TravTalk India Online Magazine
Yummi Talwar, COO – South Asia, VFS Global, highlights the role of travel agents in India’s travel ecosystem, noting that they frequently serve as the first point of contact for travellers seeking visa-related guidance. Recognising their contribution, VFS Global recently conducted a six-city roadshow in India, aimed at deepening engagement with them.
Hazel Jain
VFS Global recently concluded its six-city India roadshow that was attended by more than 750 travel agents across New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Kochi. Organised ahead of the peak travel season, the roadshow aimed to strengthen VFS Global’s engagement with travel agents – key partners in supporting visa applicants. The initiative was supported by leading travel trade associations such as TAAI and OTOAI.
Talking about the event, Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “The response to our roadshows across cities has been truly heartening, and the positive feedback from the travel trade means a great deal to us.”
Talwar added, “Travel agents are an essential part of India’s travel ecosystem, often being the first point of contact for visa-related guidance. It’s important for us to remain connected with them, understand their concerns, and do all we can within our remit to support them and the travellers. These roadshows reflect our continued commitment to working closely with the trade community.”
During the roadshows, VFS Global introduced a dedicated referral programme for travel agents, designed to encourage closer collaboration and improve the overall visa application experience for its customers. Agents were also encouraged to advise customers to apply early for visas to avoid peak season delays. VFS Global reminded attendees that most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days in advance, with Schengen countries accepting applications as early as six months prior to travel. A strong focus was placed on protecting travellers from fraudulent entities. VFS Global reiterated that all appointments are free of charge and can only be booked via the official website.
Training sessions
The sessions also put spotlight on the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, an increasingly popular optional offering available on behalf of 19 client governments in India, comprising Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Switzerland and the UK. The service enables travellers to complete their visa application process from the comfort of their home, office or location of their choice. Agents were also briefed on Prime Time. FIT travellers who are hard pressed for time can book appointments outside of working hours using the service. For the UK, new temporary service locations has been started in India.
