January 2023 - There will be a lot of focus on India as a prime tourism destination in 2023. The G20 meetings, Visit India Year, establishment of the National Tourism Board and other initiatives by the Government of India will contribute significantly to bring India into focus as a premier tourist destination. With COVID paling into the past, we expect the trade to become significantly more active towards promotion of India in key international source markets. We will continue our thrust on educating our members through our two webinar products Jewels of India & Believe It or Not. Additionally,
we will work with MOT to conduct result-oriented roadshows to key source markets. We are already working with a state government to conduct an exclusive roadshow for them to four overseas markets in Q1/Q3, 2023. We intend to revive our annual industry-wide meeting tourism PowerHouse.
Travtalk, January 2023 - I am not expecting much direct benefits like tax rebates and any GST concession from the Budget this year. However, tourism is getting enough attention from the highest level in the government. These days most government officials are always talking about tourism, especially after G20 summit was announced. G20 can definitely provide the required push to inbound tourism in India. At the same time, the government is working towards providing an excellent road infrastructure, new airports and new trains to the citizens of the country. As I have always advocated, connectivity is the key to success in our tourism business and with these latest developments, tourism will surely get enough boost.
December 2022 - 2022 continued to be a difficult year for the tourism industry as COVID did not substantially abate in the first half of the year. Ministry of Tourism took several progressive initiatives to overcome business hurdles and facilitate tourism to India from overseas markets. Resumption of the international flights and visas were giant steps in this direction. However, some countries like the UK and Canada till recently did not have online visa facility. PATA is a not for profit organisation and has extended a 50 per cent rebate on annual membership fee for most of its members. Some inbound business has surely started from the July onwards for our company. It was definitely slower and lower than the expectations but we are glad that inbound clients have started visiting India again. The year 2022 was not to make profits, as it was just a reboot and restart after a long COVID disruption of two-and-a-half years.
September 2022 - The theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’ chosen by the UNWTO is the most appropriate, especially for the post-COVID period. The entire travel business is going through big changes as people have started to travel after 2-3 years. They have understood that they have to live with COVID. However, the way industry works has changed quite a lot in India, and somehow the different segments of the industry are losing faith in each other since the time travel business started picking up. Most transactions these days are taking place on a prepayment basis, which is not a healthy sign for the industry. At the same time, Rethinking Tourism conveys that some travellers will be looking forward to travelling in a more responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
March 2022 - The lift of the ban on international flights has come as a much-required aid for the sector. We wholeheartedly welcome government’s decision to open commercial flights. As India is being recognised for its vaccination efforts throughout the world, the fear in the minds of travellers has also subsided. This gives us a positive outlook for the future. We are optimistic that we will start getting good business starting August 2022. However, more initiatives are required for the sector to recover and reach its full potential again. For instance, tourist visas are still on hold. Issuing these visas will help both the travellers as well as the industry. MOT should also start marketing India as a destination again on different platforms like print media, digital channels and travel fairs.
Travtalk, December 2021 - While 2021 displayed some hope for revival, inbound tourism has been impacted the most. However, we did welcome our first
client from Spain in November. Despite the good movement in domestic business, travellers preferred to make bookings directly. One of the major developments of 2021 was the finalisation of COVID protocols by the MHA. Also, India has started granting tourist e-visas to most countries. The long-pending SEIS demand of the travel trade was finally met, and that was a big relief to the industry. The boost we were prepared for, has been derailed again by the new Omicron variant. With new restrictions in place, international business that was just finding its footing after two years of devastation brought by COVID-19 has started to suffer again.
ATA India Chapter had elected its new EC & Office Bearers unopposed for 2021-23 term; Mr. Jatinder Taneja to continue as Vice Chairman. Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India will also continue to lead PATA India Chapter as its Chairman.
The India Chapter of the Pacic Asia Travel Association (PATA) held its 249th Executive Committee (EC) meeting on December 23, where it elected the new EC members and Office Bearers for the 2021-23 term. The new team got elected unopposed which also means that the current representatives to the office will continue to hold a charge for two more years until 2023. Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India will continue to lead the PATA India Chapter as its Chairman, while Jatinder Taneja, Managing Director, Travel Spirit International, will also continue as the Vice-Chairman.
Travtalk, October 2021 - I would like to thank Hon’ble Prime Minister, Home Minister and Tourism Minister for considering our request in resuming tourist visa which Ministry of Home Affairs has declared today announcing resumption of Tourist Visa for Foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from 15th October 2021 and for others from 15th November 2021. This is very encouraging for the industry and we hope that inbound tourism will start to some extent.
December 2021 - While 2021 displayed some hope for revival, inbound tourism has been impacted the most. However, we did welcome our first client from Spain in November. Despite the good movement in domestic business, travellers preferred to make bookings directly. One of the major developments of 2021 was the finalisation of COVID protocols by the MHA. Also, India has started granting tourist e-visas to most countries. The long-pending SEIS demand of the travel trade was finally met, and that was a big relief to the industry. The boost we were prepared for, has been derailed again by the new Omicron variant. With new restrictions in place, international business that was just finding its footing after two years of devastation brought by COVID-19 has started to suffer again.
