The Travel and Tourism Fair, TTF, opened in Gujarat University Exhibition Hall today in the presence of a host of senior officials and stakeholders from the travel and hospitality industries from all over India and from abroad. The fair will remain open till 22nd August, 8 pm.

The 3-day travel extravaganza, which is the biggest-ever in the city, brings together more than 300 participants from all over India (from 27 states) and from 11 Countries under one roof.

Egypt and Nepal are participating in TTF Ahmedabad as Feature Countries. Other countries represented in TTF Ahmedabad are China, Dubai, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, This is a clear indication about the importance of Ahmedabad and Gujarat as one of India’s biggest outbound markets, in addition to being one of the country’s biggest markets of domestic tourists.

Gujarat Tourism is the Host State of TTF Ahmedabad. With over 30 exhibitors, Uttarakhand is participating as the Partner State, as is Himachal Pradesh with over 25 exhibitors. Rajasthan, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Punjab, Orissa and Jharkhand are participating as Feature States.

The other states represented at TTF Ahmedabad include Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Goa, Haryana, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. Ahmedabad’s importance as a market for domestic tourists is reinforced by the large number of states/UTs represented, many of them participating alongwith private sector operators.

Besides State and National Tourism organizations, TTF Ahmedabad has the participation of a large number of hotels, resorts, travel agents, tour-operators, cruise-lines, railways, travel portals and publications etc.

With definite signs of recovery in the economy, travel and tourism organizations are using attractive pricing to stimulate demand. Tourists and business travelers can expect to get good bargains in travel packages and hotel rates.

TTF is an ideal forum for tourism organizations to strengthen their marketing campaigns for the upcoming peak festive vacation season.

Mr. Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd, organiser of TTF said “Ahmedabad TTF is one of the best attended in the country, because Gujarati travelers are well known for their wanderlust, especially around Diwali holiday season”. He also mentioned: “Generally recessionary trends in global economy are not necessarily bad news for tourists. Best deals are available now, and TTF is the best place to shop around”.

A number of activities have been lined up by the participants to draw visitors to their stalls, and ultimately to their destinations.

Some like Gujarat and Uttarakhand will have their cultural troupes performing periodically at the venue, adding color and rhythm.

Others like Jharkhand and Chattisgarh are organizing presentations for the travel trade and media.

Colorful displays have been put up by most of the participants. Most noticeable are the attractive booths of Egypt and Nepal, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, India Tourism, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Jammu and Kashmir, among others.

TTF Ahmedabad has been carefully scheduled at the most appropriate time of the year, when prospective tourists are planning their holidays for the coming peak Diwali season.

TTF Ahmedabad is expected to be visited by leading lights of the travel and tourism industry from all over India, including senior tourism officials from various states.

Started in the year 1989, TTF - the first ever initiative of its kind in India, is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), and other similar trade bodies. TTF is also strongly supported by local travel trade associations e.g. the Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Gujarat (TAG) in Ahmedabad.

For over 20 years now, TTF has been providing a networking and marketing platform to the travel and tourism industry to reach out to its target audience.

The 3-day event (20th to 22nd August) is open for visitors from 11 am to 8 pm.

Entry to the Fair is free, and every visiting family gets a surprise gift.

Last month the TTF was organised in Hyderabad and Kolkata, with great response from both travel trade and general visitors. From Ahmedabad, TTF moves next to Surat next weekend (27th – 29th August).

In the first quarter of 2011, TTF travels to Chennai and Bangalore (January 2011), and Mumbai and New Delhi (February 2011), completing the largest network of travel marts in India.