Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the US, recently organized a 3-city India Mission for the travel trade recently. The 5th edition of the Mission in Mumbai, Bangalore, and New Delhi witnessed an excellent response from the Indian travel industry professionals. The US delegation, led by Cathy Domanico, Vice President, Global Trade Development, Brand USA — included representatives from 37 US companies including destinations, attractions, hotels, and receptive operators. This was the largest delegation so far for the India Mission. The mission provided an opportunity for US suppliers to engage with key decision makers through one-on-one appointments with the goal of increasing destination and product knowledge, business cooperation and travel bookings.
The mission kicked off with the launch and showcase of Brand USA’s prestigious film, America Wild; National Parks Adventure produced with MacGillivray Freeman Films, in an IMAX 3D format in association with Brand USA and narrated by Academy Award winner Robert Redford, at the PVR Cinemas in Mumbai. The film, celebrates the completion of 100 years of the National Park Service in the U.S. in 2016.
“Our goal is to really educate the trade and the destinations. The objective is to bring people beyond the gateways as they don’t see much if they come through the gateways,” Domanico said.
In a released to media, Christopher L Thompson, President and CEO, Brand USA said, “As the number of Indian visitors to the United States continues to grow, the opportunities within India as a source market are numerous. In 2015, more than 1.1 million Indians visited the United States, a 17 per cent increase over 2014. India will surely be a key contributor toward our goal of welcoming 100 million international visitors to the United States by 2021. Year after year, the India Mission provides a great platform for our partners to generate more business from this increasingly productive market.”
Sheema Vohra, Managing Director, Brand USA in India added, “Brand USA’s robust travel trade outreach coupled with effective consumer marketing, cooperative engagements and PR in India ensures new developments and partnerships in this market, offering a bouquet of travel offering to the discerning Indian visitor. We are thrilled by a great response from the Indian travel trade in all three cities are confident that this trend will continue over the next decade providing an excellent opportunity for our Indian travel partners to cultivate lucrative business opportunities with the USA.”
