“Attending Sanganai/Hlanganani, at the invitation of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, was an exceptional opportunity to showcase Zimbabwe’s remarkable beauty and strengthen the ties between our two nations’ travel industries. It was a privilege to collaborate with the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe and support the H.E. Ambassador’s vision to raise awareness of Zimbabwe as a top travel destination. I am confident that the agents will return to India with a renewed appreciation for Zimbabwe as a must-visit destination,” said Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director of Global Destinations.

To build on this progress, Zimbabwe has launched a strategic initiative aimed at making India one of its top five source markets within three years, underscoring its commitment to attracting Indian visitors and promoting its unique travel experiences.

“India’s hospitality industry is experiencing historic double-digit growth and this is a pivotal moment for catalysing unprecedented advancements and opportunities. I am honoured by the trust and confidence placed in me and am eager to apply my expertise to drive growth, innovation and policy initiatives that benefit the industry. I look forward to working closely with ASSOCHAM to further solidify the Chamber’s role as a leading voice in the sector – all while addressing the evolving needs of India’s bustling hospitality industry,” said Sharma, Managing Director for India and Southwest Asia, Hyatt.

A key figure in the development of India’s hospitality sector, Sharma is also part of the Economic Times Leadership Council and the India CEO Forum under the IMA India chapter. At ASSOCHAM, he will head the National Council on Travel and Tourism until the conclusion of President Sanjay Nayar’s term, with a focus on shaping industry policies and promoting innovative approaches to address the changing demands of the travel and tourism sector.

Nishant Pitti, CEO and Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, remarked that the acquisitions were crucial to address the rising demand for accessible, high-quality healthcare services and to cater to travellers seeking wellness and medical solutions. “With the growing demand for accessible, quality healthcare services, this acquisition was necessary to meet the evolving needs of travellers seeking wellness and medical solutions,” he stated.

These moves come at a time of remarkable growth in the medical tourism industry, which is currently valued at $7.69 billion and projected to reach $14.31 billion by 2029.

While commenting on his appointment, Brancaleoni said, “I am very honoured to join Kempinski Hotels at this exciting point in time. As the company is working on a new global strategy and will be reviving the brand over the coming years, I am more than happy to be part of this journey and to shape the future of this iconic luxury hotel group as we move forward.”

Barbara Muckermann, Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Group, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Massimo, a seasoned tourism leader with an international background and immense strategic expertise. With his in-depth knowledge in Pricing and Revenue Management, Commercial Planning and Operations as well as in Digital Transformation, he will be a great asset to Kempinski in shaping the growth and success as we move into a new era. At the same time, we thank Amanda Elder for her incredible commitment to our company over the past nine years and her outstanding motivational and inspiring leadership. We wish her only the best of success for her future and look forward to welcoming her again as a guest in one of our hotels around the globe.”

The annual report, showcasing ATOAI’s transformative initiatives and significant accomplishments throughout 2023-24, was presented by Honorary Secretary, Ronny Singh Gulati.

A detailed overview of the financial performance report for the year 2023-24 was presented by Nirat Bhatt,Honorary Treasurer. It covered critical financial metrics and insights into the association’s economic stability and performance during this period.

The vote of thanks was delivered by the Senior Vice President, Tejbir Singh Anand while extending a deep appreciation to the ATOAI Executive Committee, Secretariat, members, the Ministry of Tourism, state governments and the Indian Army for their support in bringing the adventure tourism sector forward.

Ajeet Bajaj, Managing Director of Snow Leopard Adventures, was elected unopposed as President, while Vaibhav Kala, Managing Director of Aquaterra Adventures India, resumed the role of Senior Vice President. Arshdeep Anand, Director of Holiday Moods Adventures Spectrum, was re-elected as Vice President. Ronny Gulati, Managing Director of Youreka Campouts Services, again became the Honorary Secretary and Nirat Bhatt, Managing Director of Nidus Enterprises, re-took on the position of Honorary Treasurer.

The new Executive Committee members include Vishwas Makhija, Managing Director of India Insight Tours and Immediate Past President, Milind Bhide, Founder & Director of Countryside Adventure Holidays, Amit Periwal from Clubside Tours and Travels, Yog Dutt, Founder Director of Junoon Adventure and Eco Tours and Shekhar Babu, Director of Transcend Adventures.

The newly appointed leadership team plans to enhance India’s adventure tourism sector through partnerships with government bodies, industry experts and international stakeholders. Their initiatives will work towards strengthening India’s reputation as a premier global adventure tourism destination, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and safety.

“At TIA we are always working to provide best value preposition for our members and this Tourism and Travel Expo will be the appropriate opportunity for them to showcase best of what our Incredible India has to offer and to access a valuable market” – Mukesh Jain, Executive Vice President, TIA.

“This partnership will boost our efforts to get connected with the global academia as we strongly believe that education is the only way to build up a robust foundation of human resources needed for the growth of tourism and hospitality industry” – Puneet Saxena, Vice President (Education), TIA.

“With the right technical expertise, materials and the support of an international consultant, this project will ensure that lorloz (clock tower in Creole) continues to stand as a proud symbol of the town’s history and legacy,” said Cecile Kalebi, Permanent Secretary for Culture, SNICHA.

“The clock is in very good condition for its age. It is 121 years old and has not had a full refurbishment. So planning is key to minimise the disruption on the actual process,” said Coombes-Winyard, an expert from Gillett and Johnston.

“The implementation of this project is one with great urgency to prevent further deterioration and to maintain its historical and cultural significance,” said Benjamine Rose, Executive Director, the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council (SNHRC).

Kalebi revealed that the institute will document the whole restoration process throughout the stages and this would be featured in an exhibition to coincide with the unveiling of the renovated clock tower.

South Africa’s tourism sector and contribute to economic development.
Research suggests that a 10% rise in tourism could enhance the country’s annual economic growth by 0.6%, while also creating thousands of new jobs. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber remarked that TTOS serves as a temporary measure while the department works towards implementing a fully automated, digital visa system for tourists worldwide.

This initiative follows the success of South Africa’s Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), which simplified visa applications for businesses seeking to attract critical skills to the country. The TTOS is regarded as a crucial step in strengthening South Africa’s position as a leading tourist destination.

“We are excited to celebrate Indian culture and create unforgettable experiences for our patrons. Collaborating with Indian marketing experts will help us build stronger connections with the Indian community and visitors in Singapore and Malaysia,” said Anil Goswami, founder, Rocking Rickshaw.

Rocking Rickshaw has continued to thrive under the guidance of Goswami, who also owns Al Capone’s, Singapore’s second-largest bar chain. Since the launch of its first outlet in 2019, Rocking Rickshaw has gained popularity for offering delicious Indian cuisine at affordable prices.

Anwar previously served as Assistant Marketing Officer at Tourism Malaysia’s Chennai office. His marketing strategies are innovative and effective which led him to his new role.

“I am honoured to step into this new role. I look forward to working closely with our partners and stakeholders to enhance Tourism Malaysia’s presence in South Asia & Sri Lanka and contribute to promoting Malaysia as a premier travel destination,” said Anwar.