Empowering the travel agent
Through its Knowledge Conclaves, Travel Agents Association of India benefits smaller agents and helps them review their business model.
In a bid to empower its members digitally, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has launched its new TAAI-Connect AOP that it says is in a new avatar. Sharing this information was Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, who said, “This tool has been the dream of the current Managing Committee. People who are already using TAAI-Connect have experienced success, but many are still shy to get
into it. They are either not aware or too reluctant. We have moved TAAI-Connect to a new level with a re-designed platform, upgraded speed and more importantly, made it an even more practical alternative to a B2C portal.” He added that IATA’s NDC division has evaluated the TAAI-Connect tool and accepted it as an entity worthy of being conferred a high Connect is now not just a platform but also an NDC tool. This will allow our members to work on NDC airlines,” Kumar said. After New Delhi, the TAAI delegation moved to Mumbai for the second leg of its TAAI Knowledge Conclave. Kumar said, “We had 175-plus participants at the Mumbai conclave. By evening, it zoomed up to more than 200 attendees. Our strategy of push-learning is being admired by everyone. This conclave is of immense small, possibly those who are not as visible as others. It’s a huge discovery for them, encouraging them to review their business models and identify changes that they must make immediately.” To this, Sameer Karnani, Chairman, Western Region, TAAI, added, “Delegates at this Mumbai conclave have come from all over Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. We have given them accommodation for one night. Up-skilling is important and we want our members to get out of the routine. Agents in tier cities are focused on routine business and these sessions are giving them information about new avenues such as destination weddings and inbound tourism, which are not being taken seriously right now.”