The first major international travel event of the year, SATTE (South Asia's Travel & Tourism Exchange) 2024, opened on February 22 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. Organised by Informa Markets in India, this edition, the largest ever, is witnessing record-breaking participation from exhibitors and buyers.
With a focus on "Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism," SATTE 2024, from Feb 22-24, aims to rejuvenate domestic, regional, inbound, and outbound tourism. Boasting over 1,500 exhibitors and over 50,000 pre-registered trade attendees, including 1,000 domestic and international buyers, the event will catalyse industry innovation and connections.
Partnering with the Government of India at the highest level, SATTE 2024, in association with the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, is hosting 250 international buyers and delegates worldwide to boost inbound tourism and create business opportunities for stakeholders.
V. Vidyavathi, Secretary Tourism Govt. of India, applauded SATTE's impact on the travel industry, stating, "The resurgence of South Asia is remarkable, showcasing the exponential growth of each country in the region." She emphasised utilising SATTE as a platform to champion heritage and foster collaborations among nations.
Alhasan Ali Aldabbagh, President – Asia Pacific, Saudi Tourism Authority, highlighted the event's crucial role in bolstering ties with the Indian tourism market. "Aligned with our 2030 vision, we aim to attract over 7.5 million Indian travellers to Saudi Arabia, positioning it as our premier source market. To achieve this, we have streamlined various aspects of the journey, including visa applications, permits, hotel accommodations, and flight bookings, for Indian travellers," he said.
Meanwhile, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets – India, emphasised SATTE 2024's role in achieving Indian tourism goals, focusing on inbound tourism and Vision@2047. "With India's visitor export earnings projected to hit USD 50 billion by 2028, SATTE 2024 is the cornerstone for achieving Indian tourism's goals. Our focus on inbound tourism and Vision@2047 ensures a platform for leading public and private players to drive impactful, solutions-centred changes and innovations," he mentioned.
Furthermore, Karan Rathore, Chairman of the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), added, "Our engagement with this event and with the introduction of 'ATITHI' an exclusive show to meet likeminded people in the industry, a pioneering initiative by the SEPC, under the guidance of setup of Ministry of Commerce and Industries will help enhance business opportunities within the Indian Tourism Industry" shared
Abhay Sinha, Director General, SEPC, stated, "We're delighted to introduce ATITHI, an initiative by SEPC, aiming to become a leading international event on travel, tourism, hospitality, and India's cultural heritage. ATITHI seeks to promote innovation and excellence, providing a global platform for bilateral trade, technology transfer, and industry capacity building."
In addition, Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, announced, "Goa is pioneering sustainability and responsible tourism, becoming the first state in India to embrace this approach. We aim for collaborative initiatives with the industry, as India's informal tourism capital, and invite everyone to join us in building a more resilient, equitable, and regenerative tourism industry."
Finally, Noor Hamid, CEO of PATA, expressed gratitude to SATTE 2024 on behalf of the Asia Pacific Travel Association. "We are delighted to be part of SATTE 2024. While networking for businesses and marketing destinations, let's also focus on transforming tourism sustainably by fostering a culture of responsible tourism among us."
SATTE is recognised as Asia's leading travel and tourism exhibition, providing a comprehensive platform for domestic and international buyers and professionals in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, along with National and State Tourism Boards. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, SATTE is known for conducting business, sharing knowledge, and exchanging ideas to accelerate the industry's growth.
