Escape from Ticketing E-Book

Hillel Jonathan Gadkar

• Herausgeber: Pencil
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 314

Beschreibung

This book is not just about my journey in the travel industry, but the journey of the Travel Industry itself. And some insights and solutions for the betterment of it. This book offers a lot to the Travel Industry and a description of a lot of practices of the last century and what is prevelant in this century. I have tried my best to give examples. I have also given a lot of solutions to the existing problems.

The main intention is to awake the staff which has been relentlessly working day and night to ensure that his industry standards are not compromised. But at the end of the day, their results do not bear the desired fruits.

Leseprobe

ESCAPEFROMTICKETING

InsightsintotheTravelIndustry

BY

HillelJonathanGadkar

ISBN9789354584848©HillelJonathanGadkar2021PublishedinIndia2021byPencilAbrandofOnePointSixTechnologiesPvt.Ltd.123,BuildingJ2,ShramSevaPremises,WadalaTruckTerminal,Wadala(E)Mumbai400037,Maharashtra,[e-mail]dwideNopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinorintroducedintoaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyform,orbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise),withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher.Anypersonwhocommitsanunauthorizedactinrelationtothispublicationcanbeliabletocriminalprosecutionandcivilclaimsfordamages.

DISCLAIMER:TheopinionsexpressedinthisbookarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotpurporttoreflecttheviewsofthePublisher.

Authorbiography

TheauthorHillelJonathanGadkarisaB.Sc.graduatefromMumbaiUniversity.HismajorsubjectwasChemistry.Aftergraduation,hedidhisTravelandTourismcourseandintheyear1989,healsodidhisIATA-UFTAADiploma.Hisfortehadalwaysbeenticketing.Hehas34yearsofexperienceinthefieldofTravelandTourism.Post-2019hestartedworkinginaReinsurancefirmtohandletheirPanIndiatravel.Hismainfocushasalwaysbeenontrainingandmakinghisjuniorsadapttotheconceptofticketing.HehasworkedinthecapacityofOperationsManagerandBranchHeadatvarioustravelagenciesinMumbai. HealsotaughtFareconstructionfortheIATAbatchesasanexternalFaultyatTradeWingsInstituteofManagement–KalaGhodaMumbaifromSeptember1993tillMarch2000.HehasalwaysaimedtominimiseerrorsandkepthimselfabreastwiththelatestchangesandautomationintheTravelTrade. Hismainintentioninwritingthisbook,“EscapeFromTicketing”,istogivehisdownlinestaff,hopeandguidancetogetthroughduringthetoughtimesfacedbytheTravelIndustry.

Contents

1.Acknowledgement

2.Introduction

3.Planning

4.PreparationbeforeTakeoff

5.Thought-process

6.ToLiveTravel&Tourism

7.HistoryandOverview

8.SomeRulesandCodes

9.OTAs(OnlineTravelAgents)anditsimpactonASKHOLES

10.ObservantTravelAgent

11.WhoamI

12.SpeakUp

13.Chaos

14.Rulestofollow

15.ChallengesandChoices

16.Development

17.ADMs

18.Competition

19.MyJourney

20.TheNarcissist

21.TheJoyofFlying

22.FlytheGoodTimes

23.BeforewegoExtinct

24.TheChange

25.ProtectingtheInterest

26.Conclusion

1.Acknowledgement

ThisbookisfirstandforemostdedicatedtomyTravelfraternity.AllmycolleaguesintheTravelAgency,withwhomIhaveworkedforthelast33years.TheirimmensefaithinmeandtheiryearsofdedicationtotheTravelagencydeservesaspecialmention.Themanypeoplewhohadthedistinctionofgettingtobetrainedundermyguidanceandwhohadthepatiencetobearwithmearetheonestowhomthebookisasincerededication. The needofthehourisforthesepeopletowakeupandtakecertainhardcallsinlife. This bookisdedicatedtopeoplewhoactuallyinspiredmetowriteandtoeachofthemIwouldwishtoextendmyhandofgratitudeformotivatingmetowrite.Allmyfamilyanddearfriendshadthefaithinmetopulloffthisfirstventure.Theencouragementfromyouwassomethingthathelpedtotakethisstep. The bookwouldnothavebeenwrittenhadInevercomeintothisindustryandforthatthefirstpersonwhomademerealizemypotentialwasMrLeslieD’Souza.SirLesliewasanex-staffofAirIndia,whoafterretirementwasteachingat“SoundTravelandTourism”Instituteinthelate80andearly90s.HisteachingactuallyhelpedmemakemydecisionofgettingintotheTravelIndustry.BeingaB.Sc.inChemistry,Ihaddivertedmychoicetothisindustry.So,IoweitbigtoMrLeslieD’Souza. My cousinSamsonDivekarwasthefirstpersonwhoplayedapivotalroleinmyjourneybecausethisjourneystartedwithhim.Webothwerebornexactly5weeksapartfromeachotherandthatwasthereasonwhywehaveremainedbestoffriendsfromourbirth.Bothofusstartedourcorrespondencecoursetogether.Hewastheonewhoforcedmetodothiscourse.Iforonewasnotatallenthusiasticaboutit.Heconvincedandcoaxedmeintodoingthis.IcontinuedwiththecorrespondenceandlaterwhenIpassedthat,mylikingandflairincreasedandthenIchancedupon“SoundTravelandTourism”Institute. Many peoplehavegivenmetheirinputsintothisandforthem,Ihaveaspecialthanks.ToVikramPaul,IoweabigthanksforbelievinginmethatIcouldpullitoff.Hegavememanyinputsinthesearchforthislight.ToAmarAttawala,Iowethanksforprovidingmewithvitalcontributionsatregularintervals. I oweabigThankstoMrEzekielMalekarfromDelhi,who waspushingme,timeandagaintogethisdone.HewasaftermetocompletethissothatIcouldmoveaheadtomynextbook.Hismotivationwassoinspiringthathenotonlymademebelieveinmyself,buthestirredmysoultowardstherightpath. I wouldliketomentionhere2peoplewhoarenotapartofmyphysicallifeanymoreandwhowouldbeprouduptherewhentheyknowaboutthisfirstventure.Mymotherandmyfather.MyMother-Estherwhopassedawayon19August 1991-30yearsbackwhowasmyguideallthroughmychildhood.MyDad-JonathanSolomonRaymondwasanAdvocatewhopassedawayon30October2013-7yearsback.IamsureifDadwouldhavebeenhere,thisbookwouldhavelookedbettertoread.Hisinspirationandhisflairtowardsspeakinganddraftingwerewayaheadofme.Hewas,isandwillalwaysbethesoleinspirationformeinwhateverIdointhislife. Reading andwritingwasalwaysmypassionandIoweitbigtimetoallthewriterswhomIhavereadandbeeninspiredby.

2.Introduction

Onedayyouwilltellyourstoryofhowyouovercamewhatyouwentthrough,anditwillbesomeoneelse’ssurvivalguide.

Letusstartbylookingatsomequestions?Becauseiftherearenoquestions,wewillnotfindorgettheanswers.

Whydosomanyprudentpeopleinvestinbooksandcoursesonmoneyandyetveryfewpeopleactuallyaccomplishitandreachthegoal?

Whyisitthatthepeoplewhomakethemostprofitsoutoftheincomeandprofit-makingcoursesarethepeopletosellthecourses?

Whyisitthatindividualswhoactuallyseemtoachievesuccessortriumphoversomething,payahighpriceforit–intermsoftheirrelationships,theirfamilies,andtheirhealth?

IwantedtoelaborateonQuestion2.Howmanyhaveyourealizedthatanycourse(PrivatecourseorDiploma)ismoreprofitablefortheinstitutethanthestudents?ItisaknownfactthatyouopenaTailoringshopyouwillnotearnasmuchifyouopenaTailoringSchool.YouopenaHotel(yesithasalotofprofits,still),youwillearnmoreifyouopenaCateringCollege.YouopenaTravelAgency–youwillnotearnasmuchifyouopenanIATATrainingInstitute. Probably theanswertothisliesinthefactthatmostofthepeopledeepdowndonotwantanddonotintendtobesuccessful.Instead,theywanttobefulfilled,satisfied,andthatfeelingofhavingdeservedit. Thereisadifferencebetweensatisfactionandachievement. Iamsureyoumusthavegotconfusedwiththisstartifwemustgiveimportancetowhichaspect.IdonotwanttogiveanyoneafeelingthatamIgivingimportancetobeingsuccessfulorbeingsatisfied.Wellformebothareimportant.Whichaspectyouwanttogiveimportancetoistotallyyourprerogative. I hadalsoreadthatMoney(Abundanceofitalso)isapoorsubstituteforfulfilment.Wealthisgreat,butsoissatisfaction.Bothhavetheirownplaceofimportance.Itisforeachindividualtodecidewhichoftheseyouneedtogiveimportance. This bookismeantfortheTravelIndustry–MyTravelFraternitywhichIamproudof.Ihavebeenapartofitfor3decadesplusnow.Ihaddreamtofwritingthisforalongtime.Thiseditionof“EscapeFromTicketing”,needstobereachedtotheIndustryandmoresotothedownlinestaffwhostrivesohardtoaccomplishtheirgoals.Idohopetheamountyouspendonthisbookwillbeworththetimeyouspendreadingitandwillgiveworthtothisoutcome. What incitedmeactuallytotakewritingthisbook?Manyinstancesgiveyouanimpetustodosomethingdifferentinlife.Thatimpulsedidexistforalongtime,buteveryimpulseneedstobetriggered.Thetriggercancomeinvariousforms.Itcanstimulateyouremotionalreactiontomakeyouorbreakyou.Thecircumstancesaroundyoualsohelp,especiallywhenthereisanopponentwhoishell-bentonwantingyounottosucceed.Withoutanopponent,youcannotachieveanythinginlife. Well, onefinedaysomeonecallsmeontheintercomandsays,“Yourfutureisinmyhands”.Thatsomeoneactuallyhadlesserexperiencethanmebutthepower.Whenpeoplehavethepower,theycanuseitinthebestpossibleway.AssaidbythegreatAbrahamLincoln.“Nearlyallmencanstandadversity,butifyouwanttotestaman’scharacter,givehimpower.”Somepeoplecannotmaketherightuseofpower. To besaid,“Yourfutureisinmyhands”,wassomethingthattriggeredalotofchangesthatweresupposedtocomeinthefuture.Firstly,howIwasgoingtoreacttoit,andsecondlyhowwillItakeitforwardfromthere,whensomeoneputsforthsuchachallengingassertiontoyou.WellasanormalhumanbeingIdidreacttoit.Whowillnot?AsfarasIwasconcernedtherewasonlyonepersonwhocoulddecidemyfutureandthatwasme.So,thereactionforsuchaclaimwoulddefinitelycomeout.Butmoreimportantly,itwasimperativewhatIdidafterthatandhowtonotgetaffectedandhowmuchtouseitforchangetohappenshortlywasforconsideration. This remindedmeofwhathappenedinJuly2006duringthefinalsofFootballWorldCup2006.TherewasalargenumberofpeoplewatchingthegameatthestadiumandanevenlargernumberofpeoplewatchingitliveontheirTelevisionsets.Itwassurelyagreatgameoffootball,butitservedasanallegoryformanysymbolicideaswhichcanbeinterpretedinyourownlifeincidences.  You wouldknowthatZinedineZidanewasevictedduringtheclosingmomentsofthegame.ZidanewasshowntheRedcardofexpulsionforsuddenlyhead-buttingMarcoMaterazzi,whowasanItaliandefensiveplayer.Itwassurelynotcomingfromoneofthegreatestfootballers.Notjustoneofthegreatestbutalsoexperiencedone.WasZidanenotawareoftheoutcomeofthisfoul?Itwouldnotonlycosthimhiscareerbutalsothegame(FINAL).Anditdid.FrancelosttoItalyinthatfinal. Come tothinkofit.ThiswassurelyplannedbyItaly.TheyplanneditinsuchamannerandtheoutcomeofitwasjustthesamethattheItalianteamexpected.ThatitwaseasytobeatFrancewithoutZidanewasaforegoneconclusion.Theonlywaywastogethimoffthefield.SomethingmusthavetriggeredtheangerthataveteranlikeZidanedidwhathewasnotsupposedtodo. No onewouldreallyknowwhatwassaidthatsuchafoulhappened.Andthatdoesnotmatter.WhattheworldsawwaswhatZidanedid.ButthefactofthematteristhattheinstantaneousreactionofZidanedidnotworkinhisownfavour.Thisnotonlytookhimoutofthegamebutalsooutofthegameofhisownlife,hisownobjectiveoflife.Thesearethekindsofopponentswemeetinourlives,liketheoneImetwhosaid,“Yourfutureisinmyhands”.Theyusethemostcompellingbuttonsthattriggeryouandinturn,triggerareaction.Itisthusyourreactiontoitthatmattersmost.Willyourreactionjeopardizeyourfutureorenhanceyourfuture?WhetheryouresistthetemptationtoreactwithaBUTTortouseyourwordsproperlytogetyourrevengelateratamoresuitabletimeiswhatdefinesyouasaperson.Iwishtosharewithyousomeexperiencesofthisindustryandpossiblyallowmyselftofindpeacewithmyownselfandinturn,ifyouallfindpeacewithyourselfandtheindustry,IwouldfeelIhaveservedacause.

3.Planning

Itwaswellthoughtconsciousdecisiontowritethe“memoirs”afterhavingbeenintheTravelIndustryformorethan3decades.ThisbookshouldbeabletogiveeachoneofmyTravelFraternityandBrethrenapossibleinsightintotheIndustrywhichwasonceconsideredthemostlucrativeandslowlyitbecameaplacewherethevaluesandaimsstartedchanging.Morewiththeadventofthenewergenerationsandwhen“processesbecamemorethantheactualbusinessinhand”. Iwilltrymybesttobringforththebestandtheworstoftheindustry,inthemosttransparentmannerandtothrowlightonthevariouschangingaspect. The TravelIndustryinthiscenturyisverymuchtheoppositethatitwasinthepreviouscentury.Ithasbeenadverselyaffectedbyalotoffactors.Withadverseeffectscomeschangeandchangeisgood.Changecomeswithalotofpositivesandsomenegativestoo.

Travelplanninghaschanged.Thefocusonfollowingaguidechangedtofollowingablog.Wegotmorehands-oninsightstomakeourplanning.

Bookingoftripschangedfromofflinetoonline.Permitmetosaythatnowthisisthenorm.Letusallacceptit.Twitter,TripAdvisor,andothersocialplatformsarenotonlygivingpeopleinformationbutalsoawaytocomplainiftheyareunhappy.Whethertheyarejustifiedisadifferentissue.IfyouareaTravelAgent(Owneroremployee)youhavetobesurethatyouareright.

LCC–Low-CostAirlineshavetakenoffmorevigorouslyinthiscentury.TheaircraftflownbytheLCChasgoneupsince2009.TheyhavealsoreachedInternationaldestinations.Thewastheneededcompetition,whichhelpedtopushdowntheprices.Theaveragecostofaflighthasbeenreducedtoamoremanageablelevel.Peoplecouldnotswapplaneswithatrain.

Thelodgingandboardingconcepthaschangedforgood.TheAirBreadandBreakfastconceptwasintroduced.AirBnBwasaboonformany.Whereelsecouldyouget7millionoptionsincludingtreehouses,penthouses,andevenhuts?Awidechoicewasonoffer.AirBnBhasanegativesimpactalso,buttheyhavemorepositivestolookupto.

KeepingintouchwithFamily,Friendsorofficewasmoreconvenientinthiscentury.YouneednothavetolookaroundforInternetcafé,oranyslowdial-upinternetaccess.Youcouldcheckintheairport,hotel,orabarandatthesametimecheck-intheSocialnetworkingsites. Inthiscenturyyoucantakephotographs,seetheoutput,anduploadthematthesametime.Youneednotwaittoreturnanddevelop/printyourrolls.

TravelTechnologyhaschanged.Youdonothave“KINDLE”and“I-PODS”only.Younowhavenoise-cancellingheadphonesandBluetoothspeakers,portableharddrives,aUSBcharger,andaGPStracker.Whatmoredoyouwant?

Sustainability,TravelTrends,etc.AllthischangedthewaywelookatourTravelandTourismIndustry.Therewillbemanyaspectstolookathere,buttheintentionistohighlighttheimportantoneswhichaffectedtheTravelIndustryanditsgrowth–positivelyandnegatively.

ThefinalfactorandrightnowthemoredefiningmomentthathashittheTravelandTourismIndustryisthepandemic,Coronavirus,Covid-19,whateveryouliketocallit.Oursisnottheonlyindustryaffected,butoursisthemostimpactedindustrywhichhastakenasteepfall.Thetechnologicalrevolutionthatmadetravelallthemoreviable,easy,andaffordableinthiscenturyishelpless.Helplessnotbecauseitcannothaltthespread,butithasno answerastohowtosustainthisindustry.NootherindustrywouldhaveclosedthedoorsonitsstaffasmuchaswhatourIndustryhasdone.Ifyouthinkaboutdecidingwhatisthelossthatpeoplehavesufferedandtakingaglimpseofit,willbedifficulttovisualize.Thestatisticschangeasquicklyasthevirusproliferates.Itispredictedthatthelossishuge–around75millionjobsandUS$2.1trillioninrevenueandincreasingworldwide. This impactistemporaryandshouldbetakenasawake-upcallbytheindustryfolks.ThereisnohidingfactthattheTravelIndustrywillbounceback,andIhopetheywillconsiderallthefactorsthatimpactedtheindustryevenbeforethatpandemichadspread.Maybethisiswake-upcallwasneededtogiveanafterthoughtfortheunsatisfactorysituationsthatneededcorrectivemeasuresandremedies.

4.PreparationbeforeTakeoff

PREPARATIONOFTHEFLIGHTBEFORETAKE-OFF There aretimeswhenyourcareerisdecidedmuchbeforeyouevenpassyour10thand12thStandard,buthereIwasamediocrestudenthavingdonehisScience,whowasnotsurewherehiscareerwasgoing.AfterfinishingmyB.Sc.inChemistry,andaftergivingafewinterviews,Igaveup.ThiswasnotwhatIwantedtobe.

“Ajourneyof1000milesbeginswithaSingle-step”.–LaoTzu Some peoplecomeintoyourlifewhenyouareakid,someduringyourschoolandcollegedays,somepeoplecomeintoyourlifewhenyouareintoyourSport,Club,Socialactivities,etc.Onesuchperson,whocameintomylifeamonthandaweekafterIwasborn,wasthepersonresponsibleformegettingintotheTravelIndustry.MrSamsonDivekar.Afriendandacousin,whowasoneofmyfirstpartnersincrime.Heluredmetodoacorrespondencecourse,(muchagainstmywill).AndweenrolledinIITCforthiscorrespondencecourseof3months.Andmyjourneystarted.Ipassedwithmorethan95%marks,andthatwastoomuchforapersonwhohadneverseen70%ever.ImmediatelyIwassearchingforTravelandTourisminstitutes,andIcameupon“SoundTravels”,(whichlaterbecame“Travelmart”).“SoundTravels”wasalsorunningthe“SoundTravelandTourismInstitute”atTulsianiChambers,NarimanPoint.  Here ImetmyMentor,myGuruMrLeslieD’Souza.Thismanknewhissubjectandwasafantasticteacher.Hemadeusallpreparedforthebasicexam.Duringthecourse,weenjoyeditalotandMrLesliehadhiswayofteachingaboringsubjectinaninterestinghumorousmanner.HavingnowgottheTravelandTourismbasicDiploma,gettingajobwasnottough.Asluckcouldhaveit,oneofthestudentswithwashavinghisIATAAgency.HegavemeabreakfromworkingwithhiscompanyandlearningthenuancesofTravelandTicketing.Allthishappenedinthelatterhalfofthe1990’sdecade. After havingdonethiscourseMrLeslieD’SouzaconvincedmetogoforIATA-UFTAA.Beforethat,Itookalotofexperienceinvariousagencies. Which bringsmetothequestionwhichallmustbewondering,“WhyamIwritingmymemoirs,myexperience?”“WhydoIwanttoconvertallthisintoasetofpages?”TheanswertothiswouldbelengthyifIstartpenningithere.Iamsuretheanswerwouldbeinallthecomingpagesandchapters,astowhyIdecidedonthis. Andcomingtothenextquestion,“Whatisthisbookabout?”

Thisbookisnotjustaboutmeandmyjourneyinthetravelindustry.

ThisbookisaboutthejourneyoftheTravelIndustryinitself.

ThisbookisaboutthetransformationofthisIndustry.

Thisbookisaboutthechange-overfromhandwrittenpaperticketstoprinterticketsandfromthattoE-Tickets.

ThisbookisaboutTravelAgenciesandtheirevolutionintoonlineTravelAgents(OTAs)

Thisbookisabouthowconsolidationchangedthefaceofwork.

Thisbookisaboutthedigitalizationofwork.

Thisbookisaboutpolicieshavingmoreprecedentoverworkethics.

Thisbookisaboutthediminishingvalueofstafftosatisfytheegoofvariouscommodities.

ThisbookisaboutthedifferencebetweenaBossandaLeader.

Letuscheckoutheretheimpact,trendsandthathaschangedtheshapeoftheTravelandTourismindustryinthiscentury. The identification,maintenance,andmanagementofthisthresholdofbalancewillbethesinglemostimportantrequirementforthetourismindustryofthe21stcenturyThosecompanies,institutionsanddestinationsthatperformthebalancingactwellwillattainthatelusivegoalofsustainabledevelopment.Thosethatdonot,orwillnot,willbetrappedforeverinviciousboomandbustcycles.Wesawhowthemajorplayersofthe20thCenturyhadtobitethedustinthe21stCentury.

Economicimpactandleakagefromtourism: Thisprobablyisthemostsignificanthotpotatoissueintheearly21stcentury.Asiancountriesseekingtomaximisetheeconomicimpactbyfirstkeepingmoreearningsathomeandafterthat,withintheregion.Thisresultedintheincreasedadvancesofglobalmultinationalgroupswhicharesendingmoreandmoremoneyoutintheformoffranchise,distribution,managementfeesandvariousotherformsofearnings.Asexpected,universities,localresearchthink-tanksandregionalgroupingsliketheUnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCommissionforAsiaandthePacificarefocusingintensivelyonthissubject.ThisimpactisseenwiththekindofTravelAgenciesthathaveemergedinthiscentury.

ExtensionofU.S.influencethroughoutthetravelandtourismindustry: ThemostobservablesignsofU.S.existencearemovies,fast-foodchains,hotels,airlines,themeparks,creditcardcompanies,media,andInternetdistributiontechnology.TheseprominentsignsofU.S.presencehavegrowntremendouslyinthiscenturythroughoutPacificAsiathroughequitydeals,management,andfranchisecontracts.Astourismisahigh-profileindustry,theresponsefromlocalcommunitieswasunpredictable,especiallyinplaceswheresuchimagesarenotpopular.

Impactofglobalisation: Thisislinkedtopoint2butimpactedtheissueslikeenvironmentalandconsumerprotectionregulations,changesincurrency(suchastheimplementationoftheeuro)andaviationpolicies.Whileliberalisationofbureaucratictradepractisescontinued,PATAregionNTOsareunderpressuretoshowthattheyarenotbeingdictatedtobyoutsidepowersnorgivingmorethantheyaregetting.

Greaterliberalisationofvisas:SeveralmajorregionalconventionsliketheAsia-PacificEconomicCooperationandASEANhavethree-foldissuesontheiragendasgiventherecognitionthattheyaremajorobstaclestotheflowofpeopleandgoods.Stepbystep,thesebarriershavefallenascountriescametotermswiththenewrealities.Somewereencouraged,andsomewerepushed,tomakethechanges.

Taxation: Countries,statesandevencitiesthatgavetaxbreakstothetourismindustrywereadvertisingitasapromotionaltool.Inmanycountries,therewasatendencytodotheopposite,i.e.,totaxtravelandtourismbecausevisitorsdonotvote.Thatwasadelusion;visitorsvotewiththeirfeet.Theygoelsewhere.Monitoringmechanismswerekeepingawatchonthesetaxincreasesintheformofaperformancescorecard.Asiandestinationshitbycurrencydevaluationsdidnotfarewell,mainlybecausetheyhadtoadjustvariousairporttaxesinlinewiththeextentofthedevaluation.

Socialissues: Thehardestworkfortheindustryliesinconvincingitsconstituentsthatitisnotanindustrybytherichfortherich.InmanypartsofAsia,luxuryhotelsarestillanincongruous(odd)embarrassmentinthemidstofsurroundingpovertyEitherostentation(flashiness)willhavetobereplacedbymodestyortheindustrywillhavetoworkharderatexplainingwhyitispayinghousekeepersasmuchasitchargesguestsfor20cupsofcoffee.Non-governmentalorganisationsstillblametravelandtourismforabettingtheproblemofchildprostitution,eventhoughtheindustryisworkingveryhardtocombatit.

Employment: Astheindustrygainedgreaterrespectabilityandrecognition,itattractedmorethanitsfairshareofqualifiedyoungpeopleseekingtoseetheworldandenjoythesightsandsoundstheyareexposedtoovertheInternet.MobilityincreasedasInternetwebsitesallowpeopletofindworkindifferentpartsoftheworld.Therewasagreatdemandforpeoplewithlanguageskillsandtheabilitytoworkindifferentcultures.

Safetyconcerns,crime,andpoliticalproblems,includingterrorism,dictatedtheagendas.In1998,manyPATAdestinationssufferedfromsuchchallenges,leadingtoamarkedincreaseinvisitorarrivalsinplacesfreeofthem.Somecountries,includingafewwithinthePATAregion,exploitedthemiseriesoftheircompetitorstostresstheirpoliticalandeconomicsafetyinanattempttoregainmarketshare.Thestruggletocomeupwitheffectivecrisismanagementscenariosforthetourismindustrycontinued.

Influenceoforganisedcrime:Thecash-richstatusoftheindustrywasaconvenientchannelforglobalmoney-launderingrackets,especiallythroughcasinos,realestatedealsandpurchasesofluxuryitems.Thisattractedtheinterestoflawenforcementofficersandwasasubjectofmanyamediascandalasprominentinvestorswereandareidentifiedaspotentialsuspects.

Technology: Itisacceptedthattravelagentshavebecomearegularpartofthedistributionequationandtheirearningswerebasedontheirproductivity.Newmulti-channelstrategieswereannouncedbyairlines,andHotelsfollowingsoon,involveddistributingtheirproductsthroughtheInternet,directsales,frequentflyerdatabases,corporatesuppliers,andagents.

Environmentalissues: Thetravelindustryhadgotthemessagethatastrongenvironmentalethicwasattheheartofitssurvival.Hotelchains,airlinesandtouroperatorsrespondedenergeticallytocallsfortheindustrytoprotectthelong-termviabilityofitslifeline.Travelandtourism'smainproblemremainstheenvironmentalimpactofotherpollutingindustriesintheneighbourhood.

Airlinesandaviation: Theglobalpoweroftheairlinealliancesbegantomanifestitself,parlaying(doublingup)intocode-sharing,jointpurchasing,databasemarketingandmoreallianceswiththesmallerairlinesofAsia.Airlinesareinaheaviercost-cuttingmoodthaneverbefore.Privatisationofbothairportsandairlinescontinuedtoimpacttheindustry.

Across-the-boardalliances betweenthepublicandprivatesectors.Asaccesstodatabasesbecamecritical,anddirectmarketingbecametherage,theseallianceshavedriventheindustry. Oneinterestingtrendisthegrowinglinkbetweentourismanditsassociated/supportiveindustriessuchasagriculture,textiles,gems,andjewellery,retailingandevenarts/culture.Aproductsoldtoatouristisasgoodasaproductexported.

Hotels: Asianhotelswere/areinformajortake-oversandexpansioneffortsbythebrand-nameU.S.-ownedchains,especiallyfranchiseoperatorswhoseoffersweredifficulttoresistorrefuse.Asbrandinggainsstrength,theunbrandedfoundthemselvesisolated.Brandedhotelsreceivethebackingofmarketingandnetworkingpower.IntheU.S.,somebrandedhotelsarealsoreceivinglow-interestorno-interestloanstohelpthemwithrenovations.

Cruiseandmarinetourism–Havetakenoffinabigwaythroughouttherivers,seas,andoceansofAsia.ButmajorupgradingofstandardsandimprovedfacilitationwasnecessaryifAsiaistocompeteagainstEuropeandtheCaribbeanandHawaii.

Tradeshows: Theclutterofinternationaltradeshowsbrokeupintosmallerniche-marketshowsfocusingonbothcountriesandproductcategories.Thisopenedupopportunitiesforbuyerstospecialiseinvarioussegments,butthisalsorunstheriskofputtingtheireggsinonebasket.

TheemergenceoftheMiddleEast: Likelytostartrunningoutofoilinthiscentury,andwithnootherresourcestosell,manyMiddleEastcountriesgraduallyturnedtotourism,capitalismontheirhistoriccultures.DubaiisasusualattheforefrontandplaysaprominentroleinguidingthetourismdestiniesofotherGulfcountries.

Growthinreligioustourism: ThepublicityandpromotionoftheBethlehem2000project commemoratethebirthofChrististhemajorcatalystforarevivalinreligioustourismglobally.Holidaypatterns,too,areheadinginthatdirection.Spiritualrejuvenationisquitelikelytobenext.

Holidaytrends: AstudybytheWorldTourismOrganizationontheimpactofglobaleconomicchangesonemploymentandholiday-takingpatternsconcludedthattherewasatrendtowardsmoreandshorterholidaysagainstfewerandlongerholidays,mainlyduetotimeconstraintsandjobinsecurities.Thoughlabourlawsandworkingconditionsinmanycountriesaremovingtowardsgivingmorefreetime,corporatedownsizingisleadingmanyexecutivestoworkovertimeanyway,mostlyathome.

Theemergenceofsecondarycities,bothassourceanddestinations.Inthelastcentury,mostoftheworld'stouristshaveoriginatedinthemajorcitiesandheadedforthemajorcities,usuallyasaninitialstoppingoffpointen-routetosomewhereelse.However,worldwide,therearehundredsofstateandprovincialcapitalswithsizeablepopulations,allgotapieceoftheaction.Asthesecitiesemergedfromthebackwaters,increasingairlineandtransportationlinkshelpedthembecomeinbound/outboundmarketsintheirownright.

5.Thought-process

Thought-process&ManualtoE-Tickets The thoughtandthejourneytowritethisstartedtodevelopintomymindinmid-2019whenmymindwastotallysureofleavingthetravelindustryandlookingtoworkoutsidethisindustry.BUTcontinuetoworkandfightfortheTravelFraternity.Itissaidthatyoucannotblamethepositionandthechairwhenyouareinthechair.Itisalwaysbettertoleaveyourchairandthenyoucandojusticetoyourwork.Inotherwords,“YoucanmovemeoutofaTravelagency,butyoucannotmovetheTravelAgentoutofme.” Foresight andHindsightworkwonderfullywhenthingswanttogoyourway.ComeMidOct2019,andtheurgetomoveoutoftheTravelIndustrywasgettingmoreintense.Theheartandthemindwerehavingatusslewitheachotherandon26Nov2019,Iputmypapers.Adifferentchapterwilldefinitelycoverthistimebetween26Nov–26Dec2019.Thiswasthemosteventfulonemonthofmycareer intheTravelIndustry. Whatbetterday!!ThentheDayafterChristmas!!ThewaythingspannedoutaftertheendofFeb2020.ThiswasthetimewhentheentireworldwasgettingintoaphaseofYesandNo.Isitthere?Isitnotthere?ThepandemicofCoronaviruswasspreadingslowlyandsteadilyhavocallthroughouttheworld.ThisphaseofCovid-19andthewavesthatfollowedbroughtalotofchangenotonlyintheTravelIndustrybuttheentireworldassuch. The journeyhasneverbeensmoothforthisindustryandmanychangesandadversefactorshavealwaysbeenreflectinginachallengingmanner.Thechallengescamemorefromwithin,ratherthanoutside. AndwithinChallengesaresodifficulttomeet.Thesechallengesmentallyprepareonetodealwithadversaries. Manytimes,theseadversariesarenotinfrontofyou,butinsideyou.Yourownthoughts,yourinstincts,andyourdesirescanbecomeyourenemies.Anddealingwiththisfoeisdifficultthandealingwiththeadversaryinfrontofyou. Let us haveaninsightintotheSagaofchange.Ofcourse,thisisentirelyfromtheanglewithwhichIamlookingatitandwellweallknowtheTheoryofRelativity,asperspectivescandiffer. The firstchangethathappenedandasortofarevolutionarychangewastheintroductionofE-Ticketing(ElectronicTicketing)thatwhichreplacedthePaperTickets.Fromthe70stothe90sandearlyofthiscenturywehadPaperticketswhichhadJacketsandcoupons.Andinterestinglyeachairlinehaditsownstock.SomuchsothatwehadtheLockerswithtonsofjacketspiledbyalltheairlines.Thentheprocesseased,andwehadIATAticketswherewehadtovalidateitthroughamachinewiththevariousairlines.Thus,nowwedidnothavedifferentticketstocks,butonecommonIATAstock.Inthisconcept,theticketnumberswereinaserialorderonlythefirst3digitschangedtotheAirline3-digitcodes. For E.g.,youwouldhave098-4545361461astheFirstticket.Thenextticketwouldbe125-4545361462.Andthenext220-4545361463.Ifyouobservethisorder: 098-4545 361461 125-4545 361462 220-4545 361463 The abovenumbersarechanginginorderof461,462,463,andsoonbutthefirst3numbersarechanging,andthefollowing10digitsaretheticketnumbers.Intheorderof4-3-3.Weweretaughttogivethe10-digitticketnumberintheorderof4-3-3only.ThefirstticketisonAIRINDIA(098),thenextoneisonBRITISHAIRWAYS(125)andthenextoneisLUFTHANSA(220).Thisprocessbecamesimpler.Ofcourse,stillhandwrittenticketingwashappening,andweallwereverycomfortablewithit. Also, therewassomethingasacheck-digitwitheachticketnumber.ThecheckdigitschemeusedfortheDocumentNumbersandStockControlNumbersofplaneticketsiseasytounderstand. The stockcontrolnumberonthisticketis5530516478anditscheckdigitis4.Thewaythecheckdigitiscomputedistodividethewholecontrolnumberby7,andthecheckdigitistheremainder. Similarly, fortheDocumentNumber,youtakethewholething(0371059836617)anddivideitby7.Sincetheremainderis1,thecheckdigitis1.Thisschemewillcatchmostsingle-digiterrors,aswellasmosttranspositionerrors. As dayspassedinthiscenturynow,ourhandwritingwasnotacceptabletomanyoftheairlines.Yousee,blokeslikeushadthedirtiesthandwritingandnowwasthetimetochangeandswitchover.Nowweweregettingintopartautomation.Tillthistime,weusedtomanuallypassticketnumbersintheBookingtoconfirmthatticketisissued.Nowwehadtopasstheticketingcommand.Oncethatcommandwaspassed(TTP),theseticketswereprintedontheDot-matrixprinter.The3-digitairlinenumericalcodeandthepreceding10-digitticketnumberprocesswerethesame.Withtimeas2004came,eventhiswasgoingtobe passé.We weregettingintoElectronicTicketing.Allpaperticketswerebeingphasedout. The initialmajorshiftintoautomationwasstartedbetween1994–95.WhentheGDS(GlobalDistributionSystem)wasintroducedthroughCRS(ComputerReservationSystem).InIndia,therearethreeimportantGDSsystems: Travelport (Galileo,Apollo,Worldspan),Amadeus,and SABRE. The ticketingagent/staffpullsacard,marksittoindicateaseatisbooked;aticketismanuallywritten,thephonecallisconcluded,andtheindexcardisreturnedtoitscubbyhole.Theprocessforonereservationtakesbetween90minutesand3hours.Theyearis1953whenthisallstartedprobably.Thiswashappeningtill1994/95tilltheCRSwasintroduced.Weinfactalongwiththecardhaddocketsinwhichwekeptthecard,attimesthepassport,andvariouspapersrelatedtothebooking.Everythingwasmanual,wehadnoaccesstoanything.Everytimecalltheairlines,makethebooking,keepthetime-limit,passticketnumbersfromourstocktotheairlinesandthenmanuallyissuethetickets.Thissystemthoughnowsoundscumbersomeandfullofburden,wewereallorganizedproperlyinthosetimes.AsGDSwasintroducedweactuallyfeltrelievedofthis.Asofnow,wewouldbegettingdirectaccess.Fromtheearlierlaborious,ardentlydiscomforting,andspace-occupyingsystemwewereseeingthestepsofchange.Thestepsofgettingusinvolvedandevolvedwiththesystemandhavingafeelingofbeingapartofthismovement.Wenowfeltsophisticationcreepingintoourworkingcultures.WewouldbemakingthebookingsREAL-TIMEnow.Ourentireresponsetimeofgettingthebooking,makingthesame,andrevertingtotheclientwouldbe