The Hindu : Tourism Ministry to showcase `incredible India'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 22, 2002

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National

Tourism Ministry to showcase `incredible India'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 21. Buoyed by the 42 per cent growth in the domestic tourism sector, the Tourism Ministry is poised to launch a major initiative to give further boost to the sector.

While the slump in foreign tourist arrivals in the aftermath of September 11 and travel advisories against travel to India in the wake of India-Pakistan tension, might take a while to pick up, the growth in domestic tourism was encouraging, the Director-General of Tourism, V.K. Duggal said here on Friday.

Mr. Duggal announced the participation of over 40 countries at the 4th International Travel and Tourism Mart (ITTM) organised by the Ministry from September 27 to 29 at Pragati Maidan.

About 400 buyers and sellers representing various streams of tourism, travel and trade from all over the world are expected at the Mart.

The Mart will offer an opportunity to showcase various aspects of Indian tourism and to sell various destinations. It will be followed by a similar event in Kerala. Foreign participants will also attend the Kerala Mart.

Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Uttranchal are participating as partner States in the IITM, while Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu will participate as "focus States". Tafcon Projects are the event manager for the Mart with support from all renowned national and international tourism organisations and industry.

The ITTM will also coincide with celebrations of the World Tourism Day on September 27 and the annual Convention of the Federation of Hotel and restaurant Associations, one of the largest bodies of the hospitality industry.

To coincide with the year of Eco Tourism and Mountains, the Department of Tourism will organise spot painting competition in each State capital. It has provided Rs. 50,000 to each State for the purpose. In Delhi, such competition will be organised at the Delhi School of Art by the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation.

The Ministry, in collaboration with the Uttranchal Government, has invited 22 well-known artistes to paint "Different Moods of Himalayas" and their perceptions about mountains during their one-week stay at Ananda Resort in the Garhwal in Uttranchal.

Apart from that, to project India as an ideal golf destination, the Ministry will organise a two-day golf tournament on September 28-29 for senior executives of international airlines and tour operators around the world.

In a significant initiative, 250 foreign media travel writers and tour operators have been invited to see for themselves that India was a safe and friendly destination. "Incredible India'' is the new motto.

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