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Vista Travels Transformed To Learning Hub
Bhisham Mansukhani - Mumbai
In what is a key transition for one of India's most prominent
travel veterans, Tej Sahni has winded down operations of his travel agency
of 22 years, Vista Travels, to join TCI as a consultant. While Vista Travels
will continue to exist as a 'shell' company, Sahni has plans to launch the Vista
Learning Hub, which will offer education and training services for the travel
industry initially before expanding its bouquet to include hospitality as well
as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
While his involvement in the Vista Learning Hub will be decidedly separate from
his role as advisor to TCI, Sahni has not ruled out an alliance with TCI on
the training front in future. "The industry has changed totally. When I
started Vista Travels, there were 36 IATA agents. Now they number in hundreds.
The writing is on the wall. Business models have changed. Niche players are
in trouble. This is the era of multi-location companies and wholesellers,"
said Sahni. The learning hub will concentrate on various areas like corporate
etiquette, communication, written and spoken language and grooming in totality.
"The field of education in terms of training in soft skills is something,
I am keen to explore and have therefore taken it upon myself to reinvent the
wheel. To start with, we are going to set up a learning hub for soft skills
with the help of a known expert in the field of human resources business. The
objective initially is to impart knowledge and training to the travel, tourism
and cargo industry personnel at all levels. This would include both new entrants
and existing personnel form among known travel organisations. Looking ahead,
we will also look at technical training for personnel in travel, tourism and
cargo business as well and once the infrastructure is in place, we will then
take it forward together with the Katgara family."
Sahni said his role in TCI would be primarily to as consultant in the area of
travel alone, not tourism. A lot of the accounts which Vista handled, including
those shared with TCI will now be serviced by TCI. Sahni will look into the
fundamental structure of the business and upgradation of the staff profile with
stress on customer relationship management. "Starting from April, I would
like to see Vista Learning Hub to carve out a professional niche. It will be
based in Mumbai. Going forward, I would consider affiliations with educational
institutions," Sahni commented.
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