From September 28-30, 2015, the Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, India, hosted the Maharashtra International Travel Mart (MITM) in Mumbai, and IIPT India held two sessions of 90 minutes each addressed by eminent Indian and international speakers including a senior representative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the subjects of:
* Tourism as a tool for prosperity and peace; and
* The critical role of women in tourism and strategies for women empowerment.
MITM 2015 witnessed 250 registrations with participation from 16 states, along with hoteliers, travel agents, and tour operators from India and abroad. The Honorable Chief Minister said, โThe mart has brought all tourism stakeholders under one roof. There’s great scope for tourism in Maharashtra and India.”
International Institute for Peace through Tourism, India (IIPTI) conducted two Knowledge sessions during the MITM. The first knowledge session was titled โTourism โ Powerful tool for peaceโ and second held the name โThe Critical Role of Women in Tourism & Strategies to Empower Womenโ.
Mr. Haskar, COO, ITC Hotels said, โOne billion tourists travel around the world and 8 million come to India, and 1 billion domestic tourists travel across India. By 2025, we will have 1.5-1.75 billion domestic tourists between the age group of 18 to 25. Tourism can and must play an important role in national integration.โ
IIPT India also conducted the IIPT India Peace Awards for empowered women in Indian tourism and hospitality to recognize outstanding women who have empowered themselves and continue to empower other women as role models and mentors.