently in Mumbai, brought together more than 200 delegates from across India and abroad. The roadmap for Vision 2025-2030 was also unveiled at the event, outlining strategies to expand Skål’s footprint across India, strengthen member engagement, and deepen global linkages. India’s leadership in the Skål movement was reaffirmed during the congress as the country officially became the largest Skål nation in the world by membership, surpassing the USA. Mukesh Batra, President, Skål International Mumbai South, said, “This congress is not just about numbers; it is about values, vision, and vitality.”

The Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) Mumbai Chapter, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, successfully kicked off its first Knowledge Session at the Tourism Malaysia office in Mumbai. The session saw the participation of ETAA members, who gained valuable insights into Malaysia’s latest attractions, destinations, and unique travel experiences. ETAA has announced that the next Knowledge Session will be held on 7th October 2025. ETAA Members are encouraged to participate and benefit from these exclusive learning and networking opportunities. Members also had the opportunity to interact directly with the Tourism Malaysia leadership team: Noriah Jaafar – Director, Tourism Malaysia T. Ediwanto Eddie – Deputy Director, Tourism Malaysia Jane D’Cruz – Marketing Manager Speaking about the initiative, ETAA highlighted that such knowledge sessions are designed to keep members updated with evolving tourism offerings, while also strengthening industry relationships. The program was hosted and organized by Tourism Malaysia, with coordination support from the ETAA Mumbai BOD team – Mr Jagat Mehta – National Board Member, Mr Abhijit Khadilkar – National Board Member & Membership head, Mrs Dipti Pradhan Thakoor- National Board Member & Event head, Mr Dharmesh Advani – National Board Member Sivadas, CEO, Sivadas Travel “This is the best training program about Malayasia conducted by ETAA committee and Malaysian Tourism. Very informative. Well done” Ajinkya Dhumma, CEO, Classis Travel and Tours “The session was highly informative and provided valuable insights into Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings luxurious properties at the island-hopping destination i.e. Sabah and Sarawak.”

Dharmesh Advani, National General Secretary, ENTERPRISING TRAVEL AGENTS ASSOCIATION, says that the tourism industry is one of the largest contributors to employment and foreign exchange in India, but continues to be burdened with a high GST rate structure. “Our association’s key ask is for the government to rationalize GST on tourism-related services — particularly on hotels, airfares, and packaged tours — to make Indian tourism more competitive with other global destinations. A lower and uniform GST slab will not only encourage domestic travel but also attract more international tourists by making India a value-driven destination. The government should also consider input tax credit benefits across the tourism supply chain, which are currently restricted, leading to cost escalations. To help tourism flourish, we urge policymakers to adopt a long-term, sector-specific view of GST that acknowledges tourism as a driver of inclusive growth. Reducing GST and simplifying compliance will stimulate higher volumes of travel, resulting in greater tax collections overall and significant job creation.”    

Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India, shares his perspective on the GST regime and says, “The proposed changes to GST, while positive, will not create a significant impact on the domestic and international tourism markets unless a more decisive step is taken. What our industry truly needs is one simplified GST slab for hospitality. This will bring India on par with other Asian destinations and make us more competitive globally.” He adds that post-pandemic, the domestic tourism market has grown manifold, showing an upward trend not only in travel by Indian citizens but also in attracting international guests. “A single GST slab will provide a much-needed boost to both inbound and domestic tourism, ensuring sustainable growth for the entire industry. Since travel and tourism directly contribute to the nation’s economic growth and create opportunities across various sectors, it is critical that the government prioritizes this reform. Moving towards a single GST structure for hospitality at the earliest will accelerate India’s journey towards becoming one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. The current proposals are a step in the right direction, but we must continue working towards this long-term goal for the benefit of the industry and the country,” Mehra adds.