Exploring India as a Year-round Tourist Destination
Unveiling India’s Cultural Tapestry
India is not just a destination that can be traversed for a few months in a year but can be explored all 365 days. With 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 3700 protected monuments, there is a diversity of offerings and a vast tapestry of culture and culinary delights that one can experience here. With the ‘Wed In India’ initiative, one will also be able to sample the culture around marriages. This was stated by Manisha Saxena, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. She was delivering the Special Address at the inauguration of the 13th edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar at Jai Mahal Palace today.
On the occasion, Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan said, that through this invaluable partnership and collaborative efforts, GITB has been playing a crucial role in providing endless opportunities for networking, collaborations, and growth within the tourism industry. This edition of GITB holds special significance as it is dedicated to promoting Rajasthan as a premier destination for weddings. She further stated that in 2021, Rajasthan ranked 11th in terms of domestic visitors and 10th in terms of foreign visitors. She informed me that Rajasthan has recently secured the 7th position in the recent tourism rankings. There has been a massive boost in national and international visitors in the state, surpassing 100 million by September 2023.
Pioneering Sustainable Tourism Practices
Dipak Deva, Chairman of the FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee in his welcome address, said that this edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar will serve as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for the growth of tourism in the country. The GITB will provide networking opportunities for tour operators and travel agents, who play a pivotal role in shaping the travel experience for tourists. He further added that the tourism and wedding industry needs to work towards sustainable practices to make the industry more eco-friendly in its endeavours.
Nurturing Global Connections at GITB
Jyotsna Suri, Past President of FICCI, CMD, Lalit Suri Hospitality Group said, that over the years around 3,500 FTOs have attended and 1,23,000 meetings have taken place in GITB. The Bazaar has been instrumental in increasing the arrival of foreign tourists in India. She further said that India has immense potential for inbound tourism, not only because of its beautiful landscapes and monuments but also the hospitality and warmth of the people.
A Call for Cleanliness and Sustainability
SK Pathak, Secretary General of FICCI, highlighted the importance of cleanliness in the country to attract more tourists.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Director of the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, during the event.
Before that, there was a captivating dance performance themed ‘The Regal Wedding’, choreographed by Maitreyee Pahari.
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