After a gap of four years, the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has announced that its convention will take place at Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia from September 20th to 23rd 2022.
The theme of the convention is “Build Back Better”. Elaborating on the theme, President, TAFI, Ajay Prakash said, “As we seek recovery post-COVID, it is vital that the tourism industry does not forget the lessons of the pandemic. As one of the biggest global industries, the power of tourism to shape the world is phenomenal.
“It can be a powerful force for doing good, not only for the stakeholders but for the entire world. Build Back Better encapsulates the resolve to rebuild tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.”
The Convention Committee is chaired by Seeraj Singh Sabharwal (Charter Tours and Travels) and Jigar Dudakiya (Shakti Travels) is Deputy Chairman.
Commenting on the choice of destination, Sabharwal said “Sarawak is a relatively unexplored destination for the Indian travellers. Sarawak is an excellent destination for family travel, honeymooners, MICE, weddings and film shoots. TAFI has often organised conventions in unique and unusual locations to expand the portfolio of travel agents and tour operators of India.”
The convention package will be inclusive of three nights pre or post convention tours to beautiful places within Malaysia.
Dudakiya further commented on the choice of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) as the convention venue. “With its state-of-the art equipment and facilities BCCK is the first international purpose-built convention centre in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The convention centre can host upto 5,000 people with an uninterrupted WIFI internet services for upto 8,000 simultaneous users.“
The TAFI convention is being supported by Tourism Malaysia, Sarawak Tourism Board, Business Events Sarawak, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo (now rechristened Batik) and Air Asia.
TAFI, one of the premier travel trade associations of the country, organises workshops, seminars and conventions for their members in different parts of the world and in the country. Traditionally, host destinations of the TAFI conventions have seen exponential growth in the Indian tourist arrivals post the convention.
TAFI with a membership base of more than 1,400 tour operators and travel agents account for approximately 70% of all outbound travel from India.
“There is palpable excitement among our membership since a convention is happening after four years and TAFI conventions are always eagerly awaited. We expect an excellent turnout of delegates and speakers. Sarawak is at the forefront of responsible, sustainable and eco-tourism. It is the ideal destination to begin our journey to be Build-Back-Better,” concluded Prakash.