The visit by the President of United States Barack Obama as the Chief Guest during India’s 66th Republic Day in January 2015 has undoubtedly taken Indo-US ties to the highest level in recent times. The nation, having witnessed the bonhomie and strategic deliberations between the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President of United States, saw SATTE as rendering another platform for the stakeholders in the travel industry on both sides to take India-US ties further up.
The commitment shown to the cause by Richard Verma, by inaugurating the Brand USA booth at SATTE in New Delhi, lifted the spirits of delegates from all over the globe. He expressed his happiness on the manner in which the Indo-US ties are shaping up, while encouraging Brand USA to promote tourism to the United States of America.
Tom Garzilli, Senior Vice President, Global Partner Marketing, Brand USA, said, “India continues to be a very important market for us. It is our endeavour to participate in various platforms that give us appropriate exposure to interact with Indian travel trade. Our presence in SATTE is a great way for various U.S. delegates to be able to sell the USA as the finest holiday destination in the world. We are very optimistic that the flow of tourism from India will increase tremendously in the near future.
Sheema Vohra, Managing Director, Sartha Global, Representative of Brand USA India, commented, “We are excited to be once again participating at SATTE 2015. As a follow-up to our annual travel mission, our meetings with the Indian travel trade at this event help us educate them on the range of products and diverse tourism offerings that the U.S. has to offer.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 844,670 Indian visitors travelled to the United States in the first ten months of 2014, an impressive increase of 11.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2013.
This year, the Brand USA delegation consisted of more than a dozen exhibitors from various travel industry segments. In addition to Brand USA, participants include Alamo Rent A Car, Caesars Entertainment, Hertz Asia Pacific, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Papillon Helicopters/ Scenic Airlines, Sea World Parks & Entertainment, State Of Alaska, TeamAmerica Receptive Tour Operator, Universal Orlando Resort, Visit Anchorage, Visit California, Visit Florida, Visit Orlando and 7M Tours.
Seldon Tenzing, Account Director, Visit Florida shared her excitement about the new offerings for the Indian market. Meanwhile, Moire Duggan, Travel Trade Marketing Manager, ALASKA-TIA looked at strengthening ties with Indian travel partners. Norbert Simon, Senior Market Manager, Seaworld Parks and Entertainment told the travel industry the company is absolutely bullish on the new high that Indo-US ties have reached in the recent times.
“Customisation of tour packages according to the needs of the travel industry holds the key to win the discerning Indian travellers. I am no longer surprised when a tourist expresses his desire to avail a private helicopter service, while opting to stay in a 2 star property,” said Robert Y Graff, Vice President, Marketing, Papillion group.
