The IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) National Committee & Kerala State Committee meetings held on 15th June 2021 through online video conferencing, wholeheartedly expressed gratitude to Hon. Chief Minister and Tourism Minister of Kerala State for initiating to form Welfare Board for the employees working in Tourism Industry. The formation of a Welfare Board for Travel and Tourism Industry employees was one of the essential demands submitted by IAAI to CM & Tourism Minster on 31st May 2021, vide Letter No: IAAI/0204/BE/LTR.
Welfare Board for the employees working in Tourism Industry is a unique decision in our country which will boost the restoration to travel and tourism. This initiative shows a new level of responsibility and leadership quality from the State Government towards the Travel and Tourism Industry, an unorganized sector and constitutes 10 per cent of Kerala’s GDP and contributes around 23.5 per cent to the total employment in the state.
Considering the relentless efforts to undertake for taking the country forward, IAAI offered its willingness to support and complement the revival of Kerala tourism. Since the catastrophic floods, Nipah virus, and the rampant spread of Coronavirus shattered the tourism sector and left thousands of employees in peril, IAAI is proposing a facelift for Tourism Industry with a tagline – “Let’s Revive Kerala Tourism”. In addition, IAAI’s Tourism experts committee and IAAI’s new initiative “Air Passengers Right Forum” (APRF) jointly work on a proposal for submission to Kerala State Government, emphasizing the requirement of a multi-transportation system in the state for reviving Travel and Tourism Industry.
IAAI’s proposal encompasses an aerial connectivity project based on the UDAN regional connectivity scheme under the National Civil Aviation Policy of 2017, within the purview and framework of DGCA, conducive to Kerala’s local requirements and market conditions. And coordinated networking of Regional Airports and new Airstrips to cater to smaller aircraft, seaplane, and helicopter services to provide last-minute connectivity for all tourist destinations in Kerala and extend to other south Indian states.
IAAI National President Biji Eapen chaired the meeting, and Directors Manu T. Nair and Aruna Shetty, Air Passenger Rights Forum Legal Advisor Adv. Ajith Marath, IAAI Kerala State President Ganesh Vaderi and Secretary Antu Chakkiyath also attended the meetings.
