Vol. XXIX Issue 21; November 1st fortnight i ssue 2017 A DDP PUBLICATION Pages : 88 ` 50/- ddppl.com TravTalkIndia.com TT_November-1st-WTM-2017.indd 1 03-11-2017 12:21:10 TT_November-1st-WTM-2017.indd 2 03-11-2017 12:21:13 Maya dazzles in Ahmedabad The fourth edition of the West India Travel Awards recognised and celebrated the achievers in the travel and tourism industry of the western region at Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre recently. The award winners were applauded for the efforts undertaken to develop tourism and hospitality over the years. Mahesh Shirodkar, Managing Director, Tamarind Global was DDP Game Changer Mahendra Vakharia0DQDJLQJ'LUHFWRU3DWKÀQGHUV+ROLGD\VZDV''37UDLOEOD]HU NE one of MOT’s focus at WTM World Travel Market London, a global event, responsible for reshaping the travel industry of the world is finally here. Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, who will be leading the Indian contingent at WTM, tells us how they are gearing up for their participation at this event from November 6-8. NIKHIL ANAND nies to find and network with Verma, Secretary, Ministry ticipation from the industry resentatives not just under The Ministry will also play nearly 51,000 travel profes- of Tourism, Government of and the state governments the Incredible India pavilion host to all the key tour opera- orld Travel Market Lon- sionals, key industry buyers, India, who will be accompa- to give a greater impetus of the Ministry of Tourism, tors and media representa- Wdon, the leading global journalists, digital influenc- nied by Meenakshi Sharma, to tourism in the country. but also in their own might tives that it has called upon to event for the travel industry ers, students and tourism Speaking about the focus in the form of independ- showcase some of the new is in its 37th year and re- ministers. Given the event’s areas for the delegation, ent pavilions. Elaborating initiatives of the government of mains as prominent and as proportion and proposition, Verma said, “This time the on the efforts in place to India in the tourism sector and opportunistic as ever for all India has always looked to nucleus will be sustainable further substantiate India’s also in the North East sector. the participating nations in- put their best foot forward tourism and we will be show- position in the global market Through these direct interac- cluding India. The three-day to attract bigger tourist num- casing niche products to our as a destination of choice tions with the global travel fra- mega event will bring to- bers into the country. This key and emerging markets. amongst international travel- ternity and media, the ministry gether almost 5000 exhibit- year, leading India’s delega- While UK and other Euro- lers, she further added “This is hoping to achieve a lot of ing destinations, technology tion at the World Travel Mar- pean countries have always year, we will be hosting an mileage and interest into India and private sector compa- ket London will be Rashmi been an extremely important India evening, and this will as a destination. source market for us, the help give a greater perspec- fact that WTM London will tive into India to the world Post WTM London, the India is partner country @ FITUR ensure participation from all representations who will be Ministry of Tourism will also Rashmi Verma over the world, makes it a present at WTM. Apart from be conducting roadshows in India is the partner country at FITUR 2018, which is set to Secretary be held from January 17-21 in Madrid, Spain. Hence, we will be Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India very key activity for us.” this there is going to be a key markets like Europe and participating in a very big way and the campaign has also been separate North East evening Canada along with emerg- planned for the event in and around FITUR exhibition. We have In recognition of the as well, which will focus on ing markets like Russia and many plans for it. Since the clientele in Spain is different, we will Additional Director General, presented platform, India fulfilling the tourism potential Japan. The roadshows will look at the countries which are participating at FITUR and offer amongst other ministry offi- has always seen a strong in the region by giving it the commence from the end our niche products as per their specific markets. cials. The Indian delegation representation of state gov- advertisement it needs at the of November and will span will also boast of a huge par- ernments and industry rep- global level.” across till March 2018. TT_November-1st-WTM-2017.indd 3 03-11-2017 12:21:17 TT_November-1st-WTM-2017.indd 4 03-11-2017 12:21:19 BULLETIN FAITH appoints new members The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality elected its team of office bearers. Nakul Anand, Executive Director, ITC, remains Chairman, while Subhash Goyal has been elected its Secretary. TT BUREAU tary of the organisation, while requesting the President to Garish Oberoi, Partner, Ho- inaugurate the same.” AITH has elected its new tel Uberoi Anand, who was Fteam of office bearers nominated by Federation of Talking about the path with Nakul Anand, Execu- Hotels and Restaurant Asso- ahead, he informed that they tive Director, ITC, reinstated ciation of India (FHRAI), has are planning to form an or- as the Chairman. Anand was been declared the Treasurer. ganising committee for the represented by Hotel Asso- Aashish Gupta continues convention, which will write ciation of India (HAI), while his role as the Consulting to the president. “We will also Akshay Kumar, CEO, Mer- CEO of FAITH. bring out the FAITH newslet- cury Himalayan Explorations, ter, which will be circulated nominated by Adventure Tour The election of the team Subhash Goyal to the members. We want the Operators Association of In- was done unanimously by Chairman, STIC Travel Group, taxation on tourism industry dia (ATOAI) is the new Vice- all the 10 member associa- India Travel Award Winner to not be more than 5 per Chairman. The apex associa- tions of FAITH. Goyal, said, cent, whether they are tour tion has created an additional “As far as the new team is country. We also know that operators, hotels or transport- position of Vice-Chairman, concerned, we are already Indian tourism industry is ers, we should be able to take and has elected Sunil on the right track so we’ll facing various challenges input credits so that net effect Kumar R, CEO, Travel World, continue with what we are and problems, so FAITH be- of the taxes on the package or for the same. Kumar was doing. However, I will per- ing the apex organisation, the product is not more than nominated by Travel Agents sonally make an endeav- will be taking up all those the 5 per cent. We will also Association of India (TAAI), our to closely work with the issues as well. We are also set up GET INDIA Exhibition of which he is also the Presi- state tourism boards, state planning to start All India once again. Last time, Prime dent. Subhash Goyal, Chair- governments and also the Convention, which will be Minister of India attended it man, STIC Travel Group, central government, so that the mother of all conven- and we are planning another nominated by Indian Associa- we may further carry on tions where we would like big exhibition jointly with Min- tion of Tour Operators (IATO) with using tourism for eco- all the ten associations to istry of Commerce focusing is the new Honorary Secre- nomic transformation of the get involved and we will be on tourism,” he added. TT_November-1st-WTM-2017.indd 5 03-11-2017 12:21:22 STATISTICS Make Incredible India a reality India has now released the second edition of the most well-recognised VIEWPOINT destination campaign in the world. But it will benefit from tweaking the gaps that have widened over the years. Excerpts from World Economic Forum’s white The WTM call paper titled ‘Incredible India 2.0 India’s $20 Billion Tourism Opportunity’. big contingent from India led by Rashmi orld Economic Forum’s tions and state-level bodies, of tourism boards, their roles Trending now W(WEF) white paper on no public-private organisation and activities, as well as out- The new single Goods and A Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, India’s tourism industry re- represents the industry, and comes. Their research found Services Tax (GST), applied on Govt of India, is heading to London, for the leased in September 2017 these bodies work independ- that most tourism boards in- the Indian hospitality market much-awaited World Travel Market. UK is outlines the country’s US$ 20 ently to drive forward their own clude a mix of public and pri- since July 1, 2017, is likely to the biggest market for India inbound, and billion tourism opportunity that agenda. No single ministry is vate-sector representatives. be highly detrimental to the lies underneath the issues responsible for all the policies industry. The GST proposed in hence WTM holds a special place for inbound that needs resolution. Its Glo- affecting the aviation, travel This White Paper also India is the highest across a tour operators. In fact, last year, India was bal Competitiveness Report and tourism industry. The Min- recommends a state-level broad range of markets in the the premium partner at the event and had 2016-17 ranks India at 39th istries of Civil Aviation, Tour- approach, with a proposal to region, amounting to 28 per a plethora of presentations to showcase at position, bringing it up 16 ism, Home Affairs, Culture create a pilot in a state that cent for hotels with room tariffs places in each of the last two and Road Transport and High- the event.