Tour Operators

West Asia crisis: Indian tour operators flag rise in booking cancellations

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on Sunday reported a noticeable rise in booking cancellations and rescheduling requests, particularly for sectors connecting India with Europe via major Gulf hubs, due to airspace restrictions arising from the Middle East crisis. IATO President Ravi Gosain told PTI that travel agents across the country are working closely with airlines and overseas partners to minimise inconvenience to passengers by facilitating re-bookings, refunds, and alternate routings. "While there is short-term uncertainty, we expect the situation to stabilise, and travellers are being advised to stay in touch with their agents and avoid panic cancellations, as airlines are offering suitable options in most cases," he said. The conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran has resulted in multiple airspace closures in the Middle East, massively disrupting flight operations.

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Maldivian tour operators panic as Indians cancel flight bookings

The Maldivian Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has stressed that the Indian market is important to the success of the tourism sector in the Maldives

Tour operators welcome govt move to defer hike in TCS on overseas packages

Domestic tour operators on Thursday welcomed the government's move to defer hike in tax collection at source on overseas tour packages till September 30 calling but reiterated that it should be brought down to 2.5 per cent. In a statement, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) -- the apex body of tour operators in the country with more than 1,700 members -- thanked the government for "giving partial relief of deferring Tax Collection at Source (TCS) on the overseas tour packages till September 30, 2023, and also for withdrawing increase of TCS percentage from 5 per cent to 20 per cent on amount up to Rs 7 lakh per annum". "Though we are happy with this rollback, our long-standing demand is that the TCS should be reduced to 2.5 per cent as the main objective of the government is to bring more people into the tax net...," IATO President Rajiv Mehra said. He further said, "...if the government reduces the TCS percentage on overseas tour packages, a higher number of people will .

IATO seeks government support to tide over Covid-19 pandemic impact

Indian Association of Tour Operators on Tuesday said it has urged the government to take steps to help tour operators to tide over the pandemic impact

Bengal tour operators left in lurch as travellers opt for direct bookings

The tourism sector of West Bengal is witnessing a new trend of people bypassing tour operators to visit sought-after destinations in the northern parts of the state

Tour operators demand full refund of air tickets booked during lockdown

The nationwide lockdown to curb spreading of coronavirus infections has been extended till May 3. Initially, the lockdown, which began from May 25, was to end on April 14

Focus on tour operators to manage tax at source on overseas travel

Travellers whose incomes are below the taxable limit will have to file a return to claim the refund on this tax

Hotels refusing rooms to Italians, Koreans over coronavirus: Tour operators

Some tourists are being asked by hotels to undergo medical checks before checking in despite showing no symptoms of infection

Tour operators promising guaranteed departures, low cancellation charges

Your summer holiday is safe and on schedule, say travel firms

Tour operators brace for hit after Turkey attack

In 2015, 130,000 Indians visited Turkey. This year the country is expecting 150,000 arrivals from India