SATTE is the big networking event for the industry, where all segments come together to buy and

sell the composite product Inbound, Regional and Outbound. Indias first tourism event, SATTE is clearly the biggest show in the country. It is also the only show in world co-branded by world major, ITB Berlin. This establishes the growing importance of India as a travel and tourism destination, and equally that of SATTE as a landmark event in this part of the world.

Spread over 16,000 sqm gross area, SATTE 2011 will occupy 6,500 sqm net space, making it one of the biggest travel shows of Asia.

SATTE promotes generic travel and all streams of the business

Tourism is the largest service industry in India, with a contribution of 6.23% to the national GDP and 8.78% of the total employment in India. India witnesses more than 5 million annual foreign tourist arrivals and 562 million domestic tourism visits.[1]cite web|[2] The tourism industry in India generated about US$100 billion in 2008 and that is expected to increase to US$275.5 billion by 2018 at a 9.4% annual growth rate.[ Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency to formulate national policies and programmes for the development and promotion of tourism. In the process, the Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various Central Ministries/agencies, the State Governments/ union Territories and the representatives of the private sector. Concerted efforts are being made to promote new forms of tourism such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism. [5] The Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency for the development and promotion of tourism in India and maintains the "Incredible India" campaign. Rajji Rai, president, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) & director - South Asia United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations (UFTAA) discusses the booming career opportunities available in the Indian travel and tourism industry for aspirants to explore

1) How is the Indian travel and tourism industry faring currently?

Indias tourism industry is experiencing a strong period of growth, driven by coordinated government campaigns to promote Incredible India and growth in high spending foreign tourists, not to forget the burgeoning Indian middle-class. Also, disposable income in India has grown by 10.11 per cent annually from 20012007, and much of that is being spent on travel. Millions annually have joined the ranks of Indias middle-class, a group that is driving domestic tourism growth. Thanks to a booming IT and outsourcing industry, a growing number of business trips are made by foreigners to India, who often add a weekend break or longer holiday to their trip. Foreign tourists spend more in India than almost any other country worldwide. Tourist arrivals are projected to increase by over 22 per cent per year through till 2012.

2) Do you think careers in travel and tourism industry are booming due to a surge in tourism, for eg adventure tourism, medical tourism etc? Yes I do think careers in travel and tourism are booming. More and more youngsters are joining this work force. A lot of colleges are offering special courses in travel and even universities have come out with special study programs. The different categories of tourism being revolved in this country are seeing professionals being roped in fields such as Eco Tourism, Adventure Tourism, MICE and others. Nearly three million jobs will be created in the next 10 years in aviation alone. There are also about 34 institutions affiliated to the National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, an agency working under the Department of Tourism, Government of India. Out of these, 24 are Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and the rest (ten) are Food Craft Institutes (FCI). We need to quickly scale up our existing youth resource and catch them young and empower them with the right skill sets.

3) What are the emerging niche markets in tourism? MICE, wellness and medical tourism, culture and heritage tourism, leisure and recreational tours, business and incentive travel, adventure and holiday tourism, wildlife tourism, pilgrimage tourism eco tourism, incentive tourism and special interest tours are some of the niche areas. A new deviation is sports tourism, cruise tourism, student exchange programs and volunteer tourism, and last but not the least, Domestic tourism Indians travelling in India for leisure continue to be in vogue.

4) What are some of the challenges that this industry faces? Clearly, tourism has a major influence and impact. This is an industry, which can positively or negatively impact the worlds economy, environment, and culture, in a very significant way. Tourism also offers educational opportunities for local people as a part of capacity building, and for visitors who learn to respect and protect natural and cultural heritage. There has been much discussion of the positive and negative elements of tourism. The benefit side of the equation is clear. Tourism creates incomes, jobs and investments, such as in relation to tourism infrastructure, and can, if carefully managed, make a major contribution to poverty alleviation, conservation and sustainable development.

5) How do you see the future of the tourism industry few years from now? Despite the economic downturn that took place last year, the longterm prospects for the Indian tourism industry are good. Industry sources expect that the economy will start to recover fully from 2011 onwards, with a beneficial effect on travel and tourism. In addition, increased promotion and aggressive marketing by the government will increase the influx of tourists in the coming years. To cater to this increased demand, innovation and new product development amongst industry service operators including hotels, travel retailers and transportation companies, will be seen.

Travel agents and tour operators form the backbone of the industry. They play an important role in promoting the country as a tourist destination. An example, City Cross Travels Private Limited, Mumbai is promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir despite the violence that took place some time ago. Similarly other travel agencies are also trying to project a peaceful picture of India abroad. The travel agencies provide package tours that lure the foreign tourists towards our country. These packaged tour extract the best our of places and gives a foreign tourist a feel of the rich cultural diversity of our country. S.W.O.T ANALYSIS OF TOUR OPERATORS IN INDIA Strengths Travel agents are moving from being mere ticket issuers to travel consultants taking complete responsibility for the consumer's needs. Travel agencies not only provide the picture of the country to the interested parties but also lure them to visit a country by the attractive packages. Weaknesses Travel agents are most affected by the taxes that are part of the industry.

Opportunities as the number of tourist is increasing, there is a need to identify their requirements and the travel agencies can tap this segment. Threats with the advent of internet the role of travel agents is changing and the whole industry faces a threat of extinction unless they change to meet the need of tourists.

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