The 2011 annual Convention of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) will be held from 22 to 25 Nov at the opulent Venetian Macau. The theme of the Convention is: “Addressing Change – Rebrand, Reposition, Reinvent.”
Explaining the choice of destination, Ajay Prakash, President of TAFI said “ Macau has stormed the Indian tourists' consciousness and the numbers have seen an exponential growth over the last couple of years. It is amazing what's been packed into a total area of 29.5 sq. kilometers – equal to something like Haji Ali to Cuffe Parade in Mumbai! It's also an ideal family destination with something for all ages, The Venetian has almost become synonymous with Macau in the Indian travellers' lexicon and the MGTO has been most proactive.
Elaborating on the theme, Prakash remarked, “The respect and the position traditionally enjoyed by travel agents – with the airlines as well as the travellers – has apparently been eroded, with most agents being reduced to mere 'order takers.' It's time to change that attitude and that perception, and that change has to come from within - because today if you're not at the table, you're likely to be on the menu!”
Though 85% of all international air tickets and over to 50% of all travel products are sold through the agency route, many agents face the real threat of being marginalised by airlines, ignored by hotels, dismissed by younger travellers and overwhelmed by the internet. Yet, as true blue entrepreneurs, they have the capacity to reposition themselves, rebrand the services they offer and reinvent the business model.
New markets, new segments, new technologies await the embrace of the Indian travel professional. The TAFI Convention 2011 will explore these avenues. Another unique feature of the TAFI Convention 2011 is that, unlike past Conventions, there is no single Convention Chair.
Four dynamic ladies from within the TAFI management have been entrusted the execution of this Convention. Mrs. Chitra Bhatia from Delhi, Mrs. Aditi Bhende from Pune, Ms. Rani Bachani from Kochi and Ms. Vasuki Sundaram from Mumbai form the core team of TAFI Convention 2011 and will oversee the entire event. “We are blessed that we have these wonderfully competent and inspired ladies as part of our team and the TAFI Convention 2011 will be very different - with woman power to the fore,” adds Prakash.
TAFI Conventions over the last few years have distinguished themselves with the quality of their content. Anita Mendiratta, author of “Come Closer – How Tourism is Shaping the Future of Nations” a book intended for tourism professionals and tourism leaders and endorsed by the UNWTO, has already confirmed her participation. Other interesting and exciting Speakers are being lined up and the TAFI Convention 2011 promises to be intellectually exciting as well as fun with Gala Dinners and the spectacular "Zaia" show by the world famous Cirque du Soleil as an early bird incentive.