Above the routine with TAAI
The TAAI Convention in Abu Dhabi took stock of the current growth of the tourism, aviation and hospitality industry in India and deliberated on the way forward.
The Convention was inaugurated by Anood Khalifa, Asia and CIS Acting Unit Head, Promotion and Overseas Offices Department, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. The India Travel and Trade Expo (ITTE) saw participants from tourism, hospitality and ancillary services like travel agencies, hotels and resorts, heli tour companies, cruises, destination management companies, tourism boards, airlines, travel technology providers, travel insurance providers, air charter service providers, foreign exchange, amusement parks etc.
Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “The way we kicked off this convention coupled with the ambience, entertainment, luxury, the content, speakers and other services, this is perhaps one of the best conventions we have had in 63 years of TAAI. The business sessions focusing on the theme 'Tomorrow begins now; rise above routine', had a number of verticals on which the speakers dwelled and spoke. The aspects in focus were areas for which travel fraternity must be ready, for the evolving change in order to sustain success levels.”
The business sessions deliberated on topics like 'Global tourism-Growth; Impact; Prospects,' discussing the current trends in the tourism and hospitality industry and also highlighted the way forward. Other sessions focused on the impact on cruise tourism, aviation trends, challenges and opportunities; growing demands of travel and tourism industry; technology empowered travel etc. The convention also celebrated Aviation Day on October 15, acknowledging the contribution of the aviation industry to the growth of travel and tourism industry in India.
Along with business sessions, exhibition for B2B meetings for travel agents to transact business, the convention also explored Abu Dhabi as a destination to be introduced to the Indian market. His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, said,” The TAAI Convention taking place in Abu Dhabi is an honour for us and we are humbled by fact that we were chosen as the venue. It is a demonstration of our capabilities of being a good MICE destination for travellers from regions especially which are not farther than four hours of travel.”