The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and the Nodal association of India has unveiled a partnership with TPConnects to roll out its ‘Digital Travel India ‘ empowerment Initiative, TAAI-Connect, to travel agencies in India – which also facilitates IATA NDC platform. The announcement included the claim that over 10,000 Indian IATA and Non-IATA travel agencies can benefit from the “TAAI-Connect”
Through the TAAI initiative, India’s travel agencies will be provided with their own websites, mobile applications, corporate booking tool and B2B platform. This will all be powered by TPConnects’ robust and scalable NDC standard full backend and internet booking engine with payment gateway. TPConnects will also provide technical support and there will be no upfront charges, just a per passenger transaction fee.
The IATA NDC standard B2B and B2C platform will help travel agencies and online travel agencies to service their customers better. The aggregator platform enables travel agencies to have access to rich content as well as ancillary options. Traveller will be able to have their preferences recognised when shopping via a travel agency’s or online travel site in the same way that they are available on an airline’s website – a service that may not be directly available to agents today owing to technology limitations.
Sunil Kumar R, president TAAI, said: “Glad to announce “TAAI-Connect” an exclusive tie-up with TPConnects, an IATA NDC Dual Level 4 Certified IT Provider and Travel Aggregator. TPConnects is committed to supporting TAAI’s “Digital Travel India” initiative. It will ensure that all travel services are made available to customers electronically and accessible through individual travel agency websites and mobile applications, along with IATA NDC standard booking engine.
“Many travel agencies currently lack a proper website and mobile application. This partnership will enable them to be online and visible within the next two years, with tailor-made travel offers providing more choices to end-customers.
“The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) share the vision of the Government of India to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. We believe that this initiative will empower travel agencies and help drive creativity and choice, resulting in a smooth transaction for the customer. It will create global opportunities for travel agencies and more inbound, outbound travellers. India’s travel agents will be fully equipped to compete on a global scale.”
Rajendran Vellapalath, CEO of TPConnects, added: “This partnership will create a wealth of new opportunities for India’s travel agents. To compete in today’s market travel agencies need to have access to the advantages that a digital operation provides. This initiative will create those opportunities for travel agencies, not just locally but on a global scale. We will see big changes in India’s travel industry over the next two years.”
Travel Agencies who wish to have their own website and mobile application with booking engine are required to register through the TAAI Website or email [email protected].
Source : https://www.traveldailymedia.com/taai-unveils-partnership-with-tpconnects/
