Category Archives: Agents

United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA), in its recently concluded mid-year forum, concluded that there was a need to persuade IATA to come up with a policy that safeguards financial interests of travel agents as well as the passengers during disasters or market situations in future that are similar to COVID-19. Delegates at the forum also presented plans on restructuring business approaches post-COVID.

TAFI has requested the GST Council and the Finance Ministry to review the refund of GST on air ticket refunds, and extend the date applicable for refund GST till March 31, 2021 due to the delay in total refunds by airlines. It said that as per rule, if tickets are not refunded till September 30, 2020, then GST will not be refunded and customers will end up losing 5% in the economy class ticket and 12% in business class of the ticket value. TAFI has also filed a case in Supreme Court for airline refunds and the next hearing is on September 23.

Speaking at the TravTalk Digital Conclave, Mehernosh Colombowalla, Director – Beyond Borders Travel Management Company, has said, “A new paradigm of luxury travel that is life-enriching and values-based is emerging. It’s important to stay positive, believe in yourself and channelise your energy in finding opportunities during these difficult times. Don’t wait for others to help you. Help yourself. Inspire your customers during this long hiatus.”

UNITE 2020 by Saleint is a collaborative endeavor to bring MICE and Leisure buyers to connect and meet the suppliers on a virtual trade show platform. Enabled with secure video, voice and text chat capabilities, these face-to-face virtual meetings can be held at mutually acceptable times. This global virtual trade show is scheduled to start at 0000 hrs Toronto time (EDT) on September 16, 2020 and will be live till 23:59 hrs on September 17, 2020. One can expect to connect with 34 exhibitors who are representing more than 39 countries and 45 brands. It is expected that 1,700+ meetings will take place over the two days. The show also features 10+ business sessions with speakers from around the world. Funds collected for donation will be matched by UNITE by Saleint between USD 1 to USD 6 per login ID. Are you ready to UNITE?

Rajesh Mudgill, Hony. Secretary, IATO has informed that Ministry of Tourism has proposed a new category called green shoots or stand-ups for granting recognition to start-ups. “Anyone starting a new business will be able to apply for MOT recognition without any specific capital or turnover requirement. This can earn them a provisional recognition valid for 3 years,” he said.

The Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Gujarat (TAG) has initiated a campaign to promote domestic tourism. A five-member team from TAG will embark on a historical 36-day road trip across India, starting off from Surat on September 18. The team will cover around 18,000 kms visiting 34 states and UT capitals (except Andaman & NicoBar and Lakshadweep) while showcasing their landmark monuments and Covid-ready hotels. Pankaj Gupta, President, TAG, shared that the team will be led by Rajiv Shah of Surat-based agency Network Tours & Travels. They will essentially cover around 500kms per day. The entire trip is largely self-sponsored.

Hasan Patel, Director, Tripjack, announces an exciting competition for the travel trade based on the IPL matches. “This is a fantasy league for agents and will run for the entire duration of the games. All agents can sign up for this and win prizes every day – free hotel stays, air tickets, gifts, loyalty points redeemable on any future bookings. We encourage everyone to sign up and participate!” he says. To participate, agents can visit https://tripjack.com/cms/ipl-static-page to sign up for the competition.

Ebixcash Tours & Travels has become the preferred travel & forex partner of 5 IPL teams. The company will handle travel needs of players and provide end to end support including charter flights, ground transportation, foreign exchange, hotel rooms and event insurance coverage.   A fully owned subsidiary of Ebix Inc., EbixCash has announced that it is handling the travel needs for five of the eight franchises involved in an 82-day Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket sporting extravaganza in Dubai. Under the leadership of Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, EbixCash Tours & Travels, EbixCash has been able to secure this prestigious assignment. As a part of this engagement of EbixCash independently by five of the IPL Franchises, EbixCash is handling approximately 19,000 plus hotel room night bookings for four franchises, chartered flights for five franchises, ground transportation for two franchises, foreign exchange needs for the entire entourage of four of the teams and event insurance coverage for one team. Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are the five franchises who have engaged EbixCash Tours and Travels for varied travel needs of each of the franchises. Sharing his views on the deal, Kundu says, “We are honoured to have been chosen as the vendor of choice by the majority of the IPL franchises. Their decision was made easier with EbixCash emerging as the only end-to-end services provider who could handle their varied needs under one window. Our depth of products and services, international expanse, travel expertise and the past record was instrumental in us being selected for this prestigious engagement.” Robin Raina, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Ebix, said, “In COVID-19 times, …

The Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI) led by EM Najeeb has called on the government to take immediate steps to reopen the tourism sector in Kerala without further delays. Najeeb added that if the crisis continues, the vast majority of enterprises in the region will face serious repercussions in the near future. The tourism sector, which has been in crisis since travel restrictions were imposed globally in last February, has been completely shut down with the lockdown imposed in India by March 24. More than 15 lakh people directly and 20 lakh people indirectly working in the tourism sector of the state and being the highest-earning industrial service sector in the state. Tourism is the highest income-earning sector with more than 45000 Crores and contributing around 12% to the state GDP in 2019. Excluding expatriate investment, it is one of the most lucrative foreign exchange earning sectors in the country and more than 20000 local investors and entrepreneurs are working in this sector with the support of bank loans and other financial institutions support. Central and State Governments should be prepared to take wartime measures to rescue the sector from the more damaging situation and intervene to restart the regular business with adequate safety and health control measure for the return of the tourism sector and lives of lakhs of people is, directly and indirectly, working travel, tourism and hospitality sector. At a time when the tourism industry is on the verge of literally collapsing as one of the state’s highest income earning industrial sectors and excluding NRI investment, the country is literally on the verge of collapse. CKTI President EM Najeeb requested. Based on unlock 4 declared by …

Leading B2B travel portal, TBO Group has launched “TBO Marine”, a hybrid e-commerce platform to cater to the niche market segment of the marine industry. Via this platform, TBO, is offering its audience quick and easy access to global seaman fares, providing an immaculate travel management service. TBO aims to extend its expertise in marine travel management; providing value and expertise to B2B segment in the following industries: Offshore oil and energy sectors, dry dock, specialized marine contracting, crew management companies, travel agents servicing the marine, and port agents. The portal will offer real-time seaman fares, which will assist with travel agents to explore an untapped industry in India. Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder, TBO Group and MD Nijhawan Group says “The key objective of TBO marine is to offer a seamless service to the B2B partners with the assistance of exclusively curated software, equipped to bestow a flawless experience.  Through this integration on our platform, TBO is empowering its partners to tap into a new segment. Our team of highly skilled professionals will be available 24/7/365, to offer specialized rates, state of the art technology and years of experience of airways schedules, visa assistance, and cost-effective ways to add value to our clients” The Marine industry in India is a standout amid the most dawning and breathtaking sectors. Identified as a lucrative and niche market segment, the Marine is yet to be discovered to its core potential. Worldwide, this potential sector is being explored at a high pace with technological development.