The Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) Mumbai organised an Educational Familiarisation (Edu FAM) tour to Varanasi and Ayodhya in June, offering members from Mumbai and Pune an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of two of India’s most popular spiritual destinations.
The tour was hosted by Balaji Travels, a Varanasi-based B2B destination management company with its own hotels, a fleet of over 60 vehicles and a team of more than 50 professionals. The programme was led by Managing Director Neeraj Neotia, while Maharashtra representative Abhijit Bhalerao accompanied the group throughout the journey.
The educational tour included visits to major tourist attractions along with hotel inspections, vehicle inspections, VIP darshan arrangements, interactions with experienced guides and cultural experiences. The itinerary was designed to provide participants with practical destination knowledge to better serve their clients.
Participants described the programme as an enriching learning experience that offered valuable insights into destination management, hospitality standards and travel planning. Many highlighted the seamless organisation and comprehensive exposure to Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
The initiative received support from ETAA National Board Members Jagat Mehta, Abhijit Khadilkar and Dharmesh Advani. The tour was led by Dipti Pradhan Thakoor, National Board Member and Events Head, while Mumbai coordinators Tejas and Vinod ensured smooth execution.
The Educational FAM strengthened members’ understanding of the destinations and enhanced their confidence in promoting Varanasi and Ayodhya. It also reinforced the growing partnership between ETAA and Balaji Travels for future destination promotion and educational initiatives.