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Silvassa to be promoted at WTM-2007

Rampant promotion and expansion observed in the region

Chetan Kapoor - Silvassa

Ajit K Singh IAS, Collector & District Magistrate and Director of Tourism (D&NH)

Dr Jitendrasinh M Parmar President Silvassa Hotel and Restaurant Association

The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Tourism (D&NHT) is looking at promoting Silvassa at the World Travel Market (WTM), to be held in London in November this year. Speaking exclusively to Express TravelWorld, Ajit K Singh, IAS, collector & district magistrate and director of tourism for Dadra and Nagar Haveli says, "Silvassa is a very relaxing place, surrounded by forest and rivers. We are planning on sending a team of delegates at the WTM this year as compared to the last time when we simply had a stall. Also we intend to have sessions with the travel agents and tour operators in the near future to promote the place."

In order to promote the region, the D&NHT has proposed projects like eco-tourism, organic tourism and rural tourism. In addition, it intends to develop a garden on the lines of Vrindavan gardens as well as a convention centre and a golf course, which would be developed in a PPP mode. The estimated project cost is to the tune of Rs. 25 crore and is to be approved by the Centre.

The abundance of greenery and low-level of taxes - VAT and stamp duty, for example - has made the region popular with industrial units and corporates to hold seminars & workshops and also families wanting to hold weddings here. A.D. Nikam, IFS, deputy director (tourism) for the union territory says, "We have a high corporate clientele, and even wedding tourism is on a rise because of our proximity to cities like Surat and Mumbai. This makes us a popular getaway and an alternative to Matheran and Lonavala. We are even hosting a month long 'Monsoon Magic' festival and everyone is invited to participate."

The influx of tourists in the region has put the hospitality industry on a rampant expansion spree as well. Dr Jitendrasinh M Parmar, president, Silvassa Hotel and Restaurant Association says, "Silvassa has a lot of repeat value as the disposable income of the people has risen. Also, the government has released close to 5,000 acres of land for industrial use. While we have a high corporate clientele anyway, this will only bring in more people in the region and realising this, most of the properties are expanding to offer more rooms, party spaces and even seminar halls for the near future." The association was formed by key hoteliers with the agenda to boost tourism in the region.

Singh adds, "Tourist inflow will rise manifold and for the human resource to be made available, an IHM is also opening up by hopefully next academic year." Furthermore, the long-term vision of the D&NHT is to have high-end, quality tourists for the region, and employ close to 5,000 people, concluded the director.