South Asia’s leading B2B travel trade show is around the corner and, as a brand that grows year on year, it is geared up to outdo it’s previous editions. The show, to be held from 29-31 January 2015 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, expects to cross it’s 2014 visitor numbers – 11,000+ across three days, and is well on it’s way to achieving that goal with an impressive 75 per cent jump in pre-registered visitor numbers vis-à-vis the same period last year. Furthermore, the 22nd edition of SATTE will be spread over 17,500 sqm gross, thus making it India’s biggest travel and tourism event, and expects to feature over 650 exhibitors and the representation of over 50 countries.
The show continues to bask in the support of several major NTOs, State Tourism Boards, and, most importantly, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Ministry reiterated its support to the event this year by once again allowing SATTE to brandish the Incredible India logo in various publicity collaterals of the event, including print, website, e-mailers and on-site branding. But it did not stop there. Taking their faith in SATTE a step forward, the Ministry offered to bring in international buyers from across the world to the 2015 show. The support has come in the form of facilitating air passage to international buyers to attend the event. This support from the Ministry further strengthens SATTE’s position as an inbound show. The move is aimed at giving a push to foreign tourist arrivals.
The Ministry extended its support to SATTE on the day when it announced Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization for 43 countries, including US, Russia, Mauritius, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Philippines and Oman, among others. The Ministry has asked SATTE to coordinate with India Tourism Overseas Offices and identify buyers to bring to SATTE to showcase India’s diverse tourism profile.
Indian State Tourism Boards and private players are also quite upbeat about SATTE 2015. States such as Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh have confirmed their presence at the event. In lieu with SATTE’s continued effort to highlight inbound tourism to India, the show has added Rajasthan Tourism to its list of confirmed exhibitors at the 22nd edition.
NTOs too view SATTE as the No. 1 platform to meet their Indian counterparts. Israel Tourism believes that the abundance of quality business growth opportunities draws the NTO to SATTE every year, and the representatives look forward to an incredibly productive time at the show this year as well.
In addition to Israel, Thailand, Malaysia, Brand USA, Gold Coast, Hong Kong, Fiji, Korea, Cambodia, Taiwan, Japan, Bhutan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Seychelles, Luxembourg, Egypt, Zagreb, Mexico, Macau, Mauritius, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Oman, New Zealand, Spain, VisitBritain, Zambia, Singapore through NATAS and Russia through World Without Borders are among the NTOs exhibiting their composite product profile at SATTE 2015.
SATTE 2015 is also witnessing an increase in participation from hospitality players. Chains such as Accor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels, Carlson, Orchid Hotels, Neemrana Hotels, Minor Hotel Group, Lebua, Aitken Spence, Address, Atlantis the Palm, Clarks Inn, Frasers Hospitality, Onyx Hospitality, Accord Group of Hotels, Venetian Cotai and many more are participating at SATTE 2015.
Keeping in mind the industry’s demand to expand the canvas of SATTE by incorporating new segment, GDSs, Online Travel Agencies and online travel marketing companies, among others, will have a bigger presence at SATTE 2015. Abacus, InterGlobe Technology Quotient (Travelport Galileo), Fore Representations, Holiday Merchants, Influence Technolabs, Internet Moguls, M Globe International, QuadLabs, RezLive, roomsXML, Travel Boutique Online, Travel I and Zap Booking amongst others are just some of the names that are part of the show.
SATTE has consistently been getting the support of leading associations such as the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO); Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI); Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI); IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI); Association of Domestic Tour Operators (ADTOI); Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI); Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA); Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI); Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India (ATTOI), all of whom have pledged their support to SATTE 2015. Furthermore, the international association American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has joined hands with SATTE for 2015.
Media houses from across the globe have shown a keen interest in SATTE. Owing to its popularity in the international market, SATTE has entered into media alliances with TTG Asia, TTG Russia, eTN, Travel & Tour World, Selling Travel World, TravelBiz Monitor, Express Travel Word, TTG Russia, MIG Group and India Tourism Review.
SATTE has taken another step towards easing the visitors and exhibitors’ planning and conducting business both before and on the show floor. Following the continued success of its various efforts such as the Early Bird Registration, Buyer Programme, Trade Wall and so on, the show has released its own mobile app, now available in mobile app stores. The app will give the user access to the event’s agenda, VIP registration, SATTE conference agenda, media material, easy link to the show’s website and facebook handle, list of partners and latest news and updates, to name a few. The app also allows visitors to register for the upcoming show.
