Mega TAAI Convention woos 1,200 delegates

Kochi: The four-day TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) Convention, concluded here on 22 September 2002, turned out to be a huge success with over 1,200 delegate participants. The convention, the first ever to be hosted by Kerala, proved that the state is capable of hosting big events.

But the absence of many top industry officials, including Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan, who stayed away from the valedictory function, took the sheen off from the high-profile convention.

In his presidential address, TAAI president Jehangir Katgara made various suggestions to improve the domestic travel industry. TAAI has urged the central government to consider relaxing visa formalities by providing travellers from 16 countries visas on arrival. This step is most conducive to encouraging and facilitating tourism into our country.

Awards for various categories were also distributed during the concluding session. The TAAI Allan Currimbhoy Trophy for the best tourism publicity among the states was won by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

Travel Corporation of India won the Indian Airlines Trophy for travel agents. The Mehra Trophy for the best travel writer in the general category was won by T Damu of Taj Kerala, while Kamal Gill of Todays Traveller won the Sanghi Trophy for best article of special interest.

Lancy George, secretary (Kerala chapter), TAAI, said despite several disadvantages, Kochi proved a perfect host for the four-day convention. We were able to instil that Kerala-touch in all the events.