Latest Information on Mumbai International Airport Limited

A red carpet-like ambience will soon greet every interna­tional traveller at the Sahar terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai. As part of the long-term developments that are programmed to make CSIA a global contender on every front - airport operations, technology, service, ambience... CSIA is undergoing a gradual but complete revamp. It is estimated that by 2012, India's busiest airstrip, Sahar, will have a state-of-the-art hub with a 40­million passenger flow per annum.

International Passenger Terminal

Amidst the rapid and strategically phased-out work at the Sahar and Santacruz terminals, the immediate improvement upfront is the soon-to-be-completed refit of the international passenger terminal at Sahar, Andheri East. The proposed new­look of Terminals 2B (now not in use) and 2C, is prioritised as part of the ultimate 'Big Picture'.

For details please click here

India and Switzerland - Jubilee Celebrations

Members, we are happy to inform you that TAAI is part of the India- Switzerland - Jubilee Celebrations. A link up on TAAI web site is being put up for all of you to visit for more information.

The year 2008 is a year of celebrations for India and Switzerland – a year that commemorates 60 years of the signing of the Indo-Swiss Friendship Treaty and of friendship that dates back to much earlier than that.
It is the objective of strengthening present relationships, seeking new partnerships and presenting the diverse image of Switzerland to the decision makers of today and tomorrow, that serves as a basis of the jubilee celebrations, apart from celebrating 60 years of the signing of the treaty. Various projects, in the fields of culture, economic, politics, education, science & technology and development, have been planned in India and Switzerland across the year 2008, in association with a number of partners like Pro Helvetia, Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Development Cooperation and Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce. Projects are being coordinated by the Embassy of Switzerland, New Delhi and Presence Switzerland.

For participation on the jubilee celebrations, please also log-on to: www.indiaswitzerland.in

TAAI DELEGATION INVITED BY CHINA NATIONAL TOURIST ADMINISTRATION

JAN 2008

TAAI office bearers, regional & chapter chairmen & TAAI (NR) were invited by China National Tourism Administration for the Indo-China friendship through Tourism 2007 Closing Ceremony and the Sino India Tourism Promotion and Presentation programme.
 

The delegation traveled in two groups on 24th & 26th Jan. respectively for a week long visit to different Chinese cities, with the culmination being a closing ceremony which was held in Kunming on the 30th Jan. 2008. A presentation ceremony was held in the afternoon with Mr. Rajji Rai, V.P(TAAI) & the leader of the delegation from India, being the Chief guest. In his speech Mr. Rai enumerated about what TAAI’s latest initiatives were towards global & domestic tourism promotion & that TAAI was committed to promote tourism between both the two great nations. He also heaped rich tributes to the hosts as also to their Chinese administration for their extensive & very kind hospitality.

 (speech of Mr. Rai)

“ The visit was of great educational value in terms of understanding the diverse tourism products that China offers its visitors. The Mountains and picturesque locales in the Yunan province and the hustle and bustle of the big cities, just take your breath away” - said Mr. Kalsi, Chairman TAAI (NR).

Subsequently, there was a gala dinner function which hosted by H.E Mr. Shao Qiwei, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration and was attended, amongst others by Her Excellency Madam Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to China , H.E Mr. Qin Guangrong, Governor of the people’s Government of Yunnan Province, the People’s Republic of China, H.E Mr. Gu Zhaoxi, Vice Governor of the people’s Government of Yunan Province, the People’s Republic of China, H.E Mr. Gu Boping, Vice Chairman of Ynnan Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee, Mr. Lin Shanglin Counsellor of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The People’s Republic of China, Mr. Lu Xuezhi, the Deputy Director General of Asia and Africa Dept. of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Cui Zhitao, Deputy Secretary General of the People’s Govt. of Yunan Province, Mr. Yang Hongbo, Dy. Secretary General of the People’s Govt. of Yunan Province , Ms Zhou Hung, Director General of Foreign Affairs, office of Yunan Provincial People’s Govt. , Mr. Liu Jianhua, Party Secretary of Yunan Provincial Tourism Administration, Mr. Yu Dingcheng, Director General of Yunan Provincial Tourism Administration and Mr. Zhang Xiqin, Vice Chairman of CNTA.

The leader of Indian Travel Agents delegation, Mr. Rajji Rai was also an honored guest at the head table. Both the Countries promised to enhance tourism between the two Countries to an optimum level and various programmes would shortly be initiated by both in this direction.

A HERITAGE WALK DOWN SOUTH MUMBAI

Travel Agents Association of India (Western Region) and India Tourism jointly promoted as part of the India Tourism Week (19th –25th January) an educative HERITAGE WALK down South Mumbai on 23rd Janauary. Around 200 students of various travel and tourism institutions took part in this unique walk besides TAAI members, Media, and organizing members of TAAI Secretariat and Indian Tourism.

Special guides were on hand to indicate the historical Heritage monuments and explain its importance to the awaiting participants, many of whom were seeing them for the first time !

Mr Bhushan Gagrani, SECRETARY TOURISM, GOVT OF MAHARASHTRA , was the special guest who flagged off the walk amidst much excitement. On site was also Mrs Sujata Thakur, Director, IndiaTourism.
 

The walk commenced from Gateway of India, on to Taj Mahal Hotel, Royal Bombay Yatch Club, Regal Cinema, Police Commissioner’s Office, Wellington Fountain, National Gallery of Modern Age, Prince of Wales Museum, Elphinstone College, David Sasoon Library, Army and Navy Building, Watson Hotel, Rajabhai Clock Tower, University Building, HSBC Building, High Court, Oriental Building, J B Petite Institute, BMC Building and finished off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, all of which held the viewers in total awe.

“TAAI is very happy to take part in this walk and support The India Tourism Week. Besides it is a learning experience for all of us and the pride of Mumbai.” says Anoop Kanuga, Chairman TAAI Western Region.

“ We should have more such walks and make more and more people aware of the legacy of our past!" !” says Sharukh Kapadia, TAAI MC Member.

TAAI also had a special breakfast laid out for its members, the press, Indian Tourism Officials, and others at McDonalds Near CST station which was welcomed by one and all !

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRESIDENT!

At the recently concluded 41st UFTAA Congress and AGM held in Casablanca, Morocco, from November 16th to 19th, our TAAI President, Mr. C.V. Prasad, was elected as the President of UFTAA for the year 2007-08.

It is a proud moment for all of us in TAAI and, is only the 3rd time in the history of UFTAA that an Indian has been elected for this prestigious post and that too, after a gap of 23 years! The previous Indians were Founder Member Mr. Jimmy Guzder and Mr. Vinoo Ubhayakar, both Past Presidents of TAAI.

The Vice President of TAAI, Mr. Rajji Rai felicitated and honoured Mr. Prasad for this achievement on 29th November at the Hotel Crowne Plaza, New Delhi, wherein all the luminaries of the industry were present.

Felicitation at Hyderabad

It has been a proud moment for all the TAAI Members as one of our Members has achieved the unique feet of becoming the President of UFTAA. Its after 23 years an Indian has occupied the coveted chair. On this occasion the members of AP TAAI CHAPTER has convened a felicitation in honour of Mr. C.V. PRASAD at Hotel Nakshatra on 06 DEC, 07. At 3.15 pm there was a news conference represented by TV9, E'TV and other leading electronic and news media.
 

The meeting was attended by all the eminent personalities of the industry like airlines, CRS and our members.

MR.C.V Prasad was introduced by the Hon. Secretary and a brief speech was given by the Local Chairman. It followed by the speech of Mr. Prasad. Mr. P. Ramesh-Hon. Treasurer thanked Mr. Prasad for his time and thanked all.

Felicitation by Western Region at Mumbai

TAAI CONVENTION IN CHENNAI DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE

Over a 1000 delegates converged at the recently concluded Indian Travel Congress -56th Convention and Exhibition of Travel Agents Association of India, from 5th- 8th October, 2007, Chennai, making it one of the largest attendances at a TAAI Convention.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)-is the national association for all travel agents, tour operators, travel consultants, airlines & hoteliers in the Country and in fact represents the entire travel and tourism fraternity in India. It has been in existence for over 55 years now and has a membership of 2500 agents all over India. All our members are thorough professionals in their respective fields and are recognized as pioneers in the industry.

Its basic aim is to equip its members through its annual Conventions by updating all with whatever is happening in the tourism and travel industry.

This year’s convention witnessed 7 Business Sessions on 6th and 7th October, that took center stage touching on topical subjects inviting direct participation from delegates making the proceedings both very meaningful and educative specially for first-timers. The sessions ended with a special discourse on HRD that saw a full house.

Dignitaries at the inauguration on 5th October, included the Chief Guest – Perasiriar K Anbazhagan, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Chief Secretary, Mr. L. K Tripathi, IAS, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. and Mr. N Suresh Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Govt of Tamil Nadu who also inaugurated the TAAI Travel Mart - a travel and tourism exhibition on 6th October. The Mart saw the participation of domestic and international tourism boards & airlines as well as hotels, tourist resorts, inbound and outbound tour operators, CRS companies and other allied services providers. Ms Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Member of Parliament also graced the occasion and addressed the crowd

This is TAAI’s 56th Travel Congress since it inception in 1951 and is a much sought affair every year by the trade in general and by travel agents in particular. The Convention ended with a befitting trip ( for those interested ) to the famous Balaji Temple at Tirupati.

“ Like every year we have tried to bring in highly motivational & topical subjects for our Sessions keeping in mind the latest trends and policies in our travel & tourism industry, which will ensure that the common travel agents can survive in the fast changing scenario. This is what makes us different from other Associations. “ says Mr Rajji Rai, Convention Chairman