At the national elections of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), held at ITC Maratha in Mumbai on September 30, Sunil Kumar has been elected as the President for the 2024-26 term. Kumar secured a total of 306 votes, emerging victorious in a closely contested race. Joining him in leadership is Lokesh Bettaiah, who has been elected as Vice President.
The elections also saw Shreeram Patel being appointed as the Honorary Secretary, while Paras Lakhia took the role of Honorary Treasurer for the term.
Kumar faced stiff competition from two other contenders for the President’s post—former TAAI President Jyoti Mayal, who garnered 177 votes, and Harmandeep Singh Anand, who secured 286 votes.
Alongside the election of the national office-bearers, the Managing Committee for the upcoming term has been formed. The newly-elected members are P Lalith Kumar Jain, Hema RV Chander, Sameer Karnani, Rajan Sehgal, Manav Soni, Gopal Unadkat, and Amish Desai.
The elections followed the 73rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of TAAI, the oldest and largest association representing the travel agent fraternity in India.
Presutti has over two decades of experience in San Francisco’s tourism industry. Prior to taking on this new role, she served as Vice President and General Manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco, where she became the first female vice president for Nikko Hotels International in 2006. Her extensive background includes leadership roles at Kimpton Hotels, ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels, and Sunstone Hotel Properties.
