ITM-Goa to witness brain-storming session
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 9
Public Private Partnership – how can we make it work for tourism? Can we create a synergy between states to promote west coast tourism? How can we align branding with long term objectives? Questions such as these and more will be answered at the International Travel Mart Goa (ITM-Goa 2010) which gets underway on October 14 in Goa.
Knowledge sessions with industry stalwarts on west coast tourism, investment opportunities, branding Goa and adopting the public private partnership (PPP) model to boost tourism will be some of the key highlights at ITM-Goa.
ITM-Goa which aims to boost tourism related business in the state is jointly promoted by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the state department of tourism, India Tourism, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
The knowledge session on west coast tourism will see participation of Gujarat Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa to brain storm on how the west coast can collectively share a synergy to boost tourism along the coastal belt.
Important tourism bodies like the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), have confirmed participation.
The presidents of the associations will participate in panel discussion on effectively adopting the PPP model to support tourism.
The trade industry had successfully adopted this model earlier in the year where a fleet of vehicles were donated to the state government for the use of the proposed tourism security force.
The travel mart will see participation of buyers from over twelve countries including Singapore, South Africa, Canada, UK, Italy, Poland, Russia, UAE, Thailand, Brazil, Australia and the Scandinavian countries among others.
Says Shyam Satardekar: Chairperson of Goa Tourism and Development Corporation (GTDC), “We are confident that an event like ITM-Goa which is being organised on such a scale will boost trade and result in increased visitors to the state to experience our unique culture. We will showcase our strength to the global travel industry“
Ralph de Souza, Chairman, GCCI Committee on Tourism, & former President, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa added, “After three highly successful, but modest GTM’s in 2004, 2006 & 2008, driven by the GCCI & TTAG, the GTDC for the first time, has initiated the ITM Goa on a large scale. We are hopeful that the ITM Goa will be a success in the interest of Goa’s tourism trade. We await that this initiative of GDTC will increase the number of visitors to Goa and translate into greater hotel room occupancies. “
The four-day, high-activity event, being held in the capital is an ideal venue for business networking and forging new relationships.
It is also an opportunity for trade bodies to address concerns related to the travel and tourism sectors and collectively seek solutions that can help boost the economy of the sector.
The ITM-Goa schedule is packed with buyer-seller interactive sessions, panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
