Post IATO convention: City welcomes arrival of foreign tourists from America and Morocco

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

It is hoped that the tourism industry in the district is likely to witness ‘Ache Din’ as the foreign tourists from America and Morocco landed in the tourism capital of Maharashtra to enjoy seeing world famous Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort and Bibi ka Maqbara.

Thanks to the efforts taken by IATO office-bearers, the foreign tourists landed in the city by air at Chikalthana Airport. IATO president Rajiv Mehra’s tour company sent its first group of Americans, while IATO vice president Ravi Gosain’s tour company sent its first group of Moroccons.

It may be noted that IATO’s has conducted 38th national convention on Inbound Tourism, Sustainability, Strategy and Emerging Trends, from September 29 to October 1. It was participated by around 900 delegates from 17 different states of India. The host had organised a familiarisation tour for the delegates on October 2. Later on, the tour operators, hoteliers and other stakeholders before signing off vowed to send the tourists to the tourism capital of Maharashtra by marketing it aggressively and selling USPs through mouthword.

Tourists plays vital role in local economy

The Aurangabad Tourism Development Foundation (ATDF) president, Jaswant Singh, said, “Each tourist arrival will contribute to create multiplier effect in the local economy and benefit directly and indirectly every tourism stakeholder - such as hotels, restaurants, guides, souvenir & handicraft sellers, car & coach rental companies, airlines, Indian Railways, private & state transport bus operators etc.”

The president of ATDF’s Civil Aviation Committee, Suneet Kothari said,“I am glad that the IATO office-bearers have started contributing to tourism development. IATO president and vice president have sent the groups of American and Moroccan tourists. We are hopeful that by 2024, there will be an influx of foreign tourists in the city and in India in large numbers. Indeed tourism creates a powerful impact on the local and the Indian economy.”