TravTalk India Online Magazine
As crises threaten travel plans, India’s tourism associations are stepping up like never before. Their swift actions and united voice are proving critical in shielding the industry’s players.
Surbhi Sharma
In an industry as dynamic and sensitive as tourism, sudden disruptions—from geopolitical conflicts to natural disasters—can send ripples of uncertainty across the globe. Amid these challenges, India’s leading tourism associations have emerged as guardians of the sector, working tirelessly to protect interests of their members, restore traveller confidence and maintain business continuity. Their strategic interventions, policy advocacy and grassroots engagement are vital to sustaining momentum when the stakes are high.
Protecting members on the frontlines
When political tension or crises strike, quick and coordinated responses are essential. Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), led by its newly elected President Ravi Gosain, exemplifies this approach. Recently, IATO addressed France’s negative travel advisory against India by writing directly to senior officials, including Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, MEA and Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG, Tourism, Government of India, to highlight that the situation across India remained stable for foreign tourists. The association urged diplomatic engagement to get the advisory rescinded to prevent a decline in French inbound traffic.
Similarly, in the wake of recent terror attack in Pahalgam and subsequent India-Pakistan conflict, IATO urged Air India, IndiGo, the FHRAI and HAI to waive cancellation charges of groups/ FITs at least till 31 July 2025 and full refund of the advance payments to the tour operators. “These actions are part and parcel of our service to members,” Gosain emphasises.
Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India, said that their association works closely with tourism boards and government agencies to ensure a swift and structured response. “Our strong regional structure enables rapid information flow, resource mobilisation and coordinated action to keep tourism momentum intact,” he notes.
Restoring confidence via advocacy
When instability clouds perception, restoring traveller confidence becomes critical. For Skål International India, the key lies in leveraging its global credibility. Tourism India Alliance (TIA) takes a nuanced route by curating its communication strategy.
Jagdeep Bhagat, President, TIA, said, “Even in adverse situations, we issue only such advisories that help travellers make informed decisions.” Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) plays a pivotal role in the movement of travellers. “We work with government agencies to ensure transportation remains safe, and circulate timely updates to reduce uncertainty,” says Bobby KS Sawhney,
Hony. Secretary, ITTA. “Our close collaboration with stakeholders, including its role within FAITH, the umbrella body, ensures a unified front in tourism communication,” he added.
Operational support for members
The Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) focuses on contract standardisation. “We encourage our members to adopt watertight contracts for corporate and wedding and other MICE clients to minimise risk of disputes during unforeseen circumstances,” says Nitin Mittal, National Coordinator, NIMA. The association also provides expert consultations on various industry-related matters, including clarifications on Tax Collected at Source (TCS), best practices for structuring contracts with customers across small, medium and large events, as well as strategies for operational risk management—arming its members to manage risks and maintain business continuity.
