Going to WTM is no wastage of money

Sub Head: Yearly event provides business platform and brings together worldwide buyers and sellers

UP Tourism Department was in news for the wrong reasons recently when a prominent newspaper accused the senior bureaucrats and politicians associated with the industry with incurring disproportionate expenditure because of their extensive traveling outside the country. The newspaper also pointed out that the three officers were about to go on another foreign trip and all this traveling was taking place when the Tourism Board was facing a deficit.
Fact is that the three people accused in the aforementioned article have actually gone ahead with their travel plan and are presently in London attending the WTM meet. Aziz Haider tried to find out whether the accusations were true and whether the three senior persons were actually wasting Government money by going to the WTM. Views of various prominent people associated with the Travel and Tourism industry revealed that the accusations were not true as WTM is truly one of the most important events in the calendar of any person who matters and who is associated with the industry. This is the place which provides a business platform for the world travel trade industry, brings together worldwide buyers and sellers, makes them abreast of the new developments where travel agents and tour operators from across the globe converge. Fact is that if you miss out on making a presence felt at WTM, then there is little chance that your company or product would be sold internationally, until the next WTM, of course.
WTM is an annual trade show hosted every year in London, aimed at helping businessmen from all over the world meet and conduct business and at the same time grow their network and negotiate while closing a deal. A record breaking 48,211 travel industry professionals participated at WTM 2006 representing 202 countries and regions, thereby signifying its importance. WTM 2006, being held from November 6 to 9 at ExCel, London is expected to witness greater participation.
Various prominent people associated with the industry agree that going to the WTM is no wastage and it is the narrow vision of the reporters not thoroughly familiar with the industry because of which such accusations are made. Says AK Misra, secretary, ministry of tourism, “WTM is one of the leading events in the world tourism industry and India will surely make its presence felt before the global audience. This is the right place where the Indian suppliers can showcase their products before clients from across the world.” Misra further tells that the Union Ministry of Tourism, under a special scheme, provides financial assistance to service providers fro attending such events. How logical is it that financial assistance is provided to service providers but the ministers and senior bureaucrats do not attend.
Arjun Sharma, MD, Le Passage to India has been to WTM 20 times till now. Arjun Sharma claims that anybody who is a serious player in the industry should have India in its focus, as India is the destination of the future. During the WTM, there would also be an ‘Incredible India’ evening, where various presentations on India as a myriad destination will be held. What if our own UP would have missed out on this event? The same people would have been criticizing the ministry then.
Renu Kapoor, VP – sales and marketing with Claridges too is focusing on meeting new buyers from CIS countries, Australia and the Middle East. Same is the case with Karan Anand, Executive Director, Cox & Kings, who is going to use this opportunity to meet up with clients and also meet new product suppliers.
Not to be left behind, State Tourism departments too are gearing up to showcase their myriad products. Says Ashwani Lohani, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation: “Travel events like WTM will help put Madhya Pradesh on the world tourism scenario and help generate awareness about the state.” Likewise, B. Suman, director, Kerala Tourism is also looking forward to reveal the splendour of Kerala to the audiences in London.
India has one of the largest delegations coming over to WTM, and, going by previous year’s feedbacks, there is a fair amount of confidence among the exhibitors that they would get good response for their products. Pity if UP had lost out on this chance, just because of the single-minded opinion of a journo who matters!