The aim of the UFTAA Congress 2006, to be held from September 15-19 in New Delhi, is to unite and consolidate the national associations of travel agents in various countries and enhance the interests of their members. UFTAA is a world body representing the travel associations of various member countries across the globe and tourism industry at large.

India playing host to the 40th World Congress is significant on two counts. Firstly it marks the completion of four decades of UFTAA’s mission as an international forum addressing matters affecting the world travel and tourism industry and representing the interests of tour operators and travel agents before government bodies, suppliers and other entities across the globe.

It also aims to strengthen its members’ image and enhance the world travel and tourism industry. Secondly, the Congress is being held at a time when tourism in India is on upswing and will felicitate a veteran and founding member of the federation, Jimmy Guzder.

The event will be attended by over 250 agents from around 40 countries and over 500 travel agents and tour operators from India. Through this Congress, UFTAA will also make an attempt to promote India as a varied destination with rich tourism potential. Express TravelWorld (a monthly trade publication from the Business Publications Division of The Indian Express Group) has bagged the official publication status for Navigator 2007, its annual research manual for the travel and tourism industry, at the Congress. The publication has also been appointed as the official organisers of the exhibition to be held at the Congress.

“Since 2006 marks the 40th year of UFTAA’s inception, the decision to award the Congress to India is a hallmark for us. What we are trying to achieve through this event is a platform for the industry to network, interact and exchange ideas so that it results in a huge influx of tourists,” says Rajinder Rai, Chairman, Organising Committee, UFTAA Congress and Honorary Secretary General, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).