SAN FRANCISCO TRAVEL ASSOCIATION'S PRESIDENT & CEO VISITS INDIA
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Joe D’Alessandro, President and CEO, San Francisco Travel Association, accompanied by a senior delegation from the association recently visited India. D’Alessandro’s visit underlines the importance of India as one of the fastest growing markets for the city of San Francisco, California. The objectives of this visit were to gain a better understanding of the market, forge new relationships and reinforce established contacts.
“India is one of the three most important growth markets for San Francisco Travel along with China and Brazil; and is therefore of tremendous importance to us. In 2014, we witnessed 149,000 Indian travellers visiting the city of San Francisco. India ranks among our top 10 international markets, in terms of arrivals as well as of spending per visitor. Now, with enhanced air connectivity, we hope to welcome even more Indian travellers. Almost 40 percent of Indian travellers coming to California visit the city of San Francisco,” D’Alessandro said.
San Francisco Travel is also participating in multi-city educational seminars across India, in association with Brand USA. More than 1000 travel agents have participated in these seminars and gained first-hand information on the city to date. Tom Kiely, Executive Vice President and Chief Tourism Officer, San Francisco Travel said, “We have been coming to India every year as a regular participant in the annual Brand USA India Mission. The interactive platform allows us to communicate directly with travel companies and we have seen tremendous interest in travel to San Francisco, for both leisure and MICE travel.”