From taking his first flight at just one and a half years old to becoming President of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), his remarkable journey has been shaped by honesty, integrity, curiosity, and an enduring love of exploring and selling new destinations. Beyond his professional achievements, he finds great joy in his family and the memorable experiences that they have shared. Abbas Moiz, President, TAFI, shares more in an exclusive chat with BOTT.
Shreya Shimpi
Looking back on your journey so far, what inspired you to enter the travel industry and how has it shaped you as a professional?
I took my first flight when I was one-and-half years old. From then on, I have always been fascinated by travel-how the airlines work, how airports function, and the entire legal process of immigration. Even while I was attending college, the dream of entering the travel industry was there.
My interest was not so much in airlines as much as it was in the advisory space at that time. They would call you a travel agent even back then. That fascination of selling different destinations, seeing different places and the curiosity of wanting to know how things work in this industry was always there to see different places, to see how things work. I think it’s been something which I have been interested in from 1977.
I’ve always been very honest in my profession, and that has always been my USP. That has shaped me throughout my professional journey and has been the backbone of what I have dealt with.
Reflecting on 2025, what would you say were the key highlights of your year, maybe personally or professionally?
I was elected as the President of TAFI. So maybe what we did in the last 4 years were probably the correct steps to have built and developed a reasonable travel ecosystem in which everybody could participate. Personally, I would just say both my children bought houses in 2025, which was a highlight for our family.
What has been your proudest achievement till date?
I think my proudest professional achievement has been getting an IATA accreditation myself. That happened on 31st December 2004. I am also blessed with a great family and a good spouse. I am very content with what I have.
What is your dream destination for 2026?
Antarctica is something that my wife and I wish to explore. There is something incredibly special in the ruggedness of that country. The fact that it is still a bit untouched and pristine- at least for now- is what makes it more captivating.
Can you could tell us something about your family and a cherished childhood memory that makes you smile?
I grew up in the middle of Abdul Rahman Street, in a chawl where everybody’s doors were always open. It was such a wonderful way to grow up. We knew all our neighbours, we played together, and I have some cherished memories of my school days there. But one of the most memorable moments was when we were playing cricket with a season ball in the passage of our chawl. I was fielding when someone hit the ball straight at me. It caught me right in the face, and I ended up with a black eye! It was painful at the time, of course, but today it’s one of those memories that always make me smile.
I am blessed with two children. My wife was an educator until 2016. She used to run these AirOne programmes for schools and corporates. In 2016, she decided to stop doing that and joined me. My daughter is a chemical engineer, and my son is a computer engineer. Both are happily settled abroad now.
Rapid Fire Questions
Your birth date and your sun sign: 1st December, Sagittarius
Mountains or beaches: Beaches.
Favourite holiday destination: Mauritius.
Best travel hack: Getting Business class tickets on points.
Window seat or Aisle: When I’m very tired: window
Favourite cuisine: Bohri cuisine
Advice for the first-time traveller: Don’t do anything online as a first-time traveller. Go to a travel advisor.
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
