Tag Archives: Roadshow

Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 gains overwhelming response

 

The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024, organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) India, successfully concluded its two-day extravaganza at DLF Avenue Saket from October 19 to 20. The event attracted thousands of visitors, offering an immersive experience of Korean culture through captivating performances, K-beauty sessions, and culinary delights. Actor Anushka Sen, Korea Tourism’s brand ambassador, added her star appeal to the festivities, further engaging audiences.

The Korea Tourism Roadshow, held a day earlier on October 18 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, facilitated over 1,000 B2B meetings between 17 exhibitors, including leading attractions, airlines, and destination management companies. The roadshow, aimed at fostering long-term business partnerships, concluded with a Gala Night featuring special guests like Super 30 Founder Anand Kumar and Anushka Sen. Awards were presented to travel agencies and partners for their role in promoting tourism to Korea.

Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director (India & SAARC Countries) for KTO, hailed the events as a great success, noting the overwhelming response with approximately 800 visitors at the roadshow and more than 70,000 at the fiesta. He emphasised that the growing bond between India and Korea continues to strengthen, paving the way for more collaborative opportunities in tourism and cultural exchanges.

The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 was a sensory journey into Korean culture, with performances by K-Pop dance crew One Way Crew, a Comic Martial Arts show by JUMP, and interactive zones featuring K-Beauty, K-Food, and K-Lucky Draws. The event fostered excitement for Korean experiences and highlighted South Korea as a top destination for Indian travellers, with a growing number of visitors drawn to the country’s vibrant entertainment, beauty, and food offerings.

Czechia concludes three-City India Roadshow

 

Czechia is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for Indian travellers, with an increasing focus on experiential travel and patterns that extend beyond the summer season. The country offers a captivating mix of stunning landscapes, inspiring architecture, and remarkable culinary experiences. In the coming years, Czechia aims to showcase its 14 regions, emphasising unique gastronomical and wellness offerings through targeted trade and consumer campaigns specifically designed for the Indian market.

To strengthen its ties with India, Czech partners facilitated B2B interactions across three major cities—Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. These events enabled Czech representatives to present their offerings, foster collaborations, and unveil strategic plans for the Indian market. The engagement aimed to enhance mutual cooperation in promoting Czechia as a prime destination for Indian leisure and business travellers.

GB Srithar, Head of Tourism Services, VFS Global, stressed the importance of this partnership. As a strategic ally to Czechia, VFS Global helped reconnect Czech delegations with Indian travel trade and media professionals post-pandemic. Srithar emphasised that their focus on visa facilitation and strengthening trade relationships is key to boosting leisure, ‘b-leisure,’ and corporate travel to Czechia.

With these collaborative efforts, Czechia anticipates a significant increase in visitor arrivals from India, solidifying its reputation as the ‘Heart of Europe.’ By streamlining travel processes and launching innovative campaigns, Czechia is set to attract more Indian travellers, offering them unique and memorable experiences across its diverse regions.

Iran Tourism debuts in India amid 39% hike in arrivals

Hosts three-city roadshow across Mumbai, Delhi & Hyderabad

The Iran Tourism Board recently made its first foray in India with its roadshows in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad which attracted a healthy crowd. The main objective was to enhance tourism relations between India and Iran.

By interacting with Indian travel agents and tourism professionals, the board sought to forge strong business ties and promote Iran as a premier travel destination. The delegation was headed by Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, the Deputy of Tourism at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry.

Speaking exclusively to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the Mumbai roadshow, Hosseinabadi highlighted that this was their inaugural roadshow in Mumbai. He noted the deep historical connection and mutual understanding between Iran and India, emphasising that tourism serves as a means to further enhance this relationship.

“Iran recently waived visa requirements for Indian travellers, leading to a 39 per cent increase in Indian tourist arrivals,” he revealed.

Hosseinabadi mentioned that currently, pilgrimage and cultural tourism are the primary attractions for Indian visitors. However, he stressed that Iran offers a wide range of tourism experiences, including nature, adventure, historical, and medical tourism etc. “Our goal is to attract all types of travellers from India,” he said.

He also encouraged Indian tourists who have not yet visited Iran to seek feedback from those who have. “Prospective travellers should inquire about Iran’s safety, hospitality, and overall appeal from those who have already been there. Our country is safe, and Iranians are known for their warm welcome to visitors,” he added.

Hosseinabadi urged people not to be misled by those trying to present a distorted image of Iran. “Certain media outlets are deliberately broadcasting misleading information,” he remarked.”

Meanwhile the event also witnessed signing an MoU between the Iranian Tour Operator Association (ITOA) and Maharashtra Tour Organisers Association (MTOA). The MoU was signed by Mostafa Shafiee Shakib, Chairman, ITOA and Vishvajeet Raja Patil, President, MTOA.

Later, Patil mentioned that ITOA aims to start a dialogue with local travel agents in India. “They want MTOA to play a key role in connecting with travel agents from Mumbai, Maharashtra. ITOA is looking to establish a regular exchange of ideas to explore ways to boost outbound tourism from India to Iran and vice versa,” Patil explained.

He mentioned that Iran has introduced a paperless visa entry system for Indian tourists, eliminating passport stamping. “This is a significant move by the Iranian government,” Patil noted.

Acknowledging that there are concerns among Indians regarding safety in Iran due to the current political situation. However, it’s a matter of time; when tourists start visiting, it will be as usual.

Shakib stated that this is just the beginning of understanding and recognising each other’s needs. “I am very happy and sincerely believe that tourists from both India and Iran will travel to each other’s countries, opening up new vistas on the tourism front,” he said.

 

Iran Tourism Board Successfully Concludes Tri-City Roadshow in India

The Iran Tourism Board has successfully wrapped up its three-city roadshow in India, designed to highlight Iran’s rich cultural heritage and diverse travel opportunities. The tour kicked off in Mumbai on September 10th, moved to Hyderabad on September 12th, and concluded today in New Delhi.

The roadshow featured prominent Iranian dignitaries, including Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, Deputy of Tourism at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry; Moslem Shojaee, Director General for International Tourism Promotion; H.E. Mofidifar, Acting Consul General of Iran in Mumbai; and Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

The primary goal was to strengthen tourism ties between India and Iran. By engaging with Indian travel agents and tourism professionals, the Iran Tourism Board aimed to establish solid business connections and position Iran as a top travel destination. The initiative showcased 11 Iranian hoteliers and travel agents who explored business opportunities and presented diverse tourism packages. The roadshow also included collaborations with key organizations such as MTOA, TAAI, TAFI, and IATO to boost Iran’s visibility among their members.

Hosseinabadi remarked, “We are thrilled to present the beauty and historical richness of Iran to the Indian market. This roadshow has provided a unique platform to share Iran’s cultural tapestry, including our historic landmarks and renowned hospitality. We look forward to deepening our partnerships with Indian travel agents and encouraging more Indian travellers to explore the wonders of Iran.”

H.E. Mofidifar, delivered keynote address. He passionately spoke about the unshakable bond between India and Iran, spotlighting Mumbai as a vital bridge that links the two nations. He emphasized the strategic significance of the Chabahar Port project, a game-changer for regional trade and connectivity, and urged the Indian public to discover the real Iran, beyond media portrayals, through direct engagement and travel.

India has emerged as a significant source of international tourists to Iran. In 2023, Iran welcomed approximately 5,868,421 international visitors, with Indian tourists constituting a notable portion of this figure. The number of Indian visitors exceeded 58,000, reflecting a 31% increase from the previous year.

Narwekar, praised the ever-strengthening ties between India and Iran, recalling the successful hosting of an Iranian MP delegation last year. He welcomed the expansion of these relations and spoke of the bright future of cooperation between the two countries.

 

MTPA hosts three-city roadshow in India

 

The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) recently hosted a series of roadshows in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, bringing together over 22 partners from Mauritius to showcase the island’s tourism offerings to approximately 100 travel operators and agencies. The event kicked off in Bengaluru on September 2, 2024, with a press conference featuring Arvind Bundhun, Director of MTPA, engaging with journalists from leading media outlets.

Following the Bengaluru event, roadshows were held in Hyderabad and Kolkata, with each city selected for its strong travel potential. Arvind Bundhun highlighted the strategic importance of these roadshows, stating, “These events are key to showcasing Mauritius’ diverse tourism offerings in major Indian markets. The partnerships formed and insights gained will help us better cater to the growing demand from Indian travellers.”

Mauritius attracts a variety of travellers, from leisure and business visitors to honeymooners and adventure seekers. The island’s appeal is further enhanced by its accessibility, with direct flights from India and a hassle-free visa-on-arrival process for Indian passport holders, making it an attractive destination for Indian tourists.

Sunil Mathapati,India’s Country Manager, MTPA, expressed his satisfaction with the success of the roadshows, emphasising their importance in promoting Mauritius in key Indian cities. He noted, “The response has been remarkable, and Mauritius, with its breathtaking landscapes and experiences, has the potential to become the ultimate holiday destination for Indian travellers.”

Visit Qatar conducts two-city roadshow & networking events in India

Visit Qatar has concluded its two-city roadshow in New Delhi and Mumbai.

The event brought together 25 key partners, providing an exclusive platform to engage with over 200 of India’s top travel agents and tour operators. This initiative showcased Qatar’s versatile appeal, catering to a wide range of travellers – from leisure seekers to business tourists, highlighting the country’s diverse tourism offerings.

Qatar’s proximity to India, combined with Qatar Airways’ extensive global network and visa-free policy for Indian nationals with a Discover Qatar accommodation voucher, further enhances its appeal as a top destination in the Middle East. Additionally, Indians holding a valid visa from any one of the following countries – USA, UK, Schengen, Australia, New Zealand, Canada can avail for the Hayya A3 visa and arrive in Qatar with a pre-approved electronic travel authorisation.

The roadshow featured a line-up of partners, including 15 leading hotels such as The St. Regis Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski – The Pearl, Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha, Mandarin Oriental Doha, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Le Royal Méridien Doha, W Doha, The Outpost Al Barari, Rixos Qetaifan Island North, Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, Our Habitas Ras Abrouq, Radisson Blu Hotel and Rosewood Doha. Additionally, 10 destination management companies (DMCs) participated, including Discover Qatar, Tawfeeq Holidays, Q Moments, Travel Designer, Qatar International Tours, Regency Holidays, Mannai Air Travel, Ali Bin Ali Holidays, Satguru Travel and Experience Qatar.

In a significant move to promote Qatar’s MICE offerings, Visit Qatar hosted its inaugural corporate networking evening in Mumbai. The event brought together over 25 leading corporate representatives from sectors including Banking, Finance, Insurance, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Cement and Paints. Eight of Doha’s most prominent hotels, including Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, The St. Regis Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski – The Pearl, Radisson Blu Hotel, Rosewood Doha, W Doha, Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha, and The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, presented their MICE capabilities, showcasing Qatar’s potential as a foremost destination for corporate events.

The evening fostered productive networking, strengthening connections between Qatari hospitality providers and key Indian corporate decision-makers.

Qatar’s appeal to Indian travellers is evident in the sharp increase in arrivals over the past few years, with numbers rising from 166,000 in 2021 to 420,000 in 2023. This year alone, Visit Qatar has successfully managed 12 MICE groups from India, with a strong pipeline for the coming year, including a significant incentive group of 2,600 corporate guests set to visit next month. As Qatar continues to expand and diversify its offerings, it is well on its way to becoming a top destination for both leisure and business travellers from India.