Update on IATO Activities ( Monday, 12th October to Sunday, 18th October 2020)
Subject : Update on IATO Activities ( Monday, 12th October to Sunday, 18th October 2020)
22nd October, 2020,
To All Members
Dear All,
Please find appended the Update on IATO Activities (Monday, 12th October to Sunday, 18th October 2020)
Rahul Chakravarty
COO
Update on IATO Activities (Monday, 12th October to Sunday, 18th October 2020)
Dear Members
Greetings
Please find appended relevant activities of our association for the period (Monday, 12th October to Sunday, 18th October 2020)
Segments covered are
1. Communication / Letters that addressed key issues
2. Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings/Chapter news
3. Media Coverage
Request your feedback to further the content of our weekly report.
1. Communication / Letters that addressed key issues
Segment 1 update sequence by date: 13,15,16 October
Tuesday, 13th October
• IATO Suggestions/Inputs - Potential of Tourist Spots in the Country - Connectivity and Outreach
IATO made a presentation to Parliamentary Standing Committee chaired by Shri. T.G. Venkatesh, member of Parliament, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the request received from the Rajya Sabha on the above subject including some key demands of the tourism industry which are pending from Govt.
Thursday, 15th October
• After the presentation Chairman Parliamentary Committee requested to submit a detailed note - Covid -19 Pandemic Impact on Tourism Industry and need help from the Government for Survival and Revival and any other concern.
With reference to the above, on date, IATO wrote to Shri T.G. Venkatesh, Member of Parliament, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture, detailing on the issues the tourism industry is facing and the support needed from the Government. The key points elaborated were
I. COVID -19 PANDEMIC IMPACT ON TOURISM INDUSTRY AND SUFFERINGS OF TOURISM WORKERS.
II. CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM IN GDP AND EMPLOYMENT CONTRIBUTION IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
III. TOURISM INDUSTRY WAITING FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
IV. IATO’s REQUEST FOR THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT TO THE TOUR OPERATORS: -
1. Immediate release of Services Export Incentive Scheme for the Tour Operators:
2. Bank loan to Tour Operators under MSME.
3. Financial Support to the Tour Operators/Travel Agents/Tourist Transport Operators
4. To withdraw levy of Tax Collection at Source (TCS) on sale of overseas tour program package introduced from 01.10.2020
A Copy was marked to Mr. P. Narayanan, Director, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Parliament of India.
Individual letters enclosing a copy of the above letter were sent to
1. Mr. Dushyant Singh, Member of Parliament, and Member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture.
2. Dr. Abhay Sinha, Deputy Director General, Services Export Promotion Council.
3. Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament and Member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture
Friday, 16th October
• Letter sent with a request to revive tourism in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and remove restrictions of operation of flights and ferries
IATO requested Admiral D.K. Joshi PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands on the subject as though Andaman & Nicobar Administration had announced opening of Tourism activities on 27th of September 2020 i.e. on the World Tourism Day, however, local administration has issued directives to the Airport Authority of India restricting arrival of only two flights per day from the mainland. Also Andaman Administration has restricted private and government ferries to operate between Port Blair, Swaraj and Shaheed Dweep. The above decisions of the administration created hindrances/bottlenecks and are counterproductive in the efforts of reviving tourism to Andaman & Nicobar Islands and IATO members who are promoting tourism to Andaman are depressed with the decision taken by the Andaman Administration and are being forced to reschedule/cancel the bookings they have received.
A copy of the letter was sent to A. Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and B. Secretary (Tourism), Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
2.Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings
Segment 2 update sequence by date:13,16,17 October
Tuesday, 13th October
• Webinar of Maldivian and Indian Travel Associations was organised on 13th October from 1030 hours to 1230 hours (IST).
IATO President participated as panellist
Members were informed on the 9th of October
• Members were informed about the sad demise Mr. K. K. Gupta, Managing Director, Paradise Holidays India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, who passed away on the 12th October, 2020 and the schedule of the prayer meeting.
Friday, 16th October
• IATO’s Skill Development Session “YOUR VIRTUAL TOUR SHOP” Ensure success post covid-19 was held on 16th OCTOBER 2020
Members were informed on the 11th of October.
• IATO Interactive Meeting held on Friday, the 16th October 2020 at 4 pm on Zoom
Members were informed on the 13th October
Saturday, 17th October
• Dekho Apna Desh Webinar series: Episode 60- Mystique Nagaland – Land of Culture, Adventure and Festivals was organized on 17th October 2020(1100-1200 hrs.)
Members were informed on the 14th October
3. Media Coverage
Segment 3 update sequence by date:12,13,17 October
Monday, 12th October
Coverage of the India Tourism Vision Day
In the post Covid-19 period our vision is to double India’s share of inbound tourism to 2.5 percent in 5 years:
Tuesday, 13th October
• Ahead of festive season, travellers stay put as tourism industry gasps for breath.