Tag Archives: ADTOI

ADTOI successfully concluded its 2024 elections, resulting in the appointment of a new Managing Committee consisting of six Office Bearers and eight Managing Committee Members. Ved Khanna of Tourwala Enterprises has been elected as the new President of ADTOI for the 2024-2026 term, succeeding PP Khanna. After assuming the office, Khanna said, “We aim to organise a special drive to encourage our members to go for MOT approvals, make efforts with authorities for simplified GST structure for better trade practices, open more ADTOI chapters for increased participation, collaborate with State Tourism Boards for promotion of local destinations, and put more emphasis on cultural and culinary tourism. Efforts are underway to have grand conventions, trade shows and tourism conclaves at regular intervals.” Responding about the possible challenges he might face, Khanna said, “I see no big challenges in the process besides minor barriers which I am sure we would overcome.”

Giving his reaction to the Union Budget announced today, PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, said, “The budget was expected to be a comprehensive roadmap for the next five years but appears to lack substantial long-term strategies. Specific sectors, such as tourism, received attention, but the initiatives may seem insufficient in scope.” Commenting further, he said, “The government has implemented GST, which has reduced the compliance burden on trade and industry by unifying the highly fragmented indirect tax regime in India. The tax base of GST has more than doubled, and the average monthly gross GST collection has almost doubled to ₹1.66 lakh crore. On the other hand, no specific information on TCS in the tourism industry is available. The tourism industry has been impacted by the introduction of GST and TCS, with some tour operators and travel agencies facing challenges in complying with the new tax regime. However, the government has taken steps to simplify the tax process and reduce the compliance burden on businesses. The general sentiment is that the budget does not fully meet the high expectations set by previous promises.”

PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, has said that we can do roadshows, travel shows with locals, as their skilling is very important. “Such skill management can help boost tourism in the states, and we have instances of the same in Rajasthan and Kerala,” he said.

ADTOI management has decided to hold elections to elect the XIII Management Committee Team of the Association comprising of six office bearers and eight managing committee members on Saturday the 6th August 2022. Varun Chandiok, Advocate has been appointed as the Returning Officer to conduct the elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.

In his discussion with the MOT, PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, has requested for inclusion of hotel charges in the MDA scheme for domestic tour operators. “The draft mentioned that for digital marketing or attending marts across India, this money would include cost of hotels, but in the final draft hotels were not included. Hence, we have requested the ADG to include hotels,” he said.

PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, has said that since many of their members could not get vaccination, owing to shortage of vaccines, the association has tied up with hospitals to organise vaccination camps for its members on a pan-India basis. “This will be provided to members at a special rate. To elevate the financial burden on the members, we have decided to give a subsidy to all primary members by reimbursing 50% of what they spend on getting vaccinated, whether it’s the first shot or second shot or both, to the maximum limit of  Rs 600 for each shot within a period,” he adds.

ADTOI, with support from MOT, is all set to kick-off its 10th Annual Convention today with support from Ministry of Tourism at Kevadia, Gujarat. The inauguration ceremony will start at 5pm today, and will be graced by the presence of Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State, Tourism & Culture. The business sessions will begin tomorrow, which will see Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism addressing a session on ‘Role of Aviation in Promotion of Tourism’. Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism will moderate a session on ‘Technology is Future-Travel Real from Virtual’.

PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, said, “The tourism industry is really disappointed, especially after seeing over 30% unemployment. While the budget has proposals on railways, roads and ports, it is surprising how without any direct allocation of funds to MOT or state tourism boards, we would be able to follow the slogans like, Dekho Apna Desh, Incredible India and Ek Bharat , Shrestha Bharat? The industry was to be recognised post-COVID, which has not been done.”

ADTOI has announced that their 10th Annual Convention will be taking place from 12-14 February at Statue of Unity, with the support of Gujarat Tourism. The theme of the convention is Domestic Tourism – Hope For The Revival ‘Dekho Apna Desh’. To be held at the Convention Hall, Tent City 2, Kevadia, Gujarat. PP Khanna revealed that the convention is aimed at promoting domestic tourism and they have been in talks with Gujarat Tourism for a long time, and they will be together be promoting Kevadia as an upcoming domestic destination.

PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, has shared that 500 domestic buyers will be part of India Tourism Mart (ITM) Virtual, which will be held from February 18-20 this year. Domestic buyers will include tour operators, institutions and corporates. The participation fee for exhibitors is Rs10,000. About 500 foreign tour operators are also expected at the event.