Category Archives: Trade Associations

Air passenger demand grows 16.6% in January: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2024 global passenger demand indicating a strong start for the year. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), was up 16.6%; total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 14.1%; and the load factor was 79.9% (+1.7pt).

International demand rose 20.8%; capacity was up 20.9% and the load factor remained at 79.7% (+0.0pt)
Domestic demand rose 10.4%; capacity was up 4.6% and the load factor was 80.2% (+4.2pt).

“2024 is off to a strong start despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties. As governments look to build prosperity in their economies in the busiest election-year ever, it is critical that they see aviation as a catalyst for growth. Increased taxes and onerous regulation are a counterweight to prosperity. We will be looking to governments for policies that help aviation to reduce costs, improve efficiency and make progress towards net zero CO2 emissions by 2050,” said Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw an 45.4% increase in January 2024 traffic compared to January 2023, continuing the region’s rapid recovery after the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Capacity climbed 48.1% and the load factor fell by 1.5 percentage points to 82.6%.

The exceptionally strong growth rate is largely attributable to China which was in the early stages of lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions in January 2023. The recovery in major international routes to/from Asia-Pacific is still lagging, but routes such as Asia-Middle East have exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Domestic demand growth continues to be led by China, which saw strong demand for Lunar New Year travel. This is likely to have boosted traffic in February also. Chinese carriers have responded by increasing capacity, particularly by deploying wide-body jets.

 

WTTC launches roadmap to guide businesses through Sustainability Reporting in Travel & Tourism

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a pioneering readiness roadmap, aiming to simplify sustainability reporting in the Travel & Tourism sector.

Launched during ITB Berlin, WTTC and Oliver Wyman announced the Sustainability Reporting Readiness Roadmap, a strategic tool to guide businesses through sustainability frameworks, compliance timelines, and readiness assessments, simplifying the journey towards sustainable compliance.

This roadmap is more than just a tool; it’s a strategic compass, enabling companies to decode sustainability reporting complexities, identify relevant compliance standards, and evaluate their sustainability data and platform maturity.
The call to action is clear: governments must offer sector-specific guidance and phased requirements to ease companies into this new sustainability era. This roadmap provides both the public and private sector the direction needed to begin their journey of sustainability reporting.

Alongside the Roadmap, WTTC and Oliver Wyman also release a new report “Navigating the Sustainability Journey: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Travel & Tourism”, designed to tackle the sector´s unique sustainability challenges.

The report explores the impact of the three most influential sustainability reporting frameworks on the sector – the Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD), the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Climate-Related Disclosures – and offers insights to navigate the changing regulatory landscape effectively.

According to the report, some Travel & Tourism companies are unprepared for the imminent sustainability compliance standards, with urgent action needed, especially concerning complex supply chains and Scope 3 emissions reporting.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, said, “Sustainability reporting is no longer negotiable for Travel & Tourism businesses. It is a challenge we must confront head-on.”

“Our Roadmap serves as the trusted navigator through the intricacies of sustainability reporting, acting as a guide and providing clarity. It is not merely about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about propelling businesses towards sustainable growth and resilience.”

Dan Darcy, Principal with Oliver Wyman’s Transportation & Services practice, said, “Sustainability reporting requirements are a significant challenge for Travel & Tourism companies – cross-border organisations with broad value chains who have weathered a pandemic and subsequent resurgence in demand.

“But these requirements are essential for protecting the destinations, ecosystems, and communities that inspire travellers. By setting ambitious goals and showing progress, we will prove our industry’s commitment to sustainability.”

As the sector embarks on this journey towards greater transparency and sustainability, the roadmap’s diagnostic tools enable companies to pinpoint their sustainability standing, bridge gaps, and chart a path towards compliance and a sustainable future.

WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics Surpasses 1,700 Properties

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics), the global initiative helping hoteliers on their first steps to improve their sustainability ratings, has reached a significant milestone with over 1,700 hotels verified across 70 countries worldwide.

In her speech at ITB Berlin, Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, celebrated the achievement and highlighted the commitment of the industry towards a more sustainable future. Basics is a key pillar to making hotels more sustainable and giving the public an at-glance verification.

Hotels groups from major Travel & Tourism destinations such as France, China, Mexico, India, Germany, South Africa, Philippines, and Norway, amongst many others, have joined the groundbreaking initiative.

Major hotel brands which have now adopted ‘Basics’ include Jin Jiang, one of the world’s biggest hotel groups with more than 10,000 hotels, European hotel giant Louvre Hotel Group, Choice Hotels, and Radisson Hotel Group.
During its inaugural year, Hotel Sustainability Basics also gained endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador.

Other major Travel & Tourism brands joining the initiative include adventure travel specialist Intrepid, British Airways Holidays, HBX Group, WebBeds and Abercrombie & Kent.

This independent global sustainability verification programme, overseen by internationally recognised verifiers Green Key and SGS, empowers hotels of all sizes to follow a 12-step programme aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting nature conservation, and ensuring local communities benefit from the hotel’s operations.

Simpson said, “Our goal is to have a globally recognised trademark that shows customers at a glance, that a hotel is supporting the planet by saving energy, cutting plastics, protecting nature, and supporting their local community. It is a win win.”

“We launched the scheme only a year ago and the uptake has been incredible. 70 countries have signed up with over 1,700 properties verified with a long waiting list. It will bring lasting change. I would like to thank Glen Mandziuk at the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Randy Durband at GDST, along with our partners at the Azerbaijan Tourism Board for providing the intellectual rigour and drive to make this happen.”

WTTC is committed to leading the charge in sustainable Travel & Tourism, following the demand of the industry, to further advance their work on globally aligned sustainability indicators, hand in hand with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

 

CII appoints Rikant Pittie as Vice Chairman

In a significant development, Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, has been elected as the Vice Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). This appointment underscores Pittie’s remarkable contributions to the Indian business landscape and his visionary outlook towards the nation’s progress and sustainability.

The Confederation of Indian Industry is a pivotal organisation in India’s growth story, fostering a conducive environment for the development of the country through its partnership with industry, government, and civil society. With a legacy spanning over 125 years, CII’s role in shaping policy, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth is unparalleled. Pittie’s election as Vice Chairman is a testament to his corporate sagacity, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering commitment to the nation’s development ethos.

Speaking on his election, Pittie expressed, “It is an honour and a profound responsibility to serve as the Vice Chairman of CII. This role is not just a position but a pledge to contribute towards creating a more competitive and sustainable India on the cusp of its centenary of independence. The path ahead is both challenging and exhilarating, as we strive to harness the collective might of Indian industry to realise the vision of India@100. I am deeply committed to the role and look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to drive growth, inclusiveness, and globalisation, underpinned by trust.”

Under Mr. Pittie’s leadership, EaseMyTrip has demonstrated remarkable growth and innovation, embodying the spirit of excellence and customer-centricity. His vision for the nation’s development, grounded in sustainability, inclusiveness, and global outreach, aligns seamlessly with CII’s theme for 2023–24, ‘Towards a Competitive and Sustainable India@100: Growth, Inclusiveness, Globalisation, and Building Trust’. His role as Vice Chairman is expected to further invigorate CII’s initiatives across its 65 offices, including 10 Centres of Excellence in India and 8 overseas offices, leveraging institutional partnerships across 133 countries.

Pittie’s rise from EaseMyTrip’s founding to CII Vice Chairmanship highlights the limitless promise of Indian entrepreneurship, emphasising industry’s crucial role in national advancement. As an advocate for competitive enhancement, his timely leadership aligns with prioritising sustainability. His journey from creating an empire of online travel business to guiding stakeholders towards sustainable yet profitable business models showcases his dynamic leadership. Together with CII’s transformative influence, Pittie is set to drive innovation and collaboration, aiming for a self-reliant India that also makes significant global contributions.

 

OTOAI hosts dinner with One Above, Sarova Hotels & Ifuru Island

The Outbound Tours Operators Association of India (OTOAI), in collaboration with One Above, Sarova Hotels, and Ifuru Island, orchestrated an exclusive Cocktail & Dinner event for its members.
The enchanting evening at the SWAN venue, nestled on Kalka Das Marg in Mehrauli, New Delhi.

Riaz Munshi, President of OTOAI, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the OTOAI members who graced the event, contributing to its tremendous success. The collaboration with One Above, Sarova Hotels and Ifuru Island, added a touch of luxury, transforming the night into a truly memorable experience.

The Cocktail & Dinner event served as a platform for OTOAI members to come together, unwind, and forge meaningful connections. The venue, SWAN, with its elegant ambiance, set the stage for an evening filled with camaraderie and celebration.

Munshi extended special thanks to all OTOAI members, acknowledging their pivotal role in making the event a resounding success. He also expressed gratitude to One Above, Sarova Hotels and Ifuru Island for their efforts in hosting and enhancing the overall experience.

As OTOAI continues to foster a sense of community among its members, events like these contribute to the association’s mission of creating lasting connections within the travel industry.

TAFI Western India hosts first ever table-top Showcase in Mumbai

The association to open 2 new Chapters later this year

The TAFI Western India Chapter, for the first time, hosted a table-top networking session ‘Stakeholders Showcase’ for its members with nine exhibitors offering an insight into their products and services. The event was held at the Jade Ballroom in Worli, Mumbai, last evening.

Such a niche format of the programme, a first-ever for the association, was aimed at bringing about knowledge-sharing in a comfortable set-up, unlike travel trade exhibitions where the scale of meetings is larger. The exhibitors included airline consolidators, DMCs, hotels, and OTAs.

Talking about this initiative, Jay Kanthawala, Chairman, WI Chapter, TAFI, said, “Through this one-to-one table-top set-up, we aim to offer our members the opportunity to gain product knowledge in a closed door format where communication is constructive, and not restricted due to time constraint. Such a comfortable format will allow our members to be more communicative and empowered with better knowledge and networking opportunities.”

Sharing his views on hosting this session immediately after OTM & SATTE, Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, said, “This is a smaller, niche set-up for our members allowing for better quality meetings unlike a large-scale commercial show. Other Chapters will take a cue from the outcome of this programme, and replicate the concept in their regions.”


Shedding light on his plans for the association at large, Prakash said that they have launched a membership drive to increase their base from 1,400 agents since the number of IATA-accredited agents in India is almost 3,000. “We also have plans to open 2 new Chapters this year, and the names of the destinations will be revealed soon.”