TravTalk India Online Magazine
Subhash Goyal, Secretary General, FAITH, has shared that the apex travel and hospitality association of the country will create a taskforce that will work towards making an on-ground green corridor for safe movement of tourists. Member associations have been asked to nominate a person each for the same.
Nisha Verma
Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) had recently organised a meet coordinated by Subhash Goyal, with domestic airlines, GMR and representatives of the 10 member associations. At the meeting it was decided that a taskforce comprising airlines, airports and FAITH will be formed, informed Goyal, adding, “The agenda of the taskforce will be to create a green corridor offering a smooth, hygienic and safe experience to both domestic and international tourists, right from the airport to the destination and back. This way, we can create green corridors to Kerala, Goa or any other city. FAITH is working on it and we are quite hopeful that we will soon be working with stakeholders that include not just travel agents and tourist guides, but also airports and airlines. Without them, no project can be successful.”
He shared that all member associations have been asked to nominate one person on board for this taskforce for day-to-day issues. “Till now, we have received six nominations from six associations. While this taskforce is not a permanent organisation, we can have different people representing their respective associations at different times. Similarly, we are also creating a taskforce called ‘Friends of Tourism’ in all the states, wherein member associations and chairpersons of respective state chapters can select one person to coordinate for a specific time period or otherwise. This taskforce is of volunteers who are willing to work and create a synergy between airlines, airports, hotels, transporters, tour operators and tourist guides,” he said.
ITM update
Throwing light on the probability of the next India Tourism Mart (ITM) announced by the Tourism Minister to be held as a hybrid event, Goyal said, “We had planned for the ITM to be held in November but, unfortunately, the Minister was not available owing to other commitments on those dates. Since we are already in November, I think we can now do it in end-December or beginning of January 2021. We are in touch with Ministry of Tourism for the same and will get a date very soon.”
Goyal also congratulated FHRAI for their efforts in getting an industry status for the hospitality sector in Maharashtra, and he is hoping that such a step shall be taken for the tourism sector as well, already a longstanding demand of FAITH. He also said that the government needs to start issuing e-tourist visa so that aviation can start in full swing, which in turn would trigger business. He concluded, “We need to project a positive image of India and that Indians are ready for business.”
