Manchester Convention Bureau on-territory activity in India

11th February 2020

Categories: Latest News

In mid-January Marketing Manchester attended its first VisitBritain Trade mission to India in over 10 years as the city-region gears up for a marked increase in visits to Greater Manchester and the north of England from the Indian market.

The UK is the second most popular destination in Europe for Indian travellers and India is forecast to generate 23 million outbound visits globally by 2020. With the Indian economy growing at a rapid pace, inbound tourism to the UK from this market looks set to continue to increase 22% between 2017 and 2027. This offers a valuable opportunity to Greater Manchester and the north.

At the events in Delhi and Mumbai, Marketing Manchester held meetings with over 300 travel trade buyers, gave multiple media interviews and presented at gala dinners in both cities, showcasing film and imagery of Greater Manchester and destinations in the north of England to around 200 delegates; Marketing Manchester’s director of international marketing led a CEO roundtable discussion with Indian tourism industry leaders about travel and tourism outside of London; and Manchester also chaired an entertaining “In Conversation” event with leading Indian chef, Hrishikesh Desai and England cricketer Keaton Jennings on the subject of Northern England from a culinary and sporting perspective.

There was also a significant MICE travel element to the mission which saw Manchester’s Convention Bureau explore the potential to attract business from India’s growing meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions sector. Anthony Cassidy, senior sales manager, held meetings with a number of Indian MICE professionals to showcase Manchester’s unique event venues, the city’s status as a leading European city for business and academic research, and to discuss specific opportunities to host Indian delegates in Greater Manchester.

The convention bureau attended the sales mission alongside Lancashire Cricket who were promoting Emirates Old Trafford. Angela Hodson, Sales Director, said: “The trip provided a fantastic chance to build relationships with Indian clients and agents, and highlighting the India Test Match which is coming to Emirates Old Trafford in 2021. We’ve met some incredible people and we’re really excited about the different opportunities this trip has presented for the Club, venue and region.”