The ADTOI team, led by its president PP Khanna, participated in Rajasthan Tourism & Hospitality expo from January 7 to 9 in Jodhpur, chaired by Maharaja Gaj Singh and attended by Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary (Tourism), Rajasthan (through video conferencing) and other stakeholders of the tourism industry, notably J.M. Boob, President of Jodhana Hotels & Restaurants association, with its executive members.
The expo was also attended by 250+ exhibitors including hoteliers, hospitality professionals, restaurateurs, wedding venue owners, wedding planners, travel agents, caterers, vendors and event managers.
In his address, Khanna started by highlighting the contributions of the tourism and hospitality sector to the growth of the economy and the worst phase suffered by the sector during Covid and growing threats from climate change, degradation of ecosystem, etc.
He described the state of Rajasthan as a hub of art, culture, heritage, temples, adventure, cuisine, and attire and eight World Heritage Sites, as well as palaces, forts and havelis converted into hotels like Umaid Bhawan, Taj Lake Palace, etc.
He also dwelt on other topics such as the new tourism policy, providing Travel/MICE agents subsidized rates during travel marts, granting the tourism sector ‘industry’ status, implementing the rural tourism policy, film tourism policy, etc.