Union Tourism Ministry participates in FITUR; FITUR is one of the world’s largest international travel exhibitions at Madrid

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is participating in FITUR from 18^th to 22^nd January in Madrid which is one of the world’s largest international travel exhibitions. India’s participation at FITUR is significant to step up the recovery of inbound tourism to pre-pandemic levels.

Ministry of Tourism has taken a space of 253 sq. mtr., with over 30 participants co-exhibiting with the India Pavilion to participate in the Exhibition. The India Pavilion was graced by the presence the King and Queen of Spain, and was formally inaugurated by His Excellency, Mr. Dinesh K. Patnaik, Indian Ambassador to Spain; Mr. Mohammed Riyas, Minister of Tourism, Kerala, and Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Inauguration of India Pavilion was done with Ribbon Cutting followed by Indian cultural performances and Yoga sessions.

After the inauguration, the Indian delegation and participants went around the India Pavilion and booths of various participating states and tour operators, participation was coordinated by Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC). During the day, Incredible India organized various Culture Performances, Yoga Sessions, Mehndi and Bollywood Dance Performances.

The Indian Delegation led by Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism participated in key business meetings with senior leadership from Melia Hotels International, Palladium Hotel Group, Expedia Group, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Cushman & Wakefield, and the Indo-Spanish Chambers of Commerce. These meetings facilitated by the dedicated Industry Development & Investment Promotion (IDIP) Division at the Ministry of Tourism managed by Invest India, had discussions around investment opportunities in the Indian tourism & hospitality sector. The leadership from these organizations were also formally invited to participate in the 1^st Global Tourism Investors’ Summit being organized by the Ministry of Tourism between 10^th – 12^th April, 2023 in New Delhi on lines of India’s G20 Presidency.

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NB/UD