In a fragmented and fast-evolving tourism landscape, leaders with a long-term vision are few and far between. One such voice of influence is Jagdeep Bhagat, President of the Tourism India Alliance (TIA), whose mission to bring coherence, collaboration, and credibility to India’s travel trade sector has gained remarkable momentum.
Speaking with conviction and clarity, Bhagat outlines TIA’s ambitious membership drive. “We are leaving no stone unturned to expand our outreach and make new members across India and abroad to unlock new horizons for tourism growth,” he shares. With TIA’s member base having already grown to 225, Bhagat has set a bold target: to cross the 1,000-member mark by the end of fiscal year 2024–2025.
This surge in participation isn’t just about numbers—it signals a wider industry realignment. Bhagat’s efforts reflect a broader push for pan-India representation, empowering travel professionals from diverse regions and business backgrounds to come under one inclusive platform.
But Bhagat’s goals go deeper than expansion. He’s raising tough questions about industry representation and inclusivity. “Some of the OTAs in India have about 270,000 travel agents registered on their platforms,” he observes, “but the representation of travel agents in trade associations doesn’t reflect such strong numbers.” It’s a glaring disconnect that Bhagat is determined to address by making TIA more accessible, democratic, and truly representative of India’s expansive travel trade network.
What truly defines Bhagat’s leadership, however, is his emphasis on sustainable and inclusive growth. “Our focus is on fostering partnerships to work towards common goals, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach all stakeholders,” he says.
In an industry often driven by numbers and short-term metrics, Bhagat’s call for collaboration over competition and long-term, stakeholder-driven progress is both timely and essential. He envisions an ecosystem where tour operators, agents, state tourism boards, and local communities are equal partners in India’s tourism growth story.
In Bhagat, India’s tourism sector has found not just a representative, but a reformer—one who understands that building trust, uniting voices, and creating opportunity for all are the cornerstones of any truly thriving industry.
