Ajay Prakash President, TAFI

For TAFI, consumer protection in the case of airline failure remains a prime concern. We have broached the matter with the Ministry, and we intend to follow up on this. As part of the operating conditions, we demand that the DGCA mandate insurance against airline failure on every ticket issued in the country.

Another thing that could go a long way in reviving the industry would be a common visa for India and the neighbouring countries - like the Schengen visa. That could be a radical game changer!

When we founded FAITH in 2012, it was with a vision to make

FAITH the voice of the entire industry - a voice strong enough to influence policy. While we have managed to come to a point where FAITH is called in regularly for discussions and meetings, our ability to have a say in policy formulation is still a distant dream. For that to happen, the various associations need to make greater efforts to create common ground; one-upmanship doesn’t benefit anyone. I would go so far as to say that there should be just one Association of travel agents - that will promote solidarity and amplify the voice of the trade manifold.

The pandemic has led to a new phenomenon of Revenge Travel; however, ‘Revenge Travel’ is an ugly term that has no place in the lexicon of the tourism industry. Revival Tourism or Responsible Tourism or Rejuvenating Tourism is what we should be looking at. Any business that panders to the lowest common denominator at the lowest price is doing an enormous disservice to the industry and the planet - OTA or bricks and mortar. The discerning traveller will shun them. As a responsible association, TAFI urges our members to connect more personally, more meaningfully with their clients and potential clients to provide personal service far beyond what any portal could provide. We have seen travellers gratefully acknowledge the value of a professional travel advisor and a TAFI member.