UBM India launched its most awaited travel and tourism exhibition, SATTE, in the national capital recently. Celebrating the success of the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, South Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition, the three day event plays host to over 1,000 exhibitors and represents over 50 countries and 28 Indian states.
The expo got off to a start with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India, Pallavi Mehra, Group Director, UBM India, Jime Essink, CEO, UBM Asia and Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia at Pragati Maidan among others, in the presence of an august industry congregation.
As a prelude to the inauguration, the Silver Jubliee edition of SATTE was formally launched along with the second edition of the SATTE Awards on January 30 at Le Meridien New Delhi amidst an august industry gathering from the travel and trade fraternity. The glitterati event was graced by Chief Guest KJ Alphons, Minister for Tourism (I/C), Govt. of India, along with T.S. Rawat, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand; Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog; Faiyaz Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Fiji; I Gde Pitana Dy. Tourism Minister, Indonesia; Bo Keun Choi, Senior Officer, Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO; Subhash Goyal, Member, National Tourism Advisory Committee; Navin Berry, Founder, SATTE; Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia and Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India.
SATTE provides a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality industry along with National and State Tourism Boards (NTOs and STOs) to congregate and conduct business, arrive at solution-driven innovations to counteract economic uncertainties, and promote inbound, outbound and domestic tourism in India. This most favoured industry platform is also well supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Govt. of India.
Over a span of three days, SATTE 2018 will witness to several exciting partnerships and announcements that promise to augur in new trends in the industry. Visitors at the signature expo can expect to witness a number of features including a special pavilion of 10 start-ups, as well as a live show at ‘Colours of SATTE’ apart from other captivating activities. This year, SATTE is also happy to engage its exhibitors and visitors to pledge for sustainable tourism under the unique I-Pledge scheme where they pledge to conserve natural reserve; respect and save wildlife; say no to plastic; dispose waste smartly and travel responsibly. Over 30,000 pledges have been registered at last count.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, Mudras said, “The tourism industry has been a major engine in the economic growth of India. While it contributes almost seven per cent to nation’s GDP, it also provides over 12 per cent of the total employment in terms of jobs. The industry itself has been growing at an unparalleled rate. This is evident from the very fact that the country is now ranked 40th in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index in 2017, a huge leap of 25 places from 2013. As the disposable income rises and more Indians travel, the industry is only poised to flourish further.”
“From hosting tourism boards from across the nation and the world under one roof to providing a unique opportunities for discussions pertaining to trending subjects like sustainable tourism, travel technology, skill development by acknowledged industry thought leaders, SATTE has carved a unique place as the most comprehensive industry platforms in the country. This year, we are proud to achieve a milestone with the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, celebrating and encapsulating 25 years of success in the domain. With an aim to analyze and forecast trends and developments in the travel trade industry along with helping businesses prosper, SATTE 2018 promises not only constructive but also informative and engaging three days”, he further added.
This year, Turkey, Thailand, Srilanka and Dubai are Partner countries, Mauritius and are feature destination and Madame Tussauds was the feature attraction. Similarly, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir are Partner States for this year with the show being supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.
SATTE continues to receive the support of international organizations and Indian travel trade associations such as World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) and IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), to name a few.
