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NEWS ROUND UP
4 TRAVELBIZ MONITOR OCTOBER, 2024
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Promoting Peace Through Tourism: A Collaborative

Event by the Thai Consulate and IIPT in Mumbai

Prasenjit Chakraborty | Mumbai we currently face.”
The Consul General also expressed
he Thai Consulate in Mumbai and the profound gratitude for the participation,
TInternational Institute for Peace Through stating that the event effectively highlighted
Tourism (IIPT) organised an event “Promoting the positive impact of tourism in promoting
Peace Through Tourism” on September 21 in global peace.
Mumbai. While speaking to media, Ajay Prakash,
The event witnessed the presence of Global President of the IIPT, highlighted that
consuls general and eminent personalities the organisation, founded in 1986 by Dr. Louis
from the travel trade. It highlighted how D’Amore, operates as a non-profit. Prakash
tourism can be a harbinger of peace in the succeeded Dr. D’Amore as Global President
world. Additionally, it showcased Thai cuisine last year. He noted that the International
and offered many fun activities, including a Day of Peace (IDP) is celebrated worldwide potential to become the first global peace
lucky draw for a round-trip ticket to Thailand. on September 21, as designated by the UN industry. “What is even more profound is that
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also General Assembly to promote peace. every traveller is potentially an ambassador
played an important role to make the occasion “Most people are familiar with of peace,” he pointed out. He emphasized
a grand success. International Tourism Day on September that tourism is a harbinger of peace and,
Speaking on the occasion, Donnawit 27, and interestingly, this year’s theme also citing the example of Kashmir, highlighted
Poolsawat, Consul General of Thailand focuses on tourism and peace,” Prakash the remarkable difference in the region’s
in Mumbai, stated, “We are in the 21st remarked. socio-economic conditions. “It is tourism that
century, and advancements in technology According to him, “It is implied that you defeats terrorism,” he stated.
and progress in social media should have need peace for tourism to be successful. Justifying the choice of Thailand as a
made the world a better place to live in. Conversely, tourism can also serve as a tool partner for the event, Prakash remarked that
Unfortunately, this is not the case. Conflict, for peace, which is not easily understood. the country welcomes everyone, regardless of
mistrust, and misunderstanding still exist in That is the mission of IIPT.” Prakash further caste, creed, religion, or colour. “This makes it
our world, which is undesirable. Tourism can noted that travel and tourism contribute an ideal partner for collaboration,” he stated.
play a significant role in addressing the issues 10% of global GDP, and the industry has the prasenjit.chakraborty@saffronsynergies.in

Sharjah gains popularity among Indians;

showcases development & growth targets

Prasenjit Chakraborty | Mumbai The garden’s outdoor areas are open from and promotional campaigns with other GCC
September through May, and the Hanging countries, Midfa responded, “Such initiatives
harjah, one of the seven emirates of the Garden is also popular with Indian tourists,” might occur in the future, but there are no
SUnited Arab Emirates (UAE), is quickly Midfa added. He also noted a striking artificial plans at the moment. I believe individual
becoming a top tourism hotspot. To attract more lagoon near the garden, which offers a variety efforts are currently more effective.”
visitors from India, the Sharjah Commerce and of activities for visitors. Regarding the upcoming winter season,
Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) Midfa indicated that while there will
recently hosted a roadshow in Mumbai, be a winter campaign, it will not be as
which saw strong participation from the extensive as the summer campaign
city’s travel trade sector. due to the existing strong demand.
At the event, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, On the Indian market, Midfa
Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted highlighted that the country has
Sharjah’s progress and its expanding become Sharjah’s third-largest source
range of attractions. “We are making market. “Last year, 165,000 Indian
significant advances, particularly in visitors stayed in Sharjah hotels. This
adventure tourism and eco-tourism, which Midfa noted that these attractions are year, our goal is to increase that number by
is increasingly popular globally,” Midfa situated in a rural area on the East Coast, 10%, aiming for around 185,000,” he said. He
remarked. and their development is being executed in also noted that 94,000 Indians have visited
One of Sharjah’s latest highlights is the three phases. “First, we connected the area Sharjah in the first half of this year, which is
Hanging Garden, featuring expansive green to the city of Sharjah and the rest of the UAE very encouraging.
areas, flower-adorned terraces, and waterfalls. with a world-class road. In the second phase, Additionally, Sharjah International Airport
“This garden has quickly become a favourite we established the attractions. Currently, we is expanding its capacity from 8 million to 25
among tourists and tends to be busy except are focused on building additional hotels,” million passengers per year, with the project
during the summer months. However, Midfa explained. He mentioned that Sharjah slated for completion by the end of 2026,
visitors can still enjoy indoor amenities currently offers 11,000 hotel rooms. according to Midfa.
like restaurants and cafes during this time. When asked about possible joint marketing prasenjit.chakraborty@saffronsynergies.in

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