SATTE 2017 India’s Flagship Show for Travel and Tourism Industry by UBM India

by Shrutee K/DNS

NEW DELHI, January, 2017: UBM India will be hosting the 24^th edition of SATTE, South Asia's leading travel trade show from 15-17 February 2017 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The expo is represented by more than 870 exhibitors and participants from over 40 countries and 28 Indian states, with several significant exhibitors making an inroad to SATTE 2017 for the first time.  SATTE will provide a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality industry along with National and State Tourism Boards (NTOs and STOs) to congregate and conduct business, arrive at solution-driven innovations to counteract economic uncertainties and promote inbound, outbound and domestic tourism in India. This most favoured industry platform is also well-supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

SATTE continues to receive support of international organisations and Indian travel trade associations such as World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Indian Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), SKAL International, United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) and IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), to name a few. Spread over 3 days, SATTE 2017 will be witness to several exciting partnerships and announcements that promise to augur in new trends in the industry.  Visitors at the signature expo can expect to witness a number of features including a special pavilion of 12 start-ups and venture capital firms that will be on board to provide seed investments for innovative ideas.

The expo will see participation from almost all State Tourism Boards. As far as NTOs are concerned, USA, Mexico, Peru, Czech Republic, Spain, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Israel, Thailand, Indonesia, Macau, Fiji, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi,  Dubai, New Zealand, Reunion Island and Egypt amongst others have confirmed their participation with Peru, Vietnam and Sharjah Joining in for the first time. Turkey and Maldives are all set to confirm their participation soon. Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are partner countries for SATTE 2017.

SATTE 2017 is also going to witness an active participation from hospitality players such as, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, ITDC, Sterling Resorts, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Movenpick Hotel & Resorts, Minor Hotels, Melia Hotels International, ONYX Hospitality Group, Ramee Group of Hotels, Shangri –La Hotels and Resorts, Venetian Cotai amongst others. Apart from NTOs and State Tourism Boards, travel & hospitality companies, airlines, cruiseliners, DMCs, OTAs and tourism products will also join the event. SATTE works closely with renowned travel associations, organisations and media houses, keeping visitors and buyers at the show well-informed on trends and updates of the industry.

Pronab Sarkar, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said, “SATTE has emerged as one of the premium platforms in the country, where one can find all the segments that make up the travel industry. This is the place where the entire tourism fraternity comes under one umbrella and a lot of actual business happens. Also through SATTE, newer and hitherto unknown destinations get a lot of focus and this is very important for tourism to grow.”

According to PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), “SATTE is the biggest travel trade exhibition in South Asia. It brings international exhibitors and buyers who have travel business in India under one roof. Not only does it give fresh exposure to established players, it also offers a plethora of opportunities to new entrants. It is a great networking platform where participants get to generate a lot of business leads and transact business.”  -.

Lauding the SATTE platform, Biji Eapen, President, IATA Agents Association of India, opined, “We are sure that SATTE 2017 will follow its tradition and the newer features will only help SATTE establish new growth paths for the Indian Travel and Tourism Industry. SATTE 2016 -- the 23rd edition of SATTE – was labeled ‘Unprecedented and Bold’, and had also proved to be a spectacular event with around 860 exhibitors from 35 countries, 30 international & 28 domestic Tourism Boards. The key sessions and panel discussions had covered a wide range of subjects and relevant topics that brought together industry stakeholders on a single platform allowing a valuable exchange of ideas.”

Speaking on the upcoming 24^th edition of SATTE and its latest developments, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India said, “SATTE has now become an institution and has evolved as a truly global exhibition in this part of the world. In spite of worldwide uncertainties this year, it stands taller than ever before. SATTE has an expected turnout of over 21,000 qualified travel professionals – each visiting the expo with a high expectancy from the event and its innovative, solution-driven features like the knowledge seminars, product launches and a grand Awards Night that is set to celebrate excellence and innovation within the industry.” One of the key features of SATTE 2017 will be the conference programme scheduled for February 15 and 16 that promises industry discussions and sharing of new insights pertaining to the sector and industry best practices. Additionally, key stakeholders are looking forward to the six intensive panel discussions that SATTE is also set to host this year.

As a pre-cursor to the expo, UBM India will be hosting the SATTE Awards 2017 for the first time. Slated for the evening of February 14, the awards is an endeavour to recognize and celebrate the excellence, achievements, and innovations of key players in the Travel and Tourism industry. It will be based on transparent, authentic and genuine parameters, a philosophy which is imbibed in the values of SATTE.Networking opportunities, presentations, and other features will add substance and style to the evening. The 19 award categories will cover various segments of the travel and tourism industry including airlines, cruise, tour operators, hotels, destinations, online travel portals, to name just a few.