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India Increases Presence At ATM 2005
India this May brings its biggest ever Arabian Travel Market (ATM) presence
and is planning to launch a series of new products at the show. The move comes
as India plans to further boost incoming tourism from the Middle East, as traffic
from the region has been climbing gradually each year since 2003 with average
annual growth rates of 10 per cent, and a total of 126,000 arrivals being projected
for 2005.
 India
Tourism Dubai, the Middle East representative office of the country's tourism
industry, has committed to a 504 square meters pavilion, an increase of more
than 20 per cent compared to last year's ATM. This year's event is likely to
be attended by Renuka Chowdhury, minister of state for tourism, government of
India.
"Our participation last year was extremely successful
as we achieved substantial mileage with respect to the promotion of India as
the destination for the new millennium," said Prakash Jajoria, regional
director, of Dubai India Tourism.
"The Middle East is of strategic importance for the growth of India's tourism,
which currently accounts for two per cent of the country's GDP," added
Jajoria.
At the ATM 2005, India Tourism will launch a host of new holiday packages targeting
the region's budding golfing community and honeymooners. Special adventure holiday
packages will also make their debut. "We are hoping to meet with visitors
from the hospitality and airline sectors, as well as with travel agents, tour
operators and corporate travel buyers and the general public," he said.
Apart from India's many travel and tourism industry players which will be hosted
at the India Tourism pavilion, the country's representation will see a number
of stand alone participants, including the flag carrier and some major hotel
chains. Indian Airlines and Air Sahara will be accompanied by Taj Group of Hotels,
The Bird Group, The Grand Group, the Imperia and the Kumarakom Lake Resort,
in its ATM debut. The combined exhibition space occupied by these companies
is 122 square metres.
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