Karnataka Tourism has made a lasting impression at the Arabian Travel Market 2023, one of the biggest travel trade shows in the Middle East. The event occurred from May 1st to May 4th, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where the Karnataka Tourism stand showcased the state’s cultural heritage and promoted it as a top destination in the Middle East market.
Several service providers, including Skyway International Travels, Gamyam Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat, Paul John Resorts & Hotels, and Niraa Wellness, represented the Karnataka Tourism stand. These providers had the opportunity to display their services and engage with potential customers by highlighting the state’s diverse tourism offerings. Karnataka Tourism aimed to attract more visitors from the Middle East market and strengthen Karnataka’s position as a top tourism destination.
The Ambassador of India to UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, inaugurated the event with other Karnataka Tourism stakeholders. The government was also represented by its Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation), and Jungle Lodges and Resorts.
Karnataka is a land of diverse cultures, heritage, and natural beauty. The state is home to ancient temples, palaces, monuments, hill stations, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks. Karnataka is also a hub for information technology, biotechnology, and aerospace industries. The state has a diverse cultural heritage and celebrates various festivals, including Dasara, Karaga, and Ugadi, which showcase the state’s vibrant and colourful cultural traditions.
The state is lived, ruled, and enriched by renowned dynasties like the Kadamba, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala, Vijayanagara, and Wodeyar dynasties. Karnataka is also home to 747 unique protected monuments, temples, and palaces viz. Bidar, Badami, Gol Gumbaz, Aihole, Belur, Halebid, and Shravanbelagola.
The Arabian Travel Market 2023 was a great success for Karnataka Tourism. The event saw an overwhelming response from the Middle East market, with several visitors and trade partners expressing their interest in Karnataka’s tourism offerings. Over 200 trade visitors and travel professionals visited the Karnataka Tourism exhibit and had B2B meetings during the four-day event.
The state’s participation in the event has highlighted its unique tourism offerings, which will generate interest in travel to Karnataka. With this exposure, more visitors from the Middle East are expected to be attracted to Karnataka in the coming years, strengthening the state’s position as a preferred tourism destination.
Written by: Stephen Morton