In 1962, Mike Chatterjee, MD, Tourism India Management Enterprise had the priviledge of learning all the finer nuances of administration, sales, marketing and operations in inbound business. During his retirement function, he shares his willingness to continue contributing to the industry
Having devoted his services for close to 50 years in the travel industry, Mike Chatterjee was overwhelmed by the gesture extended by the travel trade partners on the occasion of his retirement function. Chatterjee, and Sanjeev Joshi had established Tourism India Management Enterprises (TIME) in 1998. Expressing his gratitude to Late Ghulam Naqshband and the Sharma family, where he got his first introduction to the travel industry, Chatterjee reminisces. “It was in 1962, when Lt Ghulam Naqshband got me into the travel department. I had the privilege of learning all the finer nuances of administration, sales, marketing and operations in inbound business from a man whom the stakeholders in the travel circle look upon as one of the most successful and knowledgeable leaders in the travel industry,” says Chatterjee.
He further recalls that it was in 1994-95 that he was inducted as a member on board of directors, scaling the peak starting from an assistant cadre. Chatterjee also expressed his confidence in Joshi, who he believes will take the company to new heights. A veteran, who practices yoga to keep himself fit, he is not one to rest on his laurels – he is now keen to share his expertise with the industry. “At the age of 69, post a bypass, it’s time for me to stop running behind the numbers. I am out of the rat race, where we keep evaluating ourselves against numbers that we have done and the ones our competitors register. However, I will always be there to share my expertise with my industry partners, who want to benefit from it. In fact, to contribute to the underprivileged children, I will be associated with a school in Neemrana. To provide benefits to the underprivileged villagers, I will be associated with an eye hospital and have also opened site foundation to further the need for interactive training and education,” says Chatterjee.
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Sharing his insights on the aspects of growth in inbound segment in India, Chatterjee opines, “The segment in India has grown, but not to the extent that India truly deserves. There is an urgent need for better co-ordination and co-operation between the private sector and public sector to further grow the inbound segment.”
He also adds that in the past three years the inbound segment has suffered due to the global meltdown that had affected the big Indian source markets in the USA, UK and Europe. “Once all the stakeholders are on a common platform, the airlines should work out attractive fares, the accommodation providers with inviting rates and travel fraternity should then work out innovative ways to promote destination India in both conventional and non conventional markets looking at their specific needs. One needs to realise that today a tourist wants to experience the destination in addition to convenient travel options and comfortable accommodation facilities depending on their budgets,” says Chatterjee.
