Date:08/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/08/stories/2005110802310700.htm

Back Travel agents body in talks with Rlys for tourism products

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Nov. 7

THE Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is in talks with the Railways to develop some tourism products, the newly elected Association President, Mr Ashwini Kakkar, said here on Monday.

"We met with the Railways today. We are requesting that the Railways use the travel agents outlets to deliver at the doorstep of the customer the products that they (Railways) have on offer," Mr Kakkar said.

The TAAI is considering a two-fold strategy with the Railways that will not only ensure that the tickets are available in tourist places but also ensure that a passenger does not spend a huge amount of time at the station waiting to purchase a ticket.

"We are in talks but it is still too early to say by when we would be finalising the agreement with the Railways," Mr Kakkar said.

The association that has a membership of more than 2,000 travel agents and provides employment to more than 5,00,000 people is also working on several diverse projects to facilitate the passenger.

These include creating a Web site and creating links to other tourism-related sites.