New Delhi: Celebrating women’s empowerment, Women in TAAI and Tourism (WITT), a new initiative of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), organised its first conclave in New Delhi.
The event’s success can be gauged by the fact that more than 200 TAAI & WITT members were present during the celebrations.
Initiated in 2021 by TAAI president Jyoti Mayal, WITT is an integral part of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
Bettaiah Lokesh, secretary general, apprised the attendees of the contribution of women in various sectors.
Taking the conclave forward, Jyoti Mayal shared the idea, formation, and process involved in setting up WITT. She shared a three-step approach to entrepreneurship, employment, and leadership based on which women are contributing to the world. Mayal also referred to the statistics issued by various organisations like VVTTC, ILO, UNWTO, etc., wherein the contribution of women has been recorded.
She added, “Women are a very important part of the travel, tourism and hospitality sector.”
The core objective of the WITT is to involve ‘woman in tourism’ and to empower the women of India, G Kamala Rao, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, said.
Praveen Kumar, Former Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), thanked WITT for organising such a conclave.
In his remarks, he said women’s contribution in travel trade must be highlighted, and focus should be on turning the unorganised contribution organised, so that women get their due share of recognition and growth.
Kumar also said that he would take up with the MSDE the sensitivity of having more women-centric programmes initiated and floated to extend support to the community.
SATTE team that partnered with WITT unveiled the Shakti Awards logo at the conclave and also felicitated various women leaders who are leading from the front – Rupinder Brar, ADG Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India; Chef Manisha Bhasin, Sr. Executive Chief at ITC Hotels for the outstanding contribution to hospitality; Navina Jafa, cultural activist, dancer and academician for the outstanding contribution in promoting heritage tourism; Arshdeep Anand, Board of Director at Holiday Moods Adventures Groups of Companies for promoting adventure tourism; Jahnabi Phookan, Founder of Jungle Travels India for the outstanding contribution in the holistic promotion of tourism in NE India; and, The Leader of Future – Kanika Tekaiwal, Founder of JetSetGo India.
Shreeram Patel, treasurer, delivered a vote of thanks with a special mention of VFS Global, SATTE, Indigo, Government of India – Incredible India, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) for supporting the cause and making the conclave a success.
Managing Committee members Anoop Kanuga, Dr P Murugesan, Ramasamy Venkatachalam, and Kulvinder Singh Kohli were an integral part of the conclave along with former President Balbir Mayal.
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