The Travel Agents Association Of India (TAAI ) held its sixth Managing Committee Meet at Fairmont Jaipur last month. The meet turned out to be one of the longest in recent times and extremely comprehensive with extensive deliberations on several matters of the Association. The meeting concluded on the second day with decisions to take up important matters forward by attempting to find the most appropriate solutions to the challenges faced. The need to evolve and follow a system of organisation that works on important issues of the Association was also addressed.
For one, TAAI has decided to partner with principals such as airlines, tourism boards, hotels, and other service providers by September 2014 for the mutual benefit of TAAI Members and such principals. A resolution was passed to this effect at the meet and was a unanimous decision of the MC to introduce the PPP.
Furthermore, Harmandeep Singh Anand, Secretary General, TAAI informed that, as an extension of the PPP, TAAI plans to organise a first-of- its-kind Educational Destination Workshops (EDW) in collaboration with NTOs overseas, open only for TAAI members. These one to one interaction programs will have participation of about 150-200 TAAI agents. The aim would be to give the participants a direct first-hand experience of the destination, gain knowledge of its products and get certified as specialists. A buyer-seller meet will be the highlight of this venture. Unlike regular FAM trips, the agents will have to pay a participation fee and will be selected according to the criteria laid down by TAAI and the NTOs.
The MC also resolved at the meeting that TAAI would meet and request the government to regulate the industry and prepare a blue print for accreditation which will be prepared soon to be presented to the government. TAAI will take up industry issues such as a review of weekly settlement system, commissions, web parity, discussions on APJC matters, Service Tax issues and New Distribution Capability, among others.
