India’s most recognised networking platform for Inbound Tourism is back with a bang this year. In an exclusive conversation with Dipak Deva, Chairman, FICCI Tourism, Art and Culture committee and MD, SITA, TCI and Distant Frontiers, the team of Travel Turtle explored what’s in store for GITB this year.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Department of Tourism, and FICCI are getting ready to welcome exhibitors from all over India. The Great Indian Travel Market will be in its 12th year (GITB).

Leading exhibitors under one roof

GITB is the top business networking site for international travel in India. More than 290 Indian exhibitors (sellers) and more than 280 Foreign Tour Operators (buyers) from 55 countries will participate in GITB 2023 to display their goods and services. “Leading DMCs, tour operators, state governments, hotels, and other organisations will be among the exhibitors. In-person business engagements between overseas buyers and Indian sellers are anticipated to number more than 11,000 during GITB,” shares Dipak.

Core for productive participation

Jaipur is going to witness the biggest trade fair of Inbound Tourism in India, and we definitely can’t keep calm about the fact that exhibitors from all over India will get to showcase their products and services under one roof. While discussing the focus areas of this year’s GITB, Dipak says, “The USP of the GITB’23 would once again be the intensive and sharp focus on Inbound Tourism and buyer-seller meet panning over two days. It shall result in significant transacting and capitalizing of business opportunities between international buyers and Indian sellers.”

Golden opportunity!

This year is going to be a special one as India is holding the prestigious G20 Presidency for the 18th G20 Summit 2023. This incredible opportunity is not only a congregation of diplomatic meetings for India but a new trust and responsibility the world has bestowed upon us. India is focused on using tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals during India’s G20 Presidency.

Dipak shares, “To accomplish this, the Ministry of Tourism felt that the 12th Edition of Great Indian Travel Bazaar 2023 from April 23-25, 2023 at Jaipur, India would be the apt forum to organise G20 Tourism Expo to position India as a Global Tourist Destination to the world and also showcase India’s vision and leadership in Tourism among the G20 nations.”

The objective of G20 Tourism Expo

The G20 Tourism Expo is specially designed under the G20 presidency to position India as a top Global Tourist Destination in the world while increasing foreign tourist arrivals in India, especially from G20 countries. The focus will be on structured face-to-face B2b meetings between foreign tour operators (buyers) and Indian exhibitors (sellers) resulting in the closure of successful business deals which will result in increasing Inbound Tourism to India. Dipak enlightened us with some of the key elements that will draw focus, “The main idea is to strengthen five key priority areas for tourism including Green Tourism, Digitization, Skill development, Nurturing Tourism MSME’s and Destination Management at a Global level.

Key Highlights of G20 Tourism Expo

A total of 280 foreign tour operators from 55 countries will be invited as buyers which will also include around 150 foreign tour operators from G20 countries which are potential source markets for India. The daylong conference on the first day of the event on April 23, including the inaugural session and two focused sessions on five key priority, areas of Tourism as mentioned above will be the focal point for starters. Dipak throws some light on the activities and sessions planned during the Expo and shares, “There will be focused roundtables with G20 country ambassadors, gala networking dinner comprising authentic Indian culinary and cuisines along with cultural performances including traditional song and Indian dance forms. Morning yoga sessions will be a delight, including traditional Indian painting workshops, G20 Tourism Golf Cup, travel technology; and an innovation pavilion

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