TBM Staff - Mumbai The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is set to organise its 66th Convention in Sri Lanka from April 19 to 22. On the invitation from Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Board (SLTPB) and Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), a tripartite Agreement was signed between the parties in Colombo yesterday.
Sri Lankan counterparts shall be extending full support in terms of accommodation, logistics and all arrangements to welcome around 400-500 delegates from India’s oldest and nodal Travel & Tourism Association, stated 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, she added. 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.
Jay Bhatia, Vice President stated that 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 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 2 decades to come back to Sri Lanka for our Congress.
TAAI has a large membership who is actively involved in several industry verticals, and thus its focus is to promote these effectively and connect members with opportunities for all stakeholders i.e., Airline Ticketing, Outbound Tourism, MICE & Specialty Events, Adventure sports, Rail Journeys and Self-drives, Cruises, Destination Promotion, Wellness and Weddings, etc. said Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon. Secretary General.
TAAI does these conventions for Facilitation of Bilateral Tourism, Interactions with Dignitaries i.e., Diplomatic Missions, Governments, High Commissioners, Ambassadors etc. and Networking Events/ Knowledge Sessions/ Round Tables added Shreeram Patel, Hon. Treasurer.
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.
Present on the occasion from SLTPB and SLAITO to sign the MoU were Managing Director of SLTPB KPP Siriwardana, DP Daluwatte, Director Events, President of SLAITO Thilak Weerasinghe, IPP Maheen Kariyawasan, along with their core teams and committee members and the four national-office bearers of TAAI.
