UK, Indian trade associations sign MoU

By Mark Elliott On Jan 31, 2014

TD Guest Writer

Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly

VisitBritain has announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between United Kingdom

The MoU was signed at the ongoing SATTE 2014 in New Delhi

and Indian trade associations.

The MoUs were signed between The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) and two Indian associations, which include Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agents Federation of India. The third MoU was signed between Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) and UKinbound.

Signed for the first time, these MoUs between UK and Indian trade associations will enable a positive business environment for the travel industries of these two countries.

The signing of the MoUs was witnessed by Sir James Bevan KCMG, British High Commissioner to India and Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive at VisitBritain at the ongoing SATTE 2014 in New Delhi.

Commenting on the announcement, Dawe said, “As per our latest data, VisitBritain is more than likely to surpass its ambition to attract 425,000 visits from India by 2016 – worth GBP 380 million in annual visitor spend. The Indian travellers visiting Britain last year were not deterred by the falling value of the rupee against the pound, which closed around INR100-level for the first time in history in August 2013.

“Well over one million Britons and Indians travel between our two countries every year. This is the lifeblood of the unique relationship between our two peoples. The 9% growth in the number of Indian tourists to the UK in 2013 shows that this relationship is going from strength to strength,” Bevan said.

Citing similar opinion, Rita Beckwith OBE, Chairman for UKinbound said India is the biggest of the BRIC markets for tourism arrivals into the UK but inbound visitor numbers have dropped in recent years due to competition from other destinations, visa complications and the fall in value of the Indian rupee.

The MoU aims at defining the common territory between the associations, establishing a framework within which the associations can jointly develop, create programmes and address issues.

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