The man behind India's tourism resurgence and the chief architect of the memorable 'Incredible India' campaign, Amitabh Kant will be the highlight of ITM-Goa 2010 which gets underway on October 14. ITM-Goa, which aims to boost tourism related business in the state, is jointly promoted by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the state department of tourism, India Tourism, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

 

Kant's key note speech on tourism and participation of more than twelve countries including Singapore, South Africa, Canada, UK, Italy, Poland, Russia, UAE, Thailand and Brazil among others will be the main draw of the four day business-to-business (B2B) event. Kant is presently the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the nodal agency which is handling the proposed $90-billion industrial and infrastructure project - Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

 

Important tourism bodies like the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), have confirmed participation with more confirmations coming in.

 

Shyam Satardekar, Chairperson, Goa Tourism and Development Corporation (GTDC), said, "Without doubt, Goa is already a prime holiday destination. Through ITM-Goa we will create a window of opportunity for the tourism sector in Goa to showcase its services to the global travel industry."

 

Swapnil Naik, Director Tourism, Government of Goa, added, "ITM-Goa which is one of the only few exclusive business-to-business networking events organised in the country is committed to the cause of creating an ideal platform for marketers and customers to meet, network and create new business opportunities."

 

Speaking on the initiative, Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism and Development Corporation (GTDC) added, "We expect to attract visitors from across India and abroad. Various state and international tourism boards, trade associations, resorts, airlines and leisure operators, MICE and tour operators, corporate travel planners and allied industries have displayed keen interest in participation at ITM-Goa this year."

 

The four day, high-activity event, being held in Panaji, is an opportunity for trade bodies to address concerns related to the travel and tourism sectors and collectively seek solutions that can help boost the economy of the sector.