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SATTE event

SATTE 2015, South Asia’s largest travel show was organized at Pragati Maidan from 29th till 31st January. Chief Guest Mr. Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India graced the occasion amongst eminent ministers from across the globe, ambassadors and high commissioners of participating countries and key people from leading travel associations from both India and abroad. Supported by Ministry of Tourism and in association with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), SATTE 2015 was represented by the Ministry of Tourism, top travel associations from the domestic and global fronts.

Outside the SATTE event

The 3-day event had eminent business leaders share their views on the tourism and hospitality industry and the impact that India can make in this sector. International participants like the Philippines, Swedavia-Sweden Airports, Mexico Tourism and Central Asia have harnessed this platform and ventured into India for the first time. In addition, Bihar Tourism has participated in the event for the first time with Rajasthan Tourism and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces making a comeback.This year, SATTE witnessed new launches from participants such as:

Domestic destinations at SATTE

1. Lavasa (India’s first planned hill city):
Jetovator: Recently introduced, Jetovator is the world’s latest exciting water sports craze, the ‘Jetovator’ at Lakeshore Watersports in the hill city. The new ‘Jetovator’ that combines the acrobatic aptitudes of an aircraft with the simplicity of riding a motorbike – has been launched for the first time in India.
Segway: A unique mode of green transportation. Self-balancing mini-bicycle powered by a battery to tourists for personalised, unhindered and thrilling exploration. At Lavasa, tourists can now cover large distances with great ease and discover the lush green trails and scenic pathways.
A unique gyroscope technology and the lean steer riding way makes Segway, one of the safest and efficient mode of transport to cover large walking distances.

International Destinations

2.Google Hotel Finder (Developed by Jindal RHM Interactive P. Ltd):
Regarded as leaders in Google’s Hotels Business View and solutions, Jindal RHM Interactive is focused solely on delivering. Google Hotel Finder is a new age presentation technology that allow the hotelier to showcase the hotel property and the end users to virtually experience the hotel in the same way he would if he would be there. View it on computers, smart phones or tablets.

3.The world’s first real-time intelligent distribution platform powered by integrated data strategy: (Developed by RezNext Global Solutions, the world’s only true Real-Time Distribution Technology Company. It empowers hotels to adopt a distribution strategy that simplifies the complex global distribution environment and makes it understandable and manageable. It is integrated with revenue management, operating intelligence and powered with reputation management insights).

International destinations exhibits at SATTE

4.USA:Brand USA, in its 3rd year of participation at the travel Expo, was joined by the Las Vegas Convention, Visitors Authority and Visit California as co-exhibitors. Las Vegas recorded the highest number of visitors and anticipates a growth in the number of tourists. Utilizing this platform, USA introduced their innovation of maps through Instagram and Google. The service caters to the purpose of online trip planning with thousands of changing photographs constantly set on a geo-target for the international travellers. Visit California announced the launch of a travel trade website – trade.visitcalifornia.in to facilitate queries for travel agents in specific.

5.Thailand: The tourism board of Thailand launched the ‘Discover Thailand’ campaign at SATTE 2015. The brand participated with 50 co-exhibitors from the hotel and airline sections to ramp up potential outbound travel from India.

Fiji

6.Oman: Catering to the demands of destination weddings, the tourism board of Oman is looking forward to creating a niche as a popular wedding destination. In addition to establishing themselves in the wedding market, Oman is also set to begin a series of road trips that are scheduled to commence from April 2015.

SATTE 2015 conference delved on industry potential, existing concerns and the future by exploring new frontiers. Key sessions were addressed by UNWTO, Ministry of Tourism, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), FAITH, Creative Travel, Stic Travels, West Bengal Tourism, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Tourism Finance Corporation of India, Jammu & Kashmir Tourism, IIPTI, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, ITC Hotels, ITB, Berlin, India Golf Tourism Association, PGTI, DLF Golf Resort, TripAdvisor, TravelBoutiqueOnline, Internet Moguls, Value First, RezNext, Tourism Malaysia, TRAC Representations, Dubai Tourism, Turkish Tourism and Cox & Kings among others.

Stall of Malaysia at SATTE

Key sessions that took place at SATTE 2015 included topics like:

UNWTO: Indian Tourism growth and Opportunities;
Integrated approach and unified strategy must to give a major push to tourism;
Tourism – A Tool for Peace;
Golf Tourism in India: Challenges and Opportunities;
Promotional and Marketing strategy – Approach to adapt to changes in the Marketplace; and Technology, Digital and Social Media and One Common Marketplace – The changing face of travel in India.
The sessions delved on tourism in India: Issues and possibilities, suggested solutions, new frontiers and potential as summarized below:

At the entrance

Tourism in India is among the largest in the services industry and industry guesstimates project this to increase to 1 in every 9.6 jobs by 2020.
Though the country is ranked 41st in terms of inbound tourist arrivals, it is 16th in total tourism receipts as per the UNWTO.
Over the past decade, India’s rank in total earnings from foreign travellers has risen from 36 in 2000 to 16 in 2012.
A depreciated rupee has also made India an attractive option for foreign tourists. However, hygiene, visa issues, illiteracy, sanitation, safety and security of women travellers have become a deterrent coupled to taxes, visa issues, allowing other airlines to fly within the domestic regions etc. have now started to reflect in the overall revenue earnings capacity of the industry.

European countries exhibit

Travel and tourism contributed 2.2 trillion rupees ($36 billion) to India’s $1.9 trillion economy in 2013 as per analyst reports. The World Travel and Tourism Council projects this to rise by 12 percent each year over the next decade.
With the Modi government starting to drive reforms such as visa on arrival schemes, India is hoping to double the number of tourists visiting the country to 12 million over the next 2-3 years. This is expected to bring the country among the top 10 recipients of tourist earnings.
Committing safety and building on the ‘Swatch Bharat’ initiative; Rewriting tourism policies, Building Tourism circuits, Tourism enclaves and townships, showcasing new destinations and diversified tourism will certainly prove to boost the potential of the sector in India. India’s move to ease business opportunities in the country are another welcome initiative by the industry as a whole.
Upcoming sectors such as cruise and golf tourism present a potential for development. Each year 150 ships pass India; this certainly spells well for opportunities such as cruises. India has a huge coastal line but the lack of awareness and utilisation of resources is a setback to exploiting the opportunity.
Medical tourism continues to be a growing sector in India. India’s medical tourism sector is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30%, estimated to grow to about $2 billion by this year.
Indian Territory covers 75 per cent of the total Himalayan range, 4000 square km of the Sundarbans, 0.2 million square km of deserts and 1000 caves. Yet, India ranks at about 110th in adventure tourism at a global level. India also possesses internationally revered and must see heritage sites but ranks 65th in the world rankings for heritage tourism; with all this, the country’s potential to tap visitors is immense.

Hall no 18

Our Experience at SATTE 2015

As a travel and dining experience Business, Viharin.com witnessed the SAGA of SATTE in its grandeur form. We wanted to cover the full list of International and Domestic destinations including 43 countries and 23 states but could cover only few due to lack of time. If you are a travel agent and want to cover all of the destinations, then you would have spent atleast two days.

It was a great platform for travel enthusiasts or wanderers who want to explore International, domestic or both destinations. All Countries and states had their own spokespersons from Tourism ministry,Destination Management Companies and various hotels and resorts showcasing their significance in the tourism world. Airlines of countries who had participated had a great presence as well.

There was cafeteria and sit out area outside the halls.

Overall, it was a great experience to be there.

Nidhi KM

Copyright Viharin.com

Entry from Gate for SATTE