The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) held its 69th Convention and Exhibition – Indian Travel Congress 2026 at ITC Royal Bengal in Kolkata from October 25 to 27, 2026. The event marked 75 years of TAAI’s establishment and attracted more than 900 delegates from the travel and tourism industry.
Event Venue and Layout at ITC Royal Bengal
The convention utilized the ITC Royal Bengal Hotel’s Lower Lobby as the dedicated hub, providing a centralized space for business meetings, learning modules, networking, and hospitality. This venue offered integrated facilities to support seamless interaction among delegates, exhibitors, and industry stakeholders.
Knowledge Sessions Focused on Technology and Industry Challenges
TAAI organized two full days of intensive Knowledge Sessions
centered on the theme “EMPOWERING EVOLUTION – Journey Beyond Today and Bash on Regardless.” These sessions addressed technological innovation, artificial intelligence implementation, and major financial and structural obstacles affecting Indian travel businesses.
TAAI B2B – ITTE Exhibition and Engagement Initiatives
The TAAI B2B – India Travel and Tourism Expo (ITTE) took place on October 26 and 27. The exhibition reported nearly full occupancy of exhibitor spaces, reflecting strong industry interest. Delegates were encouraged to participate in the ‘B2B Passport’ scheme by visiting at least 90% of the exhibition stalls to earn exclusive rewards, stimulating active engagement across the expo floor.
Cultural, Networking, and Hospitality Elements
The three-day event featured key evening functions including
the Grand Opening Ceremony on the first day, the TAAI Awards Ceremony on the second, and a Farewell Gala on the final day. A traditional Kolkata ‘Chai Adda’ was organized during registration to facilitate informal networking among delegates. Regional cuisine combining Banarasi and Bengali flavors formed part of the curated hospitality.
Post-convention tours were arranged across West Bengal and Northeast India, offering delegates direct exposure to regional tourism attractions.
TAAI’s History, Membership, and Policy Priorities
Founded in 1951 by under a dozen pioneers, TAAI’s membership has expanded to over 2,500 travel companies nationwide. The association prioritizes protection against airline insolvencies that impact members’ working capital, combating
unfair trade practices such as agency debit memos and fare parity breaches, and reducing compliance inefficiencies.
Evolution of Travel Agents and Industry Collaboration
TAAI recognizes the travel agent’s evolving role as a trusted travel advisor and experience designer, moving beyond traditional booking functions. The association supports members’ adoption of technology and artificial intelligence and maintains ongoing collaboration with airlines, governments, tourism boards, hotels, and international entities on aviation, taxation, visas, and regulatory issues.
Indian Travel Industry Transformation and TAAI’s Role
The Indian travel and tourism sector transitioned from a fragmented, state-regulated market to a multibillion-rupee industry propelled by domestic and international travel alongside digital innovation. TAAI’s conventions combine business, knowledge sharing, and networking to
prepare the trade for emerging challenges and opportunities in this expanding market.
