Uttar Pradesh Travel Mart 2024 Unveiled by FICCI and UP Tourism

6th Edition of Uttar Pradesh Travel Mart promising a showcase of the state's tourism potential

The Department of Tourism of the Uttar Pradesh government, in partnership with FICCI, has announced the upcoming 6th Edition of the Uttar Pradesh Travel Mart, scheduled to take place from April 25 to April 29, 2024, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

A Curtain Raiser event featuring a joint Press Conference was recently held at The Taj Mahal Hotel in Lucknow on March 12th. Key figures participated, including Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism & Culture of Uttar Pradesh; Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary and DG Tourism of GoUP; Prakhar Mishra, Director of Tourism; and Prateek Hira, Chair of FICCI’s Tourism Committee.

Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed the state's ambition to become a top destination for foreign tourist arrivals, leveraging its leading position in domestic tourism. Emphasising the safety and security of tourists, Minister Singh highlighted the state's unparalleled infrastructure and rich cultural and religious heritage, aiming to showcase Uttar Pradesh's tourism potential to the world through the upcoming UPTM.

Mukesh Kr. Meshram outlined the state's efforts to enhance heritage sites and successfully implement the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He stressed the importance of UPTM in promoting tourism and welcomed tour operators from across the globe, emphasising the inclusive nature of UP Tourism's policies.

Chairman of FICCI’s Tourism Committee, Prateek Hira, provided insights into the upcoming event, which will host over 150 delegates, including foreign and domestic tour operators, travel writers, and bloggers. He highlighted the planned familiarisation trip to critical sites in the state, including Buddhist and Eco-Tourism destinations, with Ayodhya also included in the itinerary. Interactive sessions and B2B meetings are also scheduled during the Travel Mart.

Prateek Hira underscored FICCI's extensive experience in organising successful travel marts across India, expressing confidence in the revival of UPTM as a catalyst for increased tourist footfall in Uttar Pradesh. He emphasised the significant changes the state has undergone since the last edition of UPTM in 2019 and stressed the importance of viewing tourism as a soft power.

Director of Tourism Prakhar Misra expressed gratitude and called on the travel trade and private sector to support UPTM, which is scheduled to be held in Gorakhpur, close to Kushinagar.

The announcement of the UPTM's revival has generated excitement in the travel and hospitality trade, particularly among foreign operators eager to witness developments in Uttar Pradesh since 2019, with notable advancements in infrastructure, facilities, and product offerings.