Newsletter-Sept 25_Layout 1 10/1/2014 11:55 AM Page 1 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 I OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER IATOAPEX NATIONAL BODY OF TOUR OPERATORS 30th IATO AnnuAl COnvenTIOn STIMulATeS new BegInnIngS, FreSh IDeAS, vIBrAnT FuTure 30th IATO Annual Convention witnessed participation of more than 1200 delegates and 13 state tourism boards making it the biggest in the history of the Association. rajeev Kohli, Parvez Dewan, Ashok Chandra Panda, Subhash goyal, Dr. Dignitaries releasing the IATO newsletter and Manual Subramanian Swamy and Pronab Sarkar inaugurating the IATO Convention The 30th IATO Annual Convention held from September 4-7, 2014 at appreciated the initiative of the government to introduce Electronic Travel Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi saw a record number of participation Authorization (ETA), which will implement soon and thanked the this year. More than 1200 delegates and 13 state tourism boards Ministry of Tourism for their immense support. participated in this year’s Convention making it the biggest in the history In his keynote address, Dr. Swamy sought a new tourism policy that is of the Association. The theme of the Convention was ‘New Beginnings, in sync with the changing world order. He said that the policy should Fresh Ideas, Vibrant Future’. outline, by priority, core objectives. Commenting on the negative image of Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Senior BJP Leader India because of tourist safety issues, he suggested strong inaugurated the Annual Convention in the presence of deterrents to prevent them. Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of India; Ashok Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State with Chandra Panda, Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Odisha; Independent Charge for Tourism and Culture, Govt. of Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, Vice Chairman, H.P Tourism India, who could not be present for the inaugural Development Board; Subhash Goyal, President, IATO; ceremony of the Convention, through a video message, Sarab Jit Singh, Senior VP, IATO; Rajeev Kohli, VP, IATO; appreciated IATO for its efforts to promote India as a Amaresh Tiwari, Treasurer, IATO; Pronab Sarkar, Dr. Subramanian Swamy preferred destination. Secretary, IATO; and Ravi Gosain, Joint Secretary, IATO. inaugurating the Travel Mart The Association released the IATO Newsletter and The event started with lighting of lamp by Dr. Manual. IATO bestowed ‘Hall of Fame’ award to Rajvir Subramanian Swamy followed by other distinguished guests. In his Singh, Founder, Dundlod Castle, for his contribution in the field of welcome address, Rajeev Kohli, Chairman, IATO Convention 2014, tourism and being a pioneer of the heritage concept of tourism through briefly introduced the IATO programme for the Convention with the palaces, forts and havelis. Vote of thanks was raised by Amaresh Tiwari, Co- request for everybody’s active participation in various events for the Chairman, IATO Convention 2014. Convention. Coinciding with the Convention, a travel mart was also organized In the presidential address, Subhash Goyal, President, IATO, informed wherein most of the states and tour operators, hotels and resorts exhibited that this year’s convention is notable because the Prime Minister has their products, which provided a good platform to showcase the product accentuated on the much neglected industry of tourism and hospitality. He and interaction between buyers and suppliers. Newsletter-Sept 25_Layout 1 10/1/2014 11:55 AM Page 2 Newsletter-Sept 25_Layout 1 10/1/2014 11:55 AM Page 3 IATO NEWSLETTER OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2014 03 FrOM The PreSIDenT’S DeSK Dear Members, Greetings from IATO! Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has made its presence felt across the travel and tourism industry by virtue of the hard work and commitment. Members have made us feel proud through business acumen, entrepreneurial skill and service excellence. In the recent years, all round progress made in tourism infrastructural development has been a source of satisfaction. The urgent need of the hour is to relax our stringent visa regime. To this end, our Electronic Visa Authority (ETA) proposal already got its approval and with the new government in power, this will soon be a reality. Prime Minister’s emphasis on the tourism sector as one of the pillars of which it seeks to build its ‘Brand India’ identity holds an immense value for us as tourism was always seen as a total neglect in successive earlier government’s and only got loaded with taxes. But from our part, we have to make continuous improvement as a way of achieving business excellence, engaged workforce to drive to achieve this excellence. This is more important for Service Sector as it is linked to customer satisfaction. 2014 is a landmark turning point for Indian tourism. For the first time in three decades the nation has moved out of coalition politics at the centre. For the first time in a decade we have a Prime Minister that walks the talk on tourism. The recent budget has shown a path forward and we have new hope in the industry. The 30th IATO Annual Convention held from 4-7 September 2014 at Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi with the theme- New Beginnings, Fresh ideas, Vibrant Future focused on the great opportunities the new future holds for us. Being in Delhi allowed us to engage the new political leadership better and bring in the top administrative decision makers to our sessions. This year’s convention was not only unique in its character, but, also engaging in its format. Despite of the fact that the Capital had no government during the time of convention, which eventually led to lack of support and collaboration from the host state, this year’s Convention was a huge success. Our excitement was beyond computation as the convention witnessed the largest number of registrations which swelled upto 1400. The bottleneck issues hampering the growth of tourism industry were discussed at the Convention, which will be communicated to the Ministry for further consideration. I am pleased to launch the IATO’s new look Newsletter and this will be the right link for communications with members, travel trade and government bodies. With Best Wishes! Subhash Goyal Newsletter-Sept 25_Layout 1 10/1/2014 11:55 AM Page 4 IATO NEWSLETTER 04 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2014 BuSIneSS SeSSIOnS AnD PreSenTATIOnS Apart from serious power packed business sessions, state presentations were made by Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman Islands and Maharashtra Tourism. ‘Indian Tourism, responsible reporting and its ‘The Indian Skies- looking into the future’ ‘Industry Partnerships- working together for effects’ Ashok gajapathi raju, Minister of Civil Aviation, the greater good’ Panelists included Preeti Khan, Associated government of India, explained that the Presentation was made by Aashish gupta, Press; Sanjay Mazamdar, BBC India; Arjun, infrastructure of the airports should be able to Consulting CeO, Federation FAITh. Sarab Jit Media Advisor; and moderator reema lokesh, exhibit the culture of the city and the area, Singh, vice Chairman, FAITh, updated the editor, express Traveller. The session discussed leaving an impression of authenticity in the members on objectives and achievements of issues related to India’s image and handling the minds of the tourists. FAITh. media in general. ‘Marketing Brand India- Changing Paradigms’ ‘The power of high touch’ ‘The national Museum- an insight by a friend’ The session had an interactive discussion by r.h Khwaja, Former Secretary Tourism, said Dr. venu v, Director general, national Museum usha Sharma, Additional Director general, that one should learn to make the most from & Former Secretary Tourism, Kerala, gave his Ministry of Tourism, and rajeev Kohli, vP, IATO. the moments of impact, try to comprehend vision for the national Museum and how it can ADg said that the Ministry is taking swift through his or her mistakes and seek to be a great inclusion in any Delhi program. measures to revise the laws that can be relived refurbish the situation of misery. and improvised to escalate the business of the tourism sector. ‘why brand positioning is so important’ ‘how to make content ‘revisited- Tour Operators, hotels and Airlines- Bridging the gap’ Samit Mehrotra, vice President marketing work for you’ Panelists included raj Sivakumar, CCO, Jet Airways; hemant Mediratta, Consulting, Futurebrands, highlighted the Mariellen ward, Canadian travel vP Sales- Travel Trade, The Oberoi group; Delna Jassomony, gM- Sales importance of brand positioning saying it writer, content marketer and Travel Industry, Taj hotels resorts and Palaces; Abinash Manghani, head- is the biggest issue for a business in social media expert, gave a Travel Industry Sales and regional Manager, ITC hotels; Sandeep Kapur, today’s market. presentation on content Senior vP, Creative Travel and moderator homa Mistry, CeO, Trail Blazer marketing. She also highlighted Tours India Pvt. ltd. The panelists debated on the challenges and the importance of online opportunities in everyday working relationships. homa Mistry left the marketing as it is the effective audience and panelists thinking with his presentation and mentioned that way to reach target audience. best relationship is where your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. Newsletter-Sept 25_Layout 1 10/1/2014 11:55 AM Page 5 IATO NEWSLETTER OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2014 05 ‘The business of Incentives- the part of MICe Tourism and the new government- Making the ‘The Past will be the Business of the Future’ we can understand’ Indian experience better Speakers were Steve Borgia, CMD of InDeco Panelists included Amaresh Tiwari, hony. Panelists included girish Shankar, Additional leisure hotels and S.y Quraishi, Former Chief Treasurer, IATO; Saurabh Bhargava, gM Sales- Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Dr. lalit K. Panwar, election Commissioner & Trustee, Delhi north India, Taj hotels; Sanjeev Joshi, TIMe and Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs; Subhash heritage Foundation Trust. The speakers moderator Anup nair, MD, Incentive goyal, President, IATO; Sarabjit Singh, Senior vP, discussed that measures and initiatives should Destinations.