Goa Travel Mart likely new name for ITM

PANJIM, OCT 18
International Travel Mart (ITM) is likely to be rechristened as Goa Travel Mart (GTM) by next year after several industry players suggested to give it a proper Goa-centric name and brand it accordingly, a senior official said.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Managing Director Nikhil Desai said that the buyers, sellers and even industry experts, who were present for the ITM suggested that ITM needs to be renamed as GTM.
“The participants have come out with several suggestions. Most of them want ITM to be renamed as GTM as it is being held in Goa,” Desai told Herald a day after culmination of four day long event.
He said that the proposal will be put up before the governing board of the event and the decision will be taken accordingly.
Goa’s first ever ITM, which had kicked off on October 14 received great response from the tourism bodies across the world. Many of them, however, questioned the dates of the festival, which according to them should have been little before or after Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), which attracts huge international participation.
Clarifying over the issue Desai said that the corporation was afraid that ITM would be overshadowed by KTM, which happens on large scale.
“ITM being for the first time in the state, it was like a kid to KTM and there was a fear in the mind that we might get lost if we did after KTM,” the MD stated.
The participants, present for the ITM had also expressed their unhappiness as organizers failed to unveil the list of buyers in advance so that the industry can start dialogue with them before they arrive here.
“None of the travel marts declare their buyers list well in advance. This protects the registered sellers from being at disadvantage situation. If list is available in advance, there is fear that the non-sellers can hook them outside the ITM,” he explained.
He however said that from next year onwards user name and password would be given to all registered sellers, who will be able to get connected with the buyers.
“Here, only those sellers who are registered with us will be able to get information about the buyers,” he stated.
ITM, which had brainstorming sessions including the one on branding Goa, will be an annual affair in Goa.
Desai said that Goa needs a coherent strategy when it comes to branding. “Proper thought is given to it. We have to think scientifically and government is in the process of doing so,” the MD said.