The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India’s 11th International Tourism Mart is all set to open. To be held from November 21 to 23, 2023, this edition is set against the picturesque backdrop of Shillong, Meghalaya and marks a significant shift as it unfolds as a ‘Green Event,’ in line with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change’s Mission LiFE.
Central to this endeavour, said the ministry, is a commitment to sustainability. The Mart will take a stance against Single-Use Plastics (SUP) and is adopting digital and paperless strategies, besides focusing on a tree plantation drive.
Further, in order to take forward the Travel for LiFE, a sectoral programme initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, under the aegis of Mission LiFE, the Ministry is working with all the tourism stakeholders including the State Governments, Industry, destinations and tourists. The Travel for LiFE Program is envisaged to position India as a leader in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism and using tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The International Tourism Mart is an annual event held by the Ministry in one of the North Eastern States on rotation basis, with an objective to provide a bigger platform to the North Eastern stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from both within the country and overseas markets as well as to create awareness about the tourism potential of North East Region (NER).
The event is scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy and will be attended by North-Eastern Tourism Ministers, Seniors Officials of North-Eastern States, State Governments and heads of the Tourism & Hospitality Associations.
The earlier editions of this Mart have been held in Guwahati, Tawang, Shillong, Gangtok, Agartala, Imphal, Kohima and Aizwal. Shillong will be hosting this event for the second time, since its inception. An approximate number of 100 delegates including domestic and international, would be participating in the event.
The event will include a session dedicated to business meetings between local North Eastern stakeholders and domestic and international buyers. The eight North Eastern States would present the updates on their new destinations as well as new opportunities in their states. Knowledge sessions and panel discussions including both the Government and private sectors would deliberate on the advances and development of connectivity in the region.
During the inaugural Tourism Investors Meet, the state has been buoyed by investment proposals totaling INR 15,116.65 crore. The Chief Minister said that a Single Window Clearance System has been created to assist tourism investors and a Facilitation Centre set up to follow up on the preliminary deliberations at the meet. The state is providing investment subsidies and incentives and encouraging PPPs in the tourism sector.
The air connectivity in the North East has increased tremendously in the last few years. At present, there are more than 16 airports providing accessibility to tourist destinations in the North East Region. As part of the collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Civil Aviation under RCS UDAN, 53 tourism routes have become operational of which 10 routes are exclusively for North East Region. The three vistadome trains operating in North East region have also majorly contributed to not only connectivity but also in enhancing its tourism appeal.
Development of tourism infrastructure and promotion in NER
One of the priorities of the Ministry of Tourism has also been the development of tourism infrastructure and tourism promotion activities in the North East Region. As per the MoT data, sixteen projects have been sanctioned in the North East States under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for a total amount of INR 1309 crore.
A total of 15 tourist destinations are being taken up in the North East for development under the revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 with an objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist and destination-centric approach.
Further, the Ministry of Tourism under the PRASHAD Scheme has sanctioned a total of eight projects for an amount of INR 256.45 crore for the integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations in the North East states.
The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned the development of 22 viewpoints at the cost of INR 44.44 crore to provide world-class infrastructure and related services for the highway network viz, commercial spaces, logistic parks, traveler facilities such as wayside amenities (WSA) in the North East Region. Many of the projects sanctioned under SD 1.0 and PRASHAD Schemes have already been completed and dedicated to the nation, the data mentioned.
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The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts and Preferred Hotels & Resorts celebrated 15 years of partnership with the announcement of the expansion and inclusion of The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel, The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel and The Leela Gandhinagar to the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
This alliance supports The Leela’s ambitious development plans and enables the luxury hotel brand to tap into the results-driven benefits of Preferred’s global infrastructure and distribution platform. For the Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the move solidifies its presence in India.
Additionally, two Leela marquee palaces – The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Bengaluru – joined Beyond Green, Preferred Hotel’s global portfolio of the most sustainable hotels around the world. Beyond Green represents sustainability leadership based upon action and impact.
The partnership endorses the existing WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics whilst paving the way for a stepped progression toward GSTC Certification for sustainable hotels. The WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics are already accessible to the industry, and the next phase in collaboration with GSTC is scheduled to launch in 2024.
As members of Beyond Green, both The Leela Palace Bengaluru and The Leela Palace Udaipur would work to deliver on the three pillars of sustainable tourism – environmentally sound, socially responsible practices that go beyond the basics; protection of cultural heritage, and the communities that upholds these – while also adhering to more than 50 sustainability indicators that align with global sustainable tourism criteria and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.“The Leela has always demonstrated its commitment towards environmental conservation and sustainability. With two of our hotels joining Beyond Green, we are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and reiterate our commitment towards a greener, cleaner, and a more sustainable future,” said Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, while commenting on the partnership.
“We see this as a convergence of two like-minded brands that are redefining the future of travel, as more and more travellers today seek fulfilling experiences in harmony with nature and their sociocultural surroundings and gravitate towards brands that demonstrate impact through action,” he said.
Under this partnership, Trip Affiliates (TA) Network will work closely with MBS on distribution-focused channels through its ecosystem and participating agencies and B2B travel operators which will support MBS and provide enhanced connectivity to the unique distribution network of agents, wholesalers and corporates within the TA Network ecosystem, the company shared.
The Leela has been consciously working on sustainability by promoting environmental sensitivity, responsible consumption and resource efficiency. It has been making significant investments to integrate sustainable practices and creating positive value for each of its stakeholders, thereby contributing to building a circular economy and nurturing communities in locations where it operates.
The Leela Palace Bengaluru is now powered majorly by renewable energy with 90% of the Palace running on wind energy. The Leela Palace Udaipur recently received the SEEMS Platinum, National Energy Management Award and is the only hotel to ply EV boats on Lake Pichola.
“We are thrilled to celebrate 15 years of partnership with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and we are proud to share a joint vision of providing unparalleled hospitality to the world’s most discerning travellers. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to welcome The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Bengaluru to Beyond Green and are proud to be their partner in their sustainability leadership.” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Travel Group.
Beyond Green, she shared, was created to provide a more purposeful way to explore the world where good guests meet good hosts, presenting genuine hospitality by the people for the planet. Each of the singular properties represented within the brand’s global portfolio are designed to inspire travellers with authentic and innovative design, unsurpassed guest service and an array of experiences that focus on personal renewal, wellness, learning, and adventure in some of the most unique destinations in the world.
“Our partnership with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has grown from strength to strength over the past 15 years, with a threefold increase to 12 iconic properties across the country,” said Saurabh Rai, EVP, Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
“As we continue to welcome new exciting destinations into our partnership portfolio, we are committed to delivering strong international business performance and support to our partners across key segments,” he concluded.
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