Registration started at 5 Pm and the meeting started with National Anthem at sharp 6 PM.
The meeting was called in order by Ms. Aruna Shetty, Director-IAAI and was well attended by Mr. Biji Eapen the National President IAAI,, Mr. Manu T. Nair, Director- IAAI, and Mr. T.U. Shamsuddin CEO IAAI
Members observed one minute silence as homage to late Shree Praveen Chugh, President TAFI, late Shree Venugopal, former CEO IAAI and to the army men died in Pulwama terror attack recently.
After welcoming address by Ms Aruna Shetty, as procedural formalities, the national president Mr. Biji Eapen requested members to present their issues, queries and views or concerns related to the present industry situation enable us to evaluate and re-access our functionalities.
Ø Mrr. Hector Dsouza, President – L’Orient Travels started that “The world is undergoing a rapid change as compared to ten years ago and what is relevant today may not be relevant tomorrow. When deciding to accomplish a goal – two factors need to be considered – cost and money that needs to be spent, & time required for achieving the same. Everything else is irrelevant.” He pressed the need for providing more education to member’s enable them to handle airlines, cruise, tourism and association should be more connected to tourism boards and DMCs. And he requested that, we should make more visible.
Ø Mr. Pramod Dalvia VP Kesari Travels, started saying that he owns 46 years of industry experience as a staff to a managerial level and fully supported and openly appreciate IAAI and its activities. He was of the opinion that, from the experience, free services and education has no value. Professionalism and expertise knowledge is vital and with a professional and dedicated services only one can make successful. And he acclaimed that Kersari’s success is based on that professionalism and dedicated commitment. only.
Ø Mr. Arvind Tandon Director ARK Travels said that the OTAs and consolidators are diluted the market totally and their tickets are being sold throughout by even panawala s’ He assured that his Cruise company will extend maximum benefits to our members.
Ø Mr. Sumit Nanda from travel portal Cickurtrip addressed the members and told that sharing services within our members should create better harmony and success. Coordination and close relationship of members will attribute better trust and unity and help us to gain better earnings.
Ø Mr Rajeev Shroff from Kwickfly Travels raised the issue on irrational application of GST by certain airlines.
All speakers admittedly thanked IAAI national management for doing hard work for the entire travel agents fraternity and repeatedly pointed out that IAAI is the only association not thinking of its own members whereas , all fights are for the general welfare of the community. Also, they pointed out that, though other associations not openly admits that fact, they said that the general pulse is clearly supporting IAAI activities.
Ms Aruna Shetty thanked all members participated in the open forum and National president has summarised all the members’ quarries and suggestions and clarified on their concerns and suggestions…
While starting with the official AGM formalities, Mr Biji Eapen explained that, the previous MH Committee headed by Mr Chetan Gandhi and Mr Siddharth couldn’t get enough time to actively take forward IAAI matters due short of time and support, an extra ordinary AGM was called on 29th Dec 2018 to form an ad-hoc committee to take up the responsibility and nominated a committee headed by Mr Manish Synghal and team as circulated on the 29th Dec mail. Since it was a nominated ad-hoc committee, requested the floor to acknowledge and ratify the nominated committee so that they can officially take over MH responsibility. As the floor unanimously accepted and welcomed the new committee, Mr Eapen requested Mr Manish Synghal to proceed with the new team to preside over the meeting: and asked new secretary Mr. RT Iyer to present the report. :
- Mr. Manish Synghal, Dimaz Aviation – President
- Mr. Rajesh Acharya, Balaji Travels – Vice president
- Mr. RT Iyer, Farsak Travels – Secretary
- Mr. Sarosh Parakh, Aero agencies – Treasurer
- Mr. Arvind Tandon, Ark Travels – Managing Committee Member
- Mrs. Rosita Haribal, Travel Forte – Managing Committee Member
- Mrs. Neelu Bhat, Welcome Travels – Managing Committee Member
- Mr. Chetan Gandhi Travel 360 Tours & Travels – Managing Committee Member
- Mr. Siddhartha Shah, Primark Travel House – Managing Committee Member
Accordingly, Mr Manish Synghal, President IAAI Maharashtra State Committee along with Mr. Rajesh Acharya Vice president , Mr. RT Iyer Secretary and Mr. Sarosh Parak Treasurer occupied the dais along with the national dignitaries .
Mr. Manish Synghal President IAAI-MH & Chairman of the i-Top Executive Committee , thanked the membership for accepting him as their President and assured that he will sincerely do his ability for the welfare of the members.. After briefing about the association activities, he focused on i-Top , the Indian Travel Agents Own Portal which is “Magic Lamp of IAAI” officially launched during ICON – 2017 in Kochi. The IAAI trade partner members (non-IATA agents) will also avail the benefits of the best deals and tariffs for Air Tickets, Hotels Accommodation, Int’l Travel Insurance, Holiday Packages from Int’l and Domestic DMCs, Cruises, Car Hire, Payment Gateways, Rail and Bus Tickets etc. Here are a few of the other advantages of becoming a User of i-Top (own your own portal) like Multi-level access profile system – facility to create sub-agent/customer profile, Facility to integrate your own Domain to i-Top by white labelling overall “i TOP PUTS YOU ON TOP!”
Mr. Manish Synghal requested Mr. Biji Eapen the National President to throw light on the developments related to i-Top, Mr. Biji Eapen informed the members that during the National Managing Committee meet earlier this month it was decided to commercialise the i-Top project so that all the members the stake holders in this project will get their respective share. He said that we are in process to formulate a strategy. Many products are already integrated to the i-Top platform and we need a dedicated team to work for its promotion and marketing. i-Top is the first in the world –offering 3 platforms- Ticketing through GDS , access to OTAs and consolidators pricing & NDC via internet. The salient features like using your own BSP capping, IATA validation and BSP reporting & payment systems and also the benefits of a consolidator that you would enjoy with the collective productivity of all the members bringing it an equal share of the incentives.
Mr. Biji Eapen the IAAI National President announced the formation of “ IAAI Women Cell “to be headed by Mrs. Aruna Shetty the Director of IAAI and requested her to co-opt members from all other States to form an official committee before June 2019.. Also Biji Eapen announced the formation of a “Strategic Coordination Committee” for better coordination and growth of Trade Partners (non-IATA members) and other Strategic partners. IAAI Trade Partner Members Mr. Hector Dsouza, Mr. Ratan Kadmawala and Mr. Sumit Nanda voluntarily showed their interest to be a part of the committee.
Mr Manu.T.Nair, IAAI Director, in his facilitation speech, congratulated the new team and said that if we all agents mutually work together, support each other, we can do miracles.
During the open forum, Mr Chetan Gandhi raised the issue of Online Travel Agents (OTAs) like MakeMyTrip and Goibibo giving huge discounts threatening the livelihood, business, investments, and entrepreneurial initiative and spirits of the hospitality industry, and thereby eroding the viability of the brick and mortar agents.
The plan of action of OTAs is exploitative, dishonest and disruptive, hence prompting savage valuing and other market contortions that could hurt both hoteliers and customers in the long term.
Rajesh Acharya informed that the travel Industry is going through a very challenging phase however Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) had intervened to resolve the issues.
At this juncture, Mr Rajesh Acharya said the many members are unaware on the Remittance Holding Capacity (RHC) & Risk Management: being migrated to the new Resolution 812 instead of Res 818g since end 2018. Three levels of travel agent accreditation, enabling agents to choose the one that best fits their business model; A RHC is the maximum threshold for outstanding BSP Cash sales, whereby an Agent shall be allowed to avail only 77.25% his financial security.
Individuals present interrogated concerning IAAI’s portrayal in the APJC. Mr Manish Synghal clarified that however other associations had their representation in APJC perhaps their voice was not being heard successfully or not presented legally, for which IAAI has being battling to have its voice heard.
Mr Shamsudin thanked MS Aruna Shetty and Mr RT Iyer for donating Rs 25,0000/ and Mr. Baby John,CMD of Trinity Travels for Rs 10,000/- and Mr Sumit nanda for Rs. 2.500/- towards the associations legal fund.
The outgoing President Mr Chetan Gandhi and Treasurer Mr Siddhartha Shah were honored with mementoes for their meticulous service extended during the past.
Ms Aruna Shetty thanked all dignitaries and the members for their whole hearted support for making this event a big success. AGM adjourned at 21.18PM, for fellowship and dinner.
Manish Synghal Rajesh Acharya RT Iyer Sarosh Parakh
President Vice Prresident Secretary Treasurer
IAAI – MH
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