IITM exhibition in B'lore from July 15-17

Bangalore, Apr 30 (UNI) India International Travel Mart (IITM), India's Premier Travel and Tourism Exhibition, will hold its 25th edition of IITM India in the city for three days from July 15.

In a release here yesterday IITM India Director Rohit Hangal said the forthcoming edition of IITM would have over 200 participants from over 15 countries.

''Taking cognisance of the fact that the Indian traveller has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for International Destinations in the Asia Pacific region, tourism studies and trends indicate that the year 2006-2007 shall see more than eight million Dollar spending by tourists embanking on overseas travel.'' ''With the advent of low cost international airfares, holiday packages that are available on monthly installments payable over a period of time, International Travel is no longer a luxury,'' the release quoted IITM Director Anurag Gupta as saying.

Some of the international Tourism Boards and co-participants who have participated in the IITM include Visit Britain, Switzerland tourism, Consulate of the Netherlands, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Board, South Africa Tourism, Singapore Tourism board and Iran Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

The IITM provided an ideal 'marketing opportunity' and 'excellent backdrop' to enhance the participants' 'brand-equity' in the eyes of the discerning end consumer and the travel-trade. Besides over 15 state Tourism governments will be seen aggressively promoting their destination at the event.

The exhibitor profile included National Tourism Organisation and State Tourism Promotion Boards, Destination Management Organisations, Airlines, Charters, Railways, Passenger Transporters, and Car Rentals, Shipping, Cruise liners, travel agents and tour operators, Holiday packages and holiday financiers, technology providers, hotel reservation networks, wild-life resorts, health spas and Ayurverdic centers, time share resorts, eco-clubs and adventure sports and education institutions in the field of hospitality and tourism studies.

The visitor's profile includes travel-trade industry professionals, business travelers, key corporate decision makers and discerning holiday makers.

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