TTF Kolkata 2016: New destinations flavour of the season

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) organised by Fairfest Media Limited on Friday.

TTF, which began its journey in Kolkata in 1989, is now one of the country’s leading travel fair. This 27th edition of TTF Kolkata (July 8-10, 2016) has over 300 exhibitors spanning 26 Indian states and union territories and nine countries.

However, the focus has shifted slightly, informed Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd. Earlier the fair used to concentrate only on reaching out to travellers. Now the fair also gives equal importance to the tour and travel operators’ segment.

Tourism minister Goutam Deb inaugurated the travel festival by lighting lamps, the ceremony taking place way beyond the scheduled start. AR Bardhan, IAS, Principal Secretary, West Bengal Tourism was also present.

The tourism minister and other dignitaries then visited the various stalls.

Goutam Deb and later AR Bardhan spoke at length about the Gajaldoba Mega Tourism Project, a dream project of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has named it ‘Bhorer Alo’.

Located near Jalpaiguri/Siliguri, the project is spearheaded by the state tourism department in collaboration with other departments, such as road, power, railways etc. The central government and private players are also pitching in, said the minister. The minister said that the estimated cost of the project is around Rs 300 crores.

The project is spread over 208 acres and includes a huge waterbody. Among other things, there will be land safari, boat cruises, adventure tourism and a nine-hole golf course. For a limited period during the year, even the faraway Kanchenjunga range is visible from here, the minister said.

The minister also said plans are afoot to provide accommodation in Tiger Hill of Darjeeling so that visitors do not have to make the pre-dawn journey from town to see the famous sunrise. The government also has plans to promote tourism around Jagadhhatri Puja, which takes place nearly a month after Durga Puja.

At the inaugural ceremony, Dr Christina Z Chongthu, IAS, Managing Director, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, said that her state was the youngest in India but its varied destinations make it one of the few places that can be visited round the year, in all seasons.

Sushma Chauhan, IAS, Director-Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism said that in 2015, her state saw a tourist inflow of 1.4 crore people and they hope to exceed that in the current year. She said that the state’s chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti heads the tourism ministry and safety and security of visitors is of prime importance.

Besides presenting Bangladesh in all its aspects, the nation has decided to take the nostalgia route to attract tourists from West Bengal. After all, many Bengali stalwarts were born in erstwhile east Bengal, which later became Bangladesh, reminded Jyotirmay Barman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh.

Nikhil U. Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, said that they are now keen to promote Goa in its varied aspects and not merely as a beach destination. They have already introduced trekking, bird watching, rafting, boating, helicopter rides, etc. to attract more tourists.

Ujjwala Dali, Officiating Director-Tourism Marketing and Promotion, Nepal Tourism Board, said that despite the devastating earthquake in Nepal in spring 2015, the country is bouncing back to its old self. While the damaged UNESCO World Heritage Sites are being rebuilt in keeping with prescribed norms, Nepal is focusing on promoting new destinations and soft adventure tourism. She said that Nepal is now the preferred gateway for Indians visiting Kailash Mansarovar.

Replying to an IBNS query about improving customer relationship, West Bengal Tourism Minister Goutam Deb said that a new look website will be introduced very soon, which will ease the process of inquiries and booking of accommodation, tour packages, etc.

Reporting by Uttara Gangopadhyay/IBNS

Image by Souvik Das/IBNS