Dubai, Nov 29: Leading aviation and travel companies besides government agencies from the Middle East will take part in World Travel India (WTI), the international travel trade exhibition and conference scheduled to be held in Mumbai in February next year. There is great interest in WTI among Mideast exhibitors with support pledged by Qatar Airways, which aims to exploit the substantial potential in reciprocal tourism and to challenge India's aviation policies.
Senior government officials will be attending the WTI conference at which the Qatar Airways CEO Ahmed al Baker will put the airlines' case forward, 'Khaleej Times' today quoted WTI project manager Richard Gayle as saying.
Another Middle East exhibitor is the government of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce marketing which is keen to develop the Indian market and has signed up for a substantial presence at the WTI show.
''The annual Dubai shopping festival and Dubai summer surprises have proven to be highly successful strategies in attracting tourists from India,'' Gayle said.
He said Gulf Air is looking to promote its services in the Indian travel market too. The launch in May of Gulf Traveller, the budget airline, will be something the airline will concentrate on between India, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
''It is not surprising at a time when government statistics indicate that tourism generated USD 2.5 billion in foreign exchange earnings in the year up to September, up 20 per cent last year. Inbound tourism grew by around 15 per cent with 1.864 million visitors, all positive signs that the sleeping tiger of south west Asia is truly on course for roaring tourism market,'' said Gayle.
Bureau Report