The Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore ( TAAC ) was formed in the year 2015 with the objective of promoting both inbound and outbound tourism.
The Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore ( TAAC ) was formed in the year 2015 with the objective of promoting both inbound and outbound tourism. The association has more than 70 members belonging to the Chera region ( Kongunad and its neighbourhood ). Active Committee Member Vimal. F of Lotus Tours & Travels displayed a lot of enthusiasm while speaking about TAAC ," Our objective is to educate fellow travel business people. We belong to different backgrounds and all of us have experience. While some agencies are one stop shops, a few are specialists. Our members offer ticketing services, tour packages, hotel bookings, passport & visa services, local travel facilities among other things. Though the name ' Coimbatore ' is found in the name, we wish to state that the entire Chera region is covered. The Kongunad territory is included naturally as both address the same geography. "
Tamilnadu is divided into Pallava, Chera, Chola and Pandya regions for the purpose of tourism. This identification is based on historic origins. Coimbatore is part of the ' Chera ' region and Western Tamilnad is also known as ' Kongunad '. Coimbatore is the Rome of Kongunad. V.C.Krishnarajh is President of TAAC and K.Bharathi happens to the Vice President of the energetic association. Vimal. F is also the Joint Treasurer of the Tamilnad Travelmart Society.
The Secretary K.Bharathi was happy to share further, " The Government tourism programmes of other countries are promoted by the association. We make sure that all the TAAC members attend these programmes in order to keep themselves abreast with the developments. Our members have attended programmes connected with a number of countries which include - Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, Dubai etc., States like Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa and Karnataka are also in this list. "
TAAC is into a whole deal of things. It organizes a number of events and seminars regularly. The programmes take place at least once a month. A number of familiarization trips are undertaken by the members. A few international trips have been part of all this. Thanks to all this and more, the members have had been oppourtunities to visit Bali, Singapore and Sri Lanka etc., and have had regular familiarization trips to Thekkadi, Munnar and Kochi.
One Star Cruise is in the offing (for members ). Vimal is confident of the future, " Now the travel fraternity is better equipped than ever before. We are using the ' internet ' positively ' and therefore we are able to serve our clients very well. Meets with hotel clusters are really useful. Its mutually beneficial to everyone concerned. Business and fellowship get promoted simultaneously. These meetings help us to understand the infrastructure / facilities pricing, food, culture of the region plus precautions to be taken in order to have a comfortable trip."
The Association is now keen to increase in bound tourism and are working on plans for the same, " Our programmes should ensure that something is given back to the Chera region or the Coimbatore region. After all was this not the place that had hosted Romans and other foreigners nearly 2000 years ago. The Roman trial is still popular and we should be proud to share the fact that most of the Roman coins were discovered in our region. Books like ' Roman Karur ' by Dr.R.Nagaswamy, the works on the coins by ' Dinamalar ' Krishnamurthy, ' Kongunaattu Varalaru' by Kovai Kizhar C.M.Ramachandran and ' Coimbatore - Oru Varalaaru ' by C.R.Elangovan should help us.
However we need more material in English for its more international due to historic reasons. People should visit Coimbatore for shopping, higher education, for availing medical facilities, for buying jewellery, industrial products, cotton handlooms, adventure sports, to play golf etc., Places like Isha, Perur should attract larger attention and the ' Natyanjali ' at Perur could be reason enough for visiting Coimbatore. Heritage walks should be promoted in a big way.
Local food and visits to temples, heritage sites will help. A trip to the ' K ' Villages near Udumalpet, Kongu Ezhu Paadal Petra Sthalams, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Rajakesari Peruvazhi, Nine Sisters of Coimbatore, a visit to the double decker tower clock in TNAU, All Souls Church etc., will make visits interesting, " shared Vimal.
A visit to the museums of the city will be of great help. A calendar of events will help too because visitors can participate in those programmes state the members of the association. The benevolent lot ( TAAC ) have given Rs.150000 for Kerala by visiting Palakkad personally. " We want to invite people from around the country and the world to Coimbatore. The guests should be locally hosted and the programme should include a gala dinner coupled with a presentation about the region.
The guests should be taken around the region and given a first hand experience. This is sure to act as a big boost for inbound tourism. The proposed airport expansion will give fillip additionally. Golf tourism is one area that this region is good at. With so many hill and rustic getaways much can be done. Pollachi and its neighbourhood offer much promise. Programmes and modules will help and they should be followed up with action. Coimbatore region should be aggressively marketed by all of us. Every stake holder and service provider will be benefitted in the process, " added Vimal of TAAC.
The ' Roman Trail ' , cave paintings at Kummidipadhy, Gass Forest Museum, Basket weaving, brick making, Telungupalayam bone setting, the traditional food items of Vysial Street like Khus Khus Halwa, Pappurottah etc., will do wonders. The bakery tradition of the city is an asset. The sweets, chips, coffee, sambar, paakku, tiffin items, butter appam, chat, cashew pakoda , street snacks etc., are great ingredients for visitors will love it. The melon seed mysorepak is sure to be an added attraction.
Not many people are aware that the ' Coimbatore Sambar ' is part of the menu in the ' Akshaya Patra ' programme of ISKCON ( free food for 12 million children by the Hare Krishna movement ). Its time that this inititive is taken up organizationally. TAAC ( Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore ) has got it right and thanks to the right environment in Coimbatore, inbound tourism is bound to take off in a big way.
' Thangam Seyyadhadhai Sangam Seiyum ' holds good for this initiative by the Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore.