DRBengaluru: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, and Karnataka Tourism Society jointly hosted the inaugural edition of ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’ (KITE). The event was held from August 25 – 27, 2019 and had participation from over 400 registered buyers and media personnel from 30 countries.
Being held for the first time in the State, the travel expo saw participation from over 400 registered buyers and media personnel from 30 countries
KITE 2019 was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa at The LaLiT Ashok Bengaluru. Addressing the gathering, Yediyurappa said Karnataka has immense potential to become a world-class destination.
“The Government is supporting the efforts of the tourism department to market the State globally. The vision is to increase the sector’s GSDP contribution to 20 per cent by 2025 and provide direct and indirect employment to 65 lakh people through tourism. We have identified 41 focus destinations for priority development and promotion. The Master Plan for development of 21 of those destinations has been completed and implementation of projects has been initiated,” he said.
The chief goal of KITE is to showcase Karnataka Tourism to the world and increase the overall size of the State’s tourism sector. “Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourism products with UNESCO® World Heritage Sites, splendid wildlife, resplendent nature and virgin beaches to adorn. ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’, being held for the first time, is expected to provide impetus to inbound travel and tourism and enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote our destinations to the travel-trade from all over the world,” said T K Anil Kumar IAS, Secretary, Karnataka Tourism.
Kumar Pushkar, MD, KSTDC said, “Karnataka with its diverse range of products is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive States for the travel-trade, both for leisure and business.”
According to the organisers, the Expo has facilitated approximately 10,000 B2B meetings bringing together international and Indian buyers and sellers, showcasing the best of Karnataka and creating an opportunity for visitors to get first-hand exposure to the various tourism products of Karnataka. The B2B meetings have the potential to offer immense business opportunities for the tourism industry in Karnataka. Many tourism industry players of Karnataka who participated in the Expo have expressed their satisfaction with the overwhelming response.
Key Features of 2019:
- The first time such an event has been held in Karnataka, making it the sixth State of India to successfully host such an event
- Participation of over 400 buyers from 30 countries
- Over 100 exhibitors representing various destinations and marquee products of Karnataka
- Over 15 different tourism segments of Karnataka including Heritage, Wildlife, Adventure, Coastal, Spiritual, Ecotourism, Wellness, and Meetings & Conferences were showcased
- FAM tours were conducted before and after KITE. Prominent destinations covered include Hampi, Coorg, Kabini, Mysore, Chikmagalur, Vijayapura, Badami and Pattadakal among several others
- Karnataka Tourism Society comprising stakeholders from various industry associations provided complimentary hotel stay of over 700 room nights to support the pre-event and post-event FAM tours to showcase the State
