Category Archives: Associations

The Ministry of Culture & Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), in collaboration with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), have successfully concluded the first leg of their mega six-city India Roadshow 2024, in New Delhi. The event held on 30 January at The Oberoi Hotel, marked the commencement of the roadshow with a grand kick-off in the National Capital. In attendance at the roadshow were 30 key stakeholders from Türkiye, including Tour operators, Hoteliers, and MCs.   The attendees witnessed an immersive exploration of Türkiye’s stunning landscapes, historical landmarks, and vibrant cities. The B2B sessions facilitated fruitful exchanges, fostering partnerships between the Indian travel industry leaders and Türkiye‘s esteemed suppliers. Prominent Indian travel brands such as MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip actively participated in this event, underscoring the industry’s enthusiasm for Türkiye as a premier destination. The presence of influential dignitaries, including Mr. Onur Gözet from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with Türkiye‘s Ambassador to India, H.E. Mr. Fırat Sunel, further emphasized the significance of the growing tourism relations between the two nations.   Addressing the gathering, Onur Gözet, Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Republic of Türkiye said, “Our shared histories, deeply rooted in ancient civilizations, have woven a narrative that resonates through both Türkiye and India. It is remarkable to witness the cultural commonalities that bind the two countries, fostering a unique connection that extends beyond geographical borders. It’s no wonder that Türkiye has emerged as a country of choice for Indian tourists, with iconic destinations like İstanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia capturing the hearts of travellers. The foundation laid with the commencement of the six-city roadshow goes beyond tourism. It signifies the beginning of a collaborative journey towards enduring …

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI, said that the implementation of industry status will offer waivers and reliefs which are critical for the growth of hospitality. “We anticipate the forthcoming policy will promote the growth of tourism in Vidarbha and Maharashtra at large,” he added.

Speaking at FITUR in Madrid, Julia Simpson President & CEO, WTTC, said, “AI is a strategic tool that can drive sustainable improvements, and create real time pricing models.” The latest WTTC report also highlighted AI will revolutionize the tourism sector creating real time pricing models.

UNWTO adopts UN Tourism as its new name signifying three main messages: the UN as a global altruistic organization, the notion of connecting humans around the world, and the concept of proactivity and movement. The rebrand also includes a revamp of the entire visual system.

M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, said, “The selected theme for National Tourism Day is both imaginative and practical as it revolves around sustainability and sustainable journeys. This implies the need to develop destinations that prioritize sustainability while simultaneously creating timeless memories—an essence that encapsulates the experience of India. Importantly, the message of sustainable and responsible tourism should resonate with the public. I hope that Tourism Day will emphasize creating awareness among people regarding this theme.”

Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI, said, “What we need on national tourism day is a national tourism policy with a country wide focus on tourism, that can become a model for the states to follow, at least in terms of themes, larger policy related issue, existing tourism, and what can be done to encourage people to come into tourism, taking due note of how much employment is generated in tourism. In so far as locations are concerned there are a lot of locations. I think religious tourism looks very good. With infrastructure developing, many tier II, III cities have been given renewed energy now. More financial outlay is being given to tier II, III cities. Beach tourism also needs to be looked at with 7500km of coastline.”

Ajay Prakash, National President, TAFI, said, “Tourism is one of the biggest global industries and typically grows at a faster rate than GDP. Post-pandemic, Indian tourism has shown amazing resilience and recovery, especially in terms of outbound and domestic tourists. National Tourism Day is a day to celebrate the power of tourism to not only boost the economy, but to connect people across all boundaries. The two major challenges before the industry are geopolitics and climate change. Sustainability of the industry is a corollary of global peace and sustainability. On this National Tourism Day let us take a pledge to spread greater awareness of Tourism as a Force for Global harmony.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “Tourism has become our blood stream. Led by our Hon’ble Prime Minister we the stakeholders breathe tourism. As the world opens up, India has positioned itself yet once again to be a vibrant destination with Ayodhya as the Spiritual Hub leading the pack. Ministry of Tourism synergizes our endeavour in both Domestic and International tourism, demand in diverse facets will grow in a geometric proportion, supply will rush to fill the gap catering to a sizable investment in tourism infrastructure.”

Lauding Maharashtra govt’s approach to boost tourism in Vidarbha, Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI, says, “Such initiatives not only showcase the natural beauty of the region but also create immense potential for growth in the hospitality sector. The Ambhora bridge development, coupled with innovative attractions like the light and sound show, aligns perfectly with our vision for Maharashtra as a nature-focused, holistic tourism destination.”

During the IATO Interactive Luncheon Meeting in Delhi, President Rajiv Mehra announced that the association has achieved a substantial increase in its membership, with a rise of over 300 new members. He attributed this growth to one of the reasons: the special rates for hotels that IATO provides to its members.