Nishtha Ganesh
India has launched an ambitious campaign at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 in London to boost inbound tourism and strengthen its position as a global travel destination. Represented by a 50-member delegation of industry stakeholders, including state tourism boards, tour operators, airlines, and hoteliers, India aims to showcase its diverse cultural heritage and tourism offerings, from immersive experiences to unique regional attractions. The event, held from November 5-7, 2024, includes a dedicated pavilion that highlights segments like wedding tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel, and pilgrimage tourism, particularly the Mahakumbh.
In alignment with its “Chalo India” initiative, India seeks to engage its significant diaspora in the UK, encouraging them to invite non-Indian friends to explore India’s rich cultural tapestry. The initiative, backed by a dedicated portal, also offers incentives like free e-tourist visas for foreign friends. With a diaspora of approximately 1.9 million in the UK, this initiative underscores the country’s commitment to expanding tourism and fostering cultural connections.
The India Pavilion at WTM 2024 has a special mock wedding setup to showcase the grandeur of Indian weddings, along with displays of India’s cultural, linguistic, and traditional heritage. The pavilion presents a variety of niche tourism experiences, including wellness, adventure, ecotourism, and culinary tourism. Participants from several Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Daman and Diu, are actively promoting local attractions and experiences.
The Ministry of Tourism emphasised that, as one of the fastest-growing major economies, India is committed to sustainable tourism development, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070. India’s recent G20 presidency provided an ideal platform to highlight its vast tourism potential, reinforcing its reputation as a prime global destination and positioning it to attract millions more international visitors.
