Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014, the
region’s leading travel industry showcase, has named India
Devender Singh, Economic
Advisor, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, accepted the award from Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director,
Reed Travel Exhibitions.
Last year’s recipient, the Philippines, represented
by Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Assistant Secretary, International Tourism
Promotions, Department of Tourism, providing an update on sector recovery and
the outlook for the industry in 2014, with previous recipient Chile, represented
by HE Jean-Paul Tarud, Ambassador of Chile to the UAE and P K Ashok Babu,
Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of India, also joining the interactive
panel discussion.
“The people of northern India
“It took monumental effort and sheer
determination on the part of regional and national government, as well as by
people in the affected communities and beyond, to start the rebuilding process
and get the local economy back on track; and this collaborative effort embodies
the spirit of the New Frontiers Award,” he added.
The award was made in recognition of India
Significant
fatalities and the displacement of more than 1.1 million people were further
exacerbated by the destruction of entire communities and wholesale destruction
of crops and farmland.
Accepting
the award, Devender Singh
from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said: “Tremendous
effort is being made at all levels in terms of rebuilding tourism
infrastructure in the affected areas, from state government activity to
financial support from the Government of India.
“It
will be a long-term process and we have only just started to get back to
normal, but we are optimistic for the future.”
According to the World Travel &
Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Annual Economic Impact Data report, 2014 is expected to be a year of above-average growth
for the country’s travel and tourism sector with a forecasted 7.3% growth in
economic contribution.
Domestic tourism revenues rose by 5.1% in
2013 and are expected to increase by 8.2% in 2014, with domestic travel pegged
as a key growth market. International visitor spend also increased by 6.2% in
2013 and further sector growth this year will be boosted by the proposed
extension to the government’s visa on arrival and Electronic Travel
Authorisation programme, which is set to cover tourists from 180 countries.
Travel and tourism also continues to be
an economic mainstay, contributing INR 6,631.6 billion in 2013 and generating
35 million jobs.
A major CSR initiative under the ATM
brand, and now in its ninth year, the New Frontiers Award 2014 once again
reinforced the overall focus of the programme, communicated under the theme
‘Recover, Repair, Rebuild’.
Awarded to destinations that have
overcome great adversity to bring much needed tourism back to their shores, the
award also honours the strength and determination of the local people who work
tirelessly to rebuild lives and communities following disaster as well as
highlighting the crisis management capabilities of local tourism authorities.
“As well as acknowledging India’s efforts
in tackling the immense challenge of rebuilding its agricultural as well as
tourism infrastructure, this is also an invaluable opportunity for the industry
to learn from the experience of past recipients such as the Philippines and
Chile as they share their road to recovery stories,” remarked Walsh.
In addition to the prestigious crystal
trophy, the New Frontiers Award comprises ATM exhibition space valued at
US$10,000 along with additional marketing support in promoting the outstanding
tourism opportunities offered by the recipient nation.
Photo
caption: Mark Walsh, Portfolio
Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions presenting the 2014 New Frontiers Award to P K
Ashok Babu, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of India and Devender Singh, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Tourism,
Government of India
