Tourism India looking to boost inbound footfalls at World Travel Market in London – CNBC TV18

India is set to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 5-7, 2024, with the aim of boosting inbound tourism and promoting the country as a top global travel destination. The Ministry of Tourism announced on Monday that a delegation of 50 industry stakeholders, including state governments, tour operators, airlines, and hoteliers, will represent India at the event. The delegation’s focus will be on showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity and the vast tourism offerings in the country, from immersive experiences to unique regional attractions. The event will take place at ExCeL London.

With substantial Indian diaspora of approximately 1.9 million, the UK stands as one of India’s largest overseas communities. The Ministry of Tourism highlighted that 9.5 million foreign tourists visited India in 2023, with the UK contributing nearly 1 million visitors, making it the third-largest source market for inbound tourism.

To engage the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Chalo India’ initiative, encouraging Indians abroad to invite their non-Indian friends to explore the diverse beauty of India. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a premier travel destination. The Ministry has created a dedicated ‘Chalo India’ portal, where travellers can refer their friends to visit India and benefit from a free e-tourist visa.

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The India Pavilion at WTM 2024 will spotlight key segments such as wedding tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) travel, and the ‘Mahakumbh’ pilgrimage. A special mock wedding setup, or ‘mandapam’, will be featured to showcase the grandeur of Indian weddings. The pavilion will highlight India’s cultural, linguistic, and traditional heritage, offering a variety of niche tourism experiences, including wellness, adventure, ecotourism, and culinary tourism.

The India Pavilion will see participation from state tourism departments, tour operators, airlines, and various public sector undertakings (PSUs), from destinations like Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Daman and Diu.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economy and remains committed to addressing climate change while aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070. The Ministry of Tourism stressed that during India’s G20 presidency, the country effectively showcased its vast tourism potential to the global community, reinforcing its position as a leading global destination.

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