Tag Archives: tourism

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has said that the tour operators are the most significant members of the value chain. “They interface with the customer & the markets and the role is going to get increased. They are the ones who get impacted by the changes in the industry,” he added.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has said that IATO has organized some great sessions and there will be brainstorming on various issues on how industry can accelerate growth and how both government and industry can work together. “I think this will be a very meaningful convention with lot of ideas to benefit the sector,” he added.

The parliamentary standing committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its 331st report said that with the increased competition among various countries to attract more foreign visitors, it is an imperative need for India to prepare a better marketing strategy by hiring marketing experts to attract foreign visitors.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has shared that they are looking at over ₹1000 crore to be given to the board for implementing the marketing and promotional campaigns. “It will cover different channels and the focus will be on country specific strategies and on digital platform,” he added.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, at the ITM in Aizawl, Mizoram, shared that sustainability has been a priority for the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector for some time, but it has become even more prominent due to the pandemic. “The Government of India is now focused on promoting the move towards green tourism. Green tourism has the potential to catalyse local economies, while also minimising the environmental and social impacts,” he added.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism has said that Indian tourism industry contributes to around 4.7 percent of the country’s GDP and provides employment to around 31.8 million of inhabitants. “If tourism’s contribution is increased to 10 per cent of GDP in India, it can create 26 million new jobs,” he added.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has shared that the National Tourism Board of India (NTBI) will have a separate M!CE Vertical plus dedicated M!CE promotion for India. “A dedicated funding of ₹50 crore has been proposed for M!CE vertical, which should go into incentivising organisations and associations for getting events in India,” he said.

Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism, J&K, has said that they are celebrating different occasions and festivals, like spring festival and early almond blossom festival. “In spring, i.e. March and April we have tulip festival. There are many summer festivals, winter carnivals and we have a houseboat festival. Such events help us convey a message that things are happening in J&K,” he added.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, while addressing the press at the WTM London, stated that India has achieved phenomenal growth in enhancing infrastructure, which along with massive vaccination drive, will help India to achieve pre-pandemic levels of international tourist arrivals. It also offers huge opportunities for investors and an Investor Summit will be organised by the MOT in February 2023.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, is leading this year’s Indian delegation at WTM, which is being held in London till 9 November. The delegation also includes Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, and other senior officials from the Ministry, besides representatives from the Indian travel and tourism stakeholders.