KAHINI CHAKRABORTY – Mumbai
With an aim to protest against the zero commission issue and other factors affecting their business, over 2600 travel agents members of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) across the nation have shut shop for a day today. Iqbal Mulla, president, TAAI said, “The voluntary shut down for a day has received good support from other associations as well who have agreed to be a part of the protest. Travel agents are an integral part of the industry helping in increasing tourism. Hence we should be rightfully be remunerated for our services and commission from airlines as it is our legitimate right.”
He also highlighted the point that without travel agents customers are likely to pay more by 20-30 per cent. Asked whether how fruitful would the one day shutter down protest lead to, Mulla stated, “Initially we will start with the shutter down protest which is the first step taken by us to put forth our grievances to the government and the civil ministry authorities. We will not rest till we get our legitimate right of commissions for the services we render to customers on behalf of the airlines. We don’t want our travel agents fraternity to perish. The other issue affecting us is the weekly settlement which the airlines are looking at restructuring.” Next in line of the protest issue would be the increasing amount levied on insurance premiums.
The one day shutter down decision could lead to INR 1,000 crore loss in BSP collection today for travel agents.
Jay Bhatia, chairperson-western region, TAAI added that the protest is to create awareness about the “unethical” practices followed by the airlines and to highlight the lack of policies that safeguard rights of travel agents. “We need remuneration, parity in airfare across channels. In the interest of the consumer no IATA regulation should be implemented in India without the consent of the Indian government, travel trade associations and consumer. There should be regulations of airfares by a regulatory authority on a timely basis,” stated Bhatia.
