Latest news with #TravelAgents'AssociationofIndia
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kol's outbound flyer count back to near normal after Pahalgam dip
1 2 Kolkata: Following a three-week decline in passenger numbers at Kolkata airport after the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident and India's Operation Sindoor response , there are now positive indicators. Daily departing passenger numbers from Kolkata airport, which had decreased to 23,000 from 28,000, are now showing a steady improvement, with Sunday recording over 27,500 departures — a 20% increase over last week. This improvement follows the ceasefire agreement, relaxed airspace restrictions, and reopening of northern Indian airports affected by the border tensions. Airport authorities are optimistic that the difficult period has passed. "We experienced a significant reduction in passenger numbers following the Pahalgam incident and subsequent military action against Pakistani militants. Recent days show positive trends in bookings and attendance, indicating renewed traveller confidence," a Kolkata airport official said. TOI reported on Monday that tour operators who experienced significant cancellations and reduced Kashmir-bound travel, are orchestrating a recovery. The Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), alongside 100 Kolkata-based agencies, initiated the "Chalo Kashmir" initiative last week to restore interest in the Valley, promoting it as a secure summer destination. "Tourism has been a harbinger of peace. By encouraging people to travel to J&K, we are supporting livelihoods and reinforcing a message of resilience, unity, and hope," TAAI chairman (East) Anjani Dhanuka said. Tourist interest is increasing. With summer holidays on and airspace restrictions lifted, both families and individual travellers are considering vacation plans. Souvik Mukherjee, a technology professional from Behala, departed for Leh on Sunday. "We planned this trip months ago. Yes, there were initial concerns and I almost decided to cancel. But then I discussed it with my group of friends, with whom I will be starting from Delhi, and we decided to hold on to our bookings. Now, we believe the situation is stabilising and the recent developments have given us the confidence to go ahead," said Mukherjee. TOI data had indicated a steady decline in outbound passengers since the Pahalgam incident. On April 21, before the Pahalgam attack, 28,164 passengers flew out. Two days later, departures dipped to around 26,000. By May 10, numbers decreased to 23,009. Post ceasefire, numbers improved steadily. Saturday recorded 26,754 departures and Sunday saw 27,555 domestic passengers leaving. Travel industry reports increased enquiries and reservations. "Just two weeks ago, we had to process multiple cancellations daily. Now, we're seeing a spike in fresh bookings and more tourists flying out. I am certain the number will cross 30,000 per day by next week," said Anil Punjabi, national committee member of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Chalo Kashmir': Kol travel cos unite in ‘aptest response' to terror
Kolkata: Around 100 travel companies in Kolkata have come together to support an initiative that aims to revive J&K's tourism. The ' Chalo Kashmir ' initiative — spearheaded by Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) — aims to put forward a bold statement against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, considered by many as an attempt to hit the Valley's economy. Encouraging tourists to return would effectively counter terrorism, feel industry leaders. The initiative has already been seeing positive response from tourists. These Kolkata travel agencies collectively manage about 4 lakh domestic tourists annually, with 40,000 visiting J&K. Following last month's terror attack, J&K has seen a 90%-95% decline in tourism earnings, with Srinagar's Dal Lake alone reporting an 80% reduction in tourist activity. "As a leader and custodian of India's tourism sector, TAAI stands committed to supporting the people and the economy of J&K, where tourism is the primary source of livelihood. The need of the hour is to reignite tourism in the Valley, which remains one of the most iconic and culturally rich destinations in India," said Anjani Dhanuka, TAAI chairman (East). Dhanuka went on to say: "While recent disturbances may have created concerns, they cannot overshadow the timeless allure of Kashmir. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo An incident aimed to cause chaos and disturbance cannot steal away the glory of the region. Tourism has long been a harbinger of peace. By encouraging people to travel to J&K, we are not only supporting livelihoods but also reinforcing a message of resilience, unity, and hope." TAAI, the oldest and largest travel association in the country, has activated its network to reach out to potential tourists through engagement and social media campaigns. Its members have also contacted J&K CM Omar Abdullah, seeking enhanced security measures for visitors. J&K typically welcomes 2.5 crore tourists annually — split equally between pilgrims and leisure travellers. Of this, Bengal contributes approximately 30 lakh tourists, most of them on leisure trips. TAAI national executive committee member Manav Soni said that encouraging tourist return would effectively counter the Pahalgam carnage. "India, a beacon of secularism and one of the world's fastest-growing economies, must stand united when a region's tourism potential is threatened. As an industry leader, TAAI cannot stay silent," said Soni. Some tourists have already decided to respond. "I understand terrorism impacts local livelihood and local economy the most. I cancelled my 10-day trip to Kashmir in the last week of April following the terror attack. If I can manage leaves, I would love to go for the trip," said Salt Lake resident Madhura Bagchi. "Hotels that were once fully booked now are vacant. Tourists are suddenly afraid of locals in Kashmir... We just want the situation to ease at the earliest," said Dinesh Bhatter, a Kashmir travel specialist.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kol tourists take a financial hit but scrap Turkiye travel plans
Kolkata: After Turkiye rallied behind Pakistan during its recent conflict with India, several Kolkatans have decided to cancel tours to the country. While travel agents and tour operators had declared that they would boycott Turkiye and Azerbaijan, several hundred tourists from the city who were scheduled to travel to Istanbul have voluntarily cancelled their holidays, even while incurring losses through flight ticket cancellation fees. The total impact that Turkiye tourism could face from the travel boycott in Kolkata this summer and the ensuing Durga Puja is estimated at Rs 60 crore-Rs 75 crore. Punam Arora of South Wind Travel said a family group of eight who were booked to travel to Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya in the first week of June cancelled the booking and incurred losses of around Rs 15,500 per ticket in cancellation fees. "We have never seen clients incurring losses to cancel a trip based on sentiment and national pride. Nearly all travel agents in Kolkata have the same story to tell. We thought we would boycott promoting Turkiye and Azerbaijan, but clients have already decided not to travel to these destinations," said Arora, who is also the treasurer of the Travel Agents' Association of India's eastern India chapter. Sources said around 1,500 confirmed bookings to Turkiye were cancelled by clients. The country is set to lose a similar number of bookings during Durga Puja. While the Turkish govt's support to Pakistan played a major part, there were some who were unsure about steps that the Indian govt would take against Turkiye in the days ahead that could leave them in a difficult situation. Though India has not imposed any curbs on flights to the country yet, the revoking of security clearance to Turkish firm Celebi, which provides airport ground services, has left many rattled. Avijit Dasgupta, branch head of the Mumbai office of Globe All India Services, said his office issued a red alert on Turkiye even before Operation Sindoor as the political situation there was deteriorating. "In May, we had a 250-member MICE trip. We advised the clients to cancel it given the uncertainty there and the climate here, and they agreed to do so," he said. Turkiye is popular due to the confluence of eastern and western cultures that one can experience, the beautiful locales, the friendly people and their hospitable manners, affordable prices, and great connectivity. Around 2.7 lakh Indians visited Turkiye last year, 20% more than the previous year. But following the spate of cancellations, leading industry bodies in the travel trade community foresee the numbers plummeting to less than half unless Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan reconciles with the Indian govt soon. TAAI decided to boycott Turkiye and Azerbaijan over a week ago following the Turkish president's unequivocal support for Pakistan. "Turkiye called India a 'dost' for its generosity in providing aid after the earthquake. But when India carried out a restrained and calibrated attack on terrorist camps in Pakistan, the country stabbed India in the back by supporting Pakistan," said TAAI chairman (east) Anjani Dhanuka. The Travel Agents' Federation of India has also announced that it will not support Turkiye and will promote alternative destinations. "Instead of condemning the barbarous attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam or offering sympathy and condolences, Turkey has chosen to stand with perpetrators and abettors of this heinous crime against humanity," said TAFI managing committee member Anil Punjabi.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Travel agents suggest ‘cool' alternatives for domestic tourists
Kolkata: Coffee plantations in God's own Country; a hill station in the heart of Eastern Ghats; divine paradise in India's eastern frontier; colonial charm and nature trails with Himalayan views — travel agents are offering tourists from Kolkata an assortment of appetizing options to cooler climes this summer. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While Darjeeling and places in Sikkim still remain the favourite go-to domestic destinations for tourists from Bengal in summer, travel agents are urging those who have had to cancel trips to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh following the terror attack and escalation of tension with Pakistan to try out alternative hill India is a tropical country, the vastness of India and its geographical diversity leads to many travel options even during summer across east, north-east, south-west and north India. Flight fares to nearly all destinations are currently at normal level. This indicates that people aren't travelling. That also means good deals at hotels for those who are in a dilemma over whether to travel far, agents are suggesting in comfortable hotels in places where one can drive down. Travel Agents' Federation of India national committee member Anil Punjabi said staycations that had become popular during the pandemic were again in vogue now with people re-evaluating or cancelling their summer vacation plans due to disruptions stemming from heightened tensions between India and Pakistan."The terror attack and India's apt response following escalations of aerial conflict instilled a sense of fear among travellers. Many believe it is not the right time to go for vacations. They are willing to stay back this season with their families. We hope the situation improves soon," said said Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) chairman (east) Anjani Lake resident Madhura Bagchi was scheduled for a 10-day trip to Kashmir in the last week of April, which she cancelled due to flight restrictions and ongoing tension. Even those who don't mind travelling to Kashmir, Ladakh or Himachal Pradesh post ceasefire are unable to due uncertainties over flights. IndiGo Airlines has not set any clear timeline for when the flights Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Srinagar could be back. Air India Express, which had a direct flight from Kolkata to Srinagar, has also expressed its inability to provide a date for commencement of the flight, citing security concerns. TAAI national committee member Manav Soni said only a few who had urgent travel requirement were buying flight tickets and then travelling by train when the flights are getting cancelled.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
‘Is it safe to travel to India?' Tour agents field jittery calls from abroad
1 2 Kolkata: The terror attack in Kashmir on Tuesday will impact tourism not just in the Valley, but the gunshots will reverberate far and wide, scaring off inbound tourists scheduled to visit Kolkata, Darjeeling, and other popular destinations in Rajasthan and Kerala. A travel agent who brings international tourists to Kolkata during Durga Puja has received calls from jittery visitors booked to travel for the festival this Sept. "Some tourists who took vaccines in Jan for the trip to India in Sept called to express their anxiety. I assured them that India is a vast country and that Kolkata is far removed from Kashmir. But there is no denying that they are jittery," said Jaideep Mukherjee, who has been bringing overseas tourists to Kolkata during Durga Puja for over a decade. Debjit Dutta, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, who just returned from hard-selling various Indian destinations in Malaysia, has also been on call since Tuesday to explain to international tour operators that the other Indian tourist spots are far away from Kashmir. "When a terror attack targets tourists in any part of a country, tourism in the entire country gets impacted, as it is difficult to explain to an overseas tourist that Kashmir is very far from Kolkata, Udaipur, or Kochi. They want to avoid India. They may even prefer travelling to Kathmandu, which is closer to Kashmir than Kolkata," Dutta said. Industry players are worried that the psychological impact of this terror news on foreign travellers will last a long time. "I fear advance bookings to various Indian destinations until early next year could get cancelled," said Dutta. With the ministry of home affairs putting Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Amritsar, and other major Indian cities on high alert following the Pahalgam terror attack, international travel agencies dealing with tourists bound for India have begun putting plans on hold. The United States has already put Kashmir in the red zone. Other countries may also issue travel advisories. Anil Punjabi, a national committee member of the Travel Agents' Federation of India, said, "Given that the attack was on tourists and not security forces, as it happened in the past, there will be a lot of apprehension among foreigners." Manav Soni, a national committee member of the Travel Agents' Association of India, is, however, optimistic. He pointed out travellers to India are mature and know how vast the country is. "Inbound traffic to Kashmir will be impacted for a year. But I believe, and hope, foreigners continue to visit other parts of India. Otherwise, it will be extremely unfortunate," he said.
