TRAVEL AGENT CONSORTIUM OF TRICITY(TACT) ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBERSHIP DRIVE TO INCREASE ITS SPHERE FOR MORE MEMBERS SAYS VINOD SHARMA | PRESIDENT | TACT

H.C. Gera | Bureau Chief

The business meets of TACT are never casual one. They mean business in the true sense. All members participate enthusiastically and discuss the issues of mutual cooperation and the new business avenues including the latest updates in the travel industry.

One such meeting held recently laid stress on several issues including the entry of new members from nearby areas apart from tri-city. The members were issued certificates by the TACT President Vinod Sharma, General Secretary Piyush Kohli and Sanjay Pahwa, the Editor in Chief of The Voice of Chandigarh.

While talking to Vinod Sharma, he stated that the first & foremost objective of the association is to provide recognition and to create awareness among the members. He further continued that another objective is to create an entry and exit level barrier and to prevent entry of outsiders in the Chandigarh region travel industry. He reiterated that another objective is to create harmony in conducting business between the members, conducive to the environment of mutual benefits.

On the issue of imposing 20% TCS on foreign spending Sharma said that it is not a big issue because this is to be paid by the Taxpayers. At the same time, the Government of India has already clarified that for overseas transactions up to 7 lacs, the client can book a hotel from anywhere on credit card without paying 20% TCS. However, there are few grey areas as well which need to be relooked so as to avoid any discrepancies.

Mr. Piyush Kohli, General Secretary while interacting highlighted that in fact imposing of 20% TCS for foreign tours is really not so healthy for the travel industry. Despite certain relaxations it may lead to other legal complications once the cash transaction is done by the client instead of booking through credit cards. But at the same time it is too early to say something on the issue because few more changes are expected to plug the grey areas. Regarding increase in the sphere for having new members, Kohli further clarified that besides having active members and outstation members, TACT has also made a provision for including members from other travel industry groups and tourism offices as allied members as per prescribed fee structure and other norms of TACT.