India Tourism Festival 2003

The India Tourism Festival (ITF 2003) is a Tourism & Travel extravaganza to be held between 2nd - 5th Oct 2003 in Coimbatore, India - a trade fair showcasing the Tourism and Travel industry.

ITF 2003 will showcase the tourism opportunities globally as well as the divers culture and heritage to be found throughout India and in partner countries.

India is a very large and unique country that offers a myriad of different cultures and traditions for visitors to enjoy and marvel in - one of the most economical one stop destinations to enjoy a medley of heritage values, life styles, landscapes and beauty.

In the future, India Tourism Festival is expected to take this message to various countries and will act as a brand  ambassador for Indian Tourism. Apart from the exhibition, various cultural shows, dances, Indian ceremonies etc. will be on show as events during the festival.

ITF 2003 is expected to have partnerships with government and professional bodies associated with Travel and Tourism; these include RCI, IAPA and  PATA etc., Leaders from the hospitality industry, airlines, tour operators, travel agencies and other service providers are expected to participate. Officials from the union and state governments and the ministries are also expected to take part in this event.

Some of the renown personalities who form the Committee of Hosts are

Mr. Mithun Chakraborty - noted film actor and chairman of the Monarch - Howard Johnson International Hospitality Group Franchise in India.

Mr. Vijay Mohan - Managing Director, PRICOL Group of Companies and franchisees to Club Mahindra Holidays.

Ms. Padma Ravichander - CEO, Hewlett Packard India Software Operations - the largest user group in South with a travel and hospitality spend exceeding Rs.400 million per annum.

Mr.Narain Karthikeyan - Indian Formula motor sports champion.

Mr. Ravi Appasamy - MD Residency hospitality group Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore.

Mr. Jose Dominic - MD, Casino Group of Hotels, Kerala.

Ms. Usha Uthup - The Evergreen Indian POP diva.

BBC correspondent to India Mr.Mark Tully has also consented to be an honorary patron of India Tourism.