Welcome to IATO :- Indian Association of Tour Operators

10^th July 2020
Subject:- Update on IATO Activities (Monday, 29^th June, to Sunday, 5^th July 2020)

Dear Members,

Greetings

Please find appended relevant activities of our association for the period (Monday, 29th June to Sunday,5^th July 2020)

Heading used are

Writ in the Hon’ble Supreme Court
Communication / Letters that addressed key issues
Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings
Media Coverage

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1. Writ in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India

IATO was getting constant calls and emails from members regarding Airlines not refunding their advance money paid on canceled tickets due to the Covid Crisis Taking up the aforesaid matter on behalf of its members IATO filed an intervention application in the Hon’ble Supreme Court for a full refund of advance paid to airlines.
2. Communication / Letters that addressed key issues

Wednesday, 1^st July

Refund of domestic airline unutilized/canceled tickets for foreign tourists booked by members of Indian Association of Tour Operators due to cancellation of E-Visas and suspension of operation of International/Domestic flights due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19

IATO wrote to Mr. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation citing the above subject due to which foreign tourist could not enter India effective 1^st February 2020 onwards

Copies of the letter were marked to JS MOCA and DG DGCA

The letter has been put up on the IATO Website

IATO's comments/feedback on the proposed revision of MDA Guidelines

IATO wrote to Mr. P. Rangarajan, Asst. Director General - (OM & SM), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on the aforementioned subject and offered its views on the key heads of Eligibility Conditions, Extent of financial support permissible, Number of applications permissible, Procedure for submitting applications, and the period for which the Revised Guidelines will be effective.

The letter has been put up on the IATO Website

MSME Loan to Tour Operators and other tourism industry stakeholders registered under MSME and OD Limit

Once again on the date, IATO requested Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism (IC) on the above subject that the banks have blacklisted the hospitality, tours, and travel sector for giving any loans and overdraft facility. IATO urged the Hon’ble Tourism Minister to kindly take up this matter urgently with the Hon’ble Finance Minister with an appeal to give directives to the Reserve Bank of India and all Banks that such kind of discrimination would not be permitted.

Copy of the letter was marked to JS Tourism.

The letter has been put up on the IATO Website

Thursday, 2nd July

Meeting with Shri Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Niti Aayog on the issue of Inbound Tour Operators who bring in foreign tourists and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country, collapsing - needing urgent help to survive

Team IATO and Presidents of ADTOI and ATOAI approached Shri Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Niti Aayog.

IATO wrote, as well as the delegation requested for,1. Financial Support for Survival 2. Under MSME, Non-Collateral and Interest-Free Loans for revival and 3. for an increase in SEIS from 7 % to 10% for the tour operators.

IATO thanked Shri Kant for giving an opportunity to meet him in his office. The letter and the tweet on the above have been put up on the IATO Website.

3.Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars/Meetings

Monday, 29th June

FICCI organized an interactive session with Smt Rani George, IAS, Secretary - Tourism, Government of Kerala on way forward for opening up Tourism in Kerala on Monday, June 29, 2020, from 1600 to 1730 hrs through Video Conference.

IATO participated on invitation

Revision of special baggage rates for foreign tourists booked by IATO members with Indigo

Members were informed on Monday, the 29^th of June regarding the above

IATO Elections 2020, Order by the Returning Officer

The Returning Officer presided over a meeting of the IATO EC and all contestants on 29th June 2020. Everyone across the board was unanimous in asking for the postponement of the IATO elections.

Members were informed on Saturday, the 4^th of July regarding the above

Tuesday, 30th June

Zoom episode on Tourism in the coming months by Happy Hoteliers Club

The Zoom Episode was held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 12 noon-1.30 PM. IATO participated on invitation

ITDC webinar on “Preparedness of Hospitality, Travel & Tourism industry in the present scenario of COVID 19” on 30th June 2020 from 15:00 hrs to 16:30 hrs.

On invitation, IATO participated as a Panelist

Members were informed on Monday, 29^th June.

Saturday, 4th July

Update from the President - IATO, ADTOI and ATOAI Meeting with Niti Aayog on 2nd July 2020 for Survival, Revival and increase in SEIS for the Tourism Industry

Members were informed of the above vide a circular on Saturday, the 4^th of July.

Dekho Apna Desh Webinar was organized by MoT on the 4th July 2020 (1100-1200 hrs) titled “Women of India - Shifting Gears (Motorbike expedition by women Indian biker”

Members were informed on Thursday, the 2^nd of July

4. Media Coverage

Thursday, 2nd July