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We
Are Looking At An Approximate 8 Per Cent Growth In 2002:
Harnal
Raadia
Mukadam /Mumbai
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Vimal
Harnal
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The
STB headquarter has been buzzing with activity with
the arrival of Vimal Harnal, regional director - South
& West Asia, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), who
has moved office back to Mumbai. Not perturbed by the
decline in tourist arrival figures in year 2001, Harnal
retorts, “We had projected a growth of 7-8 per
cent in year 2001, but the projections were under normal
circumstances. Since 2001 was categorically an irregular
year, registering a decline of 1.9 per cent under the
given circumstances was only normal. But that is in
the past, we are confident that 2002 will be a great
year for us, and we are looking forward to at least
a modest 8 per cent growth.”
Amongst things that assume priority on Harnal’s
agenda is focussing on the North Indian market. “Given
the propensity of travel from North India, we were not
getting our due market share. My focus is to reposition
ourselves in North India, with an entirely new marketing
strategy. Competition is healthy, and if anything only
motivates me. In fact, I do not deem the other NTO’s
my fellow competitors, they are my fellow complimentors.
So, I can confidently say that for us at STB it is always
a win-win situation since we are a value-add to other
destinations.
Setting the house in order, Harnal’s urgency at
the moment is to set shop in Chennai. “The southern
market has been developing at an astronomical rate,
which makes it imperative for me to have an office down
South to consolidate my position there. I am looking
at setting up a representative office in Chennai, similar
to the one we have in Delhi, within a month.”
Speaking on the low profile STB has been maintaining
over the past year, Harnal affirms, “Yes, we have
been quiet for a while, but that can well be the lull
before the storm. We are not a destination that is the
flavour of the month, but an everlasting taste with
a repeat clientele of over 50 per cent which not many
tourism boards can pride on.”
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