World Travel Market 2005 will see India Tourism welcome a record number of participants exhibiting at the India Pavilion to celebrate the huge success of the Incredible !ndia tourism marketing campaign. As the campaign enters it�s third year, Incredible !ndia will be stepping up a gear, with new developments to be announced at WTM by India�s minister for tourism, Mrs Renuka Chowdhury, who will be inviting tour operators and travel agents to join in the scheme.

The second phase of �Atithi Devo Bhavah� �Guest is God� programme will be announced. This new campaign is aimed at improving conditions for tourists � treating them with respect, giving friendly service and offering a clean and safe environment with price-branded services. Already 26,000 people working in the Indian tourism industry have received the government funded Atithi Devo Bhavah training and tourists will be able to recognise the qualified person�s by their badges.

In addition the Rural Tourism Scheme will be launched with the objective to showcase the rural life, art, cultural and natural heritage of village communities, especially in the art, crafts, handloom and textiles areas, to enrich the visitor�s experience. This initiative will benefit the 31 local communities, participating in the scheme and covering 21 states of the country. A web site � www.exploreruralindia.org has been launched to give more information to the visitors.

Foreign visitors to India have reached an all time high � up 15.6% in the first half of 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. Air travel stats reflect this growth � up a massive 25% in the year 2004 � 5 to date. A recent open skies policy has opened up Indian international and domestic routes with a resulting influx of new carriers, including low-cost airlines, operating in the region. Massive government investment will see Mumbai, Delhi and main regional airports transformed in the next few years. Key airlines operating to and within India will have representatives on the Indian Pavilion promoting their services.

Traditional Indian hospitality will prevail at WTM with visitors to the Indian Pavilion being offered refreshments and drinks.

Vivek Angra, India Tourism�s UK head said: �Incredible !ndia has been instrumental in increasing the number of tourists to India. Prior to the campaign, we were solely dependant on the individual Indiatourism Offices marketing efforts but we are now all working together in a concerted, focused and centralised effort. The results are there for everyone to see and WTM will be the launch pad for the next stage of Incredible !ndia.�

Finally, senior members of the WTM Indian delegation will maximise their time in London by attending the India Tourism Investment Forum, on Thursday 17th November, organised by Commonwealth Business Council with support of Indian High Commission and Indiatourism, Office, London. This forum will aim at promoting more investment flows into tourism and aviation sectors in India.

For further UK media information contact: Compass Communications 01753 654815 Email formula: initial / surname @compasspr.com During WTM Jane Richards 07711 101493 Lisa Donohue 07958 180534 Tina Morgan 07818 20108

October 2005