Iqbal Mulla

President, TAAI

The annual conventions are very important and significant for all members. It is a place where all members can come together on a single platform, meet, network and work on new business opportunities. Thus, it is a ready digest of the challenges the industry has gone through, new challenges the industry needs to be prepared for and an unparalleled opportunity to increase one’s knowledge by attending the many panel discussions featuring eminent speakers.

It is also an ideal platform to dwell on policy changes, be it the Passport Seva Kendra, Railways, Convention policy, dual taxation or sight seeing issues. At such platforms, we can call upon the policy makers from all relevant government departments, ministries and share with them the best way forward to unleash the potential of tourism. In fact, when we take our conventions to overseas destinations, we make sure that all deliberations focus on addressing bilateral tourism potential, visa aspects, and air connectivity issues to name a few. The conventions are a great platform for showcasing the destination as well.

Further, the ITTE is also an important platform to meet interested parties and build business, where leading travel operators, NTOs and other stakeholders put up their stalls. We also get an opportunity to felicitate important stakeholders who excelled in their business or honour their contribution to the sector through the Hall of Fame award.