TAAI signs MoU with West Bengal Tourism
TAAI says that it will make all efforts to connect the airlines operating to and from India and WBTDCL for increase in international connectivity to Kolkata and project it as an important gateway to eastern India
India’s largest and oldest travel trade association, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, in Kolkata.
According to a press statement by TAAI, under the MoU, this collaboration will work on enhancing domestic, inland as well as outbound tourism to the state to study the policies related to tourism development, investment opportunities in tourism and connected areas and economic data of relevance of the tourism sector in the state.
The statement adds that the West Bengal Tourism Department is keen on unlocking the tourism potential in the state, connecting tourism with the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the state. Thereof, through this collaboration, the ministry aims to promote and protect folk art, craft and folk genres, rural tourism including homestays, eco-tourism, river tourism, MICE tourism, heritage tourism and skill the tourism stakeholders to provide employment and ensure seamless delivery of services to tourism stakeholders.
The MoU was signed in the presence of TAAI National Managing Committee and its Regional and Chapter Chairpersons by President, TAAI, Jyoti Mayal and Nandini Chakravorty, Secretary, Tourism, Government of West Bengal
TAAI says this MoU will enable them to maximise the potential of its West Bengal’s tourism sector to create job opportunities, ensuring sustainability and foster economic and inclusive growth for the state.
The statement adds that the Tourism Secretary has considered TAAI’s proposal on the State’s Tourism Policy and also granted industry status to the tourism and hospitality sector. TAAI says it has also requested the department to include travel agents and tour operators into the policy granting industry status.
TAAI adds that the MoU was signed in the presence of TAAI National Managing Committee and its Regional and Chapter Chairpersons by President, TAAI, Jyoti Mayal and Nandini Chakravorty, Secretary, Tourism, Government of West Bengal.
TAAI says that it will make all efforts to connect the airlines operating to and from India and West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDCL) for increase in international connectivity to Kolkata and project it as an important gateway to eastern India.
This collaboration will also provide assistance in obtaining clarifications on travel related policies and identifying bottlenecks in the expansion of tourism traffic and visitor interaction to recommend solutions, while promoting and facilitating tourism-related projects.
According to TAAI, this MoU will also encourage participation of the business communities and other tourism segments in travel mart, exhibitions and tourist festivals. The two signatory organisations will, at regular intervals, meet at seminars, workshops and interface meetings to explore and discuss new opportunities and avenues for larger inflow and outflow of tourism traffic, helping sort out areas of irritants and creating necessary climate conducive to investment in the tourism industry.
The MoU will provide assistance to constitute joint committees or forums for business and government interaction to identify and explore ways and means to increase business opportunities for the members of the Tourism Department, Government of West Bengal and TAAI.
