LONDON has welcomed over 1200 representatives from the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) for its first ever convention outside of South Asia in 60 years this weekend.
India is a key emerging visitor market for London and the rest of the UK. For the last two consecutive years, Indian tourists to London have outspent the Japanese and India is expected to generate 60 million outbound travellers by 2020.
Visit London, the capital’s tourism agency, forecasts spend from Indian visitors is set to increase by more than 50 per cent to £229 million between now and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Travel Agents Association of India represents over 2,500 Indian travel agents and other tourism representatives who influence a substantial part of the burgeoning outbound travel market from one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Over 95 per cent of Indian travellers book through the travel trade and by hosting the convention, London has a great opportunity to showcase the city and its tourist offer.
Visit London won the bid to host the TAAI congress in March of this year beating Cairo, Dubai and Korea and the convention alone is worth over £1.3 million to the capital’s economy.
Many more visits from India are expected to be generated as a result of holding the convention. Previous host cities have seen a 30% increase in inbound tourism from India post-conference.
Visit London Chief Executive James Bidwell said: "Hosting this congress is a tremendous win for London and we are pleased to welcome our guests for the start of this important annual event in the TAAI calendar.
"London is the number one destination in the world for international travel and we are committed to maintaining this momentum in the face of a fragmenting global tourism industry. As new destinations continue to grow and emerging economies rise, London and Britain need to adapt to the changing mix of visitors. India is an important market for London and it is critical that we are able to influence the opinion-formers of their travel industry. The three-day TAAI congress is the perfect opportunity to showcase London and Britain to the travellers of tomorrow."
During the annual congress, key representatives from Indian travel industry will be discussing a range of travel issues such as technology, trends and new markets for inbound and outbound travel.
President of the Travel Agents Association of India, Challa Prasad said: "From the regal chambers of the Rastrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi to the humble district collector’s office in a dusty corner of India, a little bit of London can be seen and felt everywhere.
"The Indian Travel Congress 2008 will be the ideal platform for business exchange between the Indian and local travel trade. For Indians, London is the natural gateway to Europe and the Americas and I am sure, the London Congress will be the portal to new opportunities for the travel industry in both countries."
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Mark, South Manchester (29/09/2008 at 10:08)
I'm beginning to think it's edited down in London!!
Sir Reginald Ringpull, A-u-L, Lancashire (29/09/2008 at 10:59)
"Where is the Manchester Evening News based these days? I'm beginning to think it's edited down in London!! "
It's all to do with the trickle down effect. The tourists spend millions for food and lodgings and then about 200 quid on Man U shirts from JJB. And as you know, JJB sponser Wigan - which is near Manchester.
The Manchester Congestion Charge Is A Pack Of Lies! Vote With Your Head!, Somewhere in Manchester (29/09/2008 at 15:13)