New Tamil Nadu Travel Expo Set for 2024 to Enhance State’s Tourism Appeal

Thursday, August 8, 2024

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Tamil Nadu’s tourism stakeholders unite to launch the Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE) 2024, a groundbreaking event to elevate the state’s tourism and attract more visitors.

Tamil Nadu’s tourism stakeholders have come together to unveil the Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE) in 2024. This groundbreaking event is designed to elevate Tamil Nadu’s tourism profile and attract a larger influx of visitors to the state.

Tourism is a crucial sector in Tamil Nadu, providing employment opportunities and earning foreign exchange. Known as one of India’s top tourist destinations, the state offers a diverse array of attractions, from majestic temples and scenic mountains to serene forests and picturesque beaches. Additionally, Tamil Nadu is a leading medical tourism hub and is increasingly recognized as a premier wedding destination.

The Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE) is a buyer-seller meet organized by Travel Club, Madurai, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA), with support from the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

The inaugural edition of TTE is set to take place in Madurai from September 20 to 22, 2024, at the IDA Scudder Auditorium, adjacent to the Grand Madurai by GRT Hotels.

TTE will host 250 prospective buyers from India and neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The event will cover all expenses for lodging and boarding for these buyers, who include tour operators, travel agents, and influencers keen on promoting Tamil Nadu’s travel and tourism offerings to their clients.

The expo will feature 150 to 200 stakeholders and sellers from Tamil Nadu’s heritage tourism industry, medical and wellness tourism, and destination wedding event planners. These sellers will showcase Tamil Nadu’s unique experiences through themed stalls and table displays.

On September 22, the TTE will open its doors to the public to promote Tamil Nadu’s diverse tourism themes.

Hosted buyers will gain a deep understanding of Tamil Nadu’s tourism experiences, rich culture, heritage, and cuisine. The event will include knowledge-sharing sessions with distinguished speakers from across the country. Additionally, a gala awards night will honor exceptional contributions to Tamil Nadu Tourism. Various post-event tours will be arranged for buyers, offering them the opportunity to explore Tamil Nadu’s diverse destinations and cultural experiences.

The success of TTE is bolstered by commitments from hotels, tour operators, transport providers, and other tourism stakeholders, who are sponsoring accommodation, food, transport, and other services.

Mr. T Nataraajan, the Honorary Secretary of SIHRA has been appointed as a Convenor of the event. DMD of GRT Hotels & Resorts shared “The Tourism development in India is crossing new heights after Covid epidemic. The tourism in South India has also improved multi-fold but there is always a feeling that there are still many locations in Tamil Nadu that needs exposure across India and abroad. Tamil Nadu Travel Mart Society (TTMS) was doing yeomen services after a long time hosting Travel Marts in Chennai during 2017 and 2019. After 5 years the need to have a Travel Expo at Madurai was strongly felt by all stakeholders and Travel Club Madurai has taken the initiative along with CII and Hoteliers to make this happening in Madurai during September 2024.I am sure that the overwhelming response from the buyers in India and abroad gives the hoteliers an opportunity to position their hotels / resorts in the market which will go a long way in marketing Tamil Nadu globally.”

Dr. G Vasudevan, Managing Director of Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai, has been appointed as the co-convenor of the Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE) 2024.

Mr. Vikram Cotah, Chairman of the Tourism Task Force of CII, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts adds
“TTE is an endeavour by the industry stakeholders to promote Tamil Nadu Tourism by showcasing relevant themes like Heritage and Spiritual Tourism, Medical and wellness tourism and also to position Tamil Nadu as a Destination wedding option. We are expecting to attract 250 buyers from all over India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and 150 sellers from Tamil Nadu to the TTE event. We expect the B2B marketplace to create opportunities to market Tamil Nadu as a Tourism destination. We are happy to announce that important bodies like CII, SIHRA, Travel Club Madurai, Hoteliers and Travel agents are participating to organise this event in Madurai during September 20/21/22, 2024.

TTE is also endorsed by TTDC, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and Southern Regional office of India Tourism. We hope to make this an annual event in the gateway cities of Tamil Nadu in the years to come”

And Mr. Raja Graham, President of Travel Club are part of the working committee

We personally invite you to be part of the Tamil Nadu Travel Expo and showcase the best of Tamil Nadu’s tourism to the rest of India and the neighbouring countries.