January 14, 2025 TnH Global

TAFI’s Vietnam Convention to champion sustainable tourism

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), one of India’s leading travel trade associations, will host its annual convention from January 17th to 20th, 2025, in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. This picturesque province, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Hanoi and renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich culture, provides an ideal setting for a convention focused on “Tourism for Tomorrow: Protecting the Planet.” In an interview, Ajay Prakash, President of TAFI, explained the significance of the convention’s theme. He said this theme reflects TAFI’s commitment to sustainable tourism and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). TAFI’s upcoming convention, besides focusing on the critical importance of sustainable practices within the tourism industry, will also discuss boosting Indian tourism to Vietnam, and the challenges being faced by the Indian travel trade.

Highlighting the surge in Indian tourism, both domestic and outbound, Prakash emphasized that the continued growth of travel by Indians, coupled with their significant spending power, has made the country a highly sought-after market for destinations worldwide. However, this boom underscores the growing importance of responsible tourism and the preservation of the planet. “Given the booming tourism industry, there’s a responsibility to protect the planet, as this industry relies on and thrives upon the natural beauty, diversity, and heritage of the planet,” he stated.

In recent times, promoting sustainable tourism has gained increased urgency. “The growth of tourism, marked by the uncontrolled influx of tourists, is taking a toll on destinations, degrading the environment. We have witnessed numerous instances where the influx of tourists has overwhelmed destinations, ruined fragile ecologies, eroded cultures, and led to local protests against the negative impacts of tourism,” Prakash lamented. He emphasized the urgent need for the tourism industry to adopt sustainable practices. “As over-tourism puts tremendous pressure on natural resources, it is the industry’s responsibility to embrace a holistic and sustainable approach to tourism and invest in preserving the planet. Nature is critical to the survival of this industry; tourism cannot thrive when nature itself is in peril,” said Prakash.

“Furthermore, we have a significant responsibility to future generations to protect this planet and its legacy so they can experience its beauty and wonders. This is why ‘Tourism for Tomorrow: Protecting the Planet’ serves as the theme of our convention,” he added. Prakash underscored that the protection of the planet and its resources is crucial for the long-term survival and sustainability of the tourism industry.

Vietnam: the Host

Vietnam’s selection as the convention’s host underscores its rising appeal as a tourist destination. Ninh Binh province, with its stunning landscapes, serves as a perfect venue to showcase the country’s tourism potential. Commenting on the choice of Vietnam as the convention venue, Prakash said, “Vietnam is a country of spectacular natural beauty, and its Ninh Binh province, where our convention will be held, boasts stunning landscapes and sites. Our convention will help promote this region as a tourist destination.”

Prakash highlighted that TAFI has consistently strived to introduce new and lesser-known destinations to the Indian travel trade through its conventions and that Vietnam will significantly benefit from the forthcoming convention. He added that while Indian tourists are increasingly visiting Vietnam, their travel often concentrates on major cities like Hanoi, Saigon, and Da Nang.

“While these cities are experiencing tourism growth, many smaller and lesser-known destinations remain relatively unexplored. Bringing those hidden gems to the forefront of the Indian travel trade’s awareness is TAFI’s primary objective,” said Prakash. He added that the convention in Ninh Binh will introduce the region and other lesser-known locations to Indian travel agents, encouraging and enabling their inclusion in agents’ itineraries. Underlining the importance of first-hand experiences, he said, “When Indian travel professionals personally explore destinations, they become better equipped to promote those destinations to their clients.”

Tourism: A Force for Good

Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism is integral to TAFI’s mission. This approach ensures tourism benefits everyone: travellers, host destinations and communities, and the travel trade fraternity. Prakash says that encouraging and sensitizing its members to promote destinations responsibly is “part of our endeavours.”

Beyond TAFI, Prakash also serves as the President of the India Chapter of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT). His advocacy for sustainability and international understanding through tourism resonates deeply with the convention’s theme. “We at IIPT recognize tourism as a force for good and a tool for peace. It fosters meaningful dialogues and connections among diverse cultures, promoting sustainable development and a more peaceful world,” he added.

TAFI has also been striving to inculcate this superior paradigm in its members, emphasizing to them that “Our purpose must transcend the mere pursuit of profit; tourism extends beyond mere business. We encourage them to integrate this higher paradigm into their core business strategy and practices,” said Prakash. He added, “When sending tourists abroad, our members should sensitize them to the world’s diversity, emphasizing the imperative of respecting this diversity and being grateful to the host country.”

Sustainable Vietnam

As tourism in Vietnam gains momentum, the country presents a compelling case for sustainable tourism development. “Now as Vietnam is emerging as a global tourist destination, the country must manage this rise sensitively and responsibly to prevent the degradation of the country’s natural beauty and its unique heritage,” said Prakash. He suggested that now is the opportune time for Vietnam, while tourism is growing, to implement a robust system to ensure the country remains as beautiful, pristine, friendly, and sustainable in the future as it is today. This system should prioritize sustainable tourism practices that balance economic growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation.

Vietnam’s Rise

Discussing Vietnam’s emergence as a prominent Southeast Asian destination, particularly in comparison to Thailand, Prakash noted that Thailand has long been a highly popular choice among Indian tourists. However, he added that many Indian travellers have visited Thailand multiple times, and the younger generation of Indian travellers is actively seeking new destinations and unique experiences. “This presents a significant opportunity for Vietnam to capitalize on this demand for novelty and attract a growing segment of the Indian tourism market,” Prakash stated, emphasizing the importance of Vietnam managing its tourism growth thoughtfully.

Indians’ Food Concerns

Prakash identified food preferences and language barriers as two key concerns for Indian travellers in Vietnam. According to him, Vietnam could enhance its appeal to Indian travellers by addressing these concerns.

“Firstly, food preferences: A significant portion of the Indian population is vegetarian, and many Indian families, often including two or three generations, travel together. While vegetarian options are available in Vietnam, they may not always align with Indian culinary preferences. To enhance the Indian travel experience, increasing the availability and variety of Indian-style vegetarian dishes would be highly beneficial,” said Prakash.

“Secondly, language barriers: Communication can be a challenge for many Indian travellers due to language limitations. Improving English proficiency among tourism professionals, such as hotel staff, tour guides, and restaurant personnel, would significantly enhance the overall travel experience for Indian visitors,” said Prakash, adding that addressing these two key areas, food and language would significantly contribute to the growth of Indian tourism in Vietnam.

High Airfares

Additionally, while air connectivity between India and Vietnam is improving, high airfares remain a challenge. “It is typical airline behaviour to capitalize on demand spikes, leading to inflated ticket prices. For example, all the airlines increased their fares when they saw a surge in travel demand for Vietnam due to our convention,” said Prakash. This underscores the need for greater competition and transparency in the aviation sector to ensure fair pricing and accessible air travel options for passengers.

Exploring New Streams

The convention will feature a diverse range of discussions involving the challenges faced by members of TAFI. Prakash highlighted that the convention will feature discussions on crucial topics such as the NDC (New Distribution Capability) framework, diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional ticketing, and the adoption of new technologies.

Regarding NDC, Prakash said that despite its introduction over a decade ago, NDC has not yet achieved its full potential. Prakash highlighted the need for travel agents to move beyond their traditional business and explore new revenue streams. “At the convention, we will explore how travel agents can leverage their expertise to sell allied services to remain profitable as the air ticketing business brings little profit,” he stated. “The whole process of unbundling services by airlines and the loss of commissions for agents necessitate finding innovative business models and revenue streams,” he added.

Another focus area of discussion at the convention will be the rapid emergence of new technologies and the evolving behaviour of travellers, particularly the younger generation. Today’s travellers, especially younger generations, expect instant access to information and seamless booking experiences, often through mobile devices. The convention will explore how travel agents can effectively adapt to these changing consumer preferences. This includes leveraging digital technologies, embracing mobile-first strategies, and developing innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs and expectations of modern travellers.

Besides addresses by the TAFI President, the Convention Chairman, and others, the convention will feature a keynote address, many engaging business sessions, and insightful presentations. The convention is expected to attract significant participation. “The convention will feature representatives from several major airlines. It is expected to be attended by approximately 300 delegates from TAFI. Additionally, we will have the participation of nearly 100 professionals from Vietnam’s travel and tourism sector,” said Prakash, adding that this significant participation from both India and Vietnam will contribute to a highly productive and informative convention. The convention also features low-cost tours for delegates who can explore some lesser-known locations of Vietnam.

To sum up, the TAFI’s Vietnam convention promises to be a landmark event, setting the stage for meaningful discussions on sustainability and paving the way for a more responsible and inclusive future for the tourism industry.