IATO’s work for its members, especially since the pandemic struck, has been one of the focal points of discussion and campaign issue for the election scheduled in a day. Whereabouts has continuously highlighted the campaign issues and plans of both the teams for the association and its members.
‘Team Moving Forward’ has shared details of the work that the outgoing Executive Committee, whose members are contesting from both the camps, has undertaken during the pandemic in order to highlight its work for the members and the industry.
Speaking to Whereabouts, Aamantaran Travel’s Deepak Bhatnagar, who is contesting to retain his place as an EC-Active member from ‘Team Moving Forward’ insists that most of the Office Bearers and EC members were not only available 24*7 for IATO members during the pandemic and have worked diligently to resolve their issues and concerns, but have also lobbied vigorously with the various government departments like Tourism, Commerce, NITI Aayog and others and industry bodies such as FAITH, CII, FICCI and others to raise members’ and industry’s concern.
Refuting allegations of inaction, Bhatnagar says that NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant’s favourable speech at the inauguration of India Tourism Mart recently was a testimony that our repeated efforts at meetings, writing and lobbying with all the key departments in the government has borne fruit. Bhatnagar said that the assurance of adequate support has come from non-other than the highest office of country’s strategic economic planners.
Besides, he says, refer to talks of the honorable Tourism Minister, Secretary and DG of Ministry of Tourism and most recently one of the senior most Minister in the Government of India, Nitin Gadhkari, not only himself giving a patient hearing to IATO’s concerns highlighted by IATO President Pronab Sarkar, but also assuring and asking for the action-plan that his department and government can help with.
Below is a list of work that IATO has undertaken in the last one year that Bhatnagar shared with Whereabouts for our readers and IATO members to be informed about.
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During the last 11 months IATO has met all possible officials in various ministries to appraise them with the difficulties being faced by our members. These include MoT officials including the Minister, Secretary, DG, Jt. Secretary and ADG as well as officials in Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, NitiAyog, Ministry of Civil aviation, Ministry to Culture etc.
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IATO has written over 110 letters to various ministries mentioned above to apprise them of the industry’s pain points and seek government support which include the immediate release of SEIS and working capital etc.
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IATO worked very closely with other associations and industry bodies like FAITH, FICCI, PHDC! CII etc. to garner greater support and lobby for inbound tourism while also inform the pain of the industry to wider business community.
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As soon as the pandemic struck in China and affected the Chinese market,IATO immediately approached all hotels and airlines, upon the request of Indian operators who deal with the market,to notcharge any cancellation fee. And thanks to IATO’s efforts, the same was accepted by a majority of hotels.
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IATO also wrote to all the hotels for refund to our members and got large scale success,although not 100 per cent.
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IATO also lobbied for and was instrumental in getting refunds from Luxury Trains and forest safaris partly.
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IATO also arranged for webinars on the topicssuch as Motivation, Labor laws, Human Resources, Skill development, MESE advantages, etc.These webinars were available to IATO members,FTOs, ITM students. Over 20,000 people attended these webinars.
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IATO joined hands withTAFI in the legal case filed in the Supreme Court for Airlines refunds and managed successful decision in our favour.
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IATO kept all members informed of various activities through fortnightly updates.
