PTM2023 Revives Global Travel: India’s Grand Reconnect!

October 10, 2023

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PATA Travel Mart 2023, organised in person after a hiatus of 3 years, is reconnecting the travel trade in India.152 sellers from 92 destinations have interacted with 196 buyers from 38 source markets at PTM2023.

In all, there are 1000 plus delegates from 46 destinations.

During the media briefing, Vidyavathi, Secretary of Tourism, Government of India, said, “PTM could not have come at a better opportune. India is celebrating Visit India 2023. The recently concluded G20 Presidency for the country saw upgraded meeting infrastructure and amenities at 60 newer destinations that can now highlight their hidden attractions. We’re also promoting green and sustainable tourism as part of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means One World, One Family and One Future theme adopted by the G20 summit. What can be a greater unifier than travel and tourism? We have come together to share our experiences and learn from one another. I wish delegates productive business sessions and would like all to take back a part of India with them.”

India has reached 80 per cent of its tourist arrivals compared to 2019 pre-pandemic figures of 17.3 million international arrivals. India has been working towards an ambitious target of 100 million arrivals with $ 1 trillion in receipts by 2047, by the centenary celebrations of its independence. Domestic travel is pegged to 20 bn, almost tenfold from the current figures.

Peter Semone, Chairman PATA, said: “Want to thank host India for providing incredible hospitality. I have been looking for the right answer for sustainable development and have got that in India’s Travel for Life. It’s the most comprehensive program that is self elective and encourages people to be responsible. Want to discuss with madam Secretary on how we can extend it across the region. India and India’s culture resonate well with that of Asia Pacific. The region is a living museum and has the best product of the day with bio-diversity and rich culture.”

Himmat Puri, Chief Executive Director, destinago Tours and Travels, Nepal.

Joseph Cheng, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Taiwan Visitors Association, Singapore Office, said: ” It’s a good opportunity to come out to meet the trade, especially after the pandemic. We will focus on niche products for India, our important market, and will promote that next year.”

Sonia Bhalla, Regional Sales Manager-North, Air India, told eGTMedia: “Air India is a new brand under the TATAs(leading business conglomerate in India). We have a new livery, adding new aircraft and refurbishing old aircraft. We’re introducing many new routes and adding frequencies on existing ones where there is demand.”

As the official carrier, Air India ferried delegates worldwide to PTM.

Himmat Puri, Chief Executive Director, destinago Tours and Travels, Nepal, said: “Am happy to be coming to India for the first time, as part of PTM. India is currently the top market for Nepal. It was China earlier. apart from Kathmandu, Pashupathinath, Muktinath and Lumbini are popular with Indian travellers. The are excellent connections by most of the Indian as well as Nepal airlines between Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu. People also travel by road through four borders.”

Vaishali Singh, Senior Manager, Corporate Marketing and Advertising, India Tourism Development Corporation(ITDC), said: “We have transformed over the years from being a travel and tour company to running the Ashow Convention Centre, with the pillarless hall to seat 2000 people, conducting personalised and special tours in New Delhi.” The public sector company acting under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has seven verticles. It also runs 14 Duty-free shops at the ports, conducts Sound and Light shows, has a Hotel Management Academy and provides consultancy and engineering services.

Sabda Dwipayana, Managing Director, Luxury Bali Tours and Travel, said: “We organise personalised tours to Bali, Jogjakarta, Borobudur and other destinations in Indonesia. Am happy to meet buyers from across regions and interact with them. Luxury is not just about high spending but is also about providing best of experiences. We treat all guests the same to provide memorable experience at our destinations.”

PATA Travel Mart 2023 had expert-level discussions on Sustainability in MICE, Preservation of Cultural Heritage sites: Leveraging the benefits of Responsible Tourism and AI and the future of Tourism.