GITB hosts 11,230 B2B meetings
Tourism infrastructure development will get high priority in Rajasthan where the government has already undertaken 83 projects in 2018-19, according to D B Gupta, the State’s Chief Secretary.
Speaking at the ’11th edition of The Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2019’ in Jaipur on 28 April, Gupta said the Union Ministry of Tourism has provided a support of Rs.448 crores for various tourism products in the state.
The Chief Secretary also said that the tourism sector is a great generator of employment as a smokeless industry. “It empowers people at the grassroot level and provides employment in rural areas and generates more jobs for women,” added Gupta.
Gupta also said that State Government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have already signed an MOU for GITB to be held in Jaipur till the year 2024. GITB 2020 will be held on 19-21 April.
The State’s tourism industry has witnessed a record growth of 9.4% in domestic arrivals and 8.97% in international arrivals in 2018, according to Sreya Guha, the State’s Principal Secretary – Tourism, Art & Culture.
“The State Government is currently focused on creating an all-inclusive digital database for the State. This will provide a seamless experience to the traveller,” said Guha.
While India has a number of tangible tourism products it also has intangible products like folklore, cuisines, culture and customary traditions, added Aashima Mehrotra, Director of Tourism in the Central Government.
The Ministry is endeavoring to provide the global tourist these new experiences. “This will make India the preferred tourism destination of the world. Incredible India’s new website has been made more user-friendly and interactive for the ease of the tourists,” said Mehrotra.
A total of 291 foreign trade operators (FTOs) from 47 countries and 260 Indian exhibitors with 300 booths participated in the bazaar, according to Dr Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson, FICCI Tourism Committee & CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group.
GITB has witnessed 11,236 pre-scheduled, structured B2B meetings in the next two days, he believes. fiinews.com
