Category Archives: Agents

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.

After winning points from this ongoing game, Pankaj Sharma, Partner, Shubh Yatra, located in Jaipur, says, “This contest by Tripjack is a very exciting concept and a lot of agents are enjoying participating in it. I have recommended my colleagues and friends in the industry to sign up for this. Not only it does it provide some entertainment, but you can also win great prizes and use the Tripjack points on their website – whether it is hotels, air tickets, or packages. Tripjack also offers great rates and amazing deals.” Top winners every week also get Jalesh Cruise Package, AirAsia Tickets, & Hotels Stays. Visit tripjack.com now!

Pune-based Trips Academy has launched a certification feature in their mobile learning app for travel professionals, starting with Destination Antarctica as the first programme. These programmes are free for learners and offer interactive, engaging content that allows professional to learn at their convenience. Kiran Bhandari, Founder, Trips Academy, shares, “Each interactive learning module takes around five to seven minutes allowing users to integrate it into their busy work schedule. This is perfect for destinations, cruise lines, hotels, and suppliers looking to upskill and educate the travel trade on their offerings, using bite-sized subscription plans. This app is available for download in both Android and iOS versions. More programmes are in the pipeline.”

Representatives of the Indian tourism fraternity conducted a peaceful drive-through campaign in various cities of India on September 27, in an attempt to bring to the public’s attention the plight of the Indian tourism industry today and appeal to the government for some relief. Members held placards and posters that appealed #SaveTourism.