ADTOI Annual General Meeting 2003
{ 1st November 2003 }

On the occasion of their Annual General Meeting, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) organized a 'GALA EVENING' followed by cocktails and dinner at HYATT REGENCY DELHI on 1st November 2003 from 8 pm onwards. Hon'ble Minister of Tourism & Culture, Shri Jagmohan was the Chief Guest on the occasion. A variety programme having folk dances of India was presented before about 250 guests comprising of members of ADTOI, dignitaries, invitees from travel trade, press/media.

On his arrival, Hon'be Minister Shri Jagmohan was received by Mr. Jyoti Kapur, President and Executive Council members of the association. Mr. Kapur welcomed the Hon'ble Minister and thanked him for gracing the occasion. After lighting the lamp, the Hon'be Minister addressed the gathering, a forum dedicated to the promotion of domestic tourism in the country. Hon'ble Minister in his address explained the various steps the Govt. has been taking to promote domestic tourism in the country. He also spoke about his recent visit to Somnath and explained the vast potential the country has for the countrymen to travel across the country to see its rich cultural heritage. He appealed to the tour operators to undertake tours and see for themselves various tourist destinations including the newly created tourist circuits and promote the same extensively among the domestic tourists.

Mrs. Rathi Vinay Jha, Secretary (Tourism) who was present at the function earlier spoke about the Govt.'s full support to the domestic tourism.

The GALA EVENING was sponsored by companies connected with tourism industry. Jet Airways have been the major sponsor of the programme. Other sponsors were Leisure Hotels Ltd., Honeymoon Inn, Usha Shriram Hotels, Koti Resorts, Galileo India, Bacardi Martini India Ltd.

Earlier Mr. Kapur, President, ADTOI while addressing the members, reiterated the association's action plans including expansion of membership base. He was speaking on the occasion of their Annual General Meeting. He informed the members that membership drive launched earlier is catching up its momentum. He informed the members that the present membership strength of ADTOI is about 110. He stated that many organizations have evinced keen interest in joining ADTOI family and he expected to achieve reasonable growth in the coming years.

He explained Association's future plans which included organizing National Convention of Domestic Tour Operators in the country in each state by rotation every year to promote regional tourism and opening regional chapters to expand its horizon all over the country. He reminded the members that the explosion of domestic tourism is an inevitable by-product of economic development in the country. Domestic tourism movement is not limited by seasons, but each season has its own USP. Despite the extreme heat and discomfort - the summer month's witness peak travel movement for domestic tourists. Domestic tourism apart from strengthening national integration also creates economic prosperity all over the country.