Touching tomorrow

It stands today as probably one of the oldest and largest associations of the travel trade, having stalwarts of the industry at the helm of affairs, but the recent times worked as dampeners hampering the organisation’s core responsibility to a large extent. With controversies in question with respect to its highest post, the organisation did take a backseat as the voice of its fraternity.

However, there seems to be a new wave in the association, a new form of energy within the team compelling each region to get back on track and work towards the betterment of the industry and its fraternity at large. The focus is on accountability within the team and a sense of responsibility of each chapter chairman towards its jurisdiction. There is a lot that has happened in the past few months as the committee has undertaken extensive and intensive workshops pan India to address the sensitive subject of service tax and its repercussions on the business. They are working hard to gain voice in the corridors of power to send across a strong message in favour of the trade trade. Speaking articulately on issues concerning the travel and its members, Sunil Kumar R, acting president, TAAI, said that times have changed and it is extremely vital for the association to be relevant to its members and the changing industry. He added, “The time has come to reflect and identify our areas of concern. Today our team is strong and committed to bring about change, change that is possible and realistic. We have done our introspection, accepted our shortcomings and are ready to identify and activate solutions that can be of benefit to the fraternity. Our team has identified 25 challenges that TAAI needs to work on and would approach them surely and steadily. The committee is provoked to work towards the betterment of the fraternity but the fraternity also must understand the realities of today and change with time.”

Supporting his thoughts, Harmandeep Singh Anand, honorary secretary general, TAAI said that the recently held sixth Managing Committee (MC) meet at Fairmont, Jaipur from July 22-24, 2014 turned out to be one of the longest in recent times and extremely comprehensive with extensive deliberations being held on several matters concerning the association and the fraternity in general. The meet proved to be a worthy interactive platform wherein the members freely and frankly expressed their thoughts, grievances and also chalked out some serious actions that are aimed at bringing in positive results for the fraternity to witness and partake. Each of the chapters was well represented and the heads were actively involved.

The committee highlighted major concerns across the industry confronting the TAAI members. At the end of the two day meet, few important decisions were taken immediately to address matters of concern and find appropriate solutions to the challenges. Voicing her opinion, Jyoti Mayal, MC Member, chairperson for the TAAI airline council and co-chairperson for allied services said, “We have to get together and find the way out. This is our industry and we earned our fortunes from here and it is time to give back. We need our members to join in as it is an industry for all.”

Some of the resolutions passed by the MC are:

• TAAI to launch Preferred Partner Programme: TAAI to partner with principals such as airlines, tourism boards, hotels and other service  providers by September  2014  for the mutual benefit of  TAAI members and such principals. A resolution was passed to this effect at the meet and was a unanimous decision of the MC to introduce the PPP.
• Organise Educational Destination Workshops (EDW): At the event, Anand, informed the attendees that as an extension to the PPP, TAAI plans to organise a first of its kind EDW in collaboration with NTOs overseas, open only for TAAI members. These one to one interaction programmes will have participation of about 150-200 TAAI agents. The aim of the EDW will be to provide the participants a direct first-hand experience of the destination and gain knowledge about the destination, its products and further get certified as specialists of that region or country. A buyer-seller meet will be the highlight of this venture. Unlike the regular FAM trips, the agents will have to pay a participation fee and will be selected according to the criteria laid down by TAAI and the NTOs.
• Actively interact with government: The MC also resolved at the meeting that TAAI would meet and request the government to regulate the industry and prepare a blueprint for accreditation which will be prepared soon and presented to the government. TAAI will take up industry issues like review of weekly settlement system, commissions, web parity, discussions on APJC matters, service tax issues, New Distribution Capability etc.

Other initiatives on the anvil

• Workshops for members on the topic of NDC and its implications. TAAI has tied up with ITQ for conducting full-day workshops from August to December 2014 for the same.
• TAAI is in talks with South African Tourism for destination training programme for their members across India.

Felicitations and presentations 

Rizwan Shaikh, general manager, Fairmont Jaipur was specially felicitated at the meet for being a very gracious host of the sixth MC meet. Shagun Sethi, director sales and marketing, Fairmont Jaipur gave a short presentation on the highlights of the hotel and they invited TAAI to hold their next convention at the property. Bhim Singh, founder and chairman, Rajasthan Tours, one of the oldest allied member of TAAI since August, 1966, was felicitated by the MC Ratna Chadha, chief executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing, India representative of Royal Caribbean Cruises, also made a presentation during the MC meeting to host the convention on board Mariner of the Seas for a cruise out of Singapore. 

Trident Hotels and Resorts also partnered with TAAI for this meet. The MC made a special mention that TAAI extends its full support to Malaysia Airlines in their hour of  grief  with prayers and condolences for  every single person affected by the recent tragedy. The Rajasthan chapter team under the chairmanship of Sanjeev Godha, were pleased to play host and interact with key members of the association over the two days.