Category Archives: Agents

Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) in association with Pride Hotels hosted its North India members at a physical event called ‘The Comeback’ – an example of creating a safe event in the current times. Sangeeta Manocha, Chairperson of ETAA North India, says, “This is the time to come back as the travel industry has started taking baby steps.” Saurabh Tuteja, General Secretary added that travel industry has gone through many ups and downs from time to time and will surely bounce back this time as well. Dinesh Kumar, Treasurer emphasized that keeping patience is the need of an hour. Praveen Ghai, Joint Secretary is hopeful that domestic tourism has a golden time ahead and international will follow. Punit Bhasin, Joint Secretary added that this is the time, when we need to forget the past and be more innovative in creating the golden time ahead. Arush Mittal, Head-Alliance emphasized members that helping and supporting each other will be the key to success. Gaurav Arora, Head – Events added that soon industry will move to the normal state, MICE will surely pick up as people want to move out of their stress zone. Jagat Mehta, President – ETAA and Dharmesh Advani, General Secretary also shared their thoughts with the members via a video message. The event concluded with a performance by a Bollywood band. During the lockdown, ETAA conducted numerous knowledge sessions via online webinars on different destinations and tourism opportunities.  

The Travel Agents Federation of INDIA (Gujarat Chapter) recently organised a four-day FAM trip within Gujarat to Saputara and Tent city 1, Kevadia. Led by Chapter Chairman, Jigar Dudakiya, the team undertook this educational tour sponsored by Gujarat Tourism. Keeping the health safety in mind, the TAFI team gave suggestions and precautionary measures which every members had to follow during the tour. They also distributed Covid kits to delegates that included steam machine with Genvol inhalant capsules, thermometer, sanitizer, and masks.

Speaking about what he thinks the travel industry needs to do to restart business, Madhavan Menon, Chairman & Managing Director of Thomas Cook (India), says, “Adaptability is part of our DNA. Trust me, each and every travel agent will adapt, and is adapting already. I can see agents approaching us to book holidays for their clients, asking if we can provide them with packages. If you have the will to survive, you will adapt, however big or small you are. Even we are now adapting, with an increased focus on domestic business, which we had never put in before.”

Avneet Singh, Owner, Adarsh Communication based in Jaipur, has been thoroughly enjoying playing the Fantasy League. “This is something new that a B2B travel company has started to engage us. I have been associated with Tripjack since a long time now. I am impressed with their competitive fares and their back-end support. It’s the best portal that I have come across for travel agents. So far, their service has been top notch,” he says. Top winners every week also get Jalesh Cruise Package, Air Tickets, & Hotels Stays. Visit tripjack.com now!

The Supreme Court has pronounced the verdict on the airline refund case that was led by Pravasi Legal Cell. It has accepted DGCA’s recommendations on airfare refund and travel agents will get a full refund for tickets booked by them, and not directly to the passengers. The full refund scheme formulated by the DGCA has been approved by the Supreme Court. Both, the Indian Tour Operators Association of India (IATO) and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) had filed a writ petition in court for this. Sharing this happy development, Pradip Lulla, Acting President and Vice President, TAFI, says, “We are very happy with the verdict. The tickets purchased through travel agents will be refunded back to agents and coupons of passengers will be made through travel agents.” The judgement copy stated, ‘…the action on the part of airlines operating domestic as well as international flights in India, in refusing to refund the full amount collected for tickets to travel during the period of ban on air travel, as illegal and arbitrary…’ It adds, ‘It is the case of the petitioner that where the tickets are booked by travel agents from their account, refund should be made in the same manner and channel though which payments for tickets have been received by the airlines.’

AirAsia is set to launch a new agent-friendly website which will allow ease of booking, easy payment options, self-managing booking allowing date change, instant refunds and other tools. The website is still under construction and might be launched within the next two months. This was announced at AirAsia India’s High Flyer Townhall conducted virtually, where the top-performing agent partners were recognised by the airline and were updated about AirAsia India’s latest initiatives, launches and future plans. Sunil Bhaskaran, CEO & MD, AirAsia India gave his keynote address and thanked the agents for their support. A recent survey conducted by Air Asia India has revealed that the daily industry passenger count for the airline is rising every day. So far in September, Air Asia India has witnessed 1.3 lakh passenger, which is 35 per cent of the capacity compared to same period last year. June-July was about returning home to small towns; Aug-Sept is about return back to metros. Travel sentiment among youth returning; business and leisure travel still to pick up. The AirAsia India Market Research on Festive Travel Intent indicates positive trends for flights, especially on safety.

Madhavan Menon, Chairman & Managing Director of Thomas Cook (India), in an exclusive interview with TravTalk said that the government could have been a lot more sensitive to the needs of the industry. “Wish it had looked at things on a broader perspective such as moratorium on loans, easing indirect taxes and waiving off TCS. TCS adds 5% to the cost of the traveller which they have to claim a refund but it takes a year.”    

The Rajasthan government has brought the tourism industry under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme-2019 extending the benefits offered under the scheme. Tourism projects having an investment of Rs  5 crore or above will be granted benefits like capital subsidy equivalent to 20% of the investment made, subject to maximum Rs 25 lakh or 5% interest subsidy on term loan taken by enterprise from financial institutions for a period of 5 years subject to Rs 25 lakh annually.        

Vrushali Desai, Key Account Manager – Hotelbeds, says, “We have been associated with Tripjack since many years now and they have always proved themselves to be a class apart. Other than being one of our valued partners in India, they have shown amazing professionalism be it in operational, finance or sales methodology. This IPL Fantasy League is yet another example of their innovativeness.” Top winners every week also get Jalesh Cruise Holiday, AirAsia Tickets, & Hotels Stays. Visit tripjack.com now!

Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) has elected Farooq A Kuthoo as its new President for the term 2020-22. The association held its elections recently, and the results were declared on Saturday during its 11th and 12th Annual General Meeting, attended by majority of members. Habibullah Pandow has been re-elected Vice President; Showket A Khankashi is the new Secretary General, Mohammad Shafi Jan also retained Secretary Finance post; Sajad Ahmad Kralyari has been chosen as the Joint Secretary, Irshad Ahmad Hazari is elected as Chief Organiser, while Ghulam Nabi Bhat is the Publicity Secretary. Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez was the chief guest for the AGM while, Nisar Ahmad Wani, Director Tourism, Kashmir, was the guest of honour. Other deputy directors also graced the occasion.