Tourism minister Azmeera Chandulal on Friday inaugurated the Hyderabad edition of ‘India International Travel Mart (IITM) at the People’s Plaza on Necklace Road. IITM is a premier travel and tourism exhibition organised by Sphere Travelmedia and Exhibitions.
Speaking at the event, Chandulal said, “We are glad that IITM is being held in Hyderabad as it gives us an opportunity to showcase our culture and tradition to people of other states and countries. In Telangana, we have many tourist attractions and our aim is to develop them as tourist hotspots.”
Also present at the event, Burra Venkatesham, Principal Secretary, Tourism said, “When the state was a part of the combined Andhra Pradesh, some of our tourist attractions were not given much importance. However, now we want to ensure that these places are promoted properly. Be it world’s largest tribal festival ‘Sammakka Sarakka Jatara’ or the recently concluded Bathukamma, we have many festivals which are celebrated extravagantly. Telangana is a place where modernity meets tradition and this makes us one of the best destinations for medical, heritage, cultural and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions tourism).”
“In order to promote our traditions and tourist destinations, we are coming up with a new policy to attract tourists. Once this policy is finalised, chances are that we can earn nearly `30 crores of additional income,’’ Rao added.
Meanwhile, with this year’s edition of ‘IITM’ in Hyderabad, the Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions completes 16 years of providing travel industry and discerning buyers from the travel, trade and corporate sector an opportunity to do better business.
With participation from over five countries and over 20 Indian states, the three day event will showcase a variety of destinations from different spheres such as pilgrimages, adventures, culture and heritage, beaches, hills, cruises, luxury travel and many more.
Source: The New Indian Express