Hospitality, the TAAI way

FOR THE members of the travel-trade fraternity, it was a gala evening punctuated by fun and frolic with taped music, awards, and liquor flowing.

The occasion was the golden jubilee celebrations of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) at Hotel Ambassador Pallava, with the hotel authorities coming up with a novel idea of creating a mini bar which resembled a street corner ``Toddy Shop''.

Attired in Sangu mark lungis with full-hand shirts along with colourful ties, the star hotel ``waiters'' served the members of the TAAI and other special invitees.

The group was made up of the frequent corporate air travellers of Chennai, and the elaborate spread of food simply floored those who were present as the travel-trade got to see what the hospitality industry in this part of the world could offer, and vice-versa.

If it was an evening organised to foster friendship among the travel-trade and the operating airlines out of Chennai airport, the next week witnessed the massive congregation of Hotel and Restaurant industry as part of their annual convention that took place at Hotel Le Royal Meridien, which reinforced that Chennai, as the gateway to South India, was not only eyed by foreign carriers to open up newer non-stop air links but emerging as a major convention destination and the Government itself has resolved to construct a mega Rs.1,000 crore convention centre between Chennai and Mammallapuram.

When will it all happen ? Keep your fingers crossed.

By T.S.Shankar

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Section  : Southern States
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