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Bhopal. 31 August (HS). Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Department Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that there is a need to develop tourist destinations and tourism facilities in accordance with the demand of the global market. Facilities like light and sound show, 3D virtual tour will have to be developed at tourist places using AI and new technology. This will give information to the present and future generation about the history and uniqueness of the tourist place.
Principal Secretary Shukla was addressing the business session on the topic 'Resurgent India Inbound – Strategy to re-establish India amidst challenging business environment' on the second day of the 39th Annual Conference of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) held on Saturday. The conference held at Hotel Taj Lakefront in Bhopal was inaugurated on Friday by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
On the second day of IATO's 39th annual conference on Saturday, various sessions were held to discuss the future prospects, efforts and opportunities in tourism. From morning to late evening, delegates expressed their views on topics such as increasing the number of tourists in the country and the state, economic growth and promotion of tourist destinations in various sessions. Special Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department Isha Priya and MD of Abercrombie & Kent Vikram Madhok also addressed the session. The session was conducted by Secretary (Retired) Government of India Arvind Singh.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department's Principal Secretary Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that while developing a tourist destination, special attention should be paid to its global uniqueness. This uniqueness will attract foreign tourists to visit the country. Principal Secretary Shukla also urged all IATO members to invite as many tourists as possible to Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh is the cleanest, greenest and safest tourist destination in the country: MD Ilaiyaraaja
Speaking on the topic of Discovering the Undiscovered in the third session of the convention, Managing Director of State Tourism Development Corporation Ilaiyaraaja T said that more than 90 properties are being operated by Madhya Pradesh Corporation to host tourists in the state. Madhya Pradesh is the cleanest, greenest and safest tourist destination in the country. Madhya Pradesh has a wonderful amalgamation of culture, history, archaeology and geology.
He said that in order to promote sustainable tourism, tie-ups have been done with Eco Tourism Board so that the infrastructure i.e. resorts and hotels can be built in a sustainable manner. Along with Mahakal Lok and Ujjain gaining fame in spiritual tourism, the state is also leading in responsible tourism. Taking community participation in the field of tourism a step forward, Hotel Amaltas in Pachmarhi is being run only by women. President of ATOAO Padmashree Ajit Bajaj, MD and CEO of CGH Earth Michael Dominic and President of Antara Luxury River Cruise Raj Singh also expressed their views in the session.
Special Session on Madhya Pradesh
A special session on Madhya Pradesh was organized during the conference. In this, Additional Managing Director of Tourism Board Vidisha Mukherjee highlighted the important points of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Policy along with various places of cultural, natural, historical and spiritual importance in Madhya Pradesh to various stakeholders including travel agents, tour operators who had come to Bhopal for the conference.
In another session on Chasing Hotels for Inbound Tourism, representatives of the country's reputed chain hotels ITC, The Leela, Fern, Sarovar and Pride shared their views on the development of the hospitality industry in the country and Madhya Pradesh. Also, in the session based on the topic of Last Mile Connectivity, brainstorming was done on streamlining the air connectivity in the country and the state as per the demand of tourists. Representatives of the country's reputed institutions Air India, STIC, Lotus Aero and ITTA addressed. In the last session of the day, all IATO members were guided on increasing the publicity of tourism and the use of media on the topic of Marketing and Promotion of Inbound Tourism. Presentations were made on tourism and investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh and other states.
Travel Mart showcased states and prestigious brands
Other states including Madhya Pradesh and reputed brands have set up attractive stalls in the Travel Mart to introduce IATO members and travel and tour operators to tourism products. Delegates are being invited to bring more and more tourists to the state by distributing brochures, booklets, souvenirs and local food of tourist destinations. Reputed brands like Hotel Pride, Palace on Wheels, including Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh states have set up stalls.
IATO Run for Responsible Tourism at 6am
On the last day of the IATO conference, a five km run (IATO Run for Responsible Tourism) is being organized at 6 am on Sunday to introduce IATO members to the natural beauty and heritage of Bhopal city. This run will start from VIP Road and end at Gauhar Mahal via Imperial Segway.
Deputy Chief Minister Shukla will conclude the
The closing ceremony of IATO will be held at Hotel Taj at 2:30 pm. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla will be the chief guest at the ceremony. Along with the closing ceremony, various IATO awards will also be given.