By Rashmi Pradhan

UBM INDIA’S travel trade show, SATTE New Delhi’s companion event SATTE Mumbai West was inaugurated by Ram Shinde, Minister of State, Maharashtra at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai. The 4th edition of SATTE Mumbai West (August 18-19, 2015) witnessed the participation from 6 State Tourism Boards, 6 National Tourist Offices and players from hotels, technology, airlines and tour operators. Also present was Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
Addressing the delegates, Shinde said, "Events such as SATTE are unique opportunities for the tourism industry and its stakeholders. We always look forward to opportunities for growth and increased awareness."
The key exhibitors were Rajasthan Tourism, Maharashtra Tourism, Chhattisgarh Tourism, Uttar Pradesh Tourism, Jharkhand Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, ENIT Italian National Tourist Board, Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Fiji, Neemrana Hotels, OYO Rooms, ZO Rooms, Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (Indigo), Internet Moguls, Tea Estate India, Grade One Events, and United Travels and Tours from Singapore, amongst others showcased some of the latest destinations and offerings at the trade show.
Yogesh Mudras, Acting Managing Director, UBM India, said, "India's western region comprising of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and adjoining areas receives over 10 per cent domestic and 25 per cent foreign visits, according to reports. Furthermore, Mumbai, apart from being the financial capital and the gateway to western India, has emerged as the only Indian entry in the Asia Pacific to figure in the top 10 fast growing cities by international overnight visitors, according to the Global Destination Cities Index chart’.
As many as 4.75 million people have done overnight stays in Mumbai during the first half of this year which is likely to record the highest number of international visitors who broke journey in the last five years, according to Mudras. ’SATTE Mumbai West is aptly poised to offer ample opportunities to the travel trade community to further push their business and tap the potential of this city and the region's tourism market’, he added.

The author is Assistant Editor of BW Hotelier.-