Tag Archives: ITTA

Commenting on the Union Budget 2025, Kanwarjit Singh Sawhney, Hon. Secretary, ITTA said, “The tourism sector is benefiting from initiatives like the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which could make flying more affordable for the middle class. The reduction or waiver of e-visas for special groups, likely to include Buddhist tourists, is a positive step. India is being recognised as a hub for medical, spiritual, and niche tourism, with a focus on lesser-known destinations beyond the popular Delhi-Agra-Jaipur triangle. While the government’s efforts are commendable, there is a call for improvements in GST and TDS policies, particularly the introduction of a unified GST where input credit can be claimed. Additionally, regulations on luxury vehicles and speed limits for tourism transport need revision.”

It is heartening to see that Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU), the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) and All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) have decided to observe 24th January as ‘Drivers’ Day.’ Satish Sehrawat, President,  and  K.S. Sawhney, Hon. Secretary, ITTA shared their excitement to be a part of this initiative. Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) is the premier national body of tourist transporters recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, under the provisions of CMVR 1989. Numerous members have received the coveted National Tourism Award a testament to their exceptional service and dedication. They specialise in catering to esteemed clients, including international tourists, through strategic collaboration with tour operators, travel agents, and hotels, offering a range of latest hi-end luxury cars and coaches to meet their transportation needs. Unlike other services, they do not pick up passengers from the roadside, ensuring a safe and personalised experience. Their expertise extends to high-profile events organised by various Ministries, including state head visits, overseas delegations, and mega events like the G20. As a leading association, they take immense pride in delivering unparalleled passenger transportation experiences, prioritising safety, reliability, and excellence for valued clients. Established on March 2, 1989, the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) proudly celebrates 37 years of dedicated service to the tourist transport industry. They firmly believe that drivers are the ambassadors of tourism industry. ITTA has consistently demonstrated its commitment to driver development, initiating pioneering programmes such as: Comprehensive one-week training for over 1,700 drivers during the Commonwealth Games and again in 2013. They are planning to conduct regular training programmes for drivers in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism. Recognition of …

Addressing 6th ITTA convention, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourisms, said, “The way tourism prospects, tourists and congestion are increasing in our country, and sustainability is going to be a challenge. We should start with mobility, I request you to request to your car drivers and make them flag bearers of sustainability.”

Bobby KS Sawhney, General Secretary, Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA), said, “The theme for this year’s convention, scheduled for 20–21 December in New Delhi, is ‘Driving Excellence: Upgrading Transport for a Sustainable & Brighter Tomorrow’. The event aims to provide a platform for suppliers to showcase their products and services to tourist transport operators.”

Underpinning the increased fund allocation for tourism in the Interim Budget 2024, Kanwarjit Singh Sawhney, Honorary Secretary, ITTA, expects, “More fund allocation in Union Budget 2024 for upgrading road transport. Tourist transport operators should be allowed to import vehicles on zero or subsidised import duty and reduced GST.”

Bobby KS Sawhney, General Secretary,  ITTA revealed that  ITTA Convention 2024 will be held in December 2024 in Delhi. The convention aims at educating tourist transport operators to build a conducive environment for tourists. He advised industry members to work only with government recognised tourist transport operators for the safety of customers.

ITTA has elected Satish Sehrawat as the new President of its management committee. Other newly elected office bearers include: Krishan Dutt Yadav as Vice president; Bobby KS Sawhney as General secretary; Mahesh Shukla as Joint secretary. Moreover, the newly elected executive committee comprises of Jaspal singh, Amarjit singh, Rajesh Tokas, Madhukesh Malhotra, Sanjay Nagar, and Paramjit Gujral.

All travel trade agencies recognised or approved by the Ministry of Tourism are required to submit their data on digital transactions on a monthly basis, positively by the 20th of every month starting August 1, 2017 to the Ministry. The Ministry of Tourism had assigned travel trade associations including IATO, TAAI, ITTA, ADTOI and ATOAI the responsibility to promote digital transactions in the tourism sector. MOT had mailed the associations on Sept 22, 2017, regarding furnishing and submission of the same to the Ministry. The MOT will consolidate the data on digital transactions in the organised sectors for review by the PMO through the Ministry of Electronics and Information & Technology.

The Ministry of Tourism conducted a joint discussion on July 22 with travel and hospitality associations to seek inputs and suggestions regarding the upcoming Incredible India Tourism Investor’s Summit, to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, from September 21-23, 2016. Representatives of IATO, ADTOI, FAITH, PATA India Chapter, WTTC- India initiative, ITTA, ICPB, EIS, IHHA, and ESOI were present at the occasion. Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India, sought support and suggestions of all the trade bodies for the event. He said, “The Incredible India Tourism Investors Meet is aimed at sensitising everyone. Though we are having a very high and tremendous growth in tourism arrivals, this growth needs a supply chain for better infrastructure. The ministry has decided to create an environment for investment and this is one such event, which will be led by MOT and we have Invest India on board and we have also requested the embassies of various countries. We are going to make it an annual event. We have also decided to make an investment cell which is going to continuously monitor everything about the investments. We seek cooperation of all the hospitality and travel associations and suggestions to get the right investors for the summit, right investment opportunities in the country, and also ways to move forward with the summit.”

The National Green Tribunal’s order to deregister diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi and NCR will not have a major impact on tourism, says Krishan Dutt Yadav, President, Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA). “There will be no significant impact on tourism with this ban as most of the taxis that we operate for tourists have a life of maximum nine years and are generally changed after five years. However the actual problem is the sluggish procedure for reissuance of national permits after five years. There is no clarification on the reissuance of these permits which leaves the taxis and heavy duty vehicles dysfunctional,” Dutt says. According to media reports, the NGT order to deregister diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi and NCR could take away 70 per cent of the goods carriage fleet of the capital and nearly 90 per cent of its private chartered buses. Besides, around 11,500 buses would have to be deregistered. That’s 88% of the 13,000 diesel buses registered with the department. Earlier this year, the court had allowed diesel vehicle owners to get an NOC and dispose of their vehicles. However, whether this would still be applicable to the vehicles nearing 10 years or not needs to be clarified, officials said. According to figures with the transport department, there are 2.82 lakh diesel vehicles in Delhi which will be impacted by the NGT order. Of these, 1.61 lakh are private vehicles.