Tag Archives: Prateek Hira

Prateek Hira, President & CEO, Tornos shared his comments on Union Budget 2025. “The Indian government has unveiled the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Within the positive announcements by the Finance Ministry that include relaxation in visas for some countries, a focus on 50 tourist destinations, an infrastructure push and a few other initiatives, there is also a deep wound that has been inflicted on the tourism industry, particularly the inbound sector. The budget includes only a slight increase of 4 per cent in the allocation for tourism, which is less than India’s inflation rate, but the worst part, which will have a ramification on the already bleeding inbound sector, is that the international marketing budget for tourism has been reduced to ₹30 million, a reduction of 97 per cent of the already minuscule budget that India had for international tourism marketing. Interestingly, ₹30 million is the budget of many mid-size and large companies for their own marketing and promotions. This move of the Indian government is beyond anyone’s understanding and only points to the fact that India does not want inbound tourists or wants to earn foreign exchange through tourism. The move is in stark contrast to what the government of India speaks at different forums regarding making India a global hub and doubling its foreign tourist arrivals. In this budget, there was no mention of the tourism board, which is an incomplete exercise and could have set many issues right. After the closure of international tourism offices and with no proper marketing strategy in place, the tourism board could have been a saviour. The granting of industry status to tourism and incentivising foreign exchange earnings through …

Uttar Pradesh Chapter of IATO conducted two chapter meetings in Varanasi and in Agra on 21st of July and on the 26th of July respectively. Both the meetings were attended by about 40 members of IATO at each location and many attendees were new members who have recently joined IATO from UP. Uttar Pradesh is a very important state and in the last financial year only it has added 35 new members to the impressive membership list of IATO. Both the meetings were conducted by Prateek Hira, the Chapter Chair of Uttar Pradesh. Guest of Honour in Varanasi meeting was Rajendra Rawat, Deputy Director – UP Tourism and similarly In the Agra Meeting the Guest of Honour was Deepti Vatsa, Regional Tourist Officer along with Harish Kumar of Ministry of Tourism, GoI. Regional Chapter Chair, Sunil C. Gupta presided over the Agra meeting along with Prateek Hira. Uttar Pradesh Chairman of IATO and Varanasi meeting was chaired by Prateek Hira. The meetings discussed and deliberated on issues and problems faced by members in the state of Uttar Pradesh and solutions to these were instantly provided by the attending government officers and the IATO’s Regional chairmaen Sunil C. Gupta and UP Chapter Chairman Prateek Hira. Sunil C. Gupta enumerated the achievements of IATO and invited all members to register for the upcoming IATO Convention in Bhopal and take advantage of the knowledge sessions and familiarization tours planned thereafter. Prateek Hira on another hand spoke about the schemes of the governments and informed the members how each of them can take advantage of the schemes after registering with the state government. He also heard all the problems being faced by the members …

Prateek Hira, IATO, UP Chapter, has said that people are very excited for the convention. “We have received a record number of registrations yesterday and huge spot registrations are taking place. People are paying much more for registrations and wanting to attend the convention,” he said.

IATO has announced Ravi Gosain-Vice President as Chairman of its 37th convention in Lucknow. Sunil Mishra-Hony. Treasurer and Prateek Hira-Chairman, IATO Uttar Pradesh Chapter are the Co-Chairmen. IATO is expecting about 900-1000 delegates at the convention.

Uttar Pradesh government recognised the efforts of Prateek Hira in the field of Tourism on the occasion of World Tourism Day and to mark 50 years of the Department of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh Government. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath on 27 September conferred the State Award to Prateek Hira and his company Tornos, declaring it as the best tour company in the state of UP. Prateek has been in the travel trade since the last 27 years and apart from being in business of operating tours he also chairs the FICCI’s Tourism Committee in Uttar Pradesh and UP Chapter of IATO. Government of Uttar Pradesh in its citation has recognised his efforts in promoting the state of Uttar Pradesh and taking it to new heights in the field of Tourism. His cooperation with the department of tourism and involvement with tourism academia and researches is commendable. FICCI’s report on the potential of Culinary Tourism in Uttar Pradesh authored by Prateek Hira, Manish Ahuja and Anirban Chaterjee was also released and launched on this occasion by the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, in presence of Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ashutosh Tandon , Jal Shakti Minister , Dr. Mahendra Singh, Mayor of Lucknow, Mrs Sanyukta Bhaita and the Principal Secretary Tourism & Culture Mr. Mukesh Meshram.

Tornos, an established name in the tourism industry since the last 26 years, has become the first travel company of Ayodhya. Having worked and researched extensively on the revival of Ayodhya as a tourist destination, it now sets a foot in Ayodhya by coming up with its office in this temple city and will provide all travel related services to incoming tourists. Specialising in immersive travel experiences, Tornos has been associated with projection of Ayodhya internationally. ‘Mokshdayni Walk’ and ‘Ram Vivah’ have been company’s most innovative tourism products based on Ayodhya which were till now being operated and managed from Lucknow but now with its own set up in Ayodhya, these would be operated locally, bringing down its cost and making these more affordable. Tornos is looking at providing employment opportunities to locals and to come up with many more immersive travel experiences to showcase this deserving destination to the world. Prateek Hira, President && CEO, Tornos has been involved in the conceptualisation and of Ayodhya’s much-celebrated Diwali event, ‘Deepotsava’ that has been Uttar Pradesh government’s calendar event and draws a lot of attention. He says, “Ideal tourism should benefit local communities the most and the best local experiences can only be delivered by locals, so we decided to set up our office in Ayodhya. I am seeing Ayodhya coming up as one of the finest tourism destinations in the coming years and my confidence is renewed when our Prime Minister himself has taken it up so seriously. Ayodhya can be seen as a sought after tourist destination and both state and the central governments are possibly seeing tourism to be Ayodhya’s main economic driver.” In the time when travel …