Ministry of Tourism with its election to the PATA Board will be amongst the few NTOs leading the charge for tourism growth in Asia Pacific markets for the term 2024-26. Coupled with this development, PATA India Chapter will represent 28 global PATA Chapters on the PATA Board for the same term.
The 3rd edition of the PATA India Tourism PowerHouse, was held on 21st February, 2024 at The Claridges Hotel, New Delhi. The event attracted a packed house of 100+ and consisted of a curious and participative audience. DG Tourism, FHRAI & HAI presidents were amongst business luminaries who attended the event. The theme of the PowerHouse was ‘Trailblazing the Future of India Tourism’
Director General Tourism, Ms Manisha Saxena, presented her views on India’s emerging tourism potential opportunities and challenges. She assured tourism partners that reduced budget for overseas tourism promotion should not be topic of concern among stake holders as there will be no dearth of fund. Ministry has allocated collective budget for both domestic and international markets which will be used for promotion and marketing.
Mr Noor Hamid, CEO PATA, addressed & share global tourism development perspective with membership and tourism stakeholders. PATA CEO said that the Indian market is likely to double in the next 5 years, however it will not reach the size of China, but will remain the third largest market in the world. He added that India is growing on the domestic front with its local population propelling business of tourism within India. PATA CEO highlighted India’s unparalleled aircraft acquisition spree. The country is poised to witness delivery of nearly 3 new aircrafts per week over the next 2 years.
Prof Haiyan Song, Research Head at PATA, and Dean of Hospitality and Tourism at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, shared the outcome and implications of the recently released PATA Tourism Monitor report and provide an insight into tourism trends and forecast. He stated that South Asia including India is going to be a powerhouse of tourism in next 4-5 years. India will fully recover to pre pandemic level in 2024 and exceed that in 2026 by about 58.5% and 20.5% in mild and medium scenarios, respectively.
PATA India’s Panel Discussion: ‘Trailblazing the Future of India Tourism’, was moderated by Mr SanJeet, Hon. Secretary, PATA India. The panelists included
1. Mr. Noor Hamid Ahmed, CEO PATA
2. Mr Vikram Madhok, Hon Vice Chairman PATA India
3. Mr. Homa Mistry, Chief Executive Officer, Trail Blazer Tours India Pvt Ltd
4. Mr. Rohit Khosla, EVP Operations (North & West India) IHCL Ltd., (Taj Hotels Group)
All the speakers and opinion leaders shared invaluable insights and trends, thereby, encouraging Indian tourism experts to think above and beyond the status quo and enhance the product offering and successfully compete with world class tourism products and services.
Participants had the opportunity to network, learn and interact with knowledge leaders and industry stalwarts as also participate in engaging discussions over Q&A sessions regarding Impact of tourism, pre – post COVID levels, fast developing digital marketing scenario and influencers, over tourism & its challenges, reduced international marketing and promotions, growth of domestic tourism and new circuits, visa issues & emerging new opportunities , given that, China’s tourism opportunities are yet to spawn.
