Tag Archives: TAAI

Zubin Karkaria, CEO of VFS Global, and CEO of Kuoni Group, was conferred with the ‘Award of Distinction’ by the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), for his long-standing contribution to the Indian travel and tourism industry. The award was presented to Karkaria at the 63rd TAAI Convention held in Abu Dhabi on 14 October 2016. The award recognises his pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit and his role as a mentor in the industry. Presently, VFS Global serves 51 client governments and operates in 126 countries across 5 continents. The company, which pioneered the concept of visa process outsourcing, has facilitated travel across the world by enhancing efficiencies in the visa application process and making the overall visa application experience easier and more convenient for potential travellers. The ISO 27001:2013 certified company (for Information Security Management System) has been recognized for maintaining highest levels of security, while adhering to best practices in technology, innovation, and streamlined service delivery. Karkaria, who has been a part of the travel industry for more than 25 years, established visa processing multinational VFS Global in 2001. In 2015, he became the first Asian to head the Switzerland headquartered Kuoni Group.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was recognised for its contribution and support extended to the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Convention. The destination was appreciated by the travel agents attending the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI ) Convention who were taken on a pre-post familiarisation tour to the emirate. Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of tourism products to its visitors from adventure, landscape, leisure, honeymoon products and now is even targeting the weddings and MIC segment from India. The tours were aimed to inform and educate the travel agents about the various tourism products that the emirate offers and also helped them understand the various segments of clientele that they can do business with at this destination.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recently organised special Mumbai Darshan Tours for senior citizens on the occasion of Daan Utsav – the festival of giving week. This initiative was undertaken by MTDC along with the assistance of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI). The Mumbai Darshan Tours was inaugurated at the hands of Swati Kale, General Manager, MTDC. The tour commenced from Dadar (East) and covered all the iconic places in Mumbai like Siddhivinayak Temple, Gateway of India, Mani Bhavan to name a few.

After the success of its joint initiative with TAFI recently, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has requested IATA to conduct workshops on the IBSP billing system in smaller cities as well. Jay Bhatia, Hon. National Treasurer & Chairman Tourism Council, TAAI, said, “We have requested IATA to cover smaller cities like Rajkot, Indore, Bhopal, Srinagar, Jalandhar and Amritsar as well. We are confident that this too shall be soon taken up in case the agents require the same once the system is implemented around mid of October 2016.” The workshop that was conducted in metro cities from September 14 in 16 chapters across India until September 29, 2016 saw more than 1,200 IATA agents sign up. It updated them on the new reports that shall be generated and the process to understand the same. Bhatia added, “We shall have a clearer picture on the same as detailed queries will start only once it is implemented. This round of workshop included only the theory aspect.”

The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority (TCA) along with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has decided to offer free UAE visas to registered delegates attending the Indian Travel Congress and 63rd Convention and Exhibition of TAAI being held in Abu Dhabi from October 14-17, 2016. TCA will offer two nights pre- and two nights post-tours to delegates in Abu dhabi/Al Ain/Sadayat Island and Yas island. The theme for this year’s convention is “Tomorrow Begins Now – Rise above the routine”. The National Managing Committee from TAAI is currently in Abu Dhabi to iron out the details.

Around 1,200 agents have registered for the IATA workshop on the IBSP billing system that is being jointly conducted by the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) in co-ordination with IATA. The workshop which started from Delhi from September 14 will be held in 16 chapters across India until September 29, 2016. This will not just be for its members but for all IATA agents as well. These three-hour sessions aim to improve the participant’s overall understanding about the latest development and impending changes in the billing and settlement reports used in BSP. BSP India is scheduled to migrate its billing software to IATA’s single global software – IBSPs. This joint effort is aimed at getting all IATA-accredited agencies in India to get familiar with the new BSP reports.

The Travel Agents Association of India’s (TAAI) 63rd convention that will take place in Abu Dhabi from October 14-16, 2016 is likely to get about 600-700 delegates from across India. Jay Bhatia, National Treasurer and Chairman (Tourism Council), TAAI, revealed this, adding, “We are also expecting our overseas members to participate that include DMCs and operators from the UAE and the Middle East region. We are currently awaiting fares from airlines for the package that we are giving to members starting from Rs 24,900 plus registration per person on twin-sharing basis.” For four-star hotel stay, the package is from Rs 22,300 plus registration and airfare. TAAI has so far met Jet-Etihad, Emirates, and Oman Air. Abu Dhabi, he adds, was chosen because of its proximity to India and good connections from most major cities of India. “That way our members don’t waste time flying and members from all our regions and chapters can directly connect to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority also came forward to offer us full support for the Indian Travel Congress,” Bhatia adds.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has signed an MoU with Mount Carmel College (Autonomous) in Bengaluru. M.S. Raghavan, Chairman, TAAI Karnataka, said, “We will collaboratively work broadly in the following areas besides other issues arising from time to time on tourism education. This will include designing the course curriculum and making it industry-relevant, and sourcing internships and final job placements for students of Mount Carmel College. We will also assist in arranging guest lecturers from the industry to update the current developments and conducting trade-related workshops. Other activities will include undertaking capacity development initiatives for the faculty members, sourcing live projects for the students from corporations in the sector, and other related initiatives with an objective of making B.Voc in Hospitality & Tourism Course and industry-oriented course that includes skill-training as well.” TAAI has in the past signed a similar MoU with HR College, Mumbai, Garden City College in Bengaluru, and the Lucknow University. Jay Bhatia, Tourism Council Chairman, TAAI, stated, “We at TAAI want to empower the future generations to understand and preview the industry. We want leaders of tomorrow to feel and understand the world before they set foot into the trade. Enhance and empower them is what we are looking at.”

The two biggest travel trade associations in India, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), in co-ordination with IATA, will be coming together to conduct joint training workshops in 16 cities starting from September 14 and ending on September 29, 2016. This will not just be for its members but for all IATA agents as well. These three-hour sessions aim to improve the participant’s overall understanding about the latest development and impending changes in the billing and settlement reports used in BSP. Interested agents are requested to register latest by September 9, 2016 to participate. Registration will  be limited to two representatives per agency. BSP India is scheduled to migrate its billing software to IATA’s single global software – IBSPs. This joint effort is aimed at getting all IATA-accredited agencies in India to get familiar with the new BSP reports.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has finally frozen on the venue and dates for its 63rd convention. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, revealed, “We have decided on Abu Dhabi as the venue for our next convention that will be held from October 14-16, 2016. We are in the process of blocking air seats now. It is one of the strongest destinations in the Middle East region and also an easy place to reach from India. “We want a strong convention this year with a strong focus, for our members as well as our partners. We will focus on both inbound as well as outbound. We are amidst signing contracts for this right now and have blocked rooms and convention space at the grandiose Emirates Palace,” he said. The team is now working on the convention theme, logistics and other details.