Tag Archives: Chalo India

India launches an ambitious campaign at WTM to increase inbound

 

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.

MMT partners with MoT for ‘India: The Homecoming’ campaign

MakeMyTrip (MMT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has launched a campaign called ‘India: The Homecoming’ on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, inviting Indians worldwide to reconnect with their heritage.

As a central piece of the campaign, an online film is being unveiled that beautifully captures India’s transformation, brought to life through the evocative words and voice of the legendary lyricist Gulzar.

Highlighting the importance of the campaign, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, said, “In our efforts to enable Indian diaspora become Incredible India Ambassadors through the Chalo India initiative, the call to encourage Indian diaspora to rediscover their homeland and experience a transformed India, is paramount. This Independence Day, we call upon Indian diaspora across the globe to take a trip back home, and experience Incredible India in all its richness, not just for themselves – but for everyone whom Incredible India awaits.”

Rajesh Magow, co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, “We are thrilled to launch the ‘India: The Homecoming’ campaign, aimed at inviting the Indian diaspora to rediscover a transformed India. By highlighting the progress, beauty, diversity, and rich heritage, we aim to inspire a sense of pride and nostalgia, encouraging the global community to visit and explore the nation. This initiative is about celebrating the unbreakable bond that every Indian, no matter where they are in the world, shares with their homeland.”

Following the recent announcement of MakeMyTrip’s global accessibility, which enables travellers worldwide to use the platform easily, this campaign builds on last year’s successful Independence Day initiative, ‘The Traveler’s Map of India.’ This initiative showcased over 600 lesser-known travel destinations in the country, promoting domestic tourism and highlighting hidden gems.