TAAI, OTOAI urge government to firm diplomatic steps
India’s travel associations, the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), which has outbound travel agents as members, and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), which is amongst the oldest and largest travel trade associations in India, have urged the Indian government to issue travel advisories against nations that support or maintain ties with regimes associated with terrorism.
In a press statement, OTOAI expressed concern over recent developments involving international financial and political assistance being extended to Pakistan. The association stated that Pakistan is known for harbouring terrorist elements and encouraging cross-border extremism, and it strongly opposed the IMF bailout granted to Pakistan last night. OTOAI also warned that such funding risked being diverted to support terrorism, destabilise the region and threaten global peace.
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It adds that it has urged the Government of India to take firm diplomatic steps, including issuing travel advisories against nations that continue to support or aid Pakistan, either directly or indirectly.
The outbound travel association also stated that travel is not merely an economic activity but it is also a reflection of a nation’s values and ethics. Hence it has appealed to Indian travellers and tour operators to make informed choices and prioritise national interet.
In a separate statement, TAAI condemned the recent Pahalgam attack that led to the deaths of tourists, emphasising that the incident was not just an attack on Kashmir, it was an assault on India’s sovereignty and its unity.
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It added that India’s travel industry stands firmly with the armed forces, the government of India and citizens residing in the border regions of Gujarat, Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Leh and Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
TAAI has urged the Government of India to issue immediate travel advisories against countries such as Türkiye and Azerbaijan, citing their “diplomatic posture and associations” with hostile regimes.
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The tourism association also appealed to its members to refrain from promoting or selling tourism to “countries with known links to terrorism until their governments demonstrate support for India’s security concerns”.
TAAI says that to provide support in affected regions, it has activated a special response team that offers 24×7 support to its members.
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