The Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched an initiative called ‘Visit Hyderabad’- the Hyderabad Convention Bureau. The initiative was formally launched by Dr Geeta Reddy, Minister for I&PR and Tourism, Andhra Pradesh during the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) congress luncheon organised yesterday by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL). According to a report in India Infoline News Service, the main stakeholders in this initiative are Government of Andhra Pradesh, GHIAL and Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), managed by Accor. 

‘Visit Hyderabad’ will comprise of an autonomous body to promote Hyderabad as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Tourism. The state tourism department along with hospitality players, airline companies and travel service providers will work together in order to promote the city as a lucrative destination for MICE. The initiative will be based on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. 

Informing about the concept of ‘Visit Hyderabad’, Dr Reddy said, “The initiative will help to generate a symbiotic association between all the members and will help the city to host international conventions of large capacities. The autonomous body formed by the government and private partners will have a board headed by the CEO to promote Hyderabad as a convention destination.” 

According to Jayesh Ranjan Principal Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Tourism, “It is a great opportunity for Hyderabad to establish itself as a leading MICE destination in India. Visit Hyderabad-Hyderabad Convention Bureau will be a dedicated facility for all the conferences and conventions organised in Hyderabad. The Bureau will definitely support the growing economy of Hyderabad. It is a moment of pleasure not only for the Government of Andhra Pradesh but also for all the private players of the hospitality, travel and transport fraternity because Visit Hyderabad is a win-win for all of us.”

Paul Archer, General Manager, Delegate, Hyderabad, Accor stated, “Visit Hyderabad will have a positive impact on the overall tourism for the city. Hyderabad has been host to major conventions from the IT and the Pharma industry. With a convention bureau we will come across as a unified face providing one-stop solution to convention related need from any part of the world”.  

According to P Sripathy, Chief Executive Officer, GMR Hyderabad International Airport, “GHIAL has been adjudged as the best airport among the 5 to 15 million passenger capacity airports in the world. The airport with its state-of-the-art facilities, can handle 12 million passengers per annum. Leveraging Hyderabad's strategic location, it is positioned to become an important hub on the global aviation map and thereby assist in servicing convention delegates from all parts of the world.”