TAAI To Hold 68th Convention ‘Business with Goodness’ In Abu Dhabi

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Aug 12: The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) would be holding its 68th Annual Convention & Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, next month. The three-day convention beginning September 17 promises a dynamic agenda with the theme “Business with Goodness”, according to TAAI President Sunil Kumar.

Set against the opulent backdrop of Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Emirates Pearl, the convention would combine high-powered business sessions with immersive experiences aimed at deepening members’ understanding of Abu Dhabi’s evolving tourism landscape.

The convention aligns with DCT Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to welcome 39.3 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.

Briefing newsmen, Sunil Kumar said the choice of Abu Dhabi was driven by the city’s transformation since the association last met there. “So much has changed in Abu Dhabi. The travel industry must learn more about it. Arrivals have multiplied, and India can make a big difference.”

The President said that TAAI was committed to promoting the destination beyond the convention dates.

Director of international Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, Abdulla Yousuf, said in a statement “India continues to be a key priority market for us, not only in terms of visitor volume but also in long-term strategic collaboration. We are honoured to welcome TAAl's esteemed members to Abu Dhabi and look forward to showcasing our destination’s remarkable evolution. This convention is an opportunity to build shared value and lasting partnerships across both our markets.”

Keeping the Convention theme "Business with Goodness" in mind, industry leaders would loudly declare that the good in the world is most required as we seek to enlarge the travel and tourism potential.

Sunil Kumar emphasised that the theme aims to inspire industry leaders to pair commercial success with empathy, quality, and social responsibility, adding that the focus will be on the business techniques and improvements needed that may aid in increasing the goodness that we are actively engaged in.

The TAAI President said the convention would open with an inaugural function at the Emirates Palace. Delegates will stay at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, the convention’s headquarters, which will also host business sessions from over 300 participants.

Rajan Sehgal, Managing Committee Member of TAAI, said "the convention will help the travel and tourism industy as it will help attract 15 to 20 per cent more tourists from the region to India."

Sehgal said "the TAAI members, who attend the convention, they don't go as a delegate, but they go as an ambassador of the Indian travel and tourism industry. They convince them. They create awareness. They do lot of marketing to tell them about India and what all India can offer them."

He said "the convention is the best way to make a bridge between the two countries and the States and this is the main aim of TAAI."

An India Travel Tourism Expo (ITTE) will run alongside the convention, connecting Indian agents with regional stakeholders. The setup, he explained, will ensure sessions start on time and maximise networking.

The next two days would be dedicated to knowledge sessions, covering topics on the “Rally for Valley” campaign, regional tourism trends, MICE & Wedding opportunities, and the role of tourism as a “harbinger of peace”.

Beyond the meeting rooms, delegates will explore Abu Dhabi’s attractions, including the newly opened Qasr Al Watan palace, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the immersive digital art experience teamLab. A special visit to the BAPS Hindu Mandir, including an address by Swamiji, is also on the agenda.

Evening networking events will also feature standout venues such as SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, where a special Dinner will take place against a 360-degree multimedia backdrop.

The convention is supported by airline partners like IndiGo, Etihad, Air Arabia, Emirates and Air India.