Category Archives: Associations

More than a year ago, Sharzede Datu HJ. Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board, welcomed about 500 TAFI members to her state for the association’s annual convention. Since then, she has seen a rise in visitors from India. She said, “We have seen great results from hosting the TAFI convention in 2022 in Sarawak; the numbers from India have increased. In fact, December 2023 received one of the highest numbers of Indian visitors to Sarawak.”

Hotel Association of India has elected its new Executive Committee, and KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group is the new President of the prestigious association for a two-year term. Vice President is Rohit Khosla, Executive Vice President, IHCL; JK Mohanty, MD Swosti Group is the Hony. Secretary and Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels, is the new Hony. Treasurer for the association. Two new EC members include Shashank Bhagat, MD, Radisson Blu Marina Hotel and Sonali Chauhan, General Manager, IHCL.

International visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Asia Pacific are expected to rise from 619 million in 2024 to 762 million in 2026, with a recovery rate of 111.6 per cent compared to the 2019 level. Asia will lead the recovery, with visitor arrivals reaching 564.0 million by 2026 in comparison to the Americas and the Pacific.

As per the India State Ranking Survey by Hotelivate in collaboration with World Travel & Tourism Council, India Initiative (WTTCII), Gujarat experienced the most significant upward shift in rankings, moving up by 7 positions. Telangana demonstrated a remarkable shift, advancing from the 27th to 6th position, more than doubling its tourism spending. On the other hand, Punjab experienced a contrasting trend, dropping from the 9th to the last position.

While commenting on the ‘Chalo India’ campaign launched by PM Modi, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “Anything that is done to promote tourism we wholeheartedly welcome it. However, we need to rope in Destination Management Companies, foreign tour operators and get them to market us.”

The 54th Annual Convention of FHRAI will be held in Goa from 16-18 October, 2024. Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI, announced the same at Travel For Life Tourism Sustainability Summit, held in Delhi. “FHRAI is committed and focused to make sustainable tourism its new agenda for growth,” he said.

At FHRAI’s ‘Travel For Life Tourism Sustainability’ Summit 2024, Amitabh Kant, G-20 Sherpa, India, said that the hospitality industry is the number one agent of change. “Indian tourism and hospitality industry must focus on the value per tourist instead of arrival numbers,” he shared in his address.

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, highlighted, “The increase in the number of flights and routes will automatically reduce the airfares. It is always a demand-supply story. If the demand for flights is too much and the supply is less then fares will be at peak, but if it balances out, fares will come down on their own. Probably, the domestic market will keep on moving in the current scenario, but high fares can affect our inbound numbers. An international traveller in India compares it with other countries, which are cheaper than India at times. This is going to impact the international arrivals to India.”

Arshdeep Anand, Chairperson, ATOAI Women’s Collective, shared, “Increased air connectivity is directly proportional to increased tourism activity in a particular destination. Govt is making efforts to develop niche tourism in the country in the form of island tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife tourism, spiritual and wellness tourism. If our domestic carriers can come up with connectivity to develop these circuits, it would boost the tourism potential within the country. There is also a great demand-supply gap from India in relation to flights to Scandinavia for Northern lights, except to Finland and Copenhagen.

HRAWI has appealed to CM Shinde and Tourism Minister Mahajan to reassess recent regulatory measures in Pune. Terming the order u/s 144 as “draconian”, Pradeep Shetty HRAWI President said the order mandates establishments to manage guest behaviour, including prohibiting dancing in specific areas and driving after drinking.