Jaipur, July 16
The third edition of the two-day Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart at Rajasthan International Centre, Jhalana, came to an enthusiastic end on Sunday. The response received at Mega Travel Mart was encouraging to both buyers (domestic tour operators) and sellers (owners of tourism products). The two-day mart witnessed over 7000 pre-structured B2B meetings knowledge on making the tourism industry ‘sustainable’.
Principal Secretary of, Tourism Department, Mrs. Gayatri Rathore said that there is a need to strike a balance between GDP and the environment. He stressed on the importance of adopting sustainable practices and promoting livelihoods in the tourism sector. Mrs. Rathod also highlighted the need to revive the ‘Intangible Heritage’ and preserve the living arts.
Dr. Lalit K. Panwar, Patron, FHTR, while discussing Tourism in Rajasthan described it as a de facto industry and stressed the urgent need to ‘re-imagine’ and ‘re-invent’ the tourism sector. He underlined the importance of sustainability encompassing social, psychological, and spiritual aspects. He said that decision-making processes should be carried forward only after assessing the environmental and cultural carrying capacity of each destination.
Naveen Mahajan, Director General, Harishchandra Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration, stressed the need for essential lifestyle changes to facilitate comprehensive social change. He also discussed the importance of Greenco rating for hotels and the role of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). He emphasized that it is important to implement the Greenco rating in hotels to promote sustainability and ‘responsible practices’ in the hospitality industry. These ratings serve as a reliable benchmark for assessing the environmental performance of hotels, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly measures and reduce their ecological footprints. He highlighted the role of IGBC in providing guidance and certification for green buildings including hotels, promoting energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and overall environmental responsibility.
FHTR President Apoorva Kumar said that there is a danger of depletion of natural resources due to the increasing number of tourists. To preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of tourist destinations for generations to come, it is essential that all stakeholders in the tourism industry work together to promote sustainable practices. He also emphasized on adoption of ESG norms and said that the mechanism can be built on an incentive model.
Release of the book ‘Regal Rajasthan’
The book ‘Regal Rajasthan – Sustainability Empowering the Future’ was also released during the Mart. The book throws light on various schemes to promote tourism through Rajasthan’s attractions like step-wells, forts, palaces, havelis, etc., the cuisine of Rajasthan, and other interesting topics.
Other knowledge-sharing sessions-
In the session ‘Innovative Offerings – New Products in Tourism’, Dr. Lalit K Panwar, Patron, FHTR, emphasized how Rajasthan tourism is not just limited to 5-star hotels or resorts, but experiences in our villages as well there is a lot to do. He appealed to the state government to provide social security to the art and craftsmen. He also highlighted eco-friendly innovations in rural areas. Amitav Bhattacharya highlighted the involvement of the community in building tourism in Rajasthan. Emphasizing more on the Folk Artisans of Rajasthan, he said that whatever our villages are producing, we need to take it to the global level. Talking about his photography and his experience with art and culture, Shravan Ram discussed how ‘Art is Heritage’. HOD, Amity University, Dr. Saurabh threw light on the culinary heritage of Rajasthan, how to present our traditional dishes in a modern style, but not lose the ‘soul’ of those dishes.
Whereas, in the session ‘Rewilding in our Backyard’, Director, Kishan Bagh, and Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Vijay Dhasmana talked about how we are moving away from our vegetation and harming our climate and biodiversity. Similarly, in the session ‘Sustainable Waste Management in Hospitality Sector’, Imteyaz Ali, Managing Director, Sarthak Sansthan expressed his views that banning plastic is not the solution, but it has to be managed.
Stalls related to the art and culture of the state-
Under the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart, some artisans and artists of the state have also got an opportunity to display their skills. Artisans displayed their art at the mart near the registration counter, while stalls of some institutions were also set up on the first floor. A live demonstration of his ancestral art of making Panja durries was given here by Nemaram Prajapat, a Jodhpur-based durry weaver. He explained the process of making cotton durries with the help of claws. On the other hand, information about textile handicraft products, and weaving was given by the artisans associated with the Palm Institute of Barefoot College, Tilonia. On behalf of the institute, handmade wooden products, pen holders, and diaries were displayed, which were made entirely from waste materials. Similarly, appliqué work and embroidery work by Anoparam of Badhmer, bedsheets, and cushion covers displayed dress material. Handmade leather products displayed by Mahendra Kumar of Patodi, Badhmer were also a center of attraction for the visitors. Along with this, the visitors not only saw many products including purses, belts, mojdi, but also did not lag behind in buying them.
On the first floor space was provided for stalls to some institutions. In these, beautiful clothes made through fundraising by Help in Suffering of Jaipur were displayed. Arankrijharna, Jodhpur informed that the main objective of this museum is to make the new generation aware of the rural culture. People also liked the various products made by Sarthak Sansthan, Bhopal through waste materials.
Institute’s Imtiaz Ali told how they are making various products by recycling plastic waste, the biggest problem of the environment. Information was given by Diksha Sansthan about reading from Phad.
Cultural program organized
A cultural program was organized on the first day of Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart. On this occasion, Rajasthani, Sufi, and folk songs were presented one after the other by the artists of Rajasthan Roots Band, which forced everyone present to dance to their tunes.
Artists of Rajasthan Roots Band performed Mhari Re Mangetar Kajal Wali Surme Walo Re Nawab Jodi Ro Jawab Nahi…, Zara Sa Tedho Ho Ja Balma Maharo Pallo Latke…, O Khaike Paan Banaras Wala Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka Tal… , Mere Rashke Qamar Tu Ne Pehli Nazar Jab Nazar Se Milai Maza Aa Gaya…, Damadam Mast Kalandar… and Piya Re Piya Re… enthralled the audience with their one after the other performances. Gave. Along with this, the rhythm and rhythm of drums and percussion together by the folk artistes enthralled the listeners in the program.
