India and Australia has teamed up to launch the Australia India Travel and Tourism Council (AITTC), a group designed to enhance bilateral tourist traffic between the two destinations.

Based in Australia, AITTC will be managed and represented by a council of individuals and organisations across the industry and will focus on working with industry partners to increase knowledge for travellers from India and Australia as well as research travel trends, sponsor round table discussions and host industry networking.

According to an AITTC spokesperson, the group will also open opportunities for hotels, international and domestic airlines, travel agents as well as tour operators.

With more than 170,000 Australians having travelled to India last year, the spokesperson said ties between the two countries have exceeded cricket, Commonwealth and Curry and into a “strong exchange of culture and commerce”.

The AITTC founding members consist of:

Asgar Ali, MD of Universal Express Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd (based in Mumbai)
Ian Cameron, Principal Consultant, Ian Cameron & Associates Pty Ltd & former Manager International Operations, Destination NSW
Arnold D’Souza, Managing Director of ACR International Travel & Tours (ACR),
Shanker Dhar, Former Joint Director General of India Tourism
Sandip Hor, Experienced travel writer with expert industry knowledge, both in Australia and India
SanJeet, Director, Buzz Travel Marketing and Publisher, Durga Das Publications Pvt. Ltd, head of DDP Exhibitions (based in New Delhi)
Dale Woodhouse, Senior Manager Marketing and Alliances Australia , Singapore Airlines