In a latest development ahead of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) elections, former President Iqbal Mulla has announced his candidacy for the top position. Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor, Mulla emphasised a growing demand for change among members, vowing to focus on practical solutions that address the everyday challenges of the travel industry.
Mulla identified taxation and compliance as the biggest hurdles facing the industry, particularly highlighting the need for clarification and reduction in GST rates for tour operators and travel agencies. He called for action on simplifying Input Tax Credit (ITC) complexities, especially for packaged tours and services for international tourists, urging consultation with the industry and government to reduce burdens.
A key aspect that Mulla pointed out is the lack of encouragement for young members to join the national committee. “The current rules of the association require a member to serve 3 years at the Chapter and Region level, before applying for the post of Committee Member or Office-Bearer at the National level. This evades the young minds to contest for the decision-making posts, since the process is lengthy. I would like to focus on changing this and encourage more young members to take active role in the activities.”
Another priority in Mulla’s agenda is addressing issues related to IATA (International Air Transport Association). He noted that many members are struggling to secure tickets from major airlines, with most agents forced to rely on consolidators. He promised to work towards restoring members’ independent access to airline inventory.
Mulla also criticised the Income Tax collected before travel, arguing that it puts members at a disadvantage by driving customers to book directly for international trips. He vowed to lobby for the rollback of this policy to create a level playing field.
Additionally, Mulla aims to revive key TAAI events, including ITTE (TAAI Travel Exhibition), conventions, and the Travel Awards, which have historically been valuable for networking and business growth. He promised to bring these events back to prominence, benefiting both members and the association.
