TAAI launches partnership with TPConnects to roll out its digital empowerment initiative
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the main representative body of the travel and tourism industry and the Nodal association of India, has partnered with TPConnects to roll out its ‘Digital Travel India’ initiative – digitally empowering travel agents to compete in the global market place.
Through the TAAI initiative, India’s travel agencies will be provided with their own websites, mobile applications, corporate booking tool and B2B platform. This will all be powered by TPConnects’ robust and scalable NDC standard full backend and internet booking engine with payment gateway. TPConnects will also provide technical support. There will be no upfront charges, just a nominal per passenger transaction fee.
TAAI connect in partnership with TPConnects IATA NDC standard B2B and B2C platform will help travel agencies and online travel agencies to service their customers better. The platform enables travel agencies to have access to rich content as well as ancillary options. Travellers will be able to have their preferences recognised when shopping via a travel agency’s or online travel site in the same way that they are available on an airline’s website – a service that may not be directly available to agents today owing to technology limitations.
Sunil Kumar R, President,TAAI, said, “Glad to announce ‘TAAI-Connect’ an exclusive tie-up with TPConnects, an IATA NDC Dual Level 3 Certified IT Provider and Travel Aggregator. TPConnects is committed to supporting TAAI’s ‘Digital Travel India’ initiative. It will ensure that all travel services are made available to customers electronically and accessible through individual travel agency websites and mobile applications, along with IATA NDC standard booking engine.”
“Many travel agencies currently lack a proper website and mobile application. This partnership will enable them to be online and visible within the next two years, with tailor-made travel offers providing more choices to end-customers. The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) share the vision of the Government of India to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. We believe that this initiative will empower travel agencies and help drive creativity and choice, resulting in a smooth transaction for the customer. It will create global opportunities for travel agencies and more inbound, outbound travellers. India’s travel agents will be fully equipped to compete on a global scale”, he adds.
Rajendran Vellapalath, CEO, TPConnects said,“This partnership will create a wealth of new opportunities for India’s travel agents. To compete in today’s market travel agencies need to have access to the advantages that a digital operation provides. This initiative will create those opportunities for travel agencies, not just locally but on a global scale. We will see big changes in India’s travel industry over the next two years.”