The recently-ended edition of OTM 2019 Mumbai – that ran on from January 25 to 29 — highlighted the enormous tourism opportunities and the increasing numbers of tourists seeking greater choices in travel destinations, packages alongside the travel agencies, companies and countries showcasing their offerings in the latest ‘avatar.’
Union Tourism Minister K J Alfons said Mumbai should become the Tourism Hub of India in view of all the foreign cruise liners and other shipping calling into this port. Describing OTM 2019 as the Gateway to India’s travel markets, Alfons — while addressing a gathering of delegates, travel agents and officials at the OTM 2019 – pointed out that 1,71,000 Indians went on cruise tours, while 169 cruise ships visited to India.
Emphasizing that the Indian Government would provide clearance in the shortest time possible for film shooting and cinema projects on locations in India, he described how the film Sound of Music touched him so much that he chose to visit Austria — which is the location of the film.
Presenting the OTM 2019 Best Tourism Pavilion award to Mauritius – which was received by the Mauritius Tourism Minister, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan – the Minister said that about 82 million people are employed in the Indian tourism industry and the last four years had witnessed creation of 13.9 million jobs for people including school dropouts, less educated and others.
Satpal Maharaj, Uttarakhand Minister for Tourism, highlighted the State’s tourist attractions like the 7th century Badrinath temple, Sikh and Sufi shrines, gigantic mountain peaks of adventure for thrill-seekers, paragliding, river rafting, bungee-jumping, dense forests that are the kingdom of the ‘king cobra’ (the only snake that builds a nest), 700 bird species, Chardham Yatra, UNESCO heritage site ‘The Valley of Flowers,” besides the ‘Ashoka Rock Edicts’ in Kalsi.
“Steve Jobs, the late Founder/Chairman of Apple Computers, spent seven months here and played a major role in eradicating smallpox, while living in austerity in a small room opposite the temple. When Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook sought Jobs’ advice, he sent him here instead, while the Beatles wrote 48 songs including one in Dehra Dun,” the Minister noted while describing the OTM as important for all States to showcase their products for national and international visitors.
“Uttarakhand’s present focus is on highlighting Buddhism tourism, culture, yoga and mystical tourism, besides also developing 13 new themed destinations including “How The River Ganga Came To Earth.” Tourism – not terrorism – should be the message for the world at large and for dealing with terrorists, tourist registration at police station is being encouraged,” he said while disclosing plans to make the State into a “Winter Destination.”
“The OTM 2019 is displaying global tourism trends and we plan to build “Alpine Villages”– due to 100% snowfall here — to enable skiing for global and local tourists through cheap guides. A skiing platform is being built here for training as one million skiers will be here to experience Uttarakhand’s ski slopes alongside its snowboarding and other snow-related activities,” he said while mentioning that many countries had expressed interest in building ‘tree-houses,’ seaplane routes and floating hotels, besides tie-ups being made for foreign players participation,” he added.
Noting that the Uttarakhand Film Development Council has been set up to develop and popularize film-shoot-worthy and tourist locations while creating a film-friendly environment in the State, Maharaj said “Besides the Central Government subsidy of Rs 25 lakhs, Uttarakhand will provide production cost upto Rs 2 crores for those seeking to shoot Hindi films here. So come and shoot your ‘Magnum Opus’ here.”
“India has so many locales like mountains, beaches, archaeology, yet how many international films are shot in India?” Sanjiv Agarwal, Founder/CEO, Fairfest Media, queried while releasing the ‘first-of-its-kind’ tourism report at the OTM 2019 in Mumbai. “Film makers have to run pillar-to-post for shooting permissions, which need to be ‘leapfrogged’ by use of ‘One window,’ reducing taxes like GST in helping filmmakers advertise and create public awareness about their films. In this regard, Mauritius’ processes are very transparent,” he said while noting that 1050 participants and 30 Indian States came to OTM 2019.
Gavin Dias, General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, said the USP for Goa is its two major festivals that are coming up soon – Carnival and Shigmo – besides new tourism services launched including “Cruise Tourism” (domestic) that featured ‘Angriya Cruises’ Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai cruises.
“Angriya Cruises is doing very well in its 14-hour cruise trip on the Mumbai-Goa sector, though there is scope for improvement. It is presently doing 90% business in occupancy rates for its 105 bedrooms, restaurants, bars, spas etc and is changing the face of tourism, which needs to make maximum use of the existing waterways as the roads and airlines sectors are facing lots of pressure on their infrastructure. Water is one of the safest travel methods incorporating food, wellness and peace of mind through such cruises,” he said.
“Goa Tourism is looking at many new hotels coming up in the pipeline, besides the Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar recently opening “Raj Bhavan Darshan Tours” where even the common man can experience the grandeur at Rs 300 per person, while the water element witnesses heritage cruises at Rs 1500 for dinner, dancing etc,” he added.
“Goa is the only place where gambling is legal and its floating casinos offer high stakes at its table alongside an easy-going pace of cruise, slot machines etc. Dancing the night away – while the world sleeps – occurs at iconic discos like Titos at Baga, Partyzone (the first in Goa), and others.”
Kala Pani, which was a dreaded place in the olden days, is today a source of tourism in the Andaman Islands. Shailesh Thakur, Manager (Sales and Marketing), Mountain Edge Tours and Holidays Private Limited, said “Today’s tourists including honeymooners chose water sports and related activities here on the clean beaches and blue waters for “Sea Walking” at 20 feet underwater, scuba diving etc at Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,500 per person. However, the Cellular jail – a colonial prison which once housed exiled political prisoners – is today a prominent tourist attraction and witnesses a light and sound show.”
“Bhutan is a carbon-negative country due to its 70% forest cover and lots of natural wonders including wildlife like the “Takin” that is only found in the Himalayan region. Black necked cranes flock here once yearly from the Tibetan Plateau from December to March,” Kala Gurung, Managing Director of Bhutan Travel World, said adding, “Kings have ruled Bhutan from 1907 till today but we are a democracy like India and our main attraction and focus is on “Gross National Happiness” which is more than our GDP, besides out famous cuisine like “Datshi” (comprising Cheese, Chillies and Potatoes.)
Neighbouring China’s presence too was interesting in its +Bullet Train+ component. Dora An from Beijing, who represented China Top View Holiday Travel & Tours Ltd., highlighted a 7-day +Shanghai and Beijing+ tour at US$ 399 per person and comprising one Chinese lunch, Indian dinners, 4-star-hotels stay, driver and guide tips. However, the most interesting part of the tour would be the five-hour trip on the world’s fastest Bullet Train with speed of 300 kilometres per hour, she pointed out.05
