Category Archives: Associations

It has to make the longest and highest flight. And this flight will not only cross global borders but will also take the world in the direction of sustainability, green mobility, and equitable access. Friends, the handling capacity of our airports has reached 500 million passengers every year. India is one of the few countries in the world that is setting new standards for user experience through technology. We are focusing on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We are moving towards sustainable aviation fuels.        

As per trends observed by IATO and discussion with every other FTA (Foreign Tourist Arrival) stakeholder, it is assessed by the body that FTA in India has not still not touched the 2019 level in the last financial year . While the importance of Inbound Tourism as a precious Foreign Exchange earner and Soft Diplomacy Tool cannot be over emphasised, India as a destination with such raw and natural beauty is performing way below its potential. To step up, IATO has written to PM where it has urged immediate budgetary allocation of Rs 1000 crore under Incredible India Campaign and formation of “India Tourism Board” under the PM’s leadership with the specific objective of increasing FTA’s. These measures are required as the coming season is a few months away and can help boost inbound tourism in this financial year. Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, says, “When global trade is facing unprecedented disruptions due to tariff wars and geopolitical shifts, tourism exports remain unaffected by such constraints. Unlike goods, India’s tourism export (i.e. foreign tourists spending in India), which is non-tariff based, brings direct foreign exchange earnings into the country. This positions inbound tourism as a stable, sustainable, and immediate contributor to India’s current account with valuable foreign exchange, employment generation and balances forex trade deficit. Yet , regretfully the country is lagging in its effort to attract foreign tourists”. Considering every foreign visitor to India becomes an ambassador of Indian culture, heritage, values and the immense multiplier impact it has in terms of employment generator and net revenue it earns, we still have not valued it as much as we should have. This sector alone has the potential to contribute 1-2 …

Speaking at the IATA AGM in New Delhi, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India, said that Indian Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India, with their wide-body aircraft, can compete with global airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways in today’s market space. He adds, “After getting the 1700 planes, which was already been ordered, India will be ready to compete with the best airlines in the world and boost tourism through the airport infrastructure that is being developed in India.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2026, hosted by LATAM Airlines Group. “We are excited to accept LATAM’s offer to host IATA’s 82nd AGM in Rio de Janeiro. The last time the IATA AGM was in South America was in 1999, also in Rio. It will be a great opportunity to take stock of changes over two decades of development that have seen strengthening air connectivity successfully support major world events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. By meeting in the largest aviation market in South America, the AGM will highlight the great potential for aviation to be an even more powerful strategic force driving social and economic prosperity,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “LATAM is proud to host the IATA AGM in Brazil in 2026, the main market for our airline group connecting South America to the world. In addition to facilitating a successful gathering of our industry leaders, we look forward to showcasing the contributions and enormous potential for aviation in Brazil and throughout South America. We are confident that Rio de Janeiro, one of the most spectacular cities in the world with its unparalleled hospitality and beauty, will ensure a warm welcome and a memorable experience for all attendees,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.

NIMA and Jaipuria School of Business (JSB) have entered into an MoU to enhance career readiness of students in the tourism sector, with a focus on the MICE industry. The MoU was officially signed on 28 May, 2025, marking a significant milestone in industry-academia collaboration. This partnership is designed to enrich student learning through an industry-aligned curriculum, hands-on internships, live projects, and expert-led workshops. The initiative also extends to faculty development and tailored training programmes, reinforcing JSB’s position as a premier management institute specialising in tourism & hospitality. The signing ceremony was attended by distinguished dignitaries from both organisations, including Dr Rajiv R Thakur, Director General, JSB; Dr Tapan K Nayak, Dean, JSB; Gajesh Girdhar, Founder & Chairman, Governing Council, NIMA; Rakesh Arora, Founder, Coordinator, Admin, Finance & Membership, NIMA and Vikas Khanduri, Advisor, NIMA. The MoU was formalised by Gajesh Girdhar, along with Dr Rajiv R Thakur and Dr. Tapan K. Nayak. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements, ensuring that graduates are future-ready for the dynamic demands of the MICE sector.

Highlighting the association’s vision during its Members’ Meet in Delhi, Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, said, “We want India to be ranked amongst the best 10 in the world for adventure tourism by 2034. Due to our continued hard work in the past, our ranking has increased to 38 which is not good enough given our potential.”

Highlighting India’s SAF potential at IATA AGM, Amitabh Khosla, Country Director India, Nepal & Bhutan, IATA, said, “There is likelihood of domestically produced SAF in India for airlines from 2026. Air India & Indian Oil have joined global SAF registry. An MoU between NABCB & ISCC will enable certification, clearing rollout hurdles.”

Skål International India officially launched its Jammu & Kashmir Chapter with a special ceremony in Srinagar. This marks a proud moment for the sector as Skål becomes the first tourism association to enter J&K post Operation Sindoor, reinforcing confidence in the region and opening new avenues for tourism growth.

“We have seen a 25% increase in ITTA membership so far this year and expect the number to grow further with the target to reach 500 members by the end of this year,” said Satish Sehrawat, President, ITTA. New members from Delhi NCR and Agra have recently joined, reflecting the growing trust in our association, he added.

To enhance tourism between India and Nepal, a Memorandum of Association (MoU) was signed between the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) in Kathmandu.