Glimpses of SATTE 2012
Over the years SATTE has received tremendous response from national tourism boards, Indian states, hotel chains, airlines and tourism products from across the globe. SATTE has also played a vital role in promoting diverse segments of tourism and has now evolved as a leading travel mart in South Asia. The vast participation of many major Indian and global players and the presence of the who’s who from the travel industry is testimony to the importance the travel and tourism industry gives to SATTE. Sajid Desai, Group Director, UBM India, is quite bullish about SATTE 2013. “India’s tourism has consistently been growing at a rapid pace. While foreign tourist arrivals during January-August witnessed a growth of 6.2 per cent over the corresponding period in 2011, outbound and domestic tourism are notching a growth of 12 per cent.” He further added that the recent measures taken by the Government of India, such as FDI in aviation and the intention of extending Visa-on-Arrival to a few more countries, are further going to provide impetus to the Indian tourism industry. “The Prime Minister is quite hopeful of achieving the GDP growth rate of eight per cent during the 12th Five Year Plan. We all know that tourism always grows at twice the GDP growth rate of any country.”
This year, the participation of countries, states and tourism products are quite encouraging. Some of the key exhibitors; including Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia among others have increased their stand size considerably, and several more have evinced their interests for the same. Elsia Grandcourt, CEO, Seychelles Tourism Board is very optimistic about SATTE and expects positive results post SATTE 2013. “At SATTE, we expect to see good quality buyers in large numbers. We want our local partners to build ties with Indian tour operators. Together with our ground handling tour operators, we will be promoting hotels, resorts and the various other products the destination has to offer.”
“Our participation over the years shows our continuous support to SATTE. With increased stall space at SATTE this year, we expect an increase in the number of quality buyers,” said Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai office.
“Singapore Changi Airport is participating in SATTE for the first time together with the Singapore Tourism Board, inbound travel operators, attractions and hoteliers under a Singapore Pavilion. India, being one of the top five visitor arrival source markets for Singapore and the seventh largest market for Changi Airport in 2011, is an important market for us,” said Peh Ke-Wei, Vice President, Passenger Development, Changi Airport Group adding that Changi Airport is currently connected to 11 Indian cities, served by seven airlines and by November this year we would be connected to 12 cities in India. “Our partners and we look forward to SATTE 2013 being an excellent B2B platform to strengthen our presence here, as well as network with key Indian travel buyers.”
SATTE has received the support of leading tourism associations of India such as the Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) and IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI). Subhash Verma, President, ADTOI said, “Being India’s premier travel trade show expectations are always high from SATTE, and organising more B2B meetings for the next edition will add to its success. SATTE has been a great experience over the years, with a possibility of improvement on the buyer-seller meetings front.” He further added that he expects more organised buyer-seller meets to enhance business opportunities for the attendees, and more focus is needed on the domestic segment.
Karl Dantas, President, ETAA believes that the increase in international participation as well as domestic tourism boards at SATTE has helped travel agents evolve and create niche products over the years. “At SATTE 2013, we expect more interactive sessions for buyers with exhibitors, allowing time for detailed discussions.”
“SATTE is a well-established channel that spurs the travel and tourism industry to develop, discover and build innovative networks while strengthening existing relationships,” said Iqbal Mulla, President, TAAI.
After the Visit USA Committee’s collaboration with SATTE 2012, the trade show has renewed its certification by the U.S. Commercial Service, a trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration for the 2013 edition. SATTE 2013 has also received support from International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP), a newly formed global alliance. ICTP has entered into a strategic partnership with SATTE and will bring its members to the event.
While the participation of countries, states and tourism products is quite encouraging, the number for registered buyers is also increasing with every passing day. SATTE has revamped its buyer programme this year to offer an incentivised pre-scheduled appointments system that allows for buyers to schedule appointments ensuring the opportunity to get business done on the show floor. Desai expects a growth of 15 per cent in terms of nett space and buyers for SATTE 2013. “I urge the stakeholders of the tourism industry and tourism associations to come forward and extend their support to SATTE 2013 to make it a grand success. I am thankful to all associations, hoteliers, airlines, NTOs, State Tourism Boards, tourism products and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for supporting SATTE over the years.”
Buyers speak
“I am hoping to interact with potential tour operators, destinations, products and properties focusing on inbound tourism. I also look forward to seeing participation of unexplored Indian destinations.”
– Stuart Pinnell, Chairman, Consensio Holidays, United Kingdom
“We are predominantly a group with interests in broadcast media. In line with our foray into the online travel space, we have launched www.travelxp.com and expect to interact with quality suppliers, and forge an alliance in various markets across the globe at SATTE this year.”
– Prashant M. Chothani, CMD & CEO, Travelxp India
“I personally feel that SATTE is the best and most professional trade show for the travel industry in India. I expect to see more international exhibitors, especially DMCs at SATTE 2013. I also expect proactive participation of tourism boards and reliable Ground Handling Agencies.”
– Mehul R. Mistry, Managing Director, Exotica Holidays
“Year 2013 brings with it greater expectation from SATTE. My main expectation from SATTE is to find some cost saving packages to lure customers back and to focus aggressively on the incentive segment.”
– Dilip Masrani, Managing Director, Favourite Tours and Forex
Enhanced buyer programme to attract top quality buyers
The Buyer Programme at SATTE has consistently attracted top quality buyers to meet with international and domestic exhibitors from all sectors of the travel trade. SATTE continues to build a more collaborative relationship between buyers and exhibitors. It is a unique opportunity for the travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under one roof. The buyer-supplier chain is fiercely competitive. SATTE’s focus is to introduce new suppliers and products in the Indian market and help explore and dissect the changing travel trends.
The enhanced buyer programme for SATTE 2013 offers an incentivised Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSAs) system that allows buyers to schedule appointments ensuring opportunities for international and regional senior level buyers and decision makers source new destinations, travel products and services on the show floor. While the participation of countries, states and tourism products are quite encouraging, the number of registered buyers is also increasing with every passing day. SATTE has always benefited its exhibitors by way of attracting the right buyers, quality audience and good visitor turnout.
The Indian Buyer Programme is now open, with just 100 slots remaining in the VIP and Premium buyer categories, SATTE 2013 invites participation of tour operators and travel agents selling leisure, MICE, domestic and outbound tourism. Once the slots in the VIP and Premium Buyer categories are filled up, registrations will only be accepted in the Executive Buyer (200 slots) and Buyer category.
For more details on SATTE 2013, and to submit the application online, please visit: http://satte.in
