Category Archives: Associations

To expand its outreach in northern India and revive tourism, Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India, said that they will open a new club in Srinagar named Skål International Jammu & Kashmir on 31 May.

ADTOI is planning to launch a third-party app in India aimed at benefiting its members. “This will serve as a marketplace platform where vendors—big or small—can showcase their tourism-related products and services,” Ved Khanna, President, ADTOI, said. We are also set to launch our Bihar Chapter soon, he added.

“The Indian Tourist Transporters Association is planning a get-together in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, where over 100 participants from Delhi are expected to attend,” shared Bobby KS Sawhney, Hony. Secretary, ITTA. The idea is to rebuild confidence in the region and contribute to reviving tourism in the Valley, he added.

In light of the current geopolitical situation impacting international and domestic travel sentiments, FAITH (Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality) announces the rescheduling of its conclave this year. Originally scheduled for an earlier date, the conclave will now take place at Taj Palace New Delhi on 12 and 13 August.

Lamenting about one crisis situation after another, Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, suggests that planning for crisis situations and risk assessing businesses has become absolutely imperative today. “It’s very important that we ensure that as individuals we keep ourselves absolutely fit and have reserves for at least 9-12 months so that even if all hell breaks loose, we can still sleep easy.”

In a significant step towards enhancing the visa application experience for Indian travellers, VFS Global, the world’s leading technology services specialist in secure mobility solutions, and the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) joined hands to successfully host a Visa Insights Workshop titled Consultant-to-Officer Dialogues in Hyderabad, Telangana, on 17 May 2025. The interactive session was attended by 40 travel agents from the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh chapters of TAAI and staff from the VFS Global Visa Application Centre. The workshop facilitated dialogue between travel consultants and VFS Global, promoting transparency and mutual understanding in the visa facilitation process. The event featured discussions on the end-to-end process of visa applications handled by VFS Global, focusing on operational best practices, process timelines, document requirements, and traveller preparedness. The workshop provided a platform for travel agents to share challenges they face while assisting clients with visa applications, allowing VFS Global to address concerns, clarify procedures, and explore opportunities for continuous improvement, leaving all participants with a sense of optimism for the future. Sunil Kumar, President, Travel Agents Association of India, said, “This joint knowledge-sharing workshop by TAAI and VFS Global, is among the firsts of its kind. This is a commendable initiative that strengthens the bridge between visa consultants from travel companies and VFS Global frontline employees. Such collaborative efforts not only enhance operational efficiency but also empower our industry professionals with deeper insights needed to deliver exceptional service to travellers, especially in an evolving travel environment. TAAI is truly delighted to have partnered with VFS Global in launching the Pilot Programme in Hyderabad, which was attended by 40 experienced visa consultants who had a dialogue with over 25 VFS Global frontline …

Designed as a dialogue to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and offer strategic insights for the road ahead in Indian tourism, ATOAI is all set to hold a virtual event ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends’ today (20 May) starting from 4 pm. The one-hour online dialogue will bring together the leaders in the Indian travel and tourism landscape.

Satish Sehrawat, President, ITTA and Bobby KS Sawhney, Hony. Secretary, ITTA, said that they are organising a series of workshops across India for transporters to expand the association’s outreach and membership base. “Following the success of the Agra event, we are now gearing up for our next workshop in Jaipur this June, with more planned in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bengaluru,”  added Sawhney.

In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory changes and shifting traveller expectations, the tourism industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. The ongoing Indo Pak conflict has understandably raised fresh concerns and cast a shadow over the tourism sector. Yet, time and again, history has proven that our industry is built not just on destinations, but on determination. Recognising the need for collective insight and decisive action, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is stepping up with a timely and thought-provoking virtual event ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends.’ Scheduled for Tuesday, 20 May 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST), this one-hour online dialogue will bring together some of the most respected voices in the Indian travel and tourism landscape. The session is designed as a dialogue to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and offer strategic insights for the road ahead. The panel will feature: Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI – an industry veteran known for his leadership in Tourism, Adventure Tourism and advocacy for sustainable travel; Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online, Inc. – a pioneer in digital travel platforms, offering a sharp perspective on evolving consumer behaviour and tech trends; Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI – a respected voice for travel agents and tour operators with deep knowledge of global travel dynamics. Together, these thought leaders will explore how the sector can embrace change—through innovation, sustainability and resilience—while addressing some of the most pressing questions facing the travel industry today. “The tourism industry has weathered many storms—and every time, we have emerged stronger. We are at another such inflection point, offering us the chance to pause, reset and reimagine,” said Ajeet Bajaj. This session is open …

PATA Annual Summit is set to be held at Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korea (ROK) from 11-13 May next year. This is the first time in PATA’s history that two cities will co-host the Summit. Kim Namil, President, GCTO, said, “Our goal is to make PAS 2026 more than just a tourism event — it will be a platform for sustainability, innovation, and human connections.”