PATA Travel Mart 2008 Concludes on a High Note

It was business as usual at the closing ceremony of PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2008 on the evening of September 19. As most of the seller delegates were already leaving, some 600 buyers and media delegates gathered at the two-level convention centre of the centrally located Marriott Hyderabad Hotel in order to attend a dinner invitation from China’s Hangzhou People’s Municipal Government.

It was up to Ms. Janice Antonson, PATA Chairman 2008-2009, to say farewell to the delegates and praise the quality of the professional event. On behalf of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), she thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as well as the State of Andhra Pradesh for being such a generous host in India. In the same time, she welcomed the delegation from China to showcase next year’s host city Hangzhou as one of China’s best tourism city. A real Chinese style gala dinner followed accompanied by traditional songs and dances.

Also, Andhra Pradesh Tourism offered another complimentary half-day tour in Hyderabad on September 20. Visited were the Salar Jung Museum, Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace and the Hussain Sagar Lake.

The Salar Jung Museum features a private art collection acquired by Prime Minister Mir Yousuf Ali Khan known as Salar Jung III (1889-1949). Spread on two floors, this extraordinary museum collection comprises over 40,000 art objects in 38 galleries, such as ivory carvings, textiles and glass, Indian miniature paintings, metal ware, arms, bronzes and painted textiles, Indian sculpture and minor arts of South India. Among the most valuable items are a musical clock from England and a double figure of carved wood from France. European furniture and paintings abound. In the Rebecca Gallery, there is a delicate European marble statue of a woman seen through her veil.

Ruler Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah built the monumental Charminar landmark at the core of the city’s cultural milieu in 1591. The imposing 48.7m high monument is a beautiful colossus made of granite, limestone, mortar, and pulverised marble. Four corner minarets rise into the sky, while every side of the monument is 20m in length and opens into a plaza through giant arches. Nearby is the oldest Mecca Masjid mosque, but it was not possible to stop our bus somewhere. Driving through the bazaar-like city centre, we finally reached the mighty Chowmahalla Palace.

This site was the seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty (1724-1949) and was built by Nawab Nizam Ali Khan or Asaf Jah II in 1870 to entertain official guests and royal visitors. The elegant Chowmahalla Palace consists of two courtyards and four different buildings separated by fountains and gardens. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the royal throne was laid. From the high wall, there are some 19 spectacular chandeliers of Belgium crystal. A collection of arms and armour offers a glimpse of a bygone era, when glory belonged to God.

The last tour stop was at the scenic Hussain Sagar Lake. Constructed in 1562 by Hussain Shah Wali during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, the man-made lake joins the two cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. One of the world’s tallest monolithic Buddha statues, which is 17.5m high and weighs 350 tonnes, predominantly stands on a rock boulder right in the middle of the lake. As we came as a private party, it was an excellent idea to have our lunch served on board of a cruise boat and enjoying our last day in Hyderabad with milkshakes, fresh fruits, Indian curries and bread.

PATA Travel Mart 2008 - Asia's Best Travel Networking Show

PATA Travel Mart 2008 at Hyderabad… The Marvelous Experience

HYDERABAD (INDIA). With more than 1,200 delegates from over 86 countries brainstormed over four days as to how to lure more worldwide tourists into the Asia-Pacific region, which has some of the most ancient and interesting tourist attractions in the world.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart (PTM) 2008, Asia Pacific's best annual travel contracting and networking show, held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), Hyderabad, India on September 16-19. PTM 2008 has seen about 850 sellers (tourism and travel operators) from all over the world interacting on tourism contracts from over 350 buyers (tourism wings of governments) in the Asia-Pacific region.

While the tourism in the Asia Pacific region as a whole is expected to grow at a rate of six per cent per annum over the next few years with a planned target of 450 million tourists by 2010. Of the 903 million international tourist arrivals world over in 2007, India accounted for only 5.08 million, a meager 0.56 per cent.

In the Asia-Pacific region, there were 194.3 million arrivals. India ranks 42nd in world tourist arrivals and 11th in Asia Pacific tourist arrivals.

While AP is the number one domestic tourist destination (largely due to the religious pilgrimage to Tirupati), it does not figure in the top five states attracting international tourists. “Most international tourists have heard of only Hyderabad, that too as a modern city and an IT hub. We hope to change all that by selling all the tourist spots in the state and increasing the number of international tourists to 1 million by the next year,” said Jayesh Ran-jan, MD, APTDC.

The Pacific Asia 2008 meet in the city is all set to change the fortunes of the lesser known tourist spots in the state.

The Falaknuma Palace, The Budda statue in Hussainsagar, Taramati Baradari, Golconda fort, Qutub Shahi tombs and Shilparamam and Hitex are going to be included in the international travel list. “For the first time all these tourism spots would get the much-needed exposure and I am sure some of those would be included in the international travel list,” said Ms Laxmi Parthasarathi, the principal secretary of the tourism department.

“We had never hosted an international meeting like this in Hyderabad before. The international airport, Hitex convention centre and recent additions in the hospitality sector have made it possible for the city to host international events. Now, the city has joined the select international cities with most advanced meeting, exhibition, convention and hospitality facilities,” she added.

Thanks to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the State of Andhra Pradesh, the historical city of Hyderabad for hosting the prestigious event accordingly. As India's "Incredible India" media campaign has placed Indian tourism on the world map, this year's PTM was the ideal platform to showcase India's tourism destinations and products.

Hyderabad itself is now considered as one of the most happening cities in the world being developed as the transit hub between Europe and China. Also, Hyderabad is the hot "IT" hub of India and prominently features HITEC City. The new international airport has virtually transformed Hyderabad into the most sought tourist destination in India, along with New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

Some 250 PATA Travel Mart (PTM) delegates joined the complimentary city tour on the official first day of the event that aims to facilitate the sustainable growth of Asia Pacific travel in "total tourism" terms - to, within, and from the region.

As Hyderabad is called "City of Pearls" it is interesting to know what the name of the cosmopolitan mega city in the central part of India really means. And so the story goes:

The place of Hyderabad was originally named after a local dancer called Bhagmati. It was Mohamed Quli Qutub Shah, who ousted the earlier Bahamani dynasty in 1512 to establish the fortress city of Golconda. Once the sultan rode out from Golconda to meet his beloved one by braving the flood waters of the Musi River. He renamed his beloved "Hyder Mahal" and named the new city Hyderabad in honor of her.

Our first stop was at the historical Golconda Fort dating back to the 12-13th century, when the Hindu Kakatiyas ruled there. The fortress - meaning "Shepherd's Hill in the local Telugu language - was built on a granite hill and surrounded by massive ramparts. The fort itself has a 10km long outer wall and 8 main gateways, water supply, royal palace complex, meeting halls, temples and mosques. Hand-clapping was the traditional code for warning the residents in case of danger.

Not far from the impressive Golconda Fort, there were the 7 royal tombs of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, who ruled Hyderabad during 1518-1687. Planned and built by the Qutub Shahis themselves, the tombs show Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles - using granite rocks and ornamented with stucco. There are other tombs too, for instance the tomb of Princess Hayat Bakshi Begum. It was there that the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb prayed in a nearby mosque, after he had captured the city in 1687 and made it part of his great Mughal Empire.

The last stop of the 5 hours city tour was at the vast gardens of Shilparamam Crafts Village, where shopping was possible and a local buffet lunch was offered. Also, there was a short performance of a shadow puppet show, which goes back in time and can be compared with the shadow puppet plays in Southern Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

After this successful introduction into the tourism potential of Hyderabad, all the delegates of PTM2008 were prepared to attend "Incredible India Evening" and the official dinner reception at the Falaknuma Palace hosted by H. E. Ambika Soni, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

The Falaknuma Palace is regarded as one of the most magnificent palaces in the whole of India and overlooks the busy city of Hyderabad. It was built by Vikar-ul-Umra in the late 19th century, when India was a British colony. The former "Maharaja" palace is a treasure trove of art and architecture and is now a part of the Taj Group, which will soon convert it into a super deluxe hotel.

Interesting to note that, Cambodia announced its own travel mart Angkor International Tourism Exchange (AITEX) again in Siem Reap on December 4-6, 2009.

Cambodia is one of the 6 countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) that is promoting its tourist attractions heavily. Among them is the sacred temple of Preah Vihear, which became the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site recently.

PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2008 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) holds what it promised. During the official press conference on September 17, PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong revealed that 374 buyers from 56 countries interact with 715 registered sellers from 38 countries. Furthermore, there will be around 200 international and local media delegates to monitor the three days of busy networking.

The following media briefings were conducted in the well-equipped media workrooms sponsored by Amadeus Asia Pacific.

1. H.E. Ms Ambika Sony, Honorable Union Tourism Minister of the Government of India, personally gave out the traditional order that guests will be treated as gods. Despite natural calamities and man-made disasters, Indian tourism will have a rosy future with some 22 mega destinations in place. Welcoming some 5 million international tourists in 2007, India's railway network is one of the largest in the world; its hospitality is second to none. With the "Incredible India" campaign, a huge product diversity from sea to desert and an ambitious rural tourism project going on, Indian tourism will grow accordingly.

2. Mr. Jagdeep Singh, Media Facilitator, introduced the popular destination of India's Rajasthan with its forts, palaces, temples, lakes, wild-life sanctuaries and cultural festivals. Looking at the tremendous success of the "Palace on Wheels" booked out till 2010, there will be launched a new super luxury train "Royal Rajasthan on Wheels" in December 2008. The train will have 2 suites, 13 saloons, plus 2 restaurants & bar, spa and internet facilities. Its itinerary will include Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Agra.

3. The Government of Andhra Pradesh in India with its Minister of Tourism, Mr. Sri Anam Ramanarayana, highlighted the rich heritage of the region, actually being the essence of Incredible India. With a 1.000km long coastline, a myriad of ancient Buddhist sites, such as Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda, and its sophisticated handicrafts of ikat weaving and silver working, Andhra Pradesh is at the forefront of adventure tourism. Also, its capital Hyderabad is now quickly becoming a hotspot for international events and a preferred MICE destination. Furthermore, Hyderabad is in the process to become a medical city, offering special services like Ayurveda treatments.

4. That China is watching the newly emerging India source market was demonstrated by Mrs. Alice Wang, Deputy Director of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) based in New Delhi. In her presentation, she mentioned China's 54 million visitors in 2007 and the huge flow in domestic tourism.

After the successful event of the Olympics in Beijing this year, Mrs. Alice Wang is banking on regional co-operation schemes, such as with ASEAN and India. Also, there will be the upcoming China International Travel Mart in the mega city of Shanghai on November 20-23, 2008.

5. Air India presented its new face and it was interesting to note that Air India is planning to join "Star Alliance" in early 2009.

6. China's Chengdu tourism industry has suffered since the massive earthquake on May 12, 2008 and needs to recover again. Chengdu represents not only a part of traditional China, but also mirrors modern China too. In comparison with other developed cities in China, Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, claims a history of 2,500 years and a well-preserved heritage of traditions. With its 11 million inhabitants, Chengdu is opening more and more to the outside world and moving forward to be a cosmopolitan city. In the vicinity of the city, there are the ancient water conservancy projects and the protection zones of the world-famous panda bears. In addition, the Leshan Giant Buddha and the sacred mountain of Mount Emei are worth a visit, not to say the tea houses, local cuisine restaurants and traditional arts and crafts centres.

7. China's Chongqing New Century Cruises on the Yangzi River were introduced and there was an overview about the Three Gorges Dam Project given accordingly.

8. Hangzhou Tourism introduced the city that will host the next PATA Travel Mart at Zhejiang World Trade Centre on September 22-25, 2009. For delegates, who will land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, it will be a two hours shuttle bus ride by expressway. Hangzhou with its 6.6 million inhabitants has its own Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport and some 300 hotels to offer. The city is an economic powerhouse in China and borders the scenic West Lake. This natural setting and a myriad of temples and shrines make Hangzhou a top tourist destination. Also, the city is the southern terminal of the Grand Canal going up to Beijing. Xixi National Wetland Park is another tourist attraction together with a tea museum and home of silk. Ancient traditional medicine shops abound - all good reasons to attend PTM2009 next year in Hangzhou.

9. Mr. Udom Metatamrongsiri, Advisor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), introduced the revived "Amazing Thailand" campaign for the Visit Year 2008-2009. Despite its current political problems, Thailand is still a world class tourist destination and its tourism industry has a strong foundation. The year 2007 recorded 14.46 million visitors and the aim of 2008 is looking for 15.48 million tourists. The five leading source markets are Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Singapore. Some European countries follow behind. One of the new markets will be India.

TAT will organise a kind of mega familiarisation trip during October 8-12 to highlight Thailand's seven amazing wonders, namely Thai-ness, Treasure, Beaches, Nature, Wellness, Trends, and Festivities. Newly promoted destinations are Koh Chang, Nong Khai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Krabi and Phang Nga.

10. Update on Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and its two US destinations Disneyland in Anaheim, California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

11. Widespread tourism opportunities abound in the South Pacific. There were valuable presentations made by tourism representatives of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and finally the elusive Kingdom of Tonga.

12. PATA Sri Lanka Chapter & Sri Lanka Convention Bureau invited media delegates to the launch of the "Meet in Sri Lanka" campaign at the elegant Taj Krishna Hotel in the centre of Hyderabad. Present were Mr. Renton de Alwis, Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and Mr. Hiran Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels and Resorts in Sri Lanka. Colorful dressed dancers entertained the delegates in style.

Later in the evening, there was a dinner reception at the huge Taj Krishna Ball Room hosted by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited that privately runs the airports in Hyderabad, Delhi and Turkey's Istanbul.

A show with a difference...

Hyderabad in Pictures

Hyderabad - The Pearl City

The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is of Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris.

The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is of Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris.

The eternal city of love, art, and history, flourishing together in perfect harmony making it one of the most enchanting places in the world. Hyderabad's warm hospitality, impressive monuments, mosques, minarets, art and architectural richness, and technological progress will take you through an amazing journey of its glorious past and a spirited voyage into its promising future.

Experience a unique blend of the old dominion and rustic charm within the trappings of new age modernity.

The city of smiles, of lights, of a thousand faces. Endearingly called the Pearl City, Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions ranging from Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks, Gardens and Resorts, Museums to delectable cuisine and a delightful shopping experience. Some of the tourist attractions include...

Hyderabad, the magical name that brings to the mind's eye visions of royal grandeur and leisurely "Nawabi" (kingly) atmosphere. A Vacationer's delight, this legendary city with a 400-year-old history, of the splendour of Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties, Moghal grandeur, exotic cuisine, and exquisite markets, is world famous for its fascinating contrasts and unrivalled attractions.

Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, is the fifth largest cosmopolitan city in India. The City thrives with a variety of cultures intermingled into an astounding culture that gives it a distinct identity of its own. This is where tradition fuses with modernity, and heritage structures vie with modern high-rise buildings to add to the beauty of the city.

Located in the heart of the Deccan plateau, 1760 ft above the sea level, Hyderabad has an invigorating climate with awe inspiring prehistoric rocks and natural lakes, along with a variety of flora and flauna.

Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions ranging from Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks, Gardens and Resorts, Museums to delectable cuisine and a delightful shopping experience. The city of Hyderabad is a shopper's delight! From the world famous pearls to traditional arts & crafts, from textiles of all modern brand names to ethnic wear, the city offers an astounding variety of shopping. Hyderabad is famous world over for its fabulous diamond markets, glass embedded bangles and the delectable "Hyderabadi Cuisine".

It is unique in being one of the few cities where tradition and technology co-exist, a revolution that has already attracted Microsoft and other major MNC's to set their overseas base here. With a dynamic leadership, the state is steering the nation to new dimensions in the fields of Information Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Business Management, Construction, and more - to emerge as a land of immense business opportunities.

Indians Traveling Abroad On The Rise

With growing disposable incomes and consumption-driven economy, increasing numbers of Indians are traveling abroad for leisure and business, according to a survey by the Neilsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008.

Asian countries are their most popular destinations followed by Europe which, however, is preferred for business travel rather than pleasure, says Vatsala Pant, Associate Director, Nielsen Company. The survey done in association with Pacific Asia Travel Association also reveals that most of India’s out bound travelers hail from urban centres and are well educated and well-informed about the world.

The main reason that a majority of Indians (64 per cent) travel abroad is for sight-seeing, followed by those (47 percent) with an urge to explore a new country. About a quarter travel overseas to distress and for visiting family and friends. PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre Associated Director Oliver Martin says with a rapidly expanding middle class, India offers huge potential to tap millions of potential travelers in the next two years.

Singapore will be the most common travel destination for Indians in the next 12 months followed by Dubai, Australia and Malaysia. On an average, Indians spend nearly US $1,789 per person per leisure trip. Other than travel and accommodation, they spend mostly on global branded goods. Accessories, electronics, local souvenirs, fragrances, fine gifts and fashion also rank high on their shopping list, the survey reveals. Interestingly, Internet is the popular medium for information on destinations for 46 per cent of Indians surveyed and the rest depended on travel agents and tour operators. Other popular sources are newspapers, magazines. A majority of travelers, however, depended on travel agents for their holiday bookings while 12 percent preferred online travel agents.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) which already attracts a significant number of Indian travelers has now turned it attention to tier II and III Indian cities.

With the Indian economy expanding rapidly, TAT is actively coordinating with travel agents in these cities as people were traveling from everywhere.