National News Agency
As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and on the occasion of National Tourism Day, the Indian Embassy in Beirut organized a Seminar “Tourism Wonders of India” on January 25, 2022. The event was also part of the Republic Day Celebrations. The Seminar was focused on the States of Goa and Kerala, the two most favored destinations for Lebanese tourists in India.
The speakers included, Mr. Nikhil Desai, MD, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Ahmad El Wazzan, Head of Public Relations Abroad Department, Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Jean Abboud, President, Association of Travel & Tourism Agents in Lebanon (ATTAL) and Mr. Aouni Abdel Rahim, Member of Association for Development of Lebanese-Indian Relations (ADLIR). Members of ATTAL, ADLIR and other travel and tour operators attended the event. Promotional videos from Kerala and Goa were screened.
Indian Ambassador, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, gave an overview of demography of India, top touristic destinations and talked about tourism industry of India. Ambassador also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector all over the world but highlighted that Indian tourism is able to make fast recovery from the Covid-19 related slump. Despite the pandemic, India is able to host the international guests following the Covid-19 protocols. Ambassador also spoke on the Free Tourist Visa Scheme of Government of India to first 5 lakh travellers to visit India and said that since the inception of this Scheme, the Embassy has many free tourist visa to Lebanese travellers.
Mr. Ahmad El Wazzan, Head of Public Relations Abroad Department, Lebanese Ministry of Tourism talked about cooperation between the Tourism ministries of India and Lebanon. He also spoke about impact of Covid-19 on tourism sector and the challenges being faced by tourists.
Mr Jean Abboud, President, ATTAL talked about beauty and diversity of India. He said that India is the most photogenic country. He also added that travelling is essential part of learning and growing. He expressed keen desire to collaborate with tour operators from India to take more Lebanese people to India and to get more Indian people to Lebanon.
Mr. Aouni Abdel Rahim, Member of ADLIR spoke fondly about his visit to Kumbh Mela in India few years back and his regular visits to India for the past 37 years. A short film made by him on the Kumbh Mela, with a positive message of “live and let live”, was also screened.
All the attendees have shown great interest in taking more tour groups to India and to explore new touristic locations.
The speakers included, Mr. Nikhil Desai, MD, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Ahmad El Wazzan, Head of Public Relations Abroad Department, Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Jean Abboud, President, Association of Travel & Tourism Agents in Lebanon (ATTAL) and Mr. Aouni Abdel Rahim, Member of Association for Development of Lebanese-Indian Relations (ADLIR). Members of ATTAL, ADLIR and other travel and tour operators attended the event. Promotional videos from Kerala and Goa were screened.
Indian Ambassador, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, gave an overview of demography of India, top touristic destinations and talked about tourism industry of India. Ambassador also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector all over the world but highlighted that Indian tourism is able to make fast recovery from the Covid-19 related slump. Despite the pandemic, India is able to host the international guests following the Covid-19 protocols. Ambassador also spoke on the Free Tourist Visa Scheme of Government of India to first 5 lakh travellers to visit India and said that since the inception of this Scheme, the Embassy has many free tourist visa to Lebanese travellers.
Mr. Ahmad El Wazzan, Head of Public Relations Abroad Department, Lebanese Ministry of Tourism talked about cooperation between the Tourism ministries of India and Lebanon. He also spoke about impact of Covid-19 on tourism sector and the challenges being faced by tourists.
Mr Jean Abboud, President, ATTAL talked about beauty and diversity of India. He said that India is the most photogenic country. He also added that travelling is essential part of learning and growing. He expressed keen desire to collaborate with tour operators from India to take more Lebanese people to India and to get more Indian people to Lebanon.
Mr. Aouni Abdel Rahim, Member of ADLIR spoke fondly about his visit to Kumbh Mela in India few years back and his regular visits to India for the past 37 years. A short film made by him on the Kumbh Mela, with a positive message of “live and let live”, was also screened.
All the attendees have shown great interest in taking more tour groups to India and to explore new touristic locations.
