Ajay Prakash, CEO, Nomad Travels and former President of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has been elected as the new president of the TAFI. The election was recently held on July 24, 2021 through e-voting for nine posts of President, Vice-President, National General Secretary, Treasurer and the five Managing Committee members.
Prakash led ‘Team Rejuvenate’ bagged majority votes. Kamal Jadhwani, Tulip Travel Services is the new Vice-President; Abbas Moiz, Shoiz Travels has been appointed as the Secretary; Hitank Shah, Alka Airlink is the new Treasurer. The new managing committee comprises of Lalith Jain, My Travel Agent; Rani Bachani, Vice Regal Travels & Resorts; Anil Kalsi, Ambe World Travels; Rai Achal Krishna, Travel Assistance Bureau; Seeraj Sabharwal, Charter Tours & Travel.
Outlining the vision of the new team and major thrust areas, Prakash said: “The Travel Industry is facing, tremendous, unprecedented challenges, but challenges compel you to think outside the box and look for creative solutions.
“Our first priority is to restore the faith of our members along with increasing our membership base because an Association derives its strength not from individuals but from the will of its collective membership. We shall engage with our members in a more consistent, meaningful and coherent dialogue. Our Chapter Committees need to be empowered and educated on the ever changing scenario, our members need to feel a sense of ownership and pride and to believe that TAFI is there for them. We also need to work closely with all the other Associations towards creating a credible lobby whose voice is heard.
“We need better outreach to the government and the travelling public and drive home the necessity of consultation with the industry on policy matters. But above all we need to inculcate a more responsible approach to tourism by all stakeholders. The ugly term „revenge tourism‟ has no place in the lexicon of the next, normal. Sustainability has to grow beyond merely a catch phrase; the Green Imperative and Responsible Tourism need to be built into the core business strategy at every level of the tourism ecosphere”.
Some of the other key areas that Abbas Moiz, National General Secretary commented upon: “We need to urgently ensure that Agents are protected against Airline Failure – this will protect not just Agents, but also the Travelling Public since we have all suffered when an Airline folds up. The fractured relationship between Agents, Airlines and IATA needs a serious overhaul. We shall create legal and facilitation cells to assist our members. Our objective is to create value for our members, and assist them to look at issues not as problems, but as a learning process, using technology to create unique solutions, suited to their own organisations. We shall also ensure that our members receive regular updates, from our liaison with relevant National Government Bodies, like the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism, DGCA etc., and with our principals, i.e. IATA, Airlines, Hotels, Diplomatic Missions, tourism boards and all others of relevance.”
Two more members are to be co-opted as per the bye laws of TAFI at the first meeting of the new Managing Committee scheduled in the coming week and Mr. Pradip Lulla will join the MC as the IPP (Immediate Past President).
