This year proved transformative for India’s travel and hospitality ecosystem, redefining priorities for 2026. The message for industry associations is clear — the next leap will be even bigger.
TT Bureau
If 2024 was a year of recovery, 2025 became the year of recalibration and renewed purpose for India’s tourism and hospitality sector. Travel agents, tour operators, and hoteliers had a sharper policy focus, stronger professional alignment, rising consumer expectations, and an unmistakable shift toward structural reforms. For India’s leading industry associations, the year was not just about growth, it was about asserting their role as architects of a more resilient, credible, and future-ready ecosystem.
TAAI: A year of visibility & growth
For the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), 2025 was a milestone year marking the beginning of its 75th anniversary celebrations. Sunil Kumar, President, describes it as “a year of connect — Members, Industry, Future”. The association’s enhanced national visibility, aggressive membership expansion, high-engagement initiatives, and a transformative global convention in Abu Dhabi drawing over 600 delegates, summed up the year.
Major industry shifts
The key development that shaped TAAI’s agenda were the growing awareness about the association’s 75th year.
Impact initiatives
TAAI’s membership surge, nationwide events, government connect, and high-visibility campaigns created value for members.
IATO: Year of policy advocacy
For the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), 2025 was defined by “consolidation amid complexity”. Ravi Gosain, President, highlights rising demand but also constant operational volatility.
Key influencing issues
Developments, such as operational disruptions affecting airlines, hotels and ground services, pricing volatility influenced IATO’s work and engagement.
Member impact
This year, IATO’s most meaningful impact came from advocacy, representation, and practical member support.
Skål: A year of resurgence
For Skål International India, 2025 was marked by renewed enthusiasm and deeper integration into the global Skål network. “Travel demand returned with confidence, and our members experienced tangible business growth,” said Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India.
Key issues & shifts
Skål’s key drivers this year included improved visa facilitation and growing air connectivity.
Impactful initiatives
The association expanded its national footprint with new clubs, delivered impactful networking and knowledge-sharing events during the year.
FHRAI: A year of structural reform
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) saw 2025 as a transformative year for hospitality. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI, emphasised the intensified focus on tourism by state governments and the centre.
Key developments
Jaiswal organised one of Delhi’s largest food processing industry events, initiated farmer–industry linkage programmes, engaged with GST authorities, and celebrated Delhi’s Diwali being listed under the UNESCO recognition.
Impactful initiatives
FHRAI’s biggest member impact during the year came from engagement over copyright streamlining.
HRAWI: A year of recalibration
For the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), 2025 marked a powerful intersection of legacy and future-focus. Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI, described it as the year hospitality regained respect as a core economic driver.
Key issues & policy shifts
The most significant policy development was the on-going conversation around GST rationalisation and ITC denial.
Impactful initiatives
HRAWI delivered high-value interventions, including strong advocacy to Finance and GST authorities and launch of the HCRB.
