Prasenjit Chakraborty - Mumbai The Western India Chapter of TAFI (Travel Agents Federation of India), in collaboration with the Consulate General of Spain Mumbai and Tourespana, hosted a meeting for its members. A large number of members attended the meeting.
Fernando Heredia Noguer, Consul General of Spain in Mumbai, gave a presentation followed by an engaging exchange with attendees. In fact, he answered a barrage of questions from the members.
Later speaking to TravelBiz Monitor, the Consul General, said, “In 2023, we had processed almost 52,000 visas which is 30% higher when compared with 2022.”
Talking about the trend, he said that more and more travellers are now showing interest in visiting Spain. “Spain is a diverse country just like India, and people should visit other parts of the country, not just Barcelona and Madrid,” he exhorted.
It is important to mention here that Consulate General Spain (Mumbai) covers Gujarat to Kerala and from Tamil Nadu to Chatttisgarh. Noguer emphasised, “Despite facing manpower constraints, we have successfully reduced the turnaround time for Spanish visas to just 48 hours.”
He added, “Residents of Mumbai and Pune can expect their visas within 48 hours, while those residing in areas like Coimbatore etc. will receive them within 72 to 96 hours due to the longer courier transit times.”
According to Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, the meeting was path-breaking. “It’s rare for a Consul General to willingly engage with our members and answer questions, which makes this event particularly noteworthy. I hope this sets a precedent for similar dialogues with other consulates,” remarked Prakash. He also lauded Pranav Kapadia of Global Destinations for playing a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the event.
The event also witnessed a presentation by Elisa Robles Fraga, Director, Spain Tourism Board.
Jay Kantawala, Chairman, Western India Chapter, TAFI, said that the purpose of the event was to provide education to their members regarding the Spain visa process and to promote the country as a tourism destination. He commended the Consul General while stating, “He has been extremely supportive to the industry, and has made concerted efforts to facilitate our needs.”
“We are thrilled to have hosted such a successful networking event in collaboration with TAFI’s Western India Chapter, the Consulate General of Spain, and TourEspana,” said Pranav Kapadia, Founder, Global Destinations. “The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the travel industry. A fantastic example of how collaboration can truly elevate the travel industry,” he added.
