A two-day Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart, an event where tourism product suppliers from the state meet with buyers from different parts of the country, kicked off today.
On the agenda of the Mart, which is taking place after a gap of two years since the event could not be held in the intervening period because of Covid, are around 9000 structured business-to-business meetings.
Around 200 tourism product suppliers, which include hoteliers and other service providers, and around 300 domestic travel buyers are participating in the event.
This is the second edition of RDTM, which was first held in 2018 and was meant to be an annual feature in the calendar of the travel and tourism industry. However, Covid caused suspension of the event for two years.
Rajasthan, arguably one of the most preferred states for tourists, especially those from other countries, has Seena fall in the number of foreign tourists due to Covid and the tourism sector in the state, which attributes its survival during the pandemic to domestic tourists, is now focusing on enhancing its allure for the latter category.
Karan Rathore, Vice Chairman, Services Export Promotion Council said, "Rajasthan has something to offer to everyone, from dormitories that are available for Rs 100 to high-end luxury hotels that provide the traveller with a truly royal experience. This has been the strength of the tourism sector in Rajasthan, and the aim of getting buyers and sellers under one roof is to reinforce that image."
At the formal inaugural of the event last evening, Culture Minister B D Kalla said, "Rajasthan has everything to offer to travellers except for snow and the sea. With over 9000 structured B2B meetings lined up, I am confident that domestic tourism in the state will get further boost."
Principal Secretary Tourism Gayatri Rathore said steps were being taken to ensure not just greater tourist footfall but also how various incentives to the tourism industry can enhance investment in the sector in the state.
A Film Tourism Promotion Policy was also launched at the inaugural session of the Mart. As part of the policy, the government will give subsidies and incentives of up to Rs two crore for films to be shot in the state.
Speaking at the event, Apurv Kumar, President of Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Rajasthan, mentioned that the grant of industry sector to tourism in the state, a first in the country, has helped tremendously by way of boosting business and creating enormous employment opportunities.