TRAVEL AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (TAAI)

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) was formed on 5 th December

1951 by a group of twelve leading travel agents. TAAI was duly registered and
Incorporated with Late Shri Nariman J. Katgara as the Founder President. The
headquarters of the TAAI is at Mumbai. The motivation and purpose behind the
formation of TAAI was;

1. To Regulate and Organize the Travel Industry in India with Sound Business Principles.
2. To Protect the Interests of those who are Engaged in the Industry.
3. To Promote the Orderly Growth and Development of the Industry.
4. To Safeguard the Travelling Public from Exploitations (unscrupulous and unreliable operations).

TAAI is India’s premier, nodal, largest and oldest Travel & Tourism Association. In the following years, the
Association's membership has swelled steadily from the original 12 to approximately 2500+ members
consisting of Active, Associate, Allied, Government and Non-Resident members comprising of IATA
(International Air Transport Association) accredited Travel Agencies, Airlines and General Sales Agencies,
Hotels and Tour Operators. The Travel Agents Association in India is a professional coordinating body of
different segments of travel and tourism industry. The association is a non-political, non-commercial, &
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)
non-profit making organization. It is recognized as the main representative body of the travel and tourism
industry and is also recognised by the world body of Tourism – UFTAA (Universal Federation of Travel
Agents Association). It continues most effectively with quality services and ability to support the industry’s
growth & development. In order to provide better guidance for their members TAAI have 20 Regional
Units/ Chapters. Each unit has an elected Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to effectively administer.
Member agencies get to meet regularly. TAAI support road shows; presentations; interaction on industry
updates, most effectively.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 TAAI is conscious of the interest of the travelling public and maintains high ethical standards within
the travel trade.
 TAAI aims at the development of the travel and tourism industry in India by constantly improving
the standard of service and professionalism in the industry so as to cater to the needs of the travellers
and tourists from within India and overseas.

Page 1
  TAAI is engaged in promoting mutual co-operation among the different segments of the travel and
tourism industry, among TAAI members, by contributing to the sound progress and growth of the
industry as a whole.

VISION & MISSION STATEMENT

TAAI endeavours to build in its constituents, and others it deals with, a commitment to:

 Apply superior technical skills to the jobs on hand.

 Deliver the highest quality of service.
 Act responsibly within sound financial parameters.
 Build trust and credibility in the marketplace.

In fulfilling its mission and supporting traditional values as well as embracing changes.

FUNCTIONS OF TAAI

The following are the major activities of the TAAI to promote, maintain and stimulate the growth of
travel and tourism industry. Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)

 TAAI functions as a powerful platform for interaction of thoughts and experiences for those who are
related with the travel and tourism industry.
 TAAI educates and equips the members to meet the challenges of tomorrow through conventions and
seminars. TAAI is associated with the Educational initiatives to promote education in tourism. They
are partnered with Universities; Colleges and Educational institutions that offer graduation in
Tourism & Management including MBA (Travel & Tourism) programs.
 TAAI draws the attention of the controlling and regulatory authorities in the country and discusses
with them the problems of the industry and works for the survival and betterment of its members.
 TAAI maintains close contact with world bodies like PATA (The Pacific Asia Travel Association),
UFTAA (United Federation of Travel Agents Associations) etc. and represents matters affecting the
travel and tourism industry of the country.
 TAAI gathers useful information on travel and tourism and disseminates the same to its members for
their guidance.
 TAAI helps develop better understanding among the different segments of the travel industry like
Airline Ticketing, Outbound Tourism, Inbound Tourism, Domestic Tourism, Hospitality, MICE,
Sports Tourism, Destination Promotion & Specialization councils and brings them into its fold by
offering membership under different categories.

Page 2
  TAAI fosters fraternity among its members.
 TAAI has signed several MOU's (Memorandum of Understanding) with various Travel Agents
Associations in about to 25 neighbouring countries around the globe to promote bi-lateral tourism
with them. TAAI endears itself to promote outbound tourism activities into these countries.
 TAAI is actively associated with the Airlines & IATA. As members of IATA’s APJC (Agency
Program Joint Council) and it debates on matters on Airline practices. TAAI’s active Airlines
Council connects TAAI with Domestic & International Airlines. TAAI is recognized on the Airport
Advisory Boards as well and several of the chairpersons of TAAI are members on the Airport
Advisory.
 TAAI is associated with the National Railway User Consultative Council and it facilitates the various
opportunities in railways for the growth of tourism.
 TAAI works closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. They get actively
participate in the Tourism Meetings convened by the Government and also get actively associated
with State Tourism Boards of India.
 Another important activity for TAAI is to be closely associated with the Embassy’s; Consulates and
High Commissions. They are well known for their activities that support-training personnel in travel
agencies effectively and assists their customers in visa applications. TAAI has organized several
skill-development workshops on professionalizing visa matters in partnership with Embassy’s;
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)
Consulates; High Commissions and VFS (Visa Facilitation Services). This is an ongoing activity of
TAAI.
 TAAI specializes in promoting Destination Marketing “Skill Development Initiatives”. TAAI is
partner with Tourism Boards, to organize Travel Specialist programs for industry personnel.
 TAAI is also recognized by the Government of India to support in the activity of “Hotel
Classification”. TAAI representative is on the panel that visits to certify Hotels seeking “Star Status”.
 TAAI is a ONE POINT CONTACT for any country; destination or attraction to be effectively
promoted well across India under single umbrella.

TAAI CONVENTIONS (Indian Travel Congress)

TAAI Conventions (Indian Travel Congress) are most eagerly awaited events of the Travel &
Tourism industry. TAAI’s B2B Exhibition, ITTE; India Travel & Tourism Expo is very popular. ITTE is an
opportunity for global sellers and buyers at the conventions. The huge visibility, this annual event of TAAI,
brings to the global industry is fantastic. 800 to 1400 delegates, depending on the destination and TAAI’s
decision, are blessed with the excellent opportunity to network; get updated; promote or buy and importantly

Page 3
take home some great learning through our knowledge sessions. TAAI does these events all over the world,
including India.

The venues of previous Conventions of TAAI

 Srinagar, J&K, India, 2018 (64th Convention & Exhibition of TAAI)

 Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2016
 Bali, Indonesia, 2015
 Bengaluru, India, 2013
 Istanbul, Turkey, 2012
 Phuket, Thailand, 2011
 London, UK, 2010
 Dubai, UAE, 2009 (57th Convention & Exhibition of TAAI)

65th Convention is planned to held on Kunming, China (27th to 29th November 2018)

FORMS OF TAAI MEMBERSHIP

TAAI have five different forms of membership, classified on the basis

Travelof natureAssociation
Agents of the firms. They(TAAI)
of India are;

1. Active Members
Those IATA approved Head Office location of a Travel Agent providing comprehensive services, are
the Active Members
2. Associate Members
The IATA approved Branch Office location of an active member, is the Associate Member.
3. Allied Members
Organizations engaged in Allied business are the various segments of Travel & Tourism Industry
such as Excursion Agents, Tour Operators, Hoteliers, Airlines, GSA etc.
4. Government Members
Department of Tourism – Government of India, State Tourism Departments, Tourism Development
Corporations of various states and any other Travel and Tourism related Government undertakings
were coming under this category.
5. Non – Resident Members
Overseas Travel Agents, Tour Operators and Hoteliers etc, were grouped under this category.

BENEFITS OF TAAI MEMBERSHIP

Page 4
 The member company is no more a standalone one in TAAI’s endeavour to strengthen Principal-
Agency relationship.
 IATA matters- TAAI is on board of APJC and actively deliberates on behalf of travel agencies on all
policy matters concerning day-to-day business activity. TAAI is in active relationship with IATA and
helps formulate industry policies including training, settlement matters, accreditation policies, joint
bank guarantee towards financial security, etc.
 TAAI is actively involved with United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA). UFTAA is
represented on PAPGJC (Passenger Agency Program Global Joint Council) where association matters
pertaining to governing resolutions by IATA are taken forward.
 Through its programs TAAI helps promote highest standard of professionalism and ethics among
members in their dealing with the public and among each other.
 TAAI offers numerous opportunities in training, skill development and tourism certification including
destination education- for owners, managers, frontline staff and all those who have chosen travel and
tourism as their career.
 TAAI is active in updating members on evolving visa formalities and maintains a closer connect with
embassies, high commissions & consulates in fostering learning.
 TAAI offers B2B opportunities through jointly held road shows and familiarisation trips in cooperation
with Tourism Boards and National Tourism Organisations, through active networking at Conventions
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)
and through several events including active partnership and support status with trade exhibition
organisers.
 TAAI's annual convention, popular as 'The Indian Travel Congress' is an excellent opportunity for
members to take home updates and learning through our business sessions, strong networking,
interaction opportunities with overseas Destination Management Companies and invaluable
connectivity that supports greater success in business.
 TAAI works closely with Government of India Tourism Offices and State Tourism Boards and is active
in events/meetings organised to further the promotion of Indian tourism globally. TAAI is invited for
'Hotel Classification' and 'Airport Advisory'.

INITIATIVES OF TAAI

TAAI runs along with the recent trends to achieve their prime objective i.e., “The Growth and
Development of Travel and Tourism Industry”. They used to publish trendy Journals and Website for the
easy flourishment of their aims. For that TAAI introduces a Virtual Assistance i.e., THE TAAI CONNECT,
and they published a Journal called NAMASTAAI.

TAAI CONNECT
Page 5
 Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has associated with TPConnects, a Travel Technology
Company whose robust and scalable NDC standard full backend and Internet Booking Engine with payment
gateway will power TAAI CONNECT - TAAI’s digital empowerment initiative. TPConnects will also
provide all the technical support and will offer complete integration.

Through TAAI CONNECT Travel Agencies in India will get their own Website, Mobile
Application, Corporate Booking Tool integrated with GDS, LCC, NDC Airlines, Hotel, Car, Transfer,
Insurance etc along with a payment gateway connected with the Travel Agents own bank account.

NAMASTAAI

Namastaai is a bi-monthly Travel Magazine Published from TAAI. The magazine comprises of the
following chapters;

TAAI TRAILBLAZERS – Sharing of best practices of TAAI’S own members, who have accomplished
outstanding feats in the industry.

TAAI TORCHBEARERS – Featuring a part of TAAI’S history and the leaders from time to time.

TAAI TRENDS – Describing the new updates and projections in the industry.

TAAI TALK – News and events at TAAI Regions/ Chapters.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)
TAAI TOURISM – Feature tourism extensively, to help identify that TAAI means Tourism as well in both
Inbound and Outbound.

TAAI TUTILAGE – Article of educational relevance in changing times.

CONCLUSION

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) represents all that is professional, ethical and
dynamic on their nation's travel related activity. TAAI has been recognized as the voice of the Travel and
Tourism Industry in India. TAAI has a large membership who is actively involved in several industry
verticals like Airline Ticketing, Outbound Tourism, Inbound Tourism, Domestic Tourism, Hospitality,
MICE, Sports Tourism, Destination Promotion & Specialization and thus its focus is to promote these
effectively and connect members with opportunities. Destination promotion has been TAAI’s stronghold.
TAAI’s connect with Tourism Ministries and Governments; National Tourism Authorities and Boards are
immense. TAAI is well known for the Leadership which they offer to the Travel and Tourism Industry.
They are evolved with times and keen to forge ahead in a manner that brings in solid partnerships, globally.

Page 6