Under the exemplary leadership of Mrs. Jyoti Mayal, President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Indian travel industry has witnessed significant strides, particularly in promoting inclusivity, gender-sensitive tourism, and restoring normalcy in a post-pandemic world.
One of her key achievements has been empowering women within the travel sector. In a groundbreaking initiative, Mrs. Mayal led the training and upskilling of over 700 women travel agents across India. Through programs such as TAAI’s Pathashala, she ensured that women were equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the industry, fostering both employment and leadership opportunities for women in tourism.
During the pandemic, Mrs. Mayal emerged as a strong advocate, fighting tirelessly for refunds and reopening flights. She worked closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and international airlines to ensure flights resumed and borders reopened with essential health protocols in place. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in bringing airlines back on the Global Distribution System (GDS), offering greater accessibility and affordability for travel agents and customers alike.
Beyond restoring industry operations, Mrs. Mayal is a passionate supporter of gender-sensitive tourism, prioritising the safety and comfort of female travellers. Her advocacy led to significant policy changes aimed at creating safer environments, ensuring the travel industry addresses the specific needs of women.
Looking ahead, Mrs. Mayal envisions a sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven future for Indian tourism. Her efforts to promote domestic tourism, highlighted by TAAI’s Knowledge Conclave at the Statue of Unity, have set a new benchmark for showcasing India’s cultural heritage and potential.
“My focus moving forward is to enhance the ease of doing business for travel agents and stakeholders, especially at the grassroots level, where smaller agents form the backbone of the industry. I’m optimistic about the potential of technology to empower these agents, giving them access to the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. Protecting our smaller agents would be my priority in this term and I’m looking forward to ensure the ease of doing business when it comes to this vector.”, says Mrs. Jyoti Mayal. “Through working closely with the central government, I’m also pushing for the removal of redundant taxes and the implementation of IGST to streamline the sector’s operations. Additionally, with Visa services emerging as a major business, we’re exploring new programs, incentives, and loyalty cards to ensure continued interest and growth. Together, these efforts will foster a more supportive, efficient, and innovative environment for the entire travel ecosystem.”, adds Mrs. Mayal on the same.
Through her inspiring leadership, Mrs. Jyoti Mayal continues to shape the future of the travel industry, ensuring that safety, empowerment, and innovation remain at the forefront of its progress.
