New Delhi, November 12 2008: WITH AN aim to showcase the various tourism products of Manipur to the international market for attracting foreign tourists, the Tourism Department of the Government of Manipur for the second time represented by B.B.Sharma, IAS, Secretary (Tourism) is participating in the 14th World Travel Market (WTM) 2008 being held at Excel in London from November 10 to 13, 2008 .

World Travel Market (WTM) is one of the premier international travel related events, which provides an effective platform for networking and meetings with executives and leaders from all segments of the Tourism Industry world wide.

It also provides excellent opportunity for showcasing and sourcing new products and services and to learn about the latest international trends and patterns affecting tourism to various regions.

The participants include National / Regional tourist organizations, tourist attractions, tour operators, transport operators, hotels, airlines, cruise liners, railways, technology and communications and other travel related services.

The visitors profile mainly consists of tour operators, travel agents, group travel organizers, etc., providing ample opportunity for promoting tourism related products and services.

The Ministry of Tourism has been regularly participating in WTM by setting up an India Pavilion, with participation of State Governments and the Travel Industry as co-exhibitors.

This year too, an area of 756 sq.

mtrs.

has been provided for the India Pavilion to showcase the Indian tourism products..

A total of 77 co-exhibitors participated in the India Pavilion.

These include 16 State Governments and Union Territories , and 61 Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hotels and Airlines.

Manipur and Mizoram are the only two States from the North East States participating at the WTM this year.

Shri Sujit Banerjee, Union Secretary of Tourism inaugurated the Incredible India stand at WTM 2008 on November 10.On the first day, the Ministry of Tourism was proud winner of the prestigious World Travel Award 2008 for its role in developing and promotion of "Responsible Tourism ".

Shri Sujit Banerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, received the Award.

North East India is still in bad name to the eye of Britishers, because of its bad law and order situation.

In the official website www.ukinindia.org of the UK in India under the page of India Travel Advice, it advised their countrymen, "We advise against all travel in Manipur and Tripura and all but essential travel to Imphal.

If you intend to travel to Imphal then you should only travel there by air.

There is a risk from insurgent groups, mainly in rural areas of these and other states in the east and north east.

Although foreigners have not been the deliberate targets of violence, attacks can be indiscriminate.

Kidnapping, banditry and insurgency are rife throughout the region." It highlighted the October 17 bomb blast in Imphal killing 17 people and injuring many others.

But, Manipur is the best place for tourists in the North east India for its good climatic condition, beautiful unique culture of different communities, cheating free State, good hospitality, availability of both veg and non-veg foods and beautiful natural and artificial landscape.

Comment