The Embassy of India in The Hague recently organized an interesting tourism promotion event titled ‘CHALO INDIA’ on March 21, 2024, at Hotel Van der Valk in Wassenaar. This event projected India as an attractive tourist destination by showcasing different aspects of Indian culture and history like yoga, spirituality, culinary delights, aligning with the vision set forth by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the advancement of Indian tourism.
The event, held in a hybrid format, facilitated the participation of speakers and resource persons from India, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of India’s tourism potential. Among the distinguished attendees were approximately 25 persons, including 20 tour operators operating within the Netherlands who actively promote India as a premier tourist destination to their clientele. Her Excellency Mrs. Reenat Sandhu, the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, inaugurated the proceedings with her opening remarks, extending a warm welcome to all participants. In her address, she emphasized the important role of the Indian diaspora, comprising over 32 million individuals worldwide, in championing Indian tourism as cultural ambassadors.
Despite India’s status as home to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations, it currently captures only a fraction of global tourist spending, a fact that underscores the imperative for concerted efforts to unlock its full tourism potential. Ambassador Sandhu shed light on the ‘Chalo India’ campaign, spearheaded by Prime Minister Modi, which aims to galvanize public participation in promoting tourism, with a special emphasis on engaging the Indian diaspora. She delineated India’s robust tourism strategy, underscored by infrastructure development initiatives and a commitment to enhancing quality standards, while showcasing the nation’s wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites and diverse tourism offerings.
During the event, officials from the Embassy of India provided valuable insights into various types of tourist visas, OCI services, and group tourism facilitations, elucidating the ease of travel to India for prospective visitors. A highlight of the event was an exclusive presentation by Ms. Jyoti Mayal, President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), who delved into India’s economic outlook, air connectivity between India and the Netherlands, and the burgeoning trend of hosting destination weddings in India.
Ms. Mayal underscored the vast opportunities for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and spiritual tourism in India, painting a compelling picture for potential investors and travelers alike. Following Ms. Mayal’s presentation, Mr. Aniruddh Gupta, Assistant Manager – Tourism at Invest India, provided a succinct overview of investment opportunities in India’s burgeoning tourism sector. Mr. Gupta elucidated a comprehensive 25-year roadmap for India’s economic growth, positioning India as a formidable economic powerhouse by the year 2047. His insights, coupled with an interactive Q&A session, facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas among participants.
The event culminated in a stimulating roundtable discussion, characterized by constructive feedback and brainstorming sessions, wherein participants proffered invaluable suggestions on enhancing India’s positioning as a prominent tourist destination.
The day drew to a close with a networking session, offering attendees a platform to engage with seasoned professionals from the tourism industry and fostering meaningful connections. Participants were encouraged to share their feedback and suggestions via email, further enriching the discourse on India’s tourism potential.
