66th TAAI Convention in Sri Lanka

Tripartite pact signals major boost to tourism
2022-02-24
/
/ New Delhi
66th TAAI Convention in Sri Lanka

TAAI says that the decision to hold the meeting was taken at the invitation of the SLTPB and SLAITO (Photo: TAAI)

India’s oldest and leading travel agents’ association TAAI has decided to hold its 66th Annual Convention in Sri Lanka this April. The Convention could signal a major revival of tourism from India to Sri Lanka as the island nation aggressively promotes the vital sector with various initiatives.
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Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the largest and oldest grouping of travel agents in India, has decided to hold its 66th Annual Convention in Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

In a press communique, TAAI says that the decision to hold the meeting, the first to be held outside India since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic over years ago, was taken at the invitation of the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Board (SLTPB) and Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).

TAAI says that a tripartite agreement was signed between the three organisations on February 23 in Colombo. ‘‘As per the pact, the Sri Lankan organisations will extend full support in terms of accommodation, logistics and all arrangements to welcome the delegates from India’s oldest and nodal travel & tourism association. We expect at least 400-500 TAAI delegates to attend the Convention that will be held from April 19-22,’’ says Jyoti Mayal, President of TAAI.

‘‘This convention shall not only strengthen bilateral tourism ties between the two countries but, will act as a catalyst in reviving the travel industry for both countries post the pandemic,’’ adds Mayal. ‘‘We shall create opportunities to sell products of Sri Lanka as a tourism destination but also shall be promoting Incredible India to local Sri Lankan stakeholder partners,’’ she says.

The MoU was signed in presence of senior officials of the three organisations. From Sri Lanka, Managing Director of SLTPB K P P Siriwardana,  D P Daluwatte, Director Events, President of SLAITO Thilak Weerasinghe, Maheen Kariyawasan, along with their core teams and committee members and four national office bearers of TAAI.

Jay Bhatia, vice president of TAAI says that the TAAI Conventions (Indian Travel Congress) are the most eagerly awaited events of the travel & tourism industry not only in India but in the overseas markets as well. ‘‘The visibility this annual event of TAAI brings to the global tourism stakeholders is fantastic. Generally, 500 to 1,000 TAAI delegates are offered an excellent opportunity to network; attended B2B interactions, promote or buy and more importantly take home some great learnings from the knowledge sessions and updated information from the destination.   We are excited and are looking forward to a great opportunity after nearly two decades to come back to Sri Lanka for our Congress,’’ says Bhatia.

TAAI has a large membership that is actively involved in several industry verticals, and thus its focus is to promote these effectively and connect members with opportunities for all stakeholders such as airline ticketing, outbound tourism, MICE & specialty events, adventure sports, rail journeys and self-drives, cruises, destination promotion, wellness and weddings,” says Bettaiah Lokesh, secretary general of TAAI.

TAAI holds these conventions for facilitation of bilateral tourism, interactions with diplomatic missions, governments and networking events or knowledge sessions. TAAI says that the 66th Convention shall be historic, creating greater opportunities and enhance travel and tourism from and to India, to create opportunities post the crisis of the pandemic.

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