New Delhi, September 22, 2016: Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs inaugurated the “Incredible India Tourism Investors Summit (IITIS)-2016” organized by Ministry of Tourism in the presence of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture here today. Shri Ashok Gajapati Raju, Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Y.S. Chaudhary, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Shri P.K. Sinha, Cabinet Secretary and many dignitaries graced the occasion. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s A/V message was read by Shri Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, M/o Tourism, a Film on “Investments in Tourism Sector in India” was shown and a Compendium on Indian Tourism sector was released by Shri Arun Jaitley on the occasion.
Shri Arun Jaitley in his inaugural address said that there are so many unexplored tourist destinations in our country to showcase them to the World. We need to market our monuments and heritage sites for promoting Tourism and Ministry of Culture can jointly work with Ministry of Tourism in this regard. He opined that a Business Model should be developed for promoting Hotel and Hospitality industry which has to adjust to the capacity of the market. He said that now in our country, air connectivity has been substantially improved to many tourist destinations and conditions of airports have also improved and many new airports are coming up in near future. We have fastest growing national highways networks. Railways infrastructure and passenger amenities have also improved and our railway stations will be developed at par with our airports. He wished the Summit a grand success.
Delivering Theme address, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the Tourism sector has been identified as a priority area and we have to harness our tourism potential. All stakeholders are committed to raise tourism sector to a newer height. Our government has come up with new ideas to develop our tourism sector. Our prime focus is on cleanliness, connectivity and security. He hoped that the deliberations in this 3 days Summit will definitely help in promoting investment in tourism sector.
Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu in his Special address expressed his concern that many small countries attract more tourists whereas India could not do so. He hoped that tourism sector in our country will not only survive but is going to do very well in future. He said that the Tourism sector contribute very much in service sector. Indian Cuisines and Culture are unique in the world. He called upon investors to invest in tourism sector as it will give returns in a big manner.
Delivering Keynote address, Shri P.K. Sinha said that so much more needs to be done to improve tourism sector in our country. He emphasized on the need of safety and security of tourists. It is the right time for the entrepreneurs to invest in tourism sector, he said.
IITIS is a platform for domestic and international investors to meet project owners from across Indian states and the private sector. Highlights of this summit are State Presentations encompassing all investible Properties, Session on Why Invest in India, MSME in tourism sector, Panel discussions on core infrastructure for tourism, Session on Start-ups, digital India, Investing into Swadesh Darshan, PRASAD, MICE and Niche Tourism Products, B2B meetings and signing of MoUs. It has dedicated space for Seminars, Business to Business meetings and Roundtables around focus themes.
Over 1800 delegates from – Private sector Project Owners; Banks and Financial Institutions; Business Developers; Cruise Liners; Domestic Investors; Entertainment Companies; Indian States with Ready Investible Projects; State Governments of Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Andaman & Nicobar, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh; Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa and Assam; Union Territory Administrations; Global Investors; Helicopter Services; Hoteliers; Infrastructure Developers; International Associations; Restaurateur; Spa and Yaga Centres; Tour and Travel Operators; Urban Develops and Venture Capitalists are participating in the Summit.
The Key Highlights of the Summit are- Participation from 29 Indian States and UTs; Around 700 investable projects from across the country and from across various sectors of tourism; Total participation of more than 1800 registered delegates; Participation from 250 National and International investors; Key Policy Makers from Central and State Government; Welcome Diner & Cultural Evening and 23 seminars across the two days event.
The Summit has dedicated space for Seminars, Business to Business meetings and Roundtables around focus themes.
The Confederation of Indian Industry and Tourism Finance Corporation of India Ltd are principal partners of this summit. Four Knowledge Partners i.e. Ernst & Young, KPMG, Yes Bank and Invest India will assist States and UTs for identifying projects, Suggesting Tourism Policy updates and presenting these to the potential investors during the summit.
There will be six Plenary Sessions on 22nd and 23rd September, 2016 as follows:-
Plenary Session –1 – Why Invest in Incredible India :- India, a land steeped in history, culture, art and beauty has immense potential to be developed into a global tourism destination. In this session, key policy-makers in the ecosystem and private stakeholders who have shaped the tourism sector in India share opinions on the best way forward to maximize India’s investment potential in tourism.
Plenary Session –2 – Core Infrastructure for Tourism:- The tourism sector in any country cannot progress or expand without substantial upgradation in the core infrastructure which supports this sector such as road transport, railway links and airports. In this session, the key regulators of core infrastructure layout of roadmap.
Plenary Session –3 – Digital India & Start UP India :- Investing in Tourism Technology: Upgradation of technology is imperative in the current ecosystem of tourism when travel portals and hospitality websites have empowered consumers to book entire travel itineraries to exotic locations backed by necessary research and equipped with traveller reviews. Portals and websites now literally make the world go around; they are reaping in profits through their unique partnership and a whole new revenue model has been established. India needs investment from angel investors and PE funds to escalate growth in digital portals thereby making travel planning in India seamless. This session will discuss how ready for the future India is.
Plenary Session –4- Open House with State Tourism Ministers :- This session will have the powerhouse views of select state Chief Ministers on their vision and work so far in placing their respective state on the global tourism map.
Plenary Session –5 – Open-house with CEOs :- This forum of sectorial CEOs will dicuss the best way forward to create an enabling environment for investment in hospitality sector including single window clearance and other issues pertaining to ease of doing business.
Plenary Session– 6 -Medical Tourism :- Medical tourism conference and exhibitions are imperative key constitutuents of the tourism ecosystem and critical as revenue generators. This session will discuss this part of the sector with key stakeholders.
The Valedictory Session of the Summit will be held at 4.00 PM on 23rd September, 2016 where Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture will deliver Keynote address and Shri Vinod Zutshi, Sectetatary, M/o Tourism deliver the Summary & Closing Keynote address.
