While the vaccination drive has begun in India and there is a constant drop in the number of COVID-19 cases, the forthcoming annual Convention of ADTOI – the first mega physical travel-trade event during post pandemic era supported by Gujarat Tourism (TCGL), would be highly encouraging for the stakeholders, and a template to follow by the industry in days to come. It would not be exaggerated if the association claims that the event will mark the beginning of touristic activities in India.
Keeping safety above all, the event is strictly following all the guidelines and SOP’s of Covid-19 issued by the State and Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The tenth edition of the Convention is scheduled to be organised at Kevadia in the vicinity of Statue of Unity from Feb 12-14, 2021.
Elaborating on the Convention and its preparedness, ADTOI President PP Khanna says: “We are very optimistic about the success of the Convention and its long lasting impact on the industry as ADTOI received overwhelming support from ‘Gujarat Tourism’ under the guidance of ‘Chief Minister’ of the State. We are getting remarkable support and guidance from ‘Ministry of Tourism’ Government of India as well.”
“While the battle with pandemic is still on we are taking all safety measures and precautions such as; mandatory RT-PCR test for the delegates and serving staff at the Convention. We are expecting around 350 delegates to attend the first mega physical event almost after one year.”
Thinking on the same lines, Rajesh Arya, Vice President ADTOI says: “The sole aim of the Convention is to boost the confidence of our members and demonstrating the way of oraganising travel meetings or tours amidst the ongoing war with the pandemic. Another important cause of this Convention –especially at this point of time, is encouraging our fraternity members to come out and start working to revive our businesses.”
Convention Chairman and Hony. General Secretary of ADTOI, Chetan Gupta feels that the COVID-19 scare is losing its momentum and people who have been in the lockdown since March last year would like to travel to safer destinations. Similarly, the state tourism departments are keen to restore the touristic activities and creating an ambience of safe travel to places, and to assist in their endeavour to bring tourist traffic.
“We are taking initiative by building confidence to travel among the tour operators in the first instance so that people at large can be informed about the current situation and preparedness of states to receive them without any COVID-19 scare by following norms and guidelines of WHO/ICMR/Govt.”
Elaborating on the same lines, Anil Rajput, Joint Secretary says: “The year 2021 is being celebrated as the ‘Domestic Tourism’ year as announced by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Gujarat Tourism and ADTOI took the initiative to build a confidence among the travellers and the travel companies that things are safe and back to normalcy.”
“The forthcoming convention of ADTOI at Kewadia is going to be a step towards removing inhibition among the travellers who are confined at home town for over almost ten months,” added Rajput.
“First such event in nearly one year while the whole world is fighting with the Pandemic, ADTOI Convention is symbolic of our resilience and determination to beat Covid-19. Our industry was the first and worst hit by the Pandemic. I hope this event will encourage people to travel again and explore the amazing visuals and experiences that our beautiful country offers,” concludes Neetish Gupta, Executive Council Member of ADTOI.
