Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart - Tourism Stakeholders Unite for B2B Network

The fourth Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM), aimed at promoting domestic and rural tourism and showcasing new hotels and destinations, is underway at the Birla Auditorium. The three-day mart was organized jointly by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) and the Rajasthan Tourism Department, with active participation from the Central Tourism Department.

On Saturday, Rajasthan's Deputy CM, Diya Kumari, inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest. She reviewed the stalls at the RDTM and engaged in discussions with tourism representatives about new tourism dimensions and opportunities.The event also saw the presence of key figures including Ravi Jain, Secretary of Tourism, Art, Literature, Culture, and Archaeology; Honorary President of FHTR, Bhim Singh; FHTR President, Kuldeep Singh Chandela; Senior Vice President, Surendra Singh Shahpura; General Secretary, CA Virendra Singh Shekhawat; Former IAS Dr. Lalit K. Panwar; Civil Line MLA, Gopal Sharma; and Chairman of the Rajasthan Heritage Authority, Onkar Singh Lakhawat. This year, the RDTM is organized with a focus on wedding, incentive, conference, and event themes.

In her address, during the inaugural ceremony, Deputy CM Diya Kumari outlined a clear roadmap to position Rajasthan as the No. 1 tourism destination in India. She emphasized that the government is committed to making policies more favorable for investors, particularly in tourism and hospitality sectors, to bring out the full potential of this fruitful industry. She also announced the 'Rising Rajasthan Summit,' in Dec 2024 which will focus heavily on tourism investments and enhancing the hospitality sector. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of spiritual tourism, citing popular pilgrimage destinations like Khatu Shyam Ji, which will play a key role in attracting more tourists. Restoration of Rajasthan's monuments and heritage sites is also a priority to preserve and promote the state's diverse cultural legacy.

She also added, "We are focusing on improving facilities and infrastructure to enhance tourism. Policies and plans are being developed with new dimensions in mind to ensure that no obstacles hinder those wanting to develop tourism in the state. Special plans for senior citizens are also underway to make their travel experience simpler and safer. Additionally, we are working on incorporating AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies in the tourism sector. A new tourism policy for the state will be introduced soon.

Over 200 Stalls and 600 Hotels Displayed at Birla Auditorium. The mart included both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Customer (B2C) meetings, starting from 5 PM, allowing the public to explore hotel and facility information for their events. The event has attracted 1,300 buyers and over 7,000 visitors from across the country. Various travel planners, tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, event planners, wedding planners, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) organizers, and other tourism stakeholders are participating, introducing the audience to Rajasthan’s diverse attractions and facilities. Representatives participating in the mart. The 'Rajasthan Fame Tour' in collaboration with the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO) was organised post the event. 

RDTM also honored Ms. Neeti Kumari Mandawa and Rohini Kumari Mandawa in memory of Thakur Randhir Vikram Singh Mandawa for promoting Tourism in Rajasthan. Additionally, Mr Sudhir Patil, Dr. Lalit K. Pawar, and Mr. Bheem Singh, President Honor of FHTR, were also honored as Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions in promoting tourism in Rajasthan during the event.

Ravi Jain stated that RDTM is Rajasthan’s largest interactive forum. The meetings conducted here are preparing for several important aspects, with extensive marketing in digital, electronic, and print forms. Our goal is to enhance Rajasthan’s tourism potential, and it is timely as the tourism season is approaching. He emphasized the need for collective effort to make it successful and improve tourism experiences and facilities in Rajasthan. When tourists come to Rajasthan, it is our responsibility to provide them with a great experience. They will need both convenience and security, and we all must work together to ensure this.

FHTR President Kuldeep Singh Chandela mentioned that RDTM is sending out a positive message to everyone. The mart features both B2B and B2C meetings, offering opportunities for tourism and new dimensions. These discussions and meetings are promoting tourism both nationally and internationally. Notably, people from the Hadoti and South Rajasthan regions have also participated this time. People from Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Kumbhalgarh have taken part in RDTM for the first time. Additionally, there are plans for international outreach, where we will work with the tourism department abroad to promote Rajasthan tourism. We will continue to work with the government in these efforts.

The primary objective of RDTM was to attract more tourists from within and outside the state, thereby strengthening the state’s economy. The mart provides an opportunity for tourism stakeholders to showcase their products in various sectors such as heritage, adventure, wildlife, pilgrimage, weddings, eco-tourism, and village tourism. The fourth edition of this important event aims to promote domestic and rural tourism, as well as new hotels and destinations.

More information about the event can be found on the FHTR website (https://fhtr.in/rdtm-2024/).