Former Owner and Chairman, SITA World Travels and Chairman Select Infrastructure Inder Sharma passed away yesterday. He was 86.
A pioneer in the Indian Travel Industry, Sharma joined the industry in 1953 as a transfer assistant. In 1955, he was selected by SITA World Travel Inc., New York for a six-month advanced training in Travel Management in USA. After completing his training, he returned to India and opened the first SITA office here in 1956.
He worked as the Regional Manager (India) from 1956 to 1963 post which he was promoted to the position of Vice President, Asia. In 1963, SITA World Travel Inc. was established as an Indian Private Limited Company and Sharma took charge as Managing Director.
Sharma received numerous awards for his contributions in the field of travel and tourism, including Padma Shri in 1990, Key to the City of Manila, 1983, Hall of Fame in 1993 by the Indian Association of Tour Operators, “The Agasthya Award” in 1993 by the Travel Agents Association of India.
