ADTOI Second Annual Convention was held on Friday the 4th April 2008 in Ashok Hotel, New Delhi with the theme – SHARED VISION – THE ANSWER.

The convention was supported by Industry partners notable among them were Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Kerala Tourism, Haryana Tourism, Jet Airways, Air India, Spicejet, Le Meridien, Jaipur Boutique Hotels India Pvt.Ltd., Leisure Hotels, Travel Bureau Agra.

Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Hon'ble Dy. Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir inaugurated the Convention in the august presence of other dignitaries, delegates, ADTOI members, Press/Media etc. Mr. S. Banerjee, Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India was the Guest o Honour. During his speech the Chief Guest Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Baig strongly asserted that domestic tourists constitute the biggest segment in the industry and appealed to the domestic tour operators to work towards popularizing and promoting all destinations in the country. He stated that the North-East Sector which is also a paradise for tourists and endowed with scenic beauty is receiving very little domestic tourists compared to other regions. He urged that awareness about the Region as one of the major tourist destinations should be created among the domestic tourists in other parts of the country.

Mr. S. Banerjee, Secretary (Tourism) in his key-note address stated Domestic Tourism has crossed over 461 million mark last year and there is great potential for Rural and Farm Tourism and those who are promoting tourism should make all efforts to promote the same among the travelers. Ministry is also very keen to motivate school children to travel other parts of the country on educational tours to know the diverse culture of the country.

Mr. Mukesh Jagga, President, ADTOI in his address stated that keeping in view the importance of Domestic Tourism which is the mainstay of the industry; Ministry of Tourism may consider extending Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) to the Domestic Tour Operators also to give encouragement to this segment. He stated that the Govt. may also consider promoting 'Incredible India" campaign within India by making arrangements with domestic airlines during their in flight service on the similar lines the Ministry has made with British Airways and Lufthansa. He appealed to the media that any untoward incidents involving tourists happening in any parts of the country should not be given undue publicity as it will adversely affect the tourism industry.

Speaking on the topic of 'How to Augment domestic Tourism" during Business Session Both Mr. Sanjay Kothari, Addl. Director General (Tourism) and Mr. Ashwani Lohani, MD, MP Tourism stated that there should be inter-state and intra-state tourism promotion in the country. Conventions/conferences, Road Shows, Trade Shows and Festivals should be organized in different parts of the country to bring awareness. Other means to augment the domestic tourism would be to promote spiritual and heritage tourism.

In the Second Session the panelists who were mainly from domestic Airlines deliberated on the issue of how best airlines can help the tour operators in their business. It was stated that the Non-IATA agents will also be able to book tickets through on-line engines which can be accessed by small time tour operators.

In the third session it was emerged that Hoteliers and Travel Agents will work in tandem by complementing each other. The Panelists from Press and Human Resources also support private and private partnership.

Convention has generated greater interest and interaction between the Government and Private Sector stakeholders to fully explore the potential of inter-state and intra-state tourism in the incredible India, offering Incredible experience within India. We should tap the 7-8 million Indians traveling outside India on leisure holidays and woo and encourage them to experience the Incredible India