Highly awaited TAAI convention to finally come to SL in July

TAAI President Jyoti Mayal (second from left) receives a memento from Tourism Minister Harin Fernando (second from right) in the presence of SLAITO President Nishard Wijetunge (left) and Tourism Ministry Secretary M.B. Herath 

• Indian travel agents give green light to bring convention after postponing event several times last year
• 500 delegates to arrive in SL as initially planned
• Stresses need to increase capacity, reduce airfares, remove visa requirements for Indian tourists
• Says Sri Lanka must look to grow on its strengths

The highly-anticipated Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention is all set to take place in July, after being postponed several times last year.
As the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka has returned to some sense of normalcy, TAAI President Jyoti Mayal said the membership has given the green light to bring the convention to Sri Lanka.
“We are finally coming to Sri Lanka with our convention members from July 6 to 7, this year. The event was postponed quite a few times because of the situation in the country that erupted last year but now we see Sri Lanka is ready,” said Mayal speaking exclusively to Mirror Business. 
Mayal is in the country to attend and show support for the travel and tourism fair Sancharaka Udawa 2023. As planned previously, the convention will bring nearly 500 delegates from across India, where 450 are members of the Indian travel and tourism industry and 50 are media personnel.

 With India maintaining its position as the largest tourist traffic generator for Sri Lanka, taking over the Russian Federation, Mayal shared that Indian travel agents are keen and determined to partner and collaborate with the Sri Lankan tourism industry to improve the tourist arrival numbers and earnings.
“We all need to refresh our minds and businesses after the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the tourism sector severely. Everyone is looking for ways to find the nest for themselves today. So, what the market shows and what the market gives them the best ease of business is going to matter a lot,” said Mayal, implying the need to have a conducive operative environment.
She went on the share that recommendations were made to Tourism Minister Harin Fernando this week. The recommendations included increasing flight capacity and frequency between Sri Lanka and India, reducing airfares and offering free visas.
“Sri Lanka just needs to grow on its strengths. It is a beautiful destination and an extension of India; so, it’s a home away from home. So, it has one of the best opportunities. It needs to strategically package and market its offering,” noted Mayal.