The Rajasthan Tourism Department spent over Rs 1 crore to participate in the World Travel Mart (WTM) in London, one of the world's largest travel exhibitions, held last week. Despite the heavy investment, the department’s stall remained unattended for two of the three days, raising questions about the use of public funds.

Absence of Officials

According to sources in the travel industry who attended WTM London, no representative from the Rajasthan Tourism Department was present to engage with foreign tour operators for most of the exhibition. A senior official reportedly arrived only on the evening of the second day, leaving the stall empty and visitors unattended for a significant time.

Comparison with Other States

Other Indian states like Odisha and Telangana put up a strong show at the event,organizing cultural programs that attracted attention. In contrast, Rajasthan’s empty stall was noted by attendees as a missed opportunity to promote the state’s tourism.

Concerns Over Frequent Absences

WTM London is not the only international travel show the department attends. Insiders suggest that this pattern of absence has been observed at other events as well, despite significant spending of taxpayer money. Some critics allege these trips are treated as leisure trips, or “junkets,” rather than genuine efforts to boost tourism.

Support from Higher Officials

The state’s tourism minister, known for her dedication, has established a positive rapport with Union Director General of Tourism, Mugdha Sinha, and enjoys support from the Union Tourism Minister, who is also from Rajasthan. However, such high-level connections were not enough to prevent the disappointing display at WTM London.

Public Reactions

The absence of Rajasthan officials at the event has led to criticism from the public and industry experts, who feel this was a wasted opportunity to promote Rajasthan’s tourism sector to a global audience.

What is WTM London?

The World Travel Market (WTM) London is the global hub for the travel trade, renowned as the most influential event in the travel and tourism industry worldwide. WTM London gathers the international leisure travel community, offering travel professionals opportunities for inspiration, education, networking, and industry benchmarking. It also provides exhibitors with a premier platform to conduct business and showcase their services to a global media audience.