Confident to achieve our goals and vision will be reality says newly elected TAAI President

She came, she saw, she conquered.This accurately defines how Jyoti Mayal was elected to lead the oldest association of the country. In one of the most anticipated travel industry bodies’ electoral showdown, she emerged victorious. It was a landslide victory for her and her ‘Team Progressive’ as every members of her team were declared winner.

In our pre-election story we at Whereabouts had implored members of TAAI to rise above their personal relation and vote for the candidate they believe can steer TAAI through these difficult times. The electoral verdict clearly indicate that TAAI members paid heed to our advice and have shown overwhelming support to Mayal and her team.

Now the election is over, as is the initial euphoria of the winners. Members of TAAI have voted for the candidate they believed in more. Mayal and her team’s job is cut out, to lead from the front and revive the ailing grand old party.

Since her engagement with the association she never looked back, and during her stint at various positions in TAAI Managing Committee she has been very aggressive and vocal in raising industry concerns. And without a delay – as she contested for the first time for the top job at TAAI, the members of the association well accepted her talent, leadership skills and provided an opportunity from where she can implement her vision and plans for the betterment of the association and its members.

In her vision statement for TAAI, she says that one of her dreams is to see that tourism sector gets industry status and for this she will take up the issue strongly with the government bodies. Besides this, the newly elected President also keen to ensure that all regions and chapters must receive adequate representation.

An experienced and industry veteran Jyoti Mayal was inducted as the Chairperson of the Northern Region (2009-2013) and served as a member of the Managing Committee (2013 – 2017). She has been elected as the Hon. Secretary General of TAAI for the term 2017-19. Being Hon. Secretary General of TAAI she actively participated in various initiatives, activities of TAAI including the mega conventions organised in Srinagar and Kunming.

Question & Answers 

First of all many congratulations for this unprecedented victory. To start with, the entire candidates of Team Progressive have won with the comfortable margin, how do you look at the mandate given by the members of TAAI?
Thanks for your kind words of congratulations and your hope in my team and me as the President. To answer your question, yes! it has been a wonderful victory and I am proud that all my team aspirants are now my team – The Team 2019-21.

These elections have made me realise that people have confidence in my leadership. Our member colleagues wanted a good team, a team which had a vision, a team which had people who have business strength, a team which is transparent and was fighting as a team and not as individuals. This is why you see similar votes trend for all.

Unity and selflessness are two very important traits. I am proud to be a leader of such a team. Saying this, I and my team are aware that people have a lot of aspirations from us and the pressure is on each team member, but we are confident we will achieve our goals and our vision will be reality. I am deeply grateful and humbled by my members mandate and confidence in us.

Kindly throw some light on your short and long term plans for the association?
My long term goal is to be a face of the industry with the government and work together towards the betterment of the travel and tourism Industry.

Short term goals are many – Ease of doing business, Continuous Knowledge conclaves, GST clarity, TCS, Technology, Airlines and other suppliers etc. A strong relationship with media to educate members and consumer not only through travel but national and electronic media too is on my cards too. We would initiate active involvement of our allied members and women.

What message you would like to convey to the members who have shown their confidence in your leadership?
I would request all our members to stand with us to achieve our visions and goals because together we can and we will – unity what they have shown in electing us I would request them to continue with to achieve. I am once again thankful and humbled by their support.

Vision Document

• A Recognized Industry Status – Strong Foothold
• A Strong Board of Advisors – Government, Airlines & Influencers
• Representations of all regions & chapters
• Clarity on GST with the correct favorable policy
• Supplier’s recognition against Defaults
• Woman Empowerment in our membership
• Credit card payment for Airlines & BSP payments
• Secretariat revamp – A self sufficient secretariat
• Educational for members & their staff
• Stronger hold with MOA MOT MOF & Ministry of Commerce
• Non ticketing revenues
• Bouquet of services brought by TAAI through Technology
• Strong Media Connect – Awareness to consumer & industry
• Incubator for start ups
• Ease of Doing Business with Embassies & Consulates