PATA Travel Mart kicks off under a cloud
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The PATA Travel Mart 2011 got underway at New Delhi this morning, but the event has been overshadowed by a fatal bomb blast in the Indian capital. The event kicked off this morning as PATA’s interim CEO Bill Calderwood (pictured left), Chairman Hiram Cooray, and the Secretary of India’s Ministry of Tourism, Sri Rajen Habib Khwaja (centre), toured the floor at the Pragati Maidan exhibition centre before holding a press conference.
As this was occurring however, news of the bomb blast began to filter in to the show. Initial reports suggest that nine people have been killed and more than 40 injured as the bomb hit the High Court, just a few of streets from the Pragati Maidan.
The tragedy appears not to have hit the mood among delegates however, with scheduled appointments continuing as the show floor still busy. According to Calderwood, 302 buyers are in attendance from 279 organisations, to meet with 625 sellers from 288 organisations.
Speaking to the press this morning, Calderwood said that India has become an “irresistible” force in the global tourism market. This was backed up by Sri Rajen Habib Khwaja, who also acts as Chairman of PATA” India Chapter, added that the country has “enviable” tourism opportunities, and that there is high potential among its niche market segments, such as spiritual and adventure tourism.
What affect this morning’s blast has on the remaining days of the event remains to be seen, but for now at least the PATA Travel Mart 2011 continues to be unaffected by events close by.
Pic caption: Sri Rajen Habib Khwaja, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Tourism, tours the show floor at Pragati Maidan on Wednesday morning.
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