SATTE 2013: A Grand Success

AsiaNet 51887

NEW DELHI, Jan. 21, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN / --

     The 20th edition of South Asia's leading B2B travel and tourism trade

exhibition SATTE (http://www.satte.in), held from 16-18 January, 2013 at

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, achieved immense success and saw the presence of the

who's who of both Indian and global travel and tourism industries, including

the Presidents of all the Indian tourism associations, representatives from the

UNWTO and various National Tourist Offices, Ambassadors and High Commissioners

of various countries as well as travel agents and tour operators from the

industry. Industry leaders were unanimous that SATTE has been a great platform

for the sector. The exhibition was inaugurated by Union Tourism Secretary,

Parvez Dewan. "Today, the situation is that the ratio between inbound tourism

into India and outbound tourism out of India is 1:2.5, and the gap is not

narrowing, it is widening. SATTE has become an institution; a well founded one

within India and its neighboring countries," he said in his inaugural speech.

He further added that, over the last 20 years, SATTE has been promoting India's

tourism and it has evolved as a truly global exhibition in this part of the

world.

     During the inauguration ceremony Alla Peressolova, Head of the Silk Road

Programme and Fairs Programme, UNWTO read out a special message by Taleb Rifai,

Secretary-General, UNWTO, "In the last two decades, SATTE has grown from

strength to strength becoming one of the leading networking forums for the

tourism sector in South Asia. With the contribution of more participants than

ever before, I am confident that SATTE will maintain its reputation. I look

forward to UNWTO's continued collaboration with SATTE." Peressolova further

added, "SATTE has been always been working as a catalyst for the Indian travel

and tourism sector. We have collaborated with SATTE to promote tourism in this

region." UNWTO also released their report on domestic tourism in Asia and the

Pacific at SATTE, a first on an Indian platform.

     Addressing the entire delegation at the inauguration Sajid Desai, Group

Director, UBM India revealed, "With 590 exhibitors from 35 overseas countries

and 23 Indian states; buyers from over 43 countries and 74 cities of India

SATTE 2013 has seen the participation of many new countries as their launch

platform to showcase their diverse tourism profile to Indian travel trade. In

addition to long-time supporters, countries like USA, Bulgaria, Ethiopia and

Seychelles are participating for the first time at SATTE." SATTE 2013 witnessed

hectic B2B meetings, business transactions and networking between buyers and

sellers, as well as thought provoking and insightful conference sessions.

     Nancy Powell, US Ambassador to India, graced the inaugural dinner of SATTE

at The Ashok. Addressing the audience, Powell said that more and more Indians

are travelling to the United States. This is not just because of America's

welcoming atmosphere and outstanding sights. It is also because Indians and

Americans are finding more in common.

"Our personal and cultural ties are increasing dramatically and trade between

our two countries is following the same trajectory. Travel and tourism to the

U.S. is an important way for us to expand our cultural and commercial ties and

increase trade growth between our countries. But the most important aspect of

travel and tourism is not the dollar figures, but the person-to-person

relationships that are cultivated."

     Praising SATTE's efforts for tourism promotion she opined that SATTE is

one of the important platforms to do tourism business in India. She stated that

Brand USA is participating in SATTE 2013 to promote US tourism products in

India. In 2011, the United States welcomed over 660,000 visitors from India - a

new record. India is now poised to leap into our top 10 sources of visitors and

to cross the 1 million visitor mark by 2015.

     Extending his support to the exhibition, Subhash Goyal, President, Indian

Association of Tour Operators (IATO) stated, "Over the last 20 years, SATTE has

continued to promote the tourism industry massively in India. It has become an

iconic show that cannot be missed by the travel and tourism fraternity. We have

and will continue to look forward to a great and a successful show every year."

     About UBM India

     UBM India is a subsidiary of UBM plc, which is the second largest

independent exhibition organiser in the world. It is the largest trade

exhibition organiser in India, responsible for 26 exhibitions in different

locations across the country. The company is also involved in the organisation

of conference programmes throughout India and in the publications of trade

journals and magazines.

     Media Contact:

     Jayesh Kanaskar

     Email: jayesh.kanaskar@ubm.com

    UBM India Pvt Ltd.

    Unit No. 1&2, B-Wing, 5th Floor, Times Square, Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri

(E), Mumbai-400059

   Tel:       +91-22-61727272

   Fax:       +91-22-61727273

   Mobile:    +91-9819586780

   Event URL  http://www.satte.in

   Website:   http://www.ubmindia.in

   SOURCE: SATTE 2013 - UBM India Pvt Ltd