Tamil Nadu’s tourism sector is gearing up for the inaugural Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE), scheduled to take place from September 20 to 22, 2024, at the IDA Scudder Auditorium in Madurai. This landmark event aims to boost the state’s tourism profile and attract a larger number of visitors both from within India and neighboring countries.
The Tamil Nadu Travel Expo is being organized as a collaborative effort by the Travel Club, Madurai, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA), with strong support from the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Designed as a buyer-seller meet, the TTE will welcome 250 prospective buyers, including tour operators, travel agents, and influencers from India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The event organizers will cover lodging and boarding expenses for these buyers, facilitating their exploration of Tamil Nadu’s rich travel and tourism offerings.
The expo will feature between 150 to 200 stakeholders and sellers representing Tamil Nadu’s diverse tourism sectors, including heritage tourism, medical and wellness tourism, and destination wedding planning. These participants will showcase the state’s unique experiences through themed stalls and table displays.
On September 22, the final day of the expo, the event will be open to the public, allowing local residents and visitors to experience Tamil Nadu’s varied tourism themes.
The hosted buyers will gain insights into Tamil Nadu’s tourism experiences, as well as its rich culture, heritage, and cuisine. Knowledge-sharing sessions will be organised, featuring eminent speakers from across the country. Additionally, an gala awards night will recognise outstanding contributions to Tamil Nadu Tourism.
Various post-event tours will be arranged for buyers, allowing them to explore Tamil Nadu’s diverse destinations and cultural experiences.
The success of TTE is backed by commitments from hotels, tour operators, transporters, and other tourism experience stakeholders, who are sponsoring accommodation, food, transport, and other services.
T Nataraajan, the Honorary Secretary of SIHRA has been appointed as a Convenor of the event. DMD of GRT Hotels & Resorts
“The Tourism development in India is crossing new heights after Covid epidemic. The tourism in South India has also improved multi-fold but there is always a feeling that there are still many locations in Tamil Nadu that needs exposure across India and abroad. Tamil Nadu Travel Mart Society (TTMS) was doing yeomen services after a long time hosting Travel Marts in Chennai during 2017 and 2019. After 5 years the need to have a Travel Expo at Madurai was strongly felt by all stakeholders and Travel Club Madurai has taken the initiative along with Cil and Hoteliers to make this happening in Madurai during September 2024, I am sure that the overwhelming response from the buyers in india and abroad gives the hoteliers an opportunity to position their hotels/resorts in the market which will go a long way in marketing Tamil Nadu globally.”
Dr G Vasudevan, MD of Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai has been appointed as the co-convenor.
Vikram Cotah, Chairman of the Tourism Task Force of CII, CEO GRT Hotels & Resorts, “TTE is an endeavour by the industry stakeholders to promote Tamil Nadu Tourism by showcasing relevant themes like Heritage and Spiritual Tourism, Medical and wellness tourism and also to position Tamil Nadu as a Destination wedding option. We are expecting to attract 250 buyers from all over India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and 150 sellers from Tamil Nadu to the TTE event. We expect the B2B marketplace to create opportunities to market Tamil Nadu as a Tourism destination. We are happy to announce that important bodies like CII, SIHRA, Travel Club Madurai, Hoteliers and Travel agents are participating to organise this event in Madurai during September 20/21/22, 2024.
TTE is also endorsed by TTDC, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and Southern Regional office of India Tourism. We hope to make this an annual event in the gateway cities of Tamil Nadu in the years to come” And Raja Graham, President of Travel Club are part of the working committee.
