19th September, 2020

To, All Members

Subject: Update on IATO Activities (Monday, 7th September to Sunday, 13th September 2020)

Dear Members,

Greetings!

Please find appended relevant activities of our association for the period (Monday, 7th September to Sunday, 13th September 2020)

  _Segments covered are_

        * Communication / Letters that addressed key issues
        * Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings/ Travel Marts
        * Media Coverage

Request your feedback to further the content of our weekly report.

        * Communication / Letters that addressed key issues

  _Segment 1 update sequence by date: 7,8,11 September_

Monday, 7th September

        * Resumption of Inspection of hotels and other accommodation units

In response to the emails dated 3rd August and 4th August respectively regarding inspection of hotels and other accommodation units, on date IATO wrote to Mr. Surendra Kumar, Under Secretary (HRACC), Ministry of Tourism and Mr. Anil Oraw, Regional Director, Indiatourism North and agreed to appoint IATO members for inspection of hotels and restaurants
only and requested that the timings of the inspection be strictly followed

Tuesday, 8th September

        * IATO Inputs for Development of Special Tourism Zones in India

In response to the virtual meeting held on 3rd September 2020 on the above subject and inputs sought, IATO sent its suggestions to Ms.Gurleen Kaur, Senior Vice President – Tourism, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd.

Copy was marked to Joint Secretary (Tourism), Asst. Director-General, Deputy Secretary all from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Team Member (Swadesh Darshan PMU, M/s. Ernst & Young.

Friday, 11th September

        * Request to revise policy decision Regarding Reopening of Tourism in Sikkim and concerns of IATO members

On date IATO requested Shri Prem Singh Tamang, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim to kindly re-look into the revised policy and consider that the

  ·         Cap of 2500 rooms or 5000 guests per day should be removed or revised to avoid tourists stranded at the borders.

  ·          Tourist vehicles from other states with Valid Permit as per the respective Reciprocal Transport Agreements, should be allowed to enter Sikkim, at least from West Bengal.

  ·          Tour operators from other states should be allowed to operate their groups in Sikkim so as to promote the region as a circuit.


Copy of the letter was sent to A) Minister of Commerce & Industries and Tourism & Civil Aviation, B) Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation and C) Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation, - all from Government of Sikkim.

2.Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings/Travel Marts

  _Segment 2 update sequence by date:8,9,11,12 September_

Tuesday, 8th  September

        * Invitation for India Travel Mart (ITM) Uttarakhand from 25 -27 September 2020.

All Active Members were informed on date and were requested to resend confirmations oniato.circulars@gmail.com due to technical reasons.

Wednesday 9th  September

        * Postponement of 36th IATO Annual Convention in Ahmedabad

On date members were informed that Gujarat Tourism has very kindly acceded to the request of IATO and has agreed to hold the convention in September 2021. Dates for the convention will be finalised in due course and will be decided mutually by IATO and Gujarat Tourism.

Friday, 11th September

        * India Tourism Northeast organised a webinar on the Topic: River cruises on the Brahmaputra, Time: Sep 11, 2020 04:00 PM

Members were informed on the 10th September 

Saturday, 12th September

        * Dekho Apna Desh Webinar series: Episode 53: In the Footsteps of the Buddha organized on 12th September 2020(1100-1200 hrs)

Members were informed on the 10th September

3.  Media Coverage

  _Segment 3 update sequence by date:8,10,12 September_

Tuesday, 8th September

  _The links of stories carried _

Tourism Sector in Dire Straits Due to Covid-19, Needs Urgent Relief from
Govt: IATO

https://www.news18.com/news/business/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato-2856103.html
[1]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/travel/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato/articleshow/77975361.cms?from=mdr
[2]

ttps://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/coronavirus-tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-says-iato/article32542567.ece
[3]

ttps://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato/1930902
[4]

https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato
[5].

https://indianflipboard.online/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato/
[6]

https://indianflipboard.online/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato/
[7]

https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tourism-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato-120090700645_1.html
[8]

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-iato-137706
[9]

IATO urges govt to provide relief to the tourism sector that is dire
straits due to COVID-19

https://www.cnbctv18.com/travel/iato-urges-govt-to-provide-relief-to-the-tourism-sector-that-is-dire-straits-due-to-covid-19-6844781.htm
[10]

India’s Tourism Sector Badly Hit By COVID-19 Pandemic, IATO Seeks
Relief From Government

https://www.impactnews.in/indias-tourism-sector-badly-hit-by-covid-19-pandemic-iato-seeks-relief-from-government/
[11]

Coronavirus | Tourism sector in dire straits due, needs urgent relief
from govt., says IATO

https://www.universalpersonality.com/coronavirus-tourism-sector-in-dire-straits-due-needs-urgent-relief-from-govt-says-iato/
[12]

Tourism industry tottering on brink of collapse, needs govt help to
survive: IATO | India News.

http://whatsaup.in/tourism-industry-tottering-on-brink-of-collapse-needs-govt-help-to-survive-iato-india-news/
[13].

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tourism-industry-tottering-on-brink-of-collapse-needs-govt-help-to-survive-iato/articleshow/77977333.cms
[14]

IATO seeks immediate relief from the government to survive

http://www.uniindia.com/news/india/tourism-iato-relief/2152203.html [15]


Thursday, 10th September

Millions of jobs are at risk as Indian Tour Operators cry for help –
TTG ASIA

https://www.ttgasia.com/2020/09/09/millions-of-jobs-at-risk-as-indian-tour-operators-cry-for-help/
[16]

Saturday, 12th September

SEIS can unlock tourism potential towards PM’s vision of Atmanirbhar
Bharat

https://www.whereabouts.in/seis-can-unlock-tourism-potential-towards-pms-vision-of-atmanirbhar-bharat/
[17]

Rahul Chakravarty

COO

www.iato.in