Travel Agents Federation of India Selects Kuching As Convention Venue In September

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk 

Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (right)

speaking to the representatives from TAFI during

their courtesy call 

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has picked Kuching to hold its convention from 20-23 September since its last one was held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates in 2018.

In Malaysia, TAFI had held its convention in Kuala Lumpur in 1999 and in Kota Kinabalu in 2007.

With over 1,400 active members who are tour operators and travel agents who account for about 70% of the outbound travel agents in India, the majority of them are also International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited agents.

TAFI managing committee led by its president Ajay Prakash recently visited Kuching for multiple convention and facilities site inspections besides calling on Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The minister says TAFI’s convention 2022’s theme, Build Back Better, is very much aligned with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, with the state aspiring to empower the community and ensuring a sustainable environment. 

He believes the convention will be a catalyst to entice more visitors from India to visit Sarawak in the near future. 

TAFI President Ajay Prakash 

Elaborating on the theme, Prakash, who is also Nomad Travels chief executive officer, says it is vital that the tourism industry does not forget the lessons of the pandemic, adding that as one of the biggest global industries, the power of tourism to shape the world is phenomenal. 

Build Back Better encapsulates the resolve to rebuild tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.

With the Indian market is growing, we are constantly looking for new destinations, products and experiences. Sarawak has the potential to become a popular destination as today’s generation is concerned about the planet’s conservation and sustainability, he adds.

Concurring with him are TAFI’s convention committee chairman Seeraj Singh Sabharwal and its deputy chairman Jigar Dudakiya.

Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (4th from right), Snowdan Lawan (Centre) Deputy
Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts posing for a group photo with 

representatives from TAFI, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Convention Bureau
and Tourism Malaysia

According to Sabharwal, Sarawak is a relatively unexplored destination for Indian  and a suitable destination for family Travel, honeymooners, weddings, business events, including for the film industry.

Dudakiya says Borneo Convention Centre Kuching has been selected as the venue for their convention this year because of its state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as WIFI besides its ability to host up to 5,000 persons, among other things.

The convention package for the delegates will include three nights of pre- or post-tours to beautiful places within Malaysia.

#TAFI
#Travel Agents Federation of India

#Sarawak Tourism Board

#Sarawak Convention Bureau

#Tourism Malaysia

#Outbound Travel Agents

#Borneo Convention Centre Kuching

#Business events

#MICE

#Meetngs & Conventions