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IN THE NEWS

TAAI to hold 64th annual

convention in Srinagar

ETW Staff nual convention from March Sarmad Hafeez, who was also
Mumbai 27th to 30th this year in Srina- present, said, “The state gov-
gar. Around 500 travel agents ernment wants to show the
To give a major boost to the from across India are expected states tourism beauty to the
tourism sector of Jammu and to participate in the annual country by organising the an-
Kashmir, the Travel Agents convention which is seen as a nual convention. The state
Association of India (TAAI) has major boost to tourism of tourism department is also
decided to hold its 64th annual Jammu and Kashmir.” organising many festivals and
convention in Srinagar in Sunil Kumar said, “Jammu cultural activities in the state
March. This was announced by and Kashmir is one of the to entertain the tourists visit-
the president of TAAI, Sunil prime destinations in India ing the state.”
Kumar, at a press meet in New where travellers can enjoy any Director tourism Kashmir,
Delhi. tourism products. The TAAI Mahmood A Shah said, “The
An official of the tourism de- convention will help leading TAAI convention is like a Sunil Kumar Mahmood Shah
partment said,“To give a major travel agents get familiar with homecoming for travel agents.
boost to the tourism sector of the beauty and hospitality of It is after 30 years that the ing for you to visit Kashmir and craft, sumptuous food, and
Jammu and Kashmir, the TAAI the state. TAAI convention is happening see by yourself the beautiful above all the hospitable people
is going to organise its 64th an- Secretary Tourism in Kashmir. It will be homecom- landscape, culture, art and of JK state.”

AdventureNEXTheads to India in 2018

ETW Staff tourists with the local cultures.
Mumbai Adventure tourism is the way
forward for Madhya Pradesh to
Adventure Travel Trade As- take advantage of the travel
sociation (ATTA) is set to host and tourism industry, and Ad-
its first ever event in Asia – ventureNEXT is the best way
‘AdventureNEXT’ – in Bhopal, to accomplish this.”
Madhya Pradesh from 10-12 Swadesh Kumar also high-
December, 2018. The event was lighted the commitment of
announced during a press con- ATOAI towards expanding its
ference in New Delhi by ATTA, reach across India, “The adven-
Madhya Pradesh Tourism ture tourism industry has wit-
Board (MPTB), and Adventure nessed a paradigm shift in India.
Tour Operators Association of Earlier, there was an emphasis
India (ATOAI). An MoU to on traditional adventure desti-
mark the launch of this event nations, such as the Himalayan
was jointly signed by Shannon regions, and on conventional ad-
Stowell (CEO, ATTA), Hari venture activities such as
Ranjan Rao (commissioner trekking, mountain climbing
tourism and managing director gion, but also on equitability. employment opportunities to itage. The wildlife and geo- etcetera. The focus, while still
of MPTB), and Capt Swadesh Through data analysis we have women in particular. What is graphic features of the state very much on these traditional
Kumar (president, ATOAI). A come to understand that ad- clear is that adventure tourism, make it an ideal adventure des- destinations, has now expanded
special logo for Adven- venture tourism, as opposed to while a smaller sector, is very tination with unique offerings. towards regions such as Mad-
tureNEXT in India was also un- mass tourism, contributes powerful and leaves a lot for As professionals working in the hya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala
veiled during the ceremony. more to the local economy – in the locals to benefit from.” travel and tourism industry, we et al. There is a huge surge in de-
At the event, Stowell spoke terms of the proportion of Speaking about Madhya must also recognise that mand for newer adventure desti-
about the contributions of ad- money that actually stays Pradesh as the host destination tourism is one of the best ways nations, and therefore, the asso-
venture tourism towards eco- within the destination. Fur- for the first AdventureNEXT in of creating jobs and eradicating ciation is committed to
nomic development and equi- thermore, one of the key contri- Asia, Hari Ranjan Rao said: poverty. We therefore believe expanding across India. It is an
tability, “Adventure tourism, it butions of adventure tourism is “Madhya Pradesh is a state that we must do justice to the honour and a privilege to be as-
is clear, has a significant impact that it contributes significantly that has an abundance of natu- innate beauty of the land by sociated with ATTA and MPTB
on not just the economy of a re- to rural communities, giving ral resources and cultural her- connecting visitors and in this venture.”

EXPRESS TRAVELWORLD 13
February 2018