TTF-2002 Bangalore Evinces Increased Participation
Lakshman V /Bangalore

Notwithstanding the downturn in the market, there was an overwhelming response from the travel and tourism trade

Aimed at enhancing their brand image and simultaneously cash-in on the ever-increasing outbound tourism market from the Silicon Valley, the 26th Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF), which concluded recently in Bangalore for the first time witnessed a huge participation from Eastern and Southern markets in the country.

The high-profile travel exhibition, evinced roaring participation from Sikkim, Nagaland, Uttaranchal, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Pondicherry, each contending for the shrinking tourism pie. This apart, there was a considerable presence from several international first timers like Thailand, South Africa and Netherlands, Canada, who had come with a huge contingent of travel agents and hotel companies.

Speaking to Express Travel & Tourism, Sanjiv Agarwal, CEO and chairman, Fairfest Media, organisers of the event, said, “Notwithstanding the downturn in the market, there was an overwhelming response from the travel and tourism trade. We never expected it would be so good. This time around the event witnessed an increase of 25 per cent growth both in terms of business generation and participation from the travel fraternity. An estimated 15,000 general and trade visitors frequented the event on all days.”

Commenting on the response from the event, Uttaranchal tourism minister, T R S Rawat, mentioned, “This is the first time, we are participating and the response has been truly amazing, particularly from the Bangalore market. We see Bangalore as a growing market with huge potential. TTF has given us the right kind of platform to showcase our rich and varied tourism potential to a diverse audience. Our main focus here was to highlight the state as an all-time destination.”