The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has inaugurated its new Secretariat in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the Association’s 75-year journey and bringing together generations of travel industry leaders to celebrate its legacy and future.
The inauguration was attended by members of TAAI’s Managing Committee, regional and chapter chairpersons, past presidents, travel trade leaders and representatives from the airline, hospitality and technology sectors. The occasion combined the formal opening of the new premises with a strong sense of nostalgia, as former leaders reflected on their association with one of India’s oldest travel trade organisations.
The new Secretariat, located in an accessible commercial complex near Terminal 2 of Mumbai International Airport, offers approximately 1,100 sq. ft. of carpet area. Designed with contemporary interiors, the facility includes a dedicated conference room for Managing Committee meetings, cabins for officers and staff, and functional areas intended to improve convenience for members and visitors.
A New Secretariat for a New Chapter
The new office has been positioned as more than a change of address. Coming during TAAI’s 75 Years of Excellence celebrations, the Secretariat represents the organisation’s evolution while providing a permanent institutional base for its next phase.
For an association that has played a longstanding role in representing India’s travel trade, the new premises are intended to support collaboration, administration and engagement with members and industry stakeholders.
TAAI was established in 1951, with Nariman J. Katgara serving as its Founder President. The Association’s official Past Presidents Gallery records Mahendra K. Sanghi as president from 1980 to 1982, Cyrus Guzder from 1984 to 1985, Ashwini Kakkar from 2005 to 2006 and Iqbal Mulla from 2011 to 2014.
Past Presidents Reunite for the Inauguration
One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony came when past presidents joined TAAI President Sunil Kumar R to formally inaugurate the new Secretariat.
Mahendra K. Sanghi, Cyrus Guzder, Ashwini Kakkar and Iqbal Mulla participated in the ribbon-cutting and traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Their presence added historical significance to the occasion, with each representing a different chapter in TAAI’s development.
The participation of former presidents also gave the inauguration a distinctly intergenerational character. Memories of earlier years, the changing dynamics of the travel business and the Association’s evolution were woven into an event that looked simultaneously to the past and the future.
For TAAI members, the new Secretariat consequently represents not simply a modern workplace, but a physical reminder of the Association’s journey over seven and a half decades.
Sunil Kumar R Dedicates Milestone to TAAI Members
Addressing the gathering, TAAI President Sunil Kumar R described the new Secretariat as an important institutional achievement undertaken as part of the Association’s 75 Years of Excellence celebrations.
He dedicated the milestone to TAAI’s members, recognising them as the Association’s principal source of strength. He also acknowledged the continued support of the Managing Committee and chairpersons of TAAI’s Regions and Chapters.
Special appreciation was extended to the leadership and members of TAAI Western Region for their contribution to the celebrations surrounding the opening.
The emphasis on members underlined the wider significance of the new Secretariat: while the premises provide a physical base for the Association, its institutional strength continues to rest on the travel professionals and industry stakeholders it represents.
Travel Industry Leaders Gather in Mumbai
The inauguration brought together a broad cross-section of India’s travel, tourism and hospitality community, including representatives from airlines, hotels, technology companies and other industry segments.
TAAI members, industry partners and well-wishers also attended, while media representatives covered the opening of the new premises.
The gathering reflected the continuing role of industry associations as platforms for dialogue and collaboration at a time when the travel business is undergoing rapid changes in technology, distribution, consumer behaviour and business models.
Western Region Hosts 75th Anniversary Industry Gathering
The celebrations continued in the evening with an industry get-together hosted by TAAI Western Region to mark the Association’s 75th anniversary and celebrate the opening of the new Secretariat.
The event also recognised individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of TAAI. Past presidents, former Western Region chairpersons and past members of the Western Region Managing Committee were honoured for their leadership and contribution to the Association.
A series of specially produced TAAI videos was screened during the evening, including a film marking the Association’s 75th year and another highlighting the inauguration of the new Secretariat.
The presentations offered a visual retrospective of TAAI’s history, achievements and institutional journey, while also reinforcing its aspirations for the years ahead.
Looking Ahead After 75 Years
The inauguration of the Mumbai Secretariat comes at a symbolic point in TAAI’s history. Seventy-five years after its establishment, the Association is entering a new chapter with a contemporary headquarters designed to support its administrative and member-facing activities.
The gathering of past and present leadership made the occasion particularly significant. The presence of former presidents alongside the current leadership served as a reminder of the continuity of the organisation and the contributions made by successive generations of travel professionals.
The new Secretariat, therefore, stands as both a marker of TAAI’s past and a platform for its future—reflecting an organisation seeking to carry its institutional legacy forward while adapting to the changing needs of India’s travel and tourism industry.
Source: Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Team TAAI (2024–2026). TAAI’s official historical records confirm the Association’s establishment in 1951 and its succession of past presidents.
