Mr. Rasheed Kakkat, Managing Director of Grace Travel Mart (GTM) and a veteran specializing in the Arab travel market, has been unanimously re-elected President of the Association of Arab Tour Operators (AATO) Kerala for the 2025-27 term.
The election took place at AATO’s eleventh annual general body meeting, recently held at the Radisson Blu Kochi.
New Leadership Team Elected
The new leadership team also elected Dr. Fazal Rahman (Managing Director, Zahra Holidays) as the new General Secretary, succeeding Mr. Sakkeer Hussian of Siyaha Holidays. Mr. Abdula Salam (Managing Director, Fly at the Right Holidays LLP) was elected Treasurer, replacing Mr. Anees Ahamed of Zaad Holidays.
The meeting also elected six Executive Council members: Dr. Jolly Antony (MD, Safina Holidays), Mr. Mohammed Bava (MD, Kerala Siyaha Holidays), Mr. Mohammed Ansari (MD, Vacation Kerala Holidays), Mr. Anver Hyderos (MD, Laishore World Tours & Travels), Mr. Abdul Azeeez (MD, Jinan Kerala Holidays), Mr. Muhammed Fawaz V.M. (MD, Club Five Star)
Vision for Market Expansion
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Rasheed Kakkat told Tourism India, “I am honored to be re-elected as President of AATO. I look forward to the continued support of our members and partners and am excited to work alongside my esteemed colleagues to build a vibrant and sustainable future for tourism in our region. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and advancement of our industry. Together, let’s make it happen.”
Mr. Rasheed outlined AATO’s strategic vision to significantly expand its target market beyond the traditional GCC countries. This expansion will include growing outbound and India-friendly markets such as Iran, Egypt, and Jordan, with future plans also focusing on the African continent to attract more tourists to India, especially to Kerala.
To promote Kerala and “Incredible India” in the coming months, AATO will host a series of B2B meetings, familiarization trips, Influencers and Vloggers’ meets, and roadshows across various GCC and West Asia countries. The organization has already participated on a large scale at the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market, Dubai, and the Riyadh International Travel Fair, with significant representation from major Kerala hotels and resorts under the Indian Pavilion.
Tapping into High-Value Tourism
Mr. Rasheed added that India is already well-known to Oman and Saudi nationals due to historical connections and recent bilateral ties in trade, commerce, aviation, and tourism. The implementation of e-visa facilities is expected to boost medical tourism, and AATO anticipates a significant increase in overall tourist traffic to India, particularly Kerala, in the coming months.
According to Dr. Fazal Rahman, the Secretary of AATO, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman are the major source markets for Kerala from GCC countries. He noted that over the past decade, these nations, along with other GCC and a few West Asian nations, have consistently ranked among the top sources of inbound traffic to Kerala. Dr. Rahman confirmed that the current inquiries from Iran, Egypt, and Jordan are encouraging, and the association expects a large influx of tourists from these regions in the coming years.
Arab tourists are highly valued for their friendliness and high spending habits, particularly on personal well-being and shopping. Crucially, the Arab travel season aligns well with India’s off-season, making Ayurveda wellness packages a popular choice. The excellent air connectivity between various Indian and major GCC cities, supported by Gulf and Indian carriers, presents a golden opportunity. Additionally, a large number of Non-Resident Indians, especially Keralites, act as unofficial ambassadors for Indian tourism in the Middle East, further boosting these lucrative markets.
Raising Service Standards
Recognizing the need for quality service and well-maintained infrastructure, AATO is planning various training programs for resort staff, tourist guides, and drivers to elevate service standards and provide professional service to Arab guests. Additionally, the organization has planned to classify and certify “Arab-friendly” hotels and resorts based on their facilities and readiness to welcome Arab guests.
AATO also aims to expand its operations nationwide to include more tour operators as part of its membership drive for the current year.
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