Within the lead as much as the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, fifteenth Annual Journey Tourism Conference 2023 was organized by the Journey Tour Operators Affiliation of India supported by the Tourism Company of Gujarat at Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar concluded efficiently. The conference witnessed participation from key senior authorities officers from the middle and varied states, trade leaders, specialists, tour operators and practitioners from throughout the globe.
The conference has set the path for India to be amongst the highest 10 international locations for Journey Tourism. The occasion was inaugurated by ATOAI president Ajeet Bajaj’s welcome tackle. Throughout the conference, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, accompanied by the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Shri Mulabhai Bera, explored the assorted stalls arrange on the ATOAI Conference. Subsequently, they visited the Statue of Unity and Aarogaya Van. Throughout this go to, he expressed appreciation for the varied tourism and infrastructure services being developed by the state authorities, aiming to reinforce the vacationer expertise in Gujarat, making it each memorable and handy. Moreover, he lauded a number of initiatives undertaken by the Gujarat authorities to foster the expansion of the tourism sector together with the Tourism Coverage 2021-25, Heritage Tourism Coverage, Homestay Coverage, and Cinematic Tourism Coverage. Reflecting on the nice and cozy hospitality skilled on the Statue of Unity, he remarked that the folks of Gujarat really exemplify the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava and concluded by stating {that a} journey to Gujarat is persistently pleasant.
Moreover, Secretary Tourism, Authorities of Gujarat, Shri Hareet Shukla, make clear the immense progress within the tourism sector of Gujarat, the minister shared that, “below the visionary management of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Gujarat has seen super growth within the sector of infrastructure, tourism and hospitality over the previous couple of years. He additional remarked that “Gujarat is likely one of the first decisions amongst overseas vacationers. Over time particularly after the event of the Statue of Unity, Gujarat has witnessed a big enhance within the vacationer footfall. The state is immensely coverage pushed, and main efforts are being put into enhancing the insurance policies and making them pleasant for all. The advantages of those pleasant insurance policies are evident via the super progress that these sectors are witnessing.” He concluded his speech by applauding the efforts made by Gujarat and stated, “We’re blissful to host you in Gujarat and wish your enterprise to assist journey fanatics spend time in Gujarat and assist increase the state and make it progress inside the nation.”
Milind Soman, Indian Supermodel, Actor, and Health Fanatic identified for his outstanding profession in style trade and his advocacy for a wholesome way of life. He’s celebrated for his ardour for health having participated in quite a few marathons and selling wellness via his adventures was additionally current on the conference the place he delivered a particular tackle to the viewers. Throughout his tackle he praised the assorted developments which have taken place in Gujarat, applauded the state for its pleasant insurance policies and for selling a sustainable and eco-friendly journey tourism within the area and galvanizing others to do the identical.
The occasion witnessed a world curiosity and participation, famend Australian Olympic Coach, Mike Druce additionally delivered an tackle the primary day of the gathering, whereby he shared his experiences and dos and don’ts from mega mountain climbing trails on the earth in addition to in India.
Numerous keynote audio system expressed their views and methods on how India can change into a world tourism hub within the coming few years, because it has plenty of untapped potential, and varied untapped areas which might put India among the many Prime Journey Tourism locations on the earth.
Whereas addressing the gathering, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Shri Arvid Singh, shared that “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism trade was one of many badly affected industries, however post-pandemic we witnessed a big restoration within the tourism sector.”
He added, “Presently India’s tourism sector is in a candy spot and is able to take off as a result of all indicators level in direction of a optimistic consequence,the Indian tourism sector has enormous progress potential.” He additional highlighted that tourism in India ought to be a 3 trillion greenback economic system by 2047. He additionally remarked on commendable work of the Gujarat Authorities within the sector and particularly in Ekta Nagar with the institution of the Statue of Unity it has not solely elevated the vacationer footfall within the area however has additionally benefited the area people by creating a number of job alternatives within the area.
On the ultimate day of the occasion, the welcome tackle was delivered by the Founder, President of ATOAI, Captain Swadesh Kumar adopted by varied displays on subjects comparable to ‘ATOAI- Main the way in which with carbon damaging occasion’ by ATAOI President, Padma Shri Ajeet Baja and Jaideep Bansal, IIT Bombay, ‘Preserving the USP whereas managing danger’ by Mr Shantanu Pandit, Marketing consultant, Expertise Data Outside (EKO), and ‘Decoding the Jargon’ by Ms Soity Banerjee, Venture Editor, Accountable Tourism, together with varied data sharing periods occurred.
The conference additionally set a brand new benchmark by attaining carbon neutrality. The conference not solely applied sustainable and eco-friendly practices all through the occasion but additionally hosted data sharing periods for its contributors in regards to the relevance of sustainable tourism.
For attaining carbon neutrality, varied key sustainable initiatives have been applied, such because the Zero Plastic Waste coverage, whereby, a strict no-plastic waste coverage was applied leading to 15,000 plastic bottles being eradicated, Environment friendly Power Consumption was practiced by enabling the occasion in minimizing the carbon footprint wherever doable. The occasion noticed 68% discount in vitality utilization. Moreover, Seed Papers for Badges and Baggage Tags have been used offering a sustainable different and enabling contributors to plant their badges. Moreover, 2000 sheets of paper have been saved by going digital on offering info materials together with the itinerary. ATOAI additionally emphasised on Lowering Meals Wastage by displaying the quantity of meals wasted after every meal and inspiring contributors to attenuate meals waste throughout meals, selling acutely aware consumption. To cut back meals packaging waste, plastic sachets for butter, jam, and sugar have been eradicated.
Throughout the two-days of the occasion varied MoUs to construct capacities for knowledge-sharing on Journey Tourism and MoU’s value Rs. 770 cr have been signed in direction of Movie Capturing, and Infrastructure growth. To facilitate ease of data a web site for Journey Tourism in India was additionally launched on the concluding day.
Forward of the conference, ATOAI additionally organized two FAM journeys with Tour Operators from throughout India in North Gujarat and Saurashtra area exploring the probabilities of journey tourism in Gujarat. They obtained an amazing suggestions from the visiting companions as they have been extremely impressed by the developments which have taken place and the immense potential of Gujarat for journey tourism.
All through the conference deliberations on selling sustainable tourism, exploring untapped areas within the nation, data sharing and networking periods have been held. Whereas discussing varied areas within the nation, Gujarat was a relentless instance utilized by all contributors, because the state of Gujarat has set a robust instance by selling varied untapped areas within the area, turning into a distinguished place on the worldwide map by conducting prestigious worldwide occasions and assembly such because the G20 at Rann of Kutch and at Statue of unity. The discussions on unlocking Gujarat’s potential to be a pacesetter for Journey Tourism in India occurred and the state authorities assured that in shut collaboration with ATOAI, it will likely be rigorously rising this trade, practising and adopting all proper and sustainable methods.
In gentle of the trade’s speedy progress, the conference offered a platform to debate new traits, launched a toolkit to implement the regulatory system and roadmap for the event of journey tourism within the state, Undertake ATOAI pointers, acknowledged by the Ministry of Tourism for security measures, and mentioned methods to reinforce choices whereas adhering to a ‘depart no hint’ ethos.
To offset emissions of your complete occasion, ATOAI collaborated with Gujarat Tourism and the Forest Division of Gujarat and to plant 200 saplings close to the occasion space which the forest division will preserve for the following 15 years.
Printed on: Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 01:38 PM IST