The 13th edition of India’s premier B2B event catering to inbound tourism, ‘The Great Indian Travel Bazaar’ (GITB), commenced its proceedings at the Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, spotlighting India’s allure as a wedding destination.
Kicking off at the Jai Mahal Palace, the inauguration witnessed Ms Manisha Saxena, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, emphasizing GITB’s pivotal role in fostering substantial business ties and promoting India’s diverse tourism facets. In her keynote address, Ms Saxena expressed optimism about GITB’s future growth, citing its pivotal role in facilitating substantial business exchanges and showcasing India’s diverse offerings. She emphasized India’s status as a year-round destination, dispelling the notion of it being limited to the traditional tourist season from October to March. She highlighted the recent ‘Colocation’ initiative aimed at showcasing India’s cooler regions, Alongside spotlighting weddings as a focal point for this year, intending to highlight India’s rich cultural and traditional heritage associated with weddings nationwide. Additionally, she underscored India’s myriad cultural experiences, aiming to enhance the country’s appeal as a tourist destination.
Ms. Gayatri A Rathore IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, lauded the state’s holistic tourism approach and government initiatives aimed at bolstering tourism, particularly in rural areas.
Welcoming guests to GITB 2024, Mr Dipak Deva, Chairperson of the FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee and Managing Director of Travel Corporation of India, reflected on the successes of the Indian tourism industry in the past year, encompassing inbound, domestic, and wedding tourism. He highlighted the sector’s significant contribution to the GDP, accounting for 9.2% and providing 42 million jobs. He emphasized GITB’s role as a platform for collaboration, idea exchange, and showcasing India’s remarkable offerings to the global audience, urging a collective effort towards sustainable practices to safeguard our culture and natural heritage for future generations.
Dr Jyotsna Suri, Past President of FICCI and CMD of Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, underscored GITB’s role in shaping inbound tourism in India, foreseeing its expansion in the years ahead. She cited impressive statistics, including 3,500 FTO visits and over 123,000 meetings over the past 13 to 14 years.
Mr S.K. Pathak, Secretary General of FICCI, shared an anecdote from his discussion with a foreign delegate, urging stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring cleanliness and tidiness in the country’s tourism destinations. Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Director of the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, extended the vote of thanks. Mr. Kuldeep Singh Chandela, President of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), was also in attendance.
GITB, a testament to successful public-private collaboration, was hailed by stakeholders for its contribution to the tourism sector’s growth. GITB 2024, jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and FICCI, enjoys support from various industry associations. The event aims to position India as a premier wedding destination.
The evening unfolded with captivating cultural performances, setting the stage for policymakers, industry leaders, and tour operators from across the globe to converge at GITB 2024. Scheduled are over 11,000 structured business meetings, complemented by an expansive exhibition showcasing the best of India’s tourism offerings. Participants from various states and sectors are converging to explore collaborations and opportunities in India’s vibrant tourism landscape.
Collaboration between the Union Ministry of Tourism, Rajasthan government, and FICCI to showcase India’s wedding potential. Over 11,000 business meetings are slated among 250 FTOs from 50+ nations and numerous Indian sellers. A showcase of offerings from 300 exhibition booths, including DMCs, state tourism boards, and hotels.
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