In an initiative to move closer to the set goal of getting 20 million inbound tourists by 2020, the industry stakeholders along with the support of Ministry of Tourism (MoT) floated India Tourism Mart last year. Following its resounding success, the second edition of the mart will be held from September 23 – 25, this year also. At a recently concluded press event, industry veteran and senior members of FAITH briefed the media on what to expect out of ITM 2019.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
Industry stakeholders, senior members from FAITH and Joint Secretary Tourism Shri Suman Billa, all came together recently to share details on the preparations for ITM 2019. With increased participation and interest, both MoT and FAITH are confident that the event this year will be bigger and better, setting new trend in Indian Inbound.
Sharing his views at the press meet, Suman Billa said, “ITM is a perfect example of a PPP model wherein the initiative is of the Industry while the Government supports the same from the back-end. ITM has been conceptualised on the principle of inclusivity and equity – it is open and equal forum for all players in India Inbound, offering them an opportunity to interact with quality foreign buyers without investing much.”
Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH, affirms that the selection process of both buyers as well as exhibitors is completely transparent and stringent enough so as to ensure quality participation during the two-day event. “We are not just looking at numbers but quality buyers, interacting with whom will benefit our exhibitors. More than 25 states would be participating and buyers from close to 80 countries have shown interest.
Sharing his thoughts, Subhash Goyal, Honorary Secretary, FAITH, “The objective of the mart is to have B2B meetings between the Indian Tour Operators (sellers) and the Foreign Tour Operators (buyers) thereby creating a marketplace to transact business opportunities for tourism stakeholders to enhance and increase India’s tourism potential in terms of tourist arrivals into India to reach 20 million tourists by the year 2020.”
ITM 2019 will be held at The Ashok New Delhi. While the event will start on the morning of September 23, official inauguration by honourable Tourism Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel and Honourable Minister Shipping and Transport Shri Nitin Gadkari, who will also be the chief guest, will take place at 6:30 in the evening.
