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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.
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| 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.
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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 |
The convention package for the delegates will include three nights of pre- or post-tours to beautiful places within Malaysia.
#Travel Agents Federation of India
