Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) – a boost to tourism

‘Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart’ (RDTM) held in Jaipur from July 20 to 22 was considered a landmark event and the organizers claim it was a huge success.

The event was organized by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) with the support of different stakeholders.

Though Rajasthan has been a major attraction for both domestic and international tourists, recently states like Kerala and Madhya Pradesh have been getting more attention, and the organizers of the event hope to reverse this situation.

Lalit Panwar, Vice Chancellor of the state Skill Development University, noted that human resource development was a missing link and more attention to it will make differences in the industry.

FHTR President Bhim Singh said an increase in tourism would mean more jobs and higher GDP.

It was pointed out in the meet that air connectivity to different cities in the state has been going up, adding to the higher number of domestic tourists. Secondary and third cities of the state have also seen a significant rise in visitors.

The sellers and buyers at the mart included many heritage properties from different parts of the state, even from smaller towns.

Among the areas represented at the mart were Bundi, Hadoti, Jhalawar, Karauli, Kumbalgarh and Sambhar. Rajastan’s wildlife destinations got special attention as always. The luxury train ‘Palace on Wheels’ was also in the limelight and got impressive advance bookings.

The Sambhar Heritage Resort and the upcoming Perwa Leopard Den in Pali were also in the mart. The Sonaar Haveli in Jaisalmer , the Suryagarh and the Fern were the other eye catchers in the mart.

The sellers and buyers lauded the effort and initiative of the organizers and hoped that in the years to come, the mart will become even more popular and relevant.

Earlier in a press meeting announcing the event, Pradeep Kumar Borar, Tourism Director, stated that the state has been witnessing  more than 20 per cent growth in arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2018 and the hotel industry had occupancy of almost 65 per cent in the state in 2016-17

He said the inbound tourists in Rajasthan would reach 50 million by the end of this year, though it was their target for the year 2020.