TRAVEL CORPORATION INDIA HOSTS CUISINE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
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Thomas Cook (India), in a pioneering initiative, managed over 100 delegates from China, Korea and Taiwan, at a unique food exchange programme organised by its inbound division, Travel Corporation (India) (TCI). This concept was launched in partnership with Beijng Kangyuan Food Culture Exchange Center and Hotel Kempinski Ambience, Delhi.
Key dignitaries present at the event were Zhang Wenyan and Liang Cheng from The International Nutritious Cuisine Research Association (of China and Korea respectively); Xie from Taiwan Chinese Cuisine & Travel Development Institute; Ma, of Beijing Youth Travel; Rohit Tokhi and Neelabh Chugh of Hotel Kempinski Ambience; and Prashant Narayan, COO and Head of Leisure Travel (Inbound), Travel Corporation (India) - Thomas Cook India.
In a strategic initiative to leverage China’s “Visit India Year 2015”, Thomas Cook’s Inbound Team of TCI, positioned Incredible India via an original concept of Culinary/ Gourmet Tourism to tap the strong emerging Inbound Chinese market, as also that of Korea and Taiwan. India, being the home of a diversity of vegetarian cuisines, an engaging platform of a Cuisine Competition (Bodhi Cup) was chosen with special focus on the nutritional value and health factor of vegetarian meals.
Speaking on the occasion, Narayan said, “TCI’s internal data has highlighted the growing influence of China as a powerful source market for inbound tourism. While Chinese tourists stand at 100 million (expected to touch 200 million by 2020), India enjoys unfortunately but an insignificant share. Food plays a critical role in every culture and hence in a focussed attempt to leverage the China market potential, equally that of Korea and Taiwan, the 11th International Nutritious Cuisine Competition (Bodhi Cup) was organised, with special emphasis on vegetarian food. The Cuisine Contest created a delightful on-ground engagement for over 100 participating chefs from across China, Korea and Taiwan, with vibrant discussion around India, vegetarian cuisine, nutrition, health and fitness.”