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29 March 2024

ATM honours ‘Incredible India’ after 2013 devastation

Published
By Staff

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014 has named India as the recipient of the New Frontiers Award 2014 in recognition of the country’s ongoing efforts to rebuild physical infrastructure and its rural tourism economy in the wake of the June 2013 floods and landslides in the northern state of Uttarakhand, and the devastation wreaked by tropical Cyclone Phailin, which touched down in the northeast of the country in October.

Significant fatalities and the displacement of more than 1.1 million people were further exacerbated by the destruction of entire communities and wholesale destruction of crops and farmland.

Accepting the award, Devender Singh from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said: “Tremendous effort is being made at all levels in terms of rebuilding tourism infrastructure in the affected areas, from state government activity to financial support from the Government of India. It will be a long-term process and we have only just started to get back to normal, but we are optimistic for the future.”

A CSR initiative under the ATM brand, the New Frontiers Award reinforced the overall focus of the programme, communicated under the theme ‘Recover, Repair, Rebuild’. It is awarded to destinations that have overcome great adversity to bring much needed tourism back to their shores.

The award comprises ATM exhibition space valued at $10,000 along with additional marketing support in promoting the outstanding tourism opportunities offered by the recipient nation.

“As well as acknowledging India’s efforts in tackling the immense challenge of rebuilding its agricultural as well as tourism infrastructure, this is also an invaluable opportunity for the industry to learn from the experience of past recipients such as the Philippines and Chile as they share their road to recovery stories,” said Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, the organisers of ATM.

Last year’s recipient Philippines was represented by Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Assistant Secretary, International Tourism Promotions, Department of Tourism, who provided an update on sector recovery and the outlook for the industry in 2014.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Annual Economic Impact Data report, 2014 is expected to be a year of above-average growth for India’s travel and tourism sector with a forecasted 7.3 per cent growth in economic contribution.

“The people of northern India were faced with widespread devastation last year in the aftermath of not one but two life-changing natural disasters, with the Uttarakhand floods and Cyclone Phailin causing wholesale destruction in the space of just five months,” said Walsh.

“It took monumental effort and sheer determination on the part of regional and national government, as well as by people in the affected communities and beyond, to start the rebuilding process and get the local economy back on track; and this collaborative effort embodies the spirit of the New Frontiers Award,” he added.

Domestic tourism revenues in India rose by 5.1 per cent in 2013 and are expected to increase by 8.2 per cent in 2014, with domestic travel pegged as a key growth market. International visitor spend also increased by 6.2 per cent in 2013 and further sector growth this year will be boosted by the proposed extension to the government’s visa on arrival and Electronic Travel Authorisation programme, which is set to cover tourists from 180 countries.

Travel and tourism also continues to be an economic mainstay, contributing Rs6.63 trillion in 2013 and generating 35 million jobs.

The award, decided by a panel of judges consisting of global industry professionals, also shortlisted the Philippines (Central Visayas earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan) and Pakistan (Baluchistan earthquake), with all of the 2014 nominees undertaking repair, rebuild and recovery progammes, with efforts still ongoing in some destinations.