(The oldest and the largest ever platform in the city for connecting domestic and international travel trade)
BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 12 JULY 2024:
The much-awaited Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) 2024 has officially commenced at the Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan in Kolkata. This year, TTF has expanded to fill up the hall to its full capacity. There is also a significant increase in international participation.
Recognized as the leading networking platform for the travel industry in Eastern India since its inception in 1989, TTF 2024 continues to connect travel trade professionals in the region, with national and international destinations.
Event Highlights
- Exhibitor Showcases: Over 450 exhibitors from 10 countries and 26 Indian States & UTs present their latest offerings, from travel packages and destination management services to cutting-edge travel technology.
- Networking Opportunities: Special sessions and meet-and-greet events designed to facilitate meaningful connections and business collaborations.
- Exciting Deals: Exclusive travel deals and packages are available, ensuring visitors find the best options for their next adventure.
- Uniting the Travel Industry: This year, we are proud to welcome more than 3000+ travel professionals and industry leaders, along with 5000+ general visitors, ready to explore new opportunities and exciting travel deals.
Showcasing partner countries and destinations such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mauritius and Thailand, and from all over India, TTF 2024 in Kolkata offers a glimpse into the diverse travel opportunities available across the globe. State Tourism Boards from Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and many others are exhibiting, featuring vibrant displays of their unique culture and tourism offerings. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has a key presence at the show to highlight and showcase their ongoing initiatives like the G20 summit, or ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Swadesh Darshan’.
A Hub for Quality Networking
Over the next three days, TTF will serve as a vital hub for the Indian travel trade community. Attendees will have the chance to engage with distinguished members of the travel industry, fostering connections that drive business growth and innovation. The event will feature special sessions and meet-and-greet events, designed to facilitate meaningful connections and business collaborations. These sessions will include panel discussions with industry leaders, workshops on the latest travel trends, and networking opportunities that encourage the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Bihar Tourism will organise a Roadshow, featuring an informative destination presentation followed by a networking dinner, offering a unique opportunity to connect and explore travel opportunities in Bihar, on 13th July.
On the same day, the Royal Thai Consulate-General of Kolkata and Tourism Authority of Thailand will organise Amazing Thailand Quiz, encouraging those on show floor to participate and win exciting Thailand souvenirs.
Panel discussions include ‘How to bridge the gap between Airlines and Agents?’, attended by heads of Associations from the travel trade and aviation experts. Another insightful session will explore the topic of ‘Expanding the reach of Responsible Tourism to West Bengal – focus on Sundarbans’, moderated by ICRT India Foundation (Responsible Tourism); along with many colourful destination presentations from Indian States and National Tourism Organisations, Sri Lanka is organising dance performances that promise a glimpse into their vibrant culture.
ACT (Association for Conservation & Tourism) is also presenting Bengal Responsible Tourism Initiatives through ‘Ecotourism Festivals’ like the Dukpa Living Heritage Festival as part of Visit Dooars 2024, 5th North Bengal Birding Festival & 2nd Asian Bird & Butterfly Meet, and the Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival (6th edition in Kolkata). Day 2 of the show will see another insightful presentation from ACT, focusing on ‘Mission Ecotourism’ showcasing Asian Folk Fest from Lataguri in West Bengal, Yangang Ropeway of Sikkim, and Visit Terai 2026 – Future through cross-border tourism.
Launch of ‘Visit Terai’ Initiative:
Himalayan Terai (Foothills) is one of the richest areas in the world in terms of biodiversity, wildlife and culture. It is situated in the India-Nepal border, across more than a 1000 kms. There is an increasing availability of good roads and dozens of hassle free entry points in the region. Indian travellers can enter visa-free through a number of entry points spread across Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand; it has great destinations for the discerning tourists looking for adventure, wildlife and religious attractions. For example, Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), Chitwan and Parsa forests spread across thousands of square kms of contiguous area, now accessible through a newly established checkpoint at Thori (also known as Bhikhna Thori).
Spotlight on Kolkata:
Kolkata, the largest metropolitan city in Eastern India, is a well-known market for budget travellers, making it an ideal location for TTF. The city’s rich cultural heritage and strategic position in the travel sector offer unparalleled opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike.
TTF is India’s largest travel show series, organised annually in Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Patna, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. As India’s oldest and most influential travel trade show network, TTF focuses on providing highly effective marketing platforms to promote tourism in India’s key travel markets.
TTF takes place in Kolkata every year before the Durga Puja holidays, the busiest vacation travel season in the region, making it a pivotal event for the travel industry in Eastern India.
Mr. Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and CEO of Fairfest Media, the organisers of TTF, welcomes all attendees: “We are glad to host successful editions of TTF in Kolkata that grow bigger year after year. The show reaffirms its position as the gateway to the Eastern India market. This year’s exhibition space has broken all previous records. There is a significant increase in international participation. It’s exciting to see TTF being trusted by the travel trade buyers and sellers as a reliable platform to network, discover new trends and foster business growth. We anticipate an exciting and productive three days ahead.”
As TTF 2024 unfolds, we invite all to experience the dynamic atmosphere, explore new business opportunities, and discover the latest trends in the travel industry. With a packed schedule of events and activities, the next three days promise to be both fruitful and enjoyable for all!
Join us in celebrating the world of travel at TTF 2024! Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the event.
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