The Govt. of Karnataka, Department of Tourism and ‘Karnataka Tourism Society’ organized the maiden edition of ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’ (KITE). Organised the 25 – 27 August, 2019, the event witnessed the presence of 100 exhibitors, 300 buyers from 30 countries and 40 media media professionals including 17 from overseas market. More than 10,000 b2b meetings were conducted during two days showcasing the best of Karnataka and creating an opportunity for visitors to get first-hand exposure to the various tourism products of Karnataka.
The main objective of the KITE expo was to showcase Karnataka Tourism to the world and increase the overall size of the state’s tourism sector.
Inaugurating the event, BS Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka said: “Karnataka has immense potential to become a world-class destination, and we in Karnataka are supporting the efforts of the tourism department to market the State globally. The vision for Karnataka Tourism is to increase the sector’s GSDP contribution to 20% by 2025 and provide direct and indirect employment to 65 lakh people through tourism”.
TK Anil Kumar, Secretary – Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka said “Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourism products with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, splendid wildlife and resplendent nature, virgin beaches to adorn. ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’, being held for the first time, will provide the impetus to the inbound travel and tourism and would enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote our destinations to the travel-trade from all over the world”.
The show was well supported by major tourism and hospitality associations such as Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India, Association of Domestic Tour Operators Association of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), India Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), BCIC, FKCCI, FHRAI, Karnataka Tourism Forum, Enterprising Agents Association of India (ETAA), SKAL, South India Hotel and Restaurant Association (SIHRA), Travel Agent Federation of India (TAFI) and Karnataka Pradesh Hotel & Restaurant Association (KPHRA) amongst others.
