Pakistan delegation headed by hon'ble minister of tourism Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar participates in Adtoi general house meeting at Ashok Hotel.
{ 21st April 2007 }

Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India’s (ADTOI) New Team started its first Monthly meeting held on 21st April 2007 at Ashok Hotel, New Delhi on a high note.

Initiating the discussions Mr. Mukesh Jagga, President introduced his new team members to the House. The newly elected team members were invited to address the house. Each one of them spoke of about the Association’s future vision and goals and reaffirmed their commitment to work for the same. They also thanked the previous team for the sincere efforts they have put in to bring the Association to newer heights. The new team also thanked Mr. Jyoti Kapur and Mr. Rajat Sawhney, Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the Convention Organising Committee and appreciated their unflinching support and hard work put in to make ADTOI’s First Convention on 20th January 2007 at Ashok Hotel, New Delhi a grand success.

The meeting was attended by Hon’able Tourism Minister of Pakistan Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar, who was accompanied by Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Mr. Salman Javed and Chairman of Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) Mr. Shiraz M. Poonja.

Ms. Bakhtiar informed our members that Pakistan is very keen in developing tourism between the two countries and her meeting with her counter part in India Ms. Ambika Soni ji was very fruitful. The Minister stressed that both countries associations of Tour Operators should meet and discuss for the influx of tourists to each other countries.

She also invited our members to participate in the Tourism Fair going to be held in Karachi from 01/03 June this year and also invited our members for a Familiarization Trip to Pakistan in the very near future. The ADTOI Secretariat will soon announce the dates for the same.

On this occasion our president Mr. Mukesh Jagga drew the attention of the members and media towards the statements made by both the Hon’able Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan that Tourism will not only bring peace to the region but also will help both the countries to grow economically.

Mr. Jagga’s request for liberal visa policy by both the countries was well taken by the Minister. Hon’ble Minister stated that group visa facilitation would be made available shortly and the High Commission in India would be advised accordingly. He also appealed to both the Governments to give special emphasis for visa clearance to Sr. Citizens to make their dream come true to visit their ancestral/birth place on both sides as they have fond memories of their childhood which they would like to visit before it is too late.

Mr. Salman Javed, the Managing Director of PTDC confirmed that they will be very happy to linking up the website of PTDC with the site of ADTOI for greater interaction and more free flow of information regarding packages of each other members.

The meeting was well attended by the members, representatives from Rajasthan Tourism, Pulickattil Tourism Group and other trade people from Kerala and the press.

Mr. G.P. Nayar, Advisor from Pulickattil Tourism Group introduced the Group to the audience and gave a product presentation including the innovative convention vessel in the backwaters of Alappuzha which could cater to 150 pax for convention/meetings. He also invited ADTOI team on a familiarization tour to their place to see their product.

Mr. Gun Nidhi, Sr. Marketing Manager, Rajasthan Tourism spoke of the need to bring both the countries closer through tourism tie up. He stated that today’s child is tomorrow’s traveler and it is necessary for the people on both sides exchange visits to trace back to their roots. He wanted that the silk route should be revived for the tourists on both countries to see places.