New Delhi: The Union Minister of Road ,Transport and Highways and Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Nitin Gadkari and the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the India Tourism Mart 2019 in New Delhi. The Ministry of Tourism and the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) have jointly organized this Mart. Over 240 international delegates from 51 countries and 160 exhibitors from across the country are taking part in the second edition of ITM.
Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari said that great positive outcome can be expected from the well organized Mart and the type of stake holders who are participating. India has language, culture and food, which attracts new tourists. We are focusing on cleanliness and infrastructure which will also boost the tourism sector. He added that tourism sector has employment potential and this is the most important agenda for our government. He expressed faith that the Tourism Ministry will show great results given its commitment to promote tourism and travel in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Prahlad Singh Patel said that collaboration of Ministry of Tourism and FAITH will increase the trust of tourists. India has diversity in its culture and I appeal to the delegates, they must visit our state stalls in the Mart. They will get to know about the beauty of our culture. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is our brand ambassador and we have seen this in Howdy Modi event. He added that tourism is the best way to connect to the world and our efforts are in right directions.
The Union Tourism Minister said that he is thankful to the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister for the recently announced GST rebates which will benefit the hospitality sector and will go a long way to promote tourism industry.
FAITH is the apex organization of important trade and hospitality associations of the country and will drive the event, with support of the Ministry of Tourism, with the objective of positioning the tourism destinations and products of the country in international source markets.
Buyer Delegates from important and potential source markets overseas have been invited to participate in the Mart and over 240 international delegates have confirmed their participation. These delegates are from 51 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UK, USA and others.
The Mart has an Exhibition area with approximately 175 stalls, where seller delegates from across the country, including Tour Operators, Hoteliers and other stakeholders will conduct B2B meetings with the international buyer delegates and where participating States and Union Territories will get the opportunity to showcase their unique tourism destinations and products.
On this occasion Tourism Secretary Yogendra Tripathi, DG Tourism Meenakshi Sharma, Chairman FAITH Nakul Anand, Chairman ITM 2019 Subhash Goel and other senior officers of Ministry of tourism were present.
