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TAAI Convention To Be Held In Colombo
Theme: New Waves, New Ways
Charmaine Fernz - Mumbai
The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has decided on the much-awaited
choice of venue for their 54th annual convention. Sunil Kumar, chairman - Human
Resource Development (HRD) & Technology and chairman - convention committee,
TAAI disclosed that they had chosen Colombo over Goa and Chennai for their forthcoming
annual convention to be held from September 24-27, 2005. Kumar said, "There
were many reasons for the selection but primarily it was due to the fact that
the country was very eager and proposed an attractive package. We want to have
as many delegates and are currently working out the programme. Further, considering
the important transition the travel industry has been through in the past couple
of months, we have decided on the theme being 'New Waves, New Ways'. The theme
would encapsulate the current changes that the industry has experienced in the
last year and how they would look at adapting to them."
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Agents Must Look Beyond Ticketing: Mayal
Jyoti Koul - New Delhi
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Balbir Mayal
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The Travel Agents Association
of India (TAAI) annual convention will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Keeping in view the recent disagreements the Indian travel congress is
having with airlines regarding commission reductions, the convention will
be a platform to discuss various business options for agents.
According to Balbir Mayal,
president of TAAI, "We want to advise our agents to look beyond
ticketing. It is time to explore areas like accommodation bookings, transport,
insurance, etc. We want them to broaden their horizon. So a major part
of the convention will focus on this aspect." Aptly titled 'New Waves,
New Ways', TAAI's 54th convention will also deliberate upon subjects like
impact of low cost carriers, domestic tourism, diminishing commission
and e-commerce. While it is busy short-listing speakers, the highlight
of the convention will be the presence of Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic.
However, he is yet to send his confirmation.
Another highlight of the
convention is its venue. According to Mayal, "We have chosen a wonderful
destination to host our convention and it was the best bid that we received.
The Sri Lankan Tourism Board has extended its full support to make the
convention a successful one. Another reason to finalise Sri Lanka was
to revive its tourism after it suffered a tsunami disaster. Mayal said
that the association is expecting over a 1,000 delegates during the conference
which is to be held between September 24 and 27 2005.
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