Category Archives: Associations

As the world is struggling with a new wave and new mutations, the increased vaccination drive across the globe is offering the much-needed assurance and many countries have come out with statements welcoming guests who have received their complete vaccine dose. Maintaining the travel sentiment and in an endeavour to assure people that outbound travel from India will hopefully resume soon, RiazMunshi, President, OTOAI, was recently invited to be the Keynote Speaker at a Luxury B2B MICE Conference in Istanbul, Turkey organised by Team Travel Shop. The event took place from April 6 – 7, 2021. Expressing his thoughts on Indian traveller’s travel habits in the light of the pandemic, President OTOAI said, “Turkey is the perfect destination for all segments of Indian travellers, be it families, honeymooners, MICE groups or weddings. Turkey is also one of the first countries to launch the Safe Tourism Certification System, which is already a step in the right direction to build consumer confidence. Travellers will now be much more cognizant of their choice of destinations and will seek reassurance that they will be safe while in a particular country or location. Positioning the destination as one that promises travel safety upfront puts Turkey in a good position to attract more travellers. I am sure that together, we will make India the number one source market for Turkey.” Emphasising how the entire world is travelling in the same boat and must collectively work towards turning this into an opportunity, Munshi said, “I believe that the travel industry is at a point of disruption and the future will be different from what we had imagined, but it will surely be a bright one. For all …

Team North East India has reached Moscow to participate in the Indo-Russia Friendship Car Rally, organised by International Friendship Car Rally Association. The three-day rally was flagged off in New Delhi and is being sponsored by North East Council under the Ministry of DoNER. The members are from the 8 North-Eastern states and will showcase the potential of their unexplored region.

The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) and Hotel & Restaurant Association of Gujarat (HRA Gujarat) have submitted a representation to PM Narendra Modi to allow takeaway and home delivery services till 12am for hotels and restaurants in the state. The 2 associations have expressed agreement with the Gujarat government’s decision to impose restrictions for controlling the spread. However, taking into consideration the industry’s year-long crises, they have pleaded for some leeway.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has reviewed its annual membership subscription renewal for the year 2021-22 in view of the pandemic’s second wave. It has therefore decided to reduce its renewal fee by 40% for all active, associate and allied members. The rebated annual membership subscription shall be only applicable if the same is paid and credited to TAAI account latest by 31 May, 2021. Thereafter normal annual fees shall be payable.

The recently-held AGM of the Tour Operators Association of Assam (TOAA) in Guwahati was marked by the formation of the new Executive Committee where Debajit Borah was selected as the new President, Rajkumar Das, Mukul Medhi and Dipak Sarma as Vice Presidents, Kundol Roy as Secretary, Nipan Sarmah as Treasurer, Pranjal Bora and Sushmita Hazarika as Joint Secretary along with 10 new EC members. The outgoing President is Ranjeet Das.

TAFI has written to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray requesting him to consider travel agents (similar to cargo service staff) as essential service providers and allow at least 50 per cent of the staff to report to work during the current partial lockdown as they are necessary to be in office to be able to provide travel services to clients.

TAAI- WITT and FICCI – FLO have announced to organise a webinar to empower women and skill the female workforce in the industry for sustainable tourism. The webinar powered by TravTalk is scheduled for 9th April from 11 am – 12:30 pm. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI and Jahnabi Phookan, National President, FICCI FLO informed that the event will be joined by Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism as a special invitee. Other speakers include Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, Mamta Verma, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Tourism, Priya Paul, Chairman, Apeejay Surendra Park Hotels, Parineeta Sethi and Madhu Jain. To join the webinar, log on to  http://zoom.us/j/95192672623   The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism.

PATA India has announced that its members in good standing, who are interested to participate in the virtual PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart being held from May 26-27, 2021 will enjoy a 33% discount on registration fee for the first delegate, which will be reimbursed to them by PATA India after the event. Members will be required to register directly with PATA with a payment of USD 300.00, which is the registration fee for Chapter Members, under intimation to the India Chapter. Upon completion of the event and the member’s fulfilment of participation in the event, PATA India will reimburse an equivalent of USD 100.00 to them. Please note this offer is available for the first ten participants, on a first come first serve basis, who complete their registration and pay the required fees to PATA. The deadline for registration is Saturday 10thApril, 2021. Use the reference code PIC while completing the registration. Upon completion of registration, please intimate confirmation to Poonam Rajput at manager@pataindia.org. The offer is available for members in good standing which implies that Members must have paid their membership fees for 2020-21.

The Gujarat chapter of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has tied up with Samved Hospital in Ahmedabad to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination of its accredited members as well as their spouse. The first round of the inoculation drive has already been completed successfully. With this, the Association aims to always be at the forefront for the betterment and benefit of its members.

The current Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) has been extended till 3oth September 2021 from previously 31st March 2021. Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, commented on the same, saying, “Since the validity of the existing policy has been extended till 30th sept, we are hopeful that SEIS will be announced soon. The 2019-20 SEIS payment was to be made by 31st March 2021. Now, with the new date, as and when the order comes by 30th September, we can claim our money.”