 Mumbai : Kerala-based Air Travel Enterprise (ATE) Group has established Great India Rural Tours (GIRT), which will focus on promoting Rural Tourism offerings to its end consumers. GIRT is looking at promoting rural tours with an objective of providing social economic development to the local community.
Speaking with reporters, U V Jose, Chief Operating Officer, Great Indian Rural Tours said, "Rural Tourism is a major segment which is emerging in the Indian market and tourists are looking for different niche experiences to connect with when in India and Rural Tourism can offer that to tourists. Apart from promoting tourism in rural areas, the main focus of GIRT will be to provide social economic development by including the local community in the same."
GIRT is currently in the process of developing products by engaging partners to work with, wherein the tourism initiatives in rural areas can be implemented. Essentially, GIRT will market the rural products through ATE Group's pan India presence, as well as in the international markets for inbound visitors. GIRT will develop the product and conduct marketing initiatives, while the associated partner at the rural site will conduct the operations.
The company will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jaipur Rugs Co to promote rural tours near Jaipur where carpets are woven. "The tourists will be taken to villages near Jaipur where they can view the carpet weaving process and have an opportunity to stay with the villagers. The number of tourist for the tour will be limited to only ten people. GIRT is looking at similar partnerships for rural projects and is looking at a pan India presence in next two years.
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