Chennai Expo hailed successful in promoting holiday destinations

CHENNAI - The 42nd edition of India International Travel Mart-2010 (IITM-2010), a trade exhibition hosted in Chennai to promote various tourist destinations, have been hailed as successful by its organizers.

Tourism boards, travel operators and agents from 15 states in the country had converged at the three-day event, which concluded on Sunday.

Over seven countries, including Dubai, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Mauritius, Maldives and Switzerland, too showed immense interest in the event.

Over 90 participants from these seven countries, spread over 134 stalls, which made this year’s edition of IITM a major success, and also the biggest event of its kind to be held in Chennai.

“Objective was getting the entire travel and tourism industry under one roof and showcase a variety of destinations based on different budgets,” said Rohit Hangal, Director of Sphere Travel Media, organiser of IITM.

“So, whether we want to plan a budget of trekking expedition or plan a luxury travel to places like Maldives, Mauritius and Thailand it is all available here,” he added.
Visitors thronged the exhibition to grab information about the budget holiday packages and information on various destinations.

“People coming into India this year have crossed 5 million tourists and compared to the world around we still are very small players in the tourism market, but I think we have so much potential probably we can double our number of tourist arrivals into India and still find place to grow,” Hangal added.

He also mentioned that the scorecard of footfalls read over 15,000 visitors and termed it as an encouraging sign. (ANI)