UP Travel Mart aimed at making state a 'global tourism destination'

CM Akhilesh Yadav will be inaugurating the event on Feb 22

By gearing up its plans to elevate Uttar Pradesh as a major tourist destination in the world, the state government is hosting UP Travel Mart 2015 from February 22.

The three-day mega event is being jointly organised by UP Tourism department and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

It would be first-of-its-kind initiative in UP aimed at harnessing its optimum tourism potential. The Travel Mart would witness 79 tour operators from 27 countries, including USA, the UK, China, Australia, Germany, Thailand and India.

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate the event at the historic La Martiniere Boys College Ground here.

 

The purpose of the event is to showcase the varied tourist spots/attractions in UP spanning heritage, wildlife and Buddha Circuit.

The state government intends to present the historical monuments and various other rich tourism sites on a global platform, so that both domestic and foreign backpackers are apprised of the unlimited tourism potential in the state.

It is also expected to generate more revenue to the exchequer and open new vistas for job creation.

Meanwhile, UP tourism secretary Amrit Abhijat said the government wanted more tourists from China and Southeast Asian countries to visit the various Buddhist Circuit destinations.

Earlier, this event used to be held in Jaipur under the name of 'Great Indian Travel Bazaar'.

However, now under an agreement between FICCI and UP Tourism, the event has come to Lucknow and would now be held for the next five years.

Abhijat said UP Travel Mart would even help foreign tour operators to design better tour packages keeping in mind the rich heritage and historical dimensions of the state.