TAAI signs MoU with Mumbai varsity

The association continues its pursuit for education and has signed anMoU with DY Patil School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies to enhance academia and industry partnership for an MSc in Hospitality & Tourism Studies. Jay Bhatia will represent TAAI on the university’s advisory board.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has signed an academia-industry MoU with the DY Patil School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies located in Nerul in Mumbai’s Navi Mumbai region. It was signed on December 2, 2016 between Vandana Mishra Chaturvedi, Director, School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, DY Patil University and Jay Bhatia, National Treasurer and Chairman (Tourism Council), TAAI. The MoU is for three years to enhance the academia and industry partnership for the post-graduation degree of MSc in Hospitality & Tourism Studies. The signing took place at the second International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality held for the students at the university campus. Bhatia shall also part of the advisory board of DY Patil University (DYPU). Says Bhatia, “It is a great opportunity for TAAI to be associated with this program so as to ensure that this degree program is not just theory but also industry-relevant. TAAI will ensure internships and suitable placements for all students, conduct workshops and training programs, facilitate guest lecturers and mentors who are part of the industry, thus helping the students get ready to enter the world of tourism and hospitality.” He will represent TAAI as an Advisory Board Member of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at DYPU. SampatDamani, Chairman Western Region, TAAI, said, “We are continuing with our agenda to educate and mentor Generation Next with relevant training and making the curriculum updated and industry specific. It is a historic day for the industry when two giants like the DYPU and TAAI have signed anMoU to ensure students, who are our future, are keen to be part of the tourism and hospitality industry. Patience, flexibility and excellent interpersonal skills have to be developed by the students. Cultural sensitivity and awareness are critical as tourism professionals have to deal with different countries and cultures.