Category Archives: Associations

Speaking about the latest update from Vistara, Jay Bhatia, TAAI VP, says, “The airline has said that the agents can use the credit cards on the list they have circulated to the travel agents as a payment option on the GDS. However, other cards were not listed. Therefore, TAAI had taken this issue up with them and now the airline has added multiple cards on this list that agents can use to book.”

Highlighting the inability of hotels in utilizing the increased Floor Area Ratio, Pradeep Shetty, FHRAI president, says, “It is contributing to a gap between the increasing demand fuelled by the escalating influx of airline passengers. However, hotel infrastructure is not growing in Delhi. Addressing these issues would lead to sustainable growth. The current challenges faced by hotels in Delhi regarding the utilization of additional FAR are hindering the sector’s ability to keep pace with the dynamic demands.”

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has initiated legal action to seek appropriate remedies for hotel members affected by adverse provisions from the Delhi High Court for the hospitality sector from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s (DGFT). These conditions have posed challenges for the industry, particularly in light of adverse economic circumstances exacerbated by events such as the global recession, terrorist attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. FHRAI has advocated for relief for the hospitality sector through persistent representations to the Ministry of Tourism and DGFT since 2017. Despite sustained efforts, the sector still needs to receive the necessary relaxations, prompting FHRAI to seek legal intervention. DGFT, in the year 2007-08 in the new EXIM policy, introduced an additional condition which not only meant that over and above the primary condition, the industry need to comply with a secondary condition of maintaining 3 years average past performance continuously over & above the Specific EO and the Average has to be maintained for the entire block of 8/6 years till the redemption of license. Unfortunately post the introduction of the secondary condition, the hospitality industry suffered a huge decline and thereby reduction in the FOREX due to which the industry has not been in a position to fulfil the secondary condition of maintaining the 3 years average past performance. The hospitality industry had brought this issue of decline in foreign contribution to the notice of DGFT way back in February 2017 itself and that coincided with completion of 1st block of the 8 years when the license expired post the introduction of the secondary condition in the year 2007-08. Since then, the industry has been continuously requesting …

Rajnish Kaistha, Sr. Vice President, IATO said, “With the blessings of the government and the CM, the 39th IATO Annual Convention is scheduled to be held in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal from 30 August to 2 September 2024. The idea is to bring better connectivity to Bhopal and put it onto the global tourist map.”

With FY2024 closing, CAPA India has released preliminary figures for actual full-year traffic. Domestic traffic reached an estimated 153.4mn pax, compared with our projection of 160mn at the start of the year, and 155mn in our mid-year update. International traffic reached an estimated 69.7mn pax, compared with our projection of 72-74mn at the start of the year, and 70mn in our mid-year update. Both domestic and international traffic volumes exceeded their pre-COVID highs (which were actually set in FY2019) for the first time.

Over the past decade, tourism has embraced sustainability as a strategic pillar. A WTTC report shows that 42% of leading tourism companies globally have set a climate target – either interim, long-term, or both. As sustainable business practices gain traction around the world, companies must increasingly consider the concerns of stakeholders – travellers seeking eco-friendly destinations, and communities concerned about their future.   Tour operators Emissions from tour operators vary across the sector, depending on how asset-light or asset-heavy they are. Some operators express concerns about limitations they encountered regarding infrastructure at destinations, while others are investing in sustainability initiatives. But the current infrastructure and technology at some destinations are not developed enough for those investments to yield results in the short term. For example, some tour operators want to invest in electric buses, but current EV coach battery life is inadequate for longer tours. Travel agencies and OTAs Travel agents — both brick-and-mortar and online — interact with a variety of industry players, from suppliers to destinations, and influence consumer choices. They are well-placed to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals, though these efforts are complicated by the new reporting frameworks. OTAs and travel tech companies more broadly are not easily classified, as they often fall in the software sector rather than tourism. As such, they also lack specific guidance on how to tackle sustainability issues relating to their travel operations. They will likely have to consult sector-based guides, such as for car rental and leasing, hotel and lodging, and airlines. Accommodation One complicating factor for hotel chains is the industry’s range of business models and ownership structures. Many operate under franchise agreements with multiple levels of control, …

Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, said, “By 2035, India is projected to provide 30 per cent of the world’s skilled manpower, a number of our experts in various sectors like hospitality will emerge from India. It is not just about producing manpower; it is about producing the best talent.” He was speaking at WTTCII event.

Addressing PATA International Conference on Women in Travel in Bohol, Philippines, Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA, shared, “There should be equality, parity and equal representation for all tourism stakeholders including women. PATA is committed to advancing the role of women in tourism.”

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.