Every dark cloud has a silver lining, they say and recession surely has its share. “Travel and holiday for one comes at about 15 per cent discount,” informs Ajay Gupta, director of India Travel Mart, as he announced the days for International Travel & Tourism Mart, from February 21 to 23 in the city. With bargain deals like complementary lunch and dinner or pay for two nights and get the third night stay free, also expected here, “The 55 stalls promise to bring holiday within your budget.” According to Gupta even the first time entrants like Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority will roll out offers. “This particularly as we have seen a 20 per cent decrease in outbound tourism and 15 per cent in inbound,” mentions Gupta, adding that this time round Tourism Malaysia and Singapore Tourism Board are also

participating.

From the national holiday circuit, Star Cruises, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Kerala, Goa and Andaman Tourism among few others will also exhibit. “The mart is bringing hill, beach, honeymoon, pilgrimage, adventure, eco and health tourism packages,” he adds stating that the aim of the mart is to promote tourism potential. “More so with the summer vacations just around the corner,” Gupta tells us. This year Chandigarh too will be majorly promoted. “Research has shown that an average stay of a tourist in Chandigarh is about eight hours. We now want to promote it as a destination tourism place rather than that of transit tourism,” he states.