The
Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) annual convention, which
will take place 30 August – 2 September in Mumbai, is one of the
most important events in the Indian travel calendar and Gerard Brown,
International Tourism Director for Routes has been invited to give a
presentation during the event.
Over 1,400
companies are a member of IATO which controls over 90% of all inbound
tourism into India. The event attracts delegates from travel
agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines and state tourism boards.
In addition to those who are directly involved in tourism it also
brings together a strong participation of senior dignitaries from
central and state governments in India.
Gerard Brown
will present a session entitled New Dynamics in Tourism
Development which aims to provide a short synopsis of how
tourism visitor numbers have been achieved in the past and how this
model is constantly being challenged by the rapid and huge expansion
of low cost airlines whose business models, in many cases, prohibit
the use of travel agents and tour operators.
As
International Tourism Director for Routes Brown works with the
world’s tourism authorities on improving their air access to source
markets and during his presentation will outline the many
opportunities which the current dynamic brings to the forefront
though it appears that there is little room for the tour operators
and travel agents.
“I
feel it is important for me to take part in this event as India is a
large growth market for Routes and we expect a large delegation from
the region to attend the18th World Route Development Forum in Abu
Dhabi in September,” says Brown, adding: “Our India
Pavilion will see representation from, amongst others, the Airports
Authority of India, GMR Group, GVK Group, Incredible India and the
Ministry of Civil Aviation for the Government of India whose Joint
Secretary, Mr Prashant Sukul will also speak at the World Route
Development Strategy Summit. Further to this Routes Asia 2013
will take place in Mumbai next March hosted by Chhatrapati
Shivaji International Airport.”
World Routes,
the 18thWorld Route Development Forum will take place from
29thSeptember to 2ndOctober 2012 and is hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports
Company (ADAC) and supported by official carrier Etihad Airways and
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
World Routes
is the largest global event of its kind which this year will take
place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, one of
the most easily accessible and centrally located cities on earth.
These factors combined look set to make this event the largest World
Route Development Forum to date with 3,000 air service industry
professionals expected to attend. The event will see worldwide
representation from 300 airlines, 1,000 airports, 200 tourism
authorities and 250 of the industry’s CEO’s.