What’s In It For India

Four TAAI managing committee members tell Reema Sisodia what Indian travel agents stand to gain from the convention

Suresh Bathija (SB)

1. What would the travel agents fraternity across India stand to gain from the TAAIconvention and its theme of regional networking?

SB: Regional networking will play an important role in understanding the trends, both positive and negative, that take place in the international market. The TAAI convention sessions have a number of international speakers with subjects well selected keeping in view the interest of the trade. The Indian travel trade needs to understand the challenges of the future as the travel business is getting tougher by the day. Hence, one needs to tackle problems as a team rather than try and get things done individually.

KB: The main aim of the convention is to bring together people related to tourism viz. travel agents, tour operators, hotels, tourism departments etc in the region, thus providing a common platform to forge ties, open new vistas thereby helping each other on the road to recovery.

BTR: The travel industry has been hit badly for almost two years since September 11 with unpleasant events taking place as a chain after that. The survival of travel agents have been at stake. In this scenario, those travel agencies and service providers, who worked together by forming alliances and networks survived while many others had to suffer or close down their shop. Today, be it regional networking or national or international networking, it provides the strength to withstand competition from all quarters.

KK: The theme Regional Networking has been rightly taken up, especially with the problems the travel trade is facing due to worldwide terrorism. Travel is now being restricted to the adjoining areas, be it within the country or neighbouring countries. We in the travel trade have always given more weightage to the western world. Circumstances have now brought us closer since travelling to distant places is not the fashion these days. The travel fraternity is surely going to benefit since numbers will go up because of regional networking. But I would like to mention that when we speak regional networking, it also includes neighbouring Indian states and cities in these states.

K Bettaiah (KB)

2. Are Indian travel agents ready to face competition from the global market?

SB: India as a product has a lot to offer. Once the infrastructure is in place India will be a money spinner. The Asian countries should come to sell the entire region as a unit to the European Union and the United States. Yes, we are ready to face competition and the only option is to change with time instead of resisting change.

KB: The world focus has been and will continue to be on the emerging global competitor – India. The government, having recognised the importance of tourism on the economy, has shown keen interest in its development. Government has now entered into partnership with private to showcase India the world over. Though there is a rough road ahead, we can face global competition, provided all concerned work together with one goal to success.

BTR: I would say both yes and no. Foreign travel companies taking over Indian travel agencies does create a formidable competition but travel agencies who have countered this by forming alliances
and networks have been able face this competition with success. Interserve Network is one such
example.

KK: India is far ahead of most countries as far as communication is concerned and with time, when our infrastructure is also taken care of, I am sure we can compete in any market.

B T Ramnani (BTR)

3. What according to you are the road blocks that hamper the growth of Indian tourism?

SB: The bureaucracy has definitely resulted in creating bottlenecks in the improvement of tourism in the country. There are still a number of restrictions in the area of tourism. Free movement should be encouraged and private capital should come in more freely. Private investment in the area of heritage monuments and sites’ protection would help the tourism industry further. The entrance fee charges need to be reduced further. The present team at the department of tourism, government of India are going in the right direction and we are giving them our total support.

KB: Poor infrastructure, dirty surroundings, lack of airports of international standards, lack of more trained guides, dual tariff etc. have hampered the growth of Indian tourism. Planning takes years and by the time the plans get into the implementation stage, the costs increase manifold. Bureaucratic hurdles along with political interference has dampened tourism improvement in the country.

BTR: Well, inbound tourism suffers from lack of infrastructure at tourist destinations and shortage of funds. The tourism ministry needs to market our country abroad effectively. The other roadblocks are very high taxes on air travel such as IATT and PSF which constitute almost 20 per cent to 25 per cent of domestic air ticket, introduction of 8 per cent service tax on domestic and international travel, very high taxes on turbine fuel which is a major cost factor to airlines and now TDS on travel agents.

KK: The most important bottleneck is infrastructure development at places such as airports, both international and domestic, roads, the environment in and around historical places. Another issue is with respect to security and hygiene. Visa on arrival should be implemented at the earliest. On the monetary front, taxes imposed by the government such as service tax, IATT (inland air travel tax) on domestic tickets etc. makes the costing expensive at times. Dual tariff rules for hotels and air fares is also a sore topic. The tariff rates and entry fees quoted for foreign visitors also need a rethinking. They are extremely high and we may loose a sizeable amount of international visitors due to this reason. Foreign airlines should also be permitted to increase operations in India.

Kavi S Kohli (KK)

4. Do you think the coming together of the ASEAN countries could benefit India in any way?

SB: The coming together of the ASEAN countries would give India greater strength in the international market. Working together with international players close to our country has a number of advantages attached to it.

KB: Definitely yes. ASEAN-India tourism cooperation facilitates the movement of businessmen, tourists and professionals. Also, it will improve and harmonise travel-related regulations and restrictions on both sides besides cementing mutual trust as partners not competitors.

BTR: Asean countries jointly promote the entire region for tourism. We being very close neighbours can definitely cash on this.

KK: I feel the closer you are to your neighbouring countries the more beneficial it is to all.

5. Is there a message or suggestion you would like to put forth?

SB: It is important to work as a team and deal with all issues and problems as a common entity. A fragmented approach will not improve the system or business.

BTR: Team work is the bottomline to achieve success in the trade.

KK: It shall be the endeavour of TAAI to hold frequent two-way travel marts which shall be beneficial not only to the countries concerned but to all those who are directly or indirectly connected to the travel trade.