Latest news with #RajivMehra
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Air India Flight AI171 Tragedy: Travel Industry Unites in Mourning and Calls for Safety Reform, ET TravelWorld
Advt Advt Air India plane crash prompts India to launch high-level aviation safety review The Air India AI-171 crash, which claimed more than 260 lives, has prompted the Indian government to initiate a high-level aviation safety review. With global investigators, including the FAA and Boeing, involved, the tragedy marks the first-ever Boeing 787-8 crash and raises urgent questions about aircraft safety, oversight, and systemic reforms. See More Details By , ETTravelWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. All about ETTravelWorld industry right on your smartphone! Download the ETTravelWorld App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles. The Indian travel and tourism industry has united in a wave of grief and support following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick. The crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which claimed more than 270 lives, including those of 241 people onboard, has sent shockwaves across aviation, hospitality, and trade travel community's grief is underscored by the widespread participation of associations across inbound, outbound, adventure, and tourism training sectors, each issuing heartfelt tributes and action-oriented Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India, and emergency responders have been quick to take swift actions, while stakeholders across the ecosystem are calling for an in-depth safety review and stronger support systems for affected travel trade associations have responded by sharing condolences to the families while calling for safety review by the government. Rajiv Mehra, Secretary General, FAITH (Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality), said, 'FAITH stands with the aviation ecosystem in mourning this tragic loss. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased. We welcome the government's announcement of a high-level safety review and stress the need for preventive mechanisms. This is a moment for the entire industry to unite and push for reforms that prioritize human life above all.'Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), said: 'This tragedy has deeply shaken our industry. We express our profound grief and offer condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Air India, as our national carrier, is not just a brand — it is a legacy. We extend our solidarity with the airline's staff and management. TAAI supports the government's move for a thorough investigation. Ensuring the safety of air passengers must be our foremost priority.'Ravi Gosain, President, IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators), stated, 'It's a devastating loss. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the passengers and crew. As part of India's inbound tourism community, we have always worked closely with Air India and are proud of its contribution. The tragedy warrants a strong policy-driven approach towards aviation safety. We stand with Air India and all the support staff handling this crisis.'Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), remarked: 'We are stunned and heartbroken. As outbound tour operators, many of our clients have flown with Air India to the UK and other long-haul destinations. The crash has deeply impacted traveller confidence. We urge the authorities to conduct a transparent inquiry and support international cooperation for aviation safety. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and to Air India's team.'Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India), said, 'Every single life lost was on a journey, possibly of hope and purpose. We express our condolences to the families and pray for strength in this difficult time. The crash reminds us of the shared responsibility we carry as travel professionals. We join hands with the broader fraternity to push for safety reforms across sectors.'Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC (Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council), shared, 'The crash is not just an aviation tragedy, but a human one. The loss of life, including young professionals and travellers with aspirations, is painful. Our hearts go out to the families. We must now turn to action — through better training, upgraded standards, and emotional support services . THSC pledges to work closely with authorities and operators to implement robust safety and skills frameworks.'Satish Sehrawat and Bobby K.S. Sawhney, Executive Committee Members, ITTA (Indian Tourist Transporters Association) issued a joint note: 'This disaster has left an irreparable scar on our industry. As ground transport providers who regularly connect with airports and inbound travel, we feel this loss personally. We extend our support to families and urge the government and Air India to offer transparent updates and long-term rehabilitation measures.'Beyond condolences, these industry voices collectively underscore the need for resilience, transparency, and long-term support. From psychological counselling to policy-level changes, the associations have pledged to contribute wherever possible, from operational support to advocating for systemic investigation efforts continue, the tragedy of AI-171 stands as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need to continually reexamine aviation and travel protocols.
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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Domestic travellers redirect their travel plans to northeastern states
India-Pakistan tensions and IPL match suspensions are prompting travellers to cancel trips to border states and shift focus to the northeast, say industry executives Premium Listen to This Article Indian travellers are redirecting their plans from northern states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Rajasthan towards the northeastern region amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for one week is also expected to impact domestic tourism further, according to travel industry executives. Travel agencies have paused all new bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. 'Due to India-Pakistan tensions and several airports being shut, people are cancelling their bookings to these (northern states closer to the border) places,' said Rajiv Mehra, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators and general
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
British travellers have fallen out of love with India – here's why
Since the pandemic, there have been innumerable instances of overtourism around the globe. Increased demand to see the world has caused air fares to surge and anti-visitor protests to mushroom. But a handful of destinations have escaped the international post-Covid crowds – among them, India, where international arrivals were down almost 10 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels in the period between January and June 2024. It's a country that should see more global visitors than it does. In 2024, India came ninth and sixth respectively in the cultural and natural resources categories of the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index, but it only placed 39th overall – behind unlikely tourist destinations including Hungary and Belgium, and let down by poor scores for health and hygiene, information and continuity technology, and the labour market. The tourism industry currently accounts for a relatively low 2 per cent of India's GDP. However, with increased demand among domestic tourists (who made 2,509 million stays in the country during 2023 according to Ministry of Tourism data, compared with 18.89 million by international visitors), the government slashed its global tourism marketing budget by more than 80 per cent in 2024, while doubling its domestic one. 'Domestic tourism is booming in India,' said one operator, who asked to remain anonymous. 'Many property owners and tourist boards are happier to focus on this market as it's easier to service.' Nevertheless, some industry insiders were concerned by the news. 'This continuous reduction in funds post-Covid has resulted in the Ministry of Tourism repeatedly seeking approvals from the Finance Ministry for participation in overseas events,' Rajiv Mehra, the president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, recently told the country's Economic Times. 'This has led to diminished international representation for India, unlike competing nations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Mauritius, which invest substantially in their tourism promotions and secure greater visibility in global travel markets.' One region of India may have been particularly hard hit. In late 2024, an argument erupted between social media influencers and Goa's tourism team. Across Instagram and TikTok, videos began to appear featuring empty beaches and hotels – leaving tourism minister Rohan Khaunte livid. 'These influencers are paid influencers onboarded by people to malign Goa,' he is reported to have said at a press conference. 'As far as data is concerned, we have surpassed the figures for domestic tourist arrivals [as compared to last year]. The season has been good, exceptional… and we expect 2025 will also be good for tourism.' Despite this, stories of high prices for taxis and accommodation may have tarnished Goa's image as a backpacker's paradise, leaving new pretenders able to steal some of its market share. Sri Lanka has forged a reputation for offering fantastic accommodation and service at competitive prices, while interest continues to grow in Vietnam, which is seen as friendly and easy to explore. 'I've certainly heard rumours of Goa going off the boil,' said Nick Pulley, the founder of Selective Asia. 'It was never really an area of focus for us. The south of Goa is still home to the best of the state's beaches and there are fascinating cultural sites to be found nearby, but we favour the more remote sands of the Andaman Islands for beach.' The country as a whole also has a problem with a lack of luxury accommodation. As domestic tourism booms, foreign visitors can struggle to find space at the sorts of hotels they've grown used to elsewhere. 'When it comes to accommodation, major cities and hubs have a good range of premium and boutique options on offer, but emerging towns and destinations have a lack of high-end options which makes it harder to attract customers wanting a comfortable or luxury stay,' said Rama Mahendru, Intrepid Travel's general manager for India. Then there's the visa process. Notoriously laborious for many years, it was streamlined by the introduction of an e-visa system in 2015, but 'some travellers face problems with getting visas processed, which is a deterrent for last-minute bookings to the country,' she added. Post-pandemic popularity and marketing strategies are still having an effect too. Some other countries emerged from their lockdowns as prime bucket list fodder for big ticket trips. 'Japan is taking the focus from everywhere,' said Pulley, who noted that 40 per cent of all Selective Asia's enquiries from 2025's recent Destinations Travel Show were for the country. When the company's clients do visit India, they want to see the country differently and avoid the coach-tour thronged sites. 'Clients are looking beyond Rajasthan's Golden Triangle and a straightforward backwater of Kerala trip – they want to go further and scratch deeper beneath the surface. We are seeing growing interest in regions such as Karnataka and Gujarat,' he added. 'The north-east region, including areas like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, are emerging as the main choice for adventure seekers who are looking for an alternative holiday with fewer crowds,' said Mahendru. 'The region offers amazing wildlife reserves, wetlands and mountain villages with interesting history. Intrepid's India Expedition: Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland visits Nagaland and includes a stay in a traditional Naga village – with the indigenous people of north-eastern India and north-west Myanmar. Travellers learn about their wildlife conservation work and get a glimpse into traditional tribal life.' It's against this backdrop that InsideAsia will launch holidays to India for the first time later in 2025. 'Regarding the visitor numbers being down, we don't make decisions based on short-term trends,' says Alastair Donnelly, Inside Travel Group's co-founder. 'India has enormous potential for our style of travel and approach. It's a crazy place and a huge amount of fun. And we like that.' It's one of the signs that the tide may be turning for tourism in India among British visitors. Passenger numbers on tours to the country with Newmarket Holidays were up 76 per cent year on year in 2024, with safari and beach extensions proving popular. Meanwhile, big-name operators Saga and Titan report a huge surge in bookings for 2026 – up 118 per cent and 78 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, in a recent announcement about spending for 2025 and 2026, the government revealed an intention to improve infrastructure and hotels near 50 key attractions, aid hospitality training, create some visa waivers and highlight wellness holidays and medical tourism. So soon, it may once again be a case of 'book this place' rather than 'watch this space'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
16-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
British travellers have fallen out of love with India
Since the pandemic, there have been innumerable instances of overtourism around the globe. Increased demand to see the world has caused air fares to surge and anti-visitor protests to mushroom. But a handful of destinations have escaped the international post-Covid crowds – among them, India, where international arrivals were down almost 10 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels in the period between January and June 2024. It's a country that should see more global visitors than it does. In 2024, India came ninth and sixth respectively in the cultural and natural resources categories of the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index, but it only placed 39th overall – behind unlikely tourist destinations including Hungary and Belgium, and let down by poor scores for health and hygiene, information and continuity technology, and the labour market. The tourism industry currently accounts for a relatively low 2 per cent of India's GDP. However, with increased demand among domestic tourists (who made 2,509 million stays in the country during 2023 according to Ministry of Tourism data, compared with 18.89 million by international visitors), the government slashed its global tourism marketing budget by more than 80 per cent in 2024, while doubling its domestic one. 'Domestic tourism is booming in India,' said one operator, who asked to remain anonymous. 'Many property owners and tourist boards are happier to focus on this market as it's easier to service.' Nevertheless, some industry insiders were concerned by the news. 'This continuous reduction in funds post-Covid has resulted in the Ministry of Tourism repeatedly seeking approvals from the Finance Ministry for participation in overseas events,' Rajiv Mehra, the president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, recently told the country's Economic Times. 'This has led to diminished international representation for India, unlike competing nations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Mauritius, which invest substantially in their tourism promotions and secure greater visibility in global travel markets.' One region of India may have been particularly hard hit. In late 2024, an argument erupted between social media influencers and Goa's tourism team. Across Instagram and TikTok, videos began to appear featuring empty beaches and hotels – leaving tourism minister Rohan Khaunte livid. 'These influencers are paid influencers onboarded by people to malign Goa,' he is reported to have said at a press conference. 'As far as data is concerned, we have surpassed the figures for domestic tourist arrivals [as compared to last year]. The season has been good, exceptional… and we expect 2025 will also be good for tourism.' Despite this, stories of high prices for taxis and accommodation may have tarnished Goa's image as a backpacker's paradise, leaving new pretenders able to steal some of its market share. Sri Lanka has forged a reputation for offering fantastic accommodation and service at competitive prices, while interest continues to grow in Vietnam, which is seen as friendly and easy to explore. 'I've certainly heard rumours of Goa going off the boil,' said Nick Pulley, the founder of Selective Asia. 'It was never really an area of focus for us. The south of Goa is still home to the best of the state's beaches and there are fascinating cultural sites to be found nearby, but we favour the more remote sands of the Andaman Islands for beach.' The country as a whole also has a problem with a lack of luxury accommodation. As domestic tourism booms, foreign visitors can struggle to find space at the sorts of hotels they've grown used to elsewhere. 'When it comes to accommodation, major cities and hubs have a good range of premium and boutique options on offer, but emerging towns and destinations have a lack of high-end options which makes it harder to attract customers wanting a comfortable or luxury stay,' said Rama Mahendru, Intrepid Travel's general manager for India. Then there's the visa process. Notoriously laborious for many years, it was streamlined by the introduction of an e-visa system in 2015, but 'some travellers face problems with getting visas processed, which is a deterrent for last-minute bookings to the country,' she added. Post-pandemic popularity and marketing strategies are still having an effect too. Some other countries emerged from their lockdowns as prime bucket list fodder for big ticket trips. ' Japan is taking the focus from everywhere,' said Pulley, who noted that 40 per cent of all Selective Asia's enquiries from 2025's recent Destinations Travel Show were for the country. When the company's clients do visit India, they want to see the country differently and avoid the coach-tour thronged sites. 'Clients are looking beyond Rajasthan's Golden Triangle and a straightforward backwater of Kerala trip – they want to go further and scratch deeper beneath the surface. We are seeing growing interest in regions such as Karnataka and Gujarat,' he added. 'The north-east region, including areas like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, are emerging as the main choice for adventure seekers who are looking for an alternative holiday with fewer crowds,' said Mahendru. 'The region offers amazing wildlife reserves, wetlands and mountain villages with interesting history. Intrepid's India Expedition: Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland visits Nagaland and includes a stay in a traditional Naga village – with the indigenous people of north-eastern India and north-west Myanmar. Travellers learn about their wildlife conservation work and get a glimpse into traditional tribal life.' It's against this backdrop that InsideAsia will launch holidays to India for the first time later in 2025. 'Regarding the visitor numbers being down, we don't make decisions based on short-term trends,' says Alastair Donnelly, Inside Travel Group's co-founder. 'India has enormous potential for our style of travel and approach. It's a crazy place and a huge amount of fun. And we like that.' It's one of the signs that the tide may be turning for tourism in India among British visitors. Passenger numbers on tours to the country with Newmarket Holidays were up 76 per cent year on year in 2024, with safari and beach extensions proving popular. Meanwhile, big-name operators Saga and Titan report a huge surge in bookings for 2026 – up 118 per cent and 78 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, in a recent announcement about spending for 2025 and 2026, the government revealed an intention to improve infrastructure and hotels near 50 key attractions, aid hospitality training, create some visa waivers and highlight wellness holidays and medical tourism. So soon, it may once again be a case of 'book this place' rather than 'watch this space'.
