The 10th ADTOI Convention kickstarted today in the vicinity of Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Gujarat amidst renewed show of determination by the industry and governments to rebuild tourism. Congratulating ADTOI for organizing first major physical tourism event since the pandemic struck a year ago, Singh said, “Restrictions on travel have eased and inter-state travel has started all across the country.
Encouraging news of vaccines have further boosted hopes for recovery. The time is right for all of us stakeholders, which includes governments and the private sector, to join hands and spread the message that this is the time to travel again – Dekho Apna Desh. There could be no better occasion than the annual conference of ADTOI to spread this message.”
“Studies carried out in the last one year in travel and tourism have suggested that domestic tourism is the only way forward and will help in the revival of the sector in the country. India has great potential for domestic tourism, both, in terms of the size of the travellers and the myriad attractions that the country offers. And we have to leverage on our strength to promote domestic tourism in our country,” Singh further added.
The time is right for all of us stakeholders, which includes governments and the private sector, to join hands and spread the message that this is the time to travel again – Dekho Apna Desh” – Arvind Singh, Secretary – Tourism, Gov. of India.
Rupinder Brar, ADG – Tourism, Government of India, while lauding ADTOI and Gujarat Tourism for enabling first major physical tourism event, said that the convention is a great beginning and “we are sure that this year (2021) is going to be the turnaround year.” Further underlining the importance of industry events, Brar said, “ADTOI on its part has risen to the occasion and we look forward to many such conferences and many such convention in various parts of the country as we talk of domestic tourism now but also inbound tourism in times to come.”
Welcoming ADTOI delegates at the inauguration Mamta Verma, Secretary – Tourism, Government of Gujarat said, “Kevadiya, the site of world’s tallest ‘Statue of Unity’, has become the most important tourism site in the country as far as sustainable tourism is concerned. The developments has transformed the entire socio-economic status of Kevadiya and the region around.”
Verma also pointed that the destination presents a very good opportunity to ADTOI members to add to their bouquet of products and provide memorable experience to their clients. She also said that other than the destination experience, each of the 33 sites that one visits here is a discovery of new tales of developments and empowerment which adds to the visitors’ immersive destination experiences.
ADTOI President, PP Khanna, while thanking “Gujarat Tourism and Ministry of Tourism (Government of India) for opening the doors for the growth and revival of tourism in India,” benignly said, “I am proud to say that this is the first physical tourism event amidst the ongoing war against Covid-19 pandemic. Though the war against the pandemic is not over yet but not being in action is not the option anymore. We are all ready and equipped with safety protocols and SOPs. Our efforts can really bring back tourism.”
He also asked the ADTOI members to take active interest and explore Kevadiya in order to appropriately promote the destination. Khanna also drew attention of ADTOI members to various central government initiatives such as ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ to boost domestic tourism and asked them to align their product and promotion accordingly.
Closed to 400 delegates are attending the event from across the country including top government officials from Centre and State Governments, leading industry stakeholders and industry bodies, tourism experts and renowned speakers and members of press.
With inputs from Rajesh Tiwari
