My Journey with UFTAA
I have been very active with UFTAA. Regularly participating in the PAPGJC – Passenger Agency Program Global Joint Council, and in regular debates with IATA, Airlines and our own Association leaders, kept me fully updated on the current industry trends. The future, demands, a more well-informed travel agency entrepreneur / leader.
Our focus, at UFTAA, has been on airlines and IATA governance and ensuring that, on a global level, we maintain strong positions during our debates. It wasn’t easy, post covid, to debate on Airline matters, particularly refunds, and thankfully, most of that is now resolved.
One of our primary objectives is to extend the benefits of corporate credit cards to our members, as very few airlines currently accept them. From an initial “prohibited” stand to a “consent from the airline” made it more meaningful for Associations to dialogue with Airlines to come up with a solution.
The Travel Agency Commissioner Program is a huge benefit to the Agencies. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to be actively involved in its revamp. We now have a program, that is offered to all IATA accredited agencies, to support them in disputes. We are even delighted that currently, we have an Indian TAC, which is most welcome, since the TAC can better empathize well. Several Agents have shared their feedback with me, stating that they find comfort in the travel agency commissioner program, which is offered to our members, free of charge by IATA, and allows them to contest issues. However, the TAC program requires to be promoted by the Associations by creating greater awareness and perhaps also share case studies. I keep insisting that members being made aware and updated on matters they must be well versed with, must be an on-going priority.
Another ongoing effort we are continuously involved is to contest ADM (Agency Debit Memo) issues, which remain a constant process. Associations must create support teams to address member woes, especially when an ADM they have received, dates to 6 or 7 or 9 years. It is sad, that some members are not too sure, how to handle such ADMs.
So, for the past few years, I have remained very active in the industry, both at local and national levels, always available when needed. My commitment is to help our members get educated and elevate their capabilities. Despite stepping down as TAAI President in 2019, I’ve stayed closely connected with the organization. Members’ challenges and priorities have always been, and continue to be, at the top of my list.
Coming back to TAAI
Yes. I am contesting for the post of President again, although it isn’t entirely by choice. Many friends and several members of the current TAAI Managing Committee strongly encouraged me to return. They felt there was a significant need for me to come back to TAAI. At first, I questioned, “Why me again?” But they pointed out that I understand the systems, IATA, Articles which require to be revisited to make them most relevant and the challenges our members currently face. After listing the numerous challenges, we need to address, I agreed to return and offer my services in favour of a program titled “Member First”.
I’ve dedicated much time to TAAI—30 years! I became a member in 1993, and I attended my 30th AGM in Mumbai on 29th September 2024, including the virtual AGMs. It’s been a long journey, and I feel committed to doing as much as possible for our members, leveraging my engagement with IATA, the Ministry, and my experience in resolving issues and supporting travel agents in India to overcome their ongoing challenges.
Team Positive for Change!
We title ourselves as ‘Team Positive for Change’. We have a committed team of four dedicated leaders. I am happy to have the support of our candidate for Vice President from Mr. Lokesh Bettaiah. We have Mr. Shreeram Patel, who is the current Hon Treasurer and is well-known for his impeccable honesty. Since he must move up or move out, he is seeking the office of Hon. Secretary and Mr. Imtiaz Qureshi, another most trustworthy and transparent leader, contesting for the office of Treasurer. Together, we aim to continue making positive strides for TAAI and its members.
The Vision of Team ‘Positive for Change’
Our team’s program is very clear. We call it Team Positive for Change. Our number one priority is the Member First program. This means that among our priorities, members welfare, members sustainability with the industry and the association, member engagement with TAAI, member education and awareness and more, will dominate our agenda.
If we don’t give our members the importance they deserve, we won’t be able to maintain their trust or sustain their membership. The Member First initiative will be our key focus, and it will begin with providing timely updates and education.
Today, I am most delighted, that we have many younger aged professionals, who are driving our industry forward, as entrepreneurs. This is most encouraging and exciting. Please allow me to thank our young leaders, for reigniting the passion, that this is an exciting industry that has great career opportunities. They will be our focus as well. When I come across those wonderful new generation entrepreneurs, carrying forward the legacy they received from their peers, I feel absolutely thrilled. We need to give them the front-end projection. Focusing on the young, is an important aspect of member-first program.
There is a wealth of opportunities ahead, and by leveraging my global experience, we want to connect India with the rest of the world. This helps us to remain relevant, educated and be better guided on the way forward. We aim to prepare our members today for a better tomorrow. There can be no compromise on this.
Another point in our program addresses current challenges, both with the government and within TAAI itself. One issue that concerns me deeply is the loss of insurance for members. It’s shocking that members no longer have insurance as a form of financial security to IATA. We need aggressively work to bring back insurance. I was part of the managing committee for many years, and during that time, we successfully secured insurance for our members. We were threatened about its continuance a few years ago, but we went all out to ensure that Insurance continues to be available for our members, as a financial security. Several countries took the Indian example to get their own insurance as financial security program. But unfortunately, TAAI is now out of this and we cannot be silent spectators.
IATA related matters demand consistent dialogue with IATA & Airlines. It cannot be a one-time activity. TIP – Transparency in Payment; or corporate credit cards program and its governing rules; Air Retailing; inventory access and ticketing authority for an IATA accredited Go-Standard member, are matters that will have to be in big focus. TAAI must invest, to make our members upgraded. These pressing areas must be addressed on priority.
I often receive calls from agents who are facing issues related to ADMs for transactions that took place over 6 or 7 years ago, which is unfair. Someone needs to step up and defend the rights of these agents. This whole basket of issues needs to be restructured and approached differently.
Another area of concern is the decline in formal airline meetings. Previously, we would hold numerous meetings with airlines, and after each meeting, we’d promptly communicate the outcomes to our members across the country. These meetings were attended by a team of leaders, with a clear agenda, recording member objections, and addressing key issues. Sadly, these meetings have dwindled in frequency and importance. We intend to bring them back—not to create conflict with airlines, but to build relationships with them and foster open communication. Regular airline meetings are crucial for resolving issues and keeping members informed, and this will be a top priority.
When we say Member First, it’s essential that member challenges are reviewed regularly. Agencies have only become a source of tax collection. Today, TCS is a huge challenge and a burden. Even if the PAN Card of the customer is not active or not liked to Aadhar card or due to members KYC not being filed, is not active, the agency is served with a notice to pay an additional 15 percent TCS, which the customer is unwilling to consider. What should an agency do in such situations, which are matters beyond control? This is where our handholding is most important and proper representations to the Government are required.
TAAI Teams were active in attending DGCA Meetings (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). Even our meetings with the Government, took place in teams. A one-person meeting does not represent us well.
We have a great resource in our members. They may not be holding any office in TAAI. But they are influential; can be helpful; have great knowledge and are ready to help. We need to create teams of such great leaders, and actively engage them with TAAI and its administration to address member challenges.
We must strongly reflect team spirit of TAAI. TAAI cannot be just one person. It needs to be a collective effort. I’ve always been a team player and will continue to be one. My goal is not to stand alone but to be actively involved with my team. One of my key tasks is to help build TAAI’s future, and I plan to invest significant time in training the next generation of leaders.
Many of our younger members are unaware of the challenges TAAI currently faces. While everyone aspires to hold a position, true leadership requires understanding and addressing the expectations of our members. With my experience, knowledge, and extensive network, I intend to play a larger role as a mentor, guiding others in the managing committee to step up, take on responsibilities, and work towards our goals.
Additionally, our articles (Constitution) need to be revised to reflect the current landscape with more participative members. We must introduce programs that will attract young leaders in the travel industry, giving them the tools and freedom to connect TAAI with the rest of the world. I envision building a strong bridge between TAAI and other global associations for a mutual academic interaction.
TAAI Conventions have always been known most popularly as “The Indian Travel Congress”. They were held in a manner that supported huge networking opportunity for our members. Our partners too participated in a big way. We had a large media, that we always encouraged to join us, irrespective of the venue of our convention. TAAI Conventions became an important occasion for members of TAAI to spend a few days, learning – sharing – and celebrating relationships. This is now downsized and this requires a totally different approach and big thinking.
These are just some of our immediate priorities. We are at the beginning of the road. We are fully aware of a dire need to to formulate a more comprehensive plan. Together, we’ll create a stronger, more relevant TAAI for the future.
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