The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Karnataka Chapter, celebrated 75 years with a special evening in Bengaluru on October 6, 2026. The gathering honoured the association’s legacy of leadership, camaraderie and contribution to India’s travel and tourism industry.
Voyager’s World speaks to Sunil Kumar, President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), about the association’s 75-year journey, the theme of its 69th Convention and Exhibition, the evolving role of travel agents, and the opportunities presented by technology and artificial intelligence.
What is the significance of TAAI’s 69th Convention and Exhibition, particularly as the association celebrates 75 years of excellence? What is the central idea behind this year’s convention?
TAAI’s 75th anniversary is a significant milestone for all of us. We are celebrating this landmark occasion alongside the 69th TAAI Convention and Exhibition in Kolkata, with the main anniversary celebrations scheduled for October 26, 2026. Although we initially considered holding the celebrations beyond India, we decided to host them within the country on the advice of our honourable Prime Minister. The theme of this year’s convention is Empowering Evolution. It is about encouraging our member companies and stakeholders to remain relevant in a rapidly changing industry. Staying relevant requires us to change our habits, rethink our approaches and embrace new technologies, including artificial intelligence. This process of continuous adaptation is what we call evolution, and we need to empower that evolution to remain competitive and deliver better business outcomes.
The convention will bring together learning, celebration and fellowship. It will offer opportunities for professional development and knowledge-sharing while allowing members to reconnect with colleagues across the industry. We want delegates to experience both the intellectual value of the convention and the excitement of celebrating this important milestone together.
What are the major challenges facing travel agents today, particularly with the growing influence of AI and other technological developments?
Travel agents have become a community that is accustomed to challenges. There was a time when every new difficulty caused considerable concern, but our experiences have taught us resilience. We have navigated the withdrawal of commissions, the loss of credit periods, the unprecedented disruption caused by the pandemic and the continuing challenge of rapidly escalating airfares. Despite these circumstances, the travel trade has continued to sustain itself and adapt. We have demonstrated that we can rise above difficult situations and emerge stronger. In that sense, we have proved ourselves to be champions of challenges.
New challenges will continue to emerge, whether through technology, changing customer expectations or evolving business models. However, our experience has shown that the industry can respond effectively when it is willing to adapt. The key is to keep learning, innovate continuously and find ways to turn challenges into opportunities.
How can the Indian government and TAAI work together to strengthen tourism and support travel agents?
The government and industry stakeholders each have their own responsibilities and objectives, but achieving a common vision requires collaboration. The government may establish a vision for tourism and make significant investments, but it also needs service providers, organisations, innovation and best practices to translate that vision into meaningful outcomes. Tourism has the potential to become a major income generator for the country, and recognising its importance as an economic contributor is crucial. At the same time, industry stakeholders have an important role in delivering quality services and creating memorable experiences for travellers.
At TAAI, we are always ready to work closely with the government. We respect its policies and directives while continuing to go beyond our immediate responsibilities to ensure that customers receive the best possible experiences. The role of the travel agent has also evolved considerably over the years. The way we operate today is very different from the past, reflecting our ability to adapt to changing market conditions and customer requirements. A strong partnership between the government and the travel trade can help translate tourism ambitions into tangible results.
Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, what are TAAI’s priorities for the future of the travel trade?
Through this convention, we want to encourage the travel trade to embrace technology more actively and, in particular, adopt artificial intelligence. AI is advancing rapidly, and there is considerable debate about whether it represents a threat or an opportunity for the industry. I believe it presents more opportunities than threats. Artificial intelligence is a tool and a process developed by human beings. If we learn to work alongside it rather than view it solely as a competitor, the results can be highly rewarding. The combination of human expertise, judgement and relationships with AI’s capabilities can deliver better outcomes for businesses and customers alike.
Our focus is on encouraging travel agents to understand these developments, adopt relevant technologies and integrate them into their operations. By embracing change and continuing to evolve, the travel trade can remain relevant, competitive and prepared for the future.