TTF successfully concluded its 3-day event in Kolkata. This year marked the 25th anniversary for the event as it started back in 1989. Ever since, it has continued to grow successfully with every passing year and has become India’s largest fair in the travel trade sector.In the three-day travel show, the first half was reserved for the travel trade while the second part was open to the general public.
On the first day, the TTF event witnessed a great start and had several dignitaries being present at the inauguration and the lamp-lighting ceremony. Important guests included Bratya Basu, Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal; Madan Mitra, Department of Sports and Transport, Government of West Bengal; Dinesh Dhanai, Department of Tourism, Culture & Youth Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand; Abida Islam, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata; Zhou Maoyi, Vice Consul General, China and Dinesh Dasa, Board Member, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited.
A special conference, where all the guests of honour were present, was one of the main features of the first day. Speaking about how the event first started and the success that TTF has found nationwide, Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and CEO of Fairfest Media Ltd, organiser of the show said,“There was no place to go and choose the transport, hotel, initially there was no shopping mall for that. So we thought let us create a fair, a mela where tourists can come and shop around for various destinations. We have not looked back since 1989, and now it is one of the biggest travel and tourism fairs in the country. It is not only organised in Kolkata but all over in 10 cities annually, so counting those we have done more than 100 TTFs all over India. We are really humbled by the response which this great city of Kolkata always gives to this kind of fair. We all know that people of Bengal love travelling, not only within the state but outside also.”
He also emphasised on the importance of regions needing to collaborate in order to collectively boost the tourism sector of the region at the conference. “When people are coming from far-off places, they want to see all the regions in the place. So we need to collaborate further on cross-border tourism. We have heard of cross-border terrorism but now it is time for cross- border tourism,” he said.
Bratya Basu highlighted TTF’s success saying, “Must thank TTF and the way that TTF has created the fair since so long. This time it is very crucial especially because our hon’able Prime Minister has for the first time shared the motto of tourism. Tourism is the only word where ‘ism’ is attached. How do you define the crux of the ‘ism’. It is of course the attitude to life, the cultural mindset-how you look towards our society, world, how you look at environment. And for this TTF is organised and the tour operators are here for this. And the officials not only from the tourism department but others are also here. It is my privilege to be sharing the platform on Travel and Tourism Fair. This is an appropriate platform to meet hoteliers, travel agencies, tour operators, MICE panels serving India inbound, outbound and domestic tourism all under one roof.”
Zhou Maoyi said, “I would like to congratulate TTF –the largest tourism show in India. For India and China, both ancient civilisations, we have thousands of years of history and both are very rich in tourism resources. This year particularly is also the year of China-India friendly exchanges.”
Dinesh Dhanai who attended the event for the first time this year said, “Even I have just become a minister recently, but coming to Kolkata was very important. Uttarakhand shares deep ties with Kolkata and West Bengal. I felt very nice coming here and got the chance to state that Uttarakhand is safe. Nainital, Mussorie, Jim Corbett are all safe.” Uttarakhand had one of the largest stalls at the venue this year and also held a road show at the event. Speaking about tourism promotion in the state, Dhanai also added,”Tourists continue to come and the government tries to ensure safety of the visitors in spite of the rains. Government is ready with helicopters and doctors and has arranged several measures. Disaster forces are ready in case anything happens. Uttarakhand government has even made Victor Banerjee, the brand ambassador. He is popular in Bengal and has recently returned from Kedarnath. We have quoted him saying it is quite safe and thus encourage people to trust in the government. Uttarakhand’s slogan is ‘Atithi Devo Bhavo’ and we are ready to welcome all tourists who visit the state.”
K.S Reddy, Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh Tourism further presented a roadshow for his state. As Hyderabad is the location for the next TTF, it provided a vital opportunity to spread greater awareness about the next host state. The new motto for the state is ‘Everything is Possible’, indicating that the state offers a wide range of options. On the topic of new Chief Minister being elected, Reddy said,” Chandrababu Naidu has a good vision for Andhra Pradesh. He has come after 10 years and will give a great boost to Andhra Pradesh.” Tirupati and Kailasa were some of the highlighted tourist hubs. Borra Caves, Araku Valley, jungle areas, tribal preserves and Kalinga patnam—the historical area, were some of the popular sites mentioned.
A road show on Assam Tourism was held on the sidelines of TTF on the second day of the event. Dhrubo Hazarika, Secretary to the Government of Assam, Department of Tourism said, “Ever since 2000, there has been an increase in footfall in Assam. Earlier there was a fear-psychosis, but those days are gone. There is a new understanding of where Assam is heading both industrially and non-industrially. And non-industrially means tourism will remain a focus.” He further explained that the state is promoting 5 types of tourism that includes wild life tourism, religious tourism, golf tourism, river tourism and cultural and historical tourism.
Umapada Chatterjee, Director, West Bengal Tourism remarked about the importance of tourism. He said, “Tourism raises total employment, directly or indirectly and is a main sector of socio-economic development. That is why we should strengthen tourist infrastructure and facilities that tourists need. There are even many similarities between Assam and West Bengal.” He added further, “It is our duty to showcase the assets and tourist products so that tourists from other parts of the country and from international arena can visit our country and state in particular.”
A road show on West Bengal too was held at Eco-Park in Rajarhat. The host state for the event had an ideal medium to showcase its various attractions and tourism products. Debashish Sen, Chairman, WBHIDCO Ltd, describing eco-park said, “This is a glass house. It is fully air-conditioned and we hope to have several facilities like gym, meditation centres on the ground by the end of this year. Within one of the busiest cities, we can have tranquillity, peace, biodiversity and environment all here with a place to sit and even discuss business. We have a whole area – Robi Aranya that is devoted to Tagore, a mini-Shantineketan. We will request you to visit here again and send your tourists out here also.”
Various destinations within West Bengal were presented at the road show such as Kalighat, Dakhineshwar, Sunderbans, Mandarmoni, and Digha. The different subdivided zones–each promoting various forms of tourism such as religious, cultural and heritage tourism and attractions of Kolkata mega city and Ganges river were all highlighted. Significance of religious tourism was also given focus as West Bengal has many of the nation’s shakti piths and Kalighat, Mayapur, Belur Math are all well-visited sites.
Several awards were given out on the final day of the event. Most Exclusive Leisure Product Award was won by Gainwell Enterprises Pvt Ltd and Andaman Fiesta. Best Print Promotional Material Award was given to China National Tourist Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Assam Tourism, Punjab Tourism, Jharkhand Tourism and Bodoland Tourism. Most Innovative Product Award winners included Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Bengal Photography Institute, The Travellers, Youth Hostel Association of India. Group Participation Award was won by Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir Tourism.
Awards were also given for the various booths and pavilions. Best Decoration Award for the big pavilion was won by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, West Bengal Tourism and Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited. Best Decoration Award for the medium pavilion winners included Karnataka Tourism, Maharashtra Tourism, Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Kerala Tourism. Best Decoration Award for the small pavilion was awarded to Bangladesh Tourism Board and Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Best Decoration Award for booth was given to Switzerland Tourism, India Green Clubs and Resorts Pvt Ltd and India Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
Most Promising New Destination Award was won by Oman Tourist Office, Neptune Holidays Pvt Ltd for promoting Bhutan and Spring Vale Resort for promoting Zuluk. India Tourism won the Most Informative Booth Award.
The fair witnessed the participation of several private companies and state government tourism boards. Hoteliers, tour operators were all present at the event, including Gainwell Enterprises Pvt Ltd, The Pride Hotels, Makemytrip.com, The Traveller, 100 Miles, Vivada Corporation Pvt Ltd, Hotel Sea Princess among others. Exciting packages with discounts and easy transportation options were some of the attractive offers available. Trade visitors and the general public flooded the venue on the three days. State tourism boards marked a strong presence at the event. Their large and well-decorated stalls grabbed the attention of all those attending the event. China, Switzerland, Oman were some of the foreign participants. Special dance and song programs showcasing the diverse culture of various states was also organised and were a popular element of the fair.
Trade visitors greatly benefited from the event, as most had come to network and meet potential clients. Debdyut Chatterjee, a Simana Chadiyey Travels partner said, “Coming to TTF, we get reference from customers and get to network with everyone. We will come every year otherwise we feel something is missing.”
Both businesses and customers can now look forward to the next TTF event coming up in Hyderabad from July 11-13, as it provides further opportunity to network and connect with crucial suppliers,buyers and other members of the sector.
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