World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 commenced on November 5 at ExCeL London, featuring a record turnout with over 4,000 exhibitors from 184 nations, making it the largest edition to date. Greece’s Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and WTM Director Juliette Losardo officially opened the event, with the Greek National Tourism Organization as the premier partner showcasing their cultural offerings. The event highlights the economic significance of the travel sector, with £2.2 billion in deals struck last year.

The World Travel Market is a prominent global event dedicated to the travel industry, gathering professionals, exhibitors, and speakers to discuss trends, innovations, and economic impacts of travel and tourism. This year’s event focuses on diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) while showcasing advancements in accessibility within tourism, particularly through Greece’s efforts to improve offerings for disabled visitors. Technology challenges in creating frictionless travel experiences are also a significant topic during the expo.

WTM London 2024 emphasises the travel sector’s growth and commitment to diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on accessibility and technology improvements. The event not only serves as a platform for international cooperation in travel and tourism but also encourages social responsibility within the industry, highlighting significant initiatives such as India’s e-visa and the Maldives’ sustainability efforts.

Original Source: news.gtp.gr

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India’s Ministry of Tourism is set to showcase its diverse tourism offerings at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 5-7, 2024. The event presents an opportunity for approximately 50 delegates, including state governments, airlines, and hoteliers, to promote India’s rich cultural heritage, wedding tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. The UK is a vital market, with a recorded 0.92 million visitors in 2023, prompting India to strengthen ties with the Indian diaspora. The newly launched ‘Chalo India’ initiative invites the Indian diaspora to recommend India to their non-Indian friends, offering them a free e-tourist visa to facilitate visits. The pavilion will also highlight unique aspects of India’s cultural offerings, including a mock wedding altar to represent wedding tourism. Additionally, focus areas include wellness, adventure, and ecotourism as India aims to create diverse travel experiences. Participating state tourism departments showcase regional attractions, emphasising sustainable travel and lesser-known destinations. This comprehensive strategy aims to position India as a globally accessible destination, expanding its tourist base, particularly from the UK, and enhancing the benefits of tourism distribution across rural areas and small towns.

India’s participation in WTM 2024 underscores its ambitions to elevate its status as a premier tourism destination. The event is essential for connecting with global tourism stakeholders, particularly focusing on enticing British tourists. With the UK being one of the top three source markets for inbound tourism, India’s efforts, including the launch of the ‘Chalo India’ initiative, demonstrate its commitment to leveraging the Indian diaspora and expanding its tourism reach through compelling cultural and experiential offerings when attracting new visitors.

India’s promotional efforts at WTM 2024 highlight its diverse tourism appeal, from cultural heritage to wedding and MICE tourism. The initiative to engage the Indian diaspora for promoting travel to India, particularly through the ‘Chalo India’ programme, reinforces the potential for increased inbound tourism from the UK. India’s focus on sustainable travel and the involvement of regional tourism departments will likely diversify visitor experiences, ultimately broadening its global tourism market share.

Original Source: www.travelandtourworld.com

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The Ministry of Tourism is set to participate in the World Travel Market London, taking place at ExCeL London from tomorrow until 7th November. A delegation of 50 stakeholders, including state representatives, inbound tour operators, airlines, and hoteliers, will represent the Indian travel industry. The highlight of the India Pavilion will be themes like Wedding Tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), and the Mahakumbh, featuring a specially designed mock Mandapam to reflect the essence of Indian weddings. This initiative is part of India’s strategy to boost inbound tourism and establish itself as a leading global travel destination.

The World Travel Market London is a significant event in the travel and tourism sector, attracting stakeholders from around the globe. It serves as a platform for promoting various tourism offerings, showcasing national cultures, and facilitating business networking. The emphasis this year on Wedding and MICE tourism reflects a broader trend of experiencing unique cultural events and business opportunities in India, important for its economic growth and global tourism image.

In summary, the Ministry of Tourism’s participation in the World Travel Market London aims to elevate India’s profile as a prime travel destination. By focusing on Wedding Tourism and MICE, coupled with an engaging pavilion design, it seeks to attract more inbound visitors, enhancing India’s tourism sector and local economies.

Original Source: www.newsonair.gov.in

The post India Showcases Wedding and MICE Tourism at World Travel Market London first appeared on The London Bell.