Update on IATO Activities (8th June, Monday to 14th June, Sunday 2020)
18th June 2020
To All Members
SUBJECT : Update on IATO Activities (8th June, Monday to 14th June,
Sunday 2020)
Dear Members
Greetings
Please find appended relevant activities of our association for the
period (8th June to 14th June 2020)
Heading used are
* Communication / Letters addressing key issues
* Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings
* Media Coverage
Request your feedback to further the content of our weekly report.
1. Communication / Letters addressing key issues
8thJune (Monday)
* Inspection of “Bed and Breakfast Establishments” in New Delhi
In response to email received from Department of Tourism, Government of
NCT Delhi, with regard to inspections of 44 Bed & Breakfast from 8th to
16th June 2020, IATO replied that under the present condition, it is not
possible for our members to join the inspection team as most of the
officers of our members are partially opened with skeleton staff only to
look after the essential work. It was suggested to Delhi Tourism to
extend the classification of Bed & Breakfast Establishments without any
physical inspection as has been done by the Ministry of Tourism,
Government of India. However, fresh applications for inspections should
be kept on hold till the time Covid-19 is controlled as has been done by
the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
* REQUEST TO RE-CONSIDER UNDER COVID 19 - LONG PENDING ISSUE OF
REVISION IN GUIDELINES FOR MARKETING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (MDA) SCHEME
-2017
On the 8th June 2020 IATO wrote to Mrs. Meenakshi Sharma, Director
General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism on the above subject referring
the meeting of 27th called by the Hon’ble Tourism Minister, where it
was also discussed with her about IATO’s long pending request of
revision in guidelines for Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme
-2017.
A copy was marked to Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary (Tourism),
Ministry of Tourism.
10thJune (Wednesday)
* Request for full Refund of advance payment made for bookings of
Wildlife Safaris in Rajasthan and cancelled due to Covid -19
On the 10th of June IATO Rajasthan Chapter wrote to Mrs. Sreya Guha,
Principal Secretary Forest and Tourism Department due to no refund being
given several agents are being threatened with legal action overseas.
This is giving a bad name to Indian tourism globally.
11thJune (Thursday)
* IATO Suggestions for facilitating tourists visiting ASI Monuments
On the 11th of June IATO wrote to Mr. Anand Kumar, Secretary (Culture),
Ministry of Culture, Government of India on inputs/suggestions for the
facilitating tourists visiting ASI Monuments
* Names of the Hotels who have refused to make refund of advance paid
and bookings cancelled by our members in wake of Covid -19 pandemic
On the 11th of June IATO wrote to Chairman FAITH about the difficulties
faced by IATO members in getting refund from the hotels of their advance
payments made to hotels and bookings cancelled due to Covid – 19 and
requested if he could write to the Presidents of FHRAI, HAI AND IHHA to
write to their member hotels to refund the advance paid to the hotels.
* Names of the Hotels who have refused to make refund of advance paid
and bookings cancelled by our members in wake of Covid -19 pandemic
On the 12th of June IATO wrote to FHRAI, HAI and IHHA about the
difficulties faced by IATO members in getting refund from the hotels of
their advance payments made to hotels and bookings cancelled due to
Covid – 19.
2. Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings
8thJune (Monday)
* Incredible India Digital Platform – Industry collaboration
Incredible India Digital Platform (Website & Mobile App), a virtual
meeting under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Tourism) was
organized at 1500 Hrs. on Monday, 08th June 2020. IATO was invited.
* Dekho Apna Desh Webinars being organized by the Ministry of
TourismGovt. of India on 9th June and 11th June 2020
On the 8th of June members were informed about the Dekho Apna Desh
Webinars being organized on 9thJune 2020 and 11th June 2020.
* 09th June 2020 (Tuesday) – 1100-1200 hrs. – Hidden Treasures of
Chhatisgarh
* 11th June 2020 (Thursday) – 1100-1200 hrs. – Himachal -Around
the Next Bend
9thJune (Tuesday)
* Operational Recommendations for Hotels, Restaurants and
B&B/Homestay/Farm stay units -reg.
Members were informed about operational recommendations for Hotels,
Restaurants and Bed & Breakfast/Homestay/Farm stay units received from
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India with three separate
attachments.
* SOPs for Hotels & Restaurants issued by Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India
On the 9th of June IATO received a letter from ADG Tourism where SOPs on
preventive measures in Hotels & Other Hospitality Units and Restaurants
to contain spread of COVID-19, issued by the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, Govt. of India were enclosed.
* Tourism Webinar on Morale and Motivation for Tourism industry on
Wednesday, the 10th June 2020 at 5 pm Turkish time (7:30 pm IST)
On the 9th of June members were informed that a webinar is being
organised on some leading travel agents & tour operators of Turkey on
Wednesday, the 10th June 2020, 17:00 Turkish time (7:30pm IST) on Morale
and Motivation for Tourism Industry.
10thJune (Wednesday)
* Dream. Drive. Discover. Delight. | Presenting 4D Travel Experience
of IHCL
On the 10th June members were informed about an email received from IHCL
regarding 4D Travel Experience of IHCL.
11thJune (Thursday)
* Trekking in the Himalayas - Magical Experiences
Members were informed about the details of a webinar organised on
Saturday, 13th June 2020,1100-1200 hrs by the Ministry of Tourism on the
subject Trekking in the Himalayas - Magical Experiences.
* Adventure Tour Operator Association of India (ATOAI): Weekly members
meet.
Members were informed about the email received from Adventure Tour
Operator Association of India (ATOAI) regarding their weekly members
meet every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and the next meet to be held on 13th
June 2020 at 12.15 p.m.
* Now we seek from the members the names of the hotels, who have
agreed to give full refund but have advised that this would be adjusted
against future bookings.
IATO sought the information from the members with the names of the
hotels, who have agreed to give full refund but have advised that this
would be adjusted against future bookings.
3. IATO – Media Coverage
8thJune (Monday)
IATO story was carried in JAGARAN on the 8th of June
11thJune (Thursday)
IATO was on the panel on Rajya Sabha TV discussion at 7.30 pm on tourism
along with Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India and Niti Aayog.
https://youtu.be/f1yJu_aKtt4 [1]
https://twitter.com/iato_india/status/1271106564233900034 [2]
https://www.facebook.com/indianassociationoftouroperators/posts/3055502691195713
[3]
All the above UPDATES are available on IATO WEBSITE
Rahul Chakravarty
COO