Third Brand USA India Travel Mission

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB)- the official tourist promotion agency of Philadelphia successfully participated in the third Brand USA India Travel Mission from 7th – 13th September 2014 in the three Indian metro cities of Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi. During this Mission interactive travel trade events were organized at all locations, followed by an additional media day in New Delhi.

Mr. Jack Ferguson, President and CEO represented PHLCVB at the Mission and he was supported by Ms. Svetlana Yazovskikh, International Tourism Sales Manager during his business meetings with members of the Indian travel trade and media. Seeing the response generated by the mission, Mr. Jack Ferguson said, “We thank Brand USA for providing us a platform to interact with our Indian travel industry partners.

We have recently appointed an in-market representative and are happy to state that 2013 saw an increase of 24% in overnight stays by Indian travelers in Philadelphia from the previous year. India is now in the top 5 overseas feeder markets for Philadelphia. We look forward to welcoming more and more Indian visitors and establishing the image of Philadelphia as a world class tourism destination.”PHLCVB set up a full time representation via Sartha Global Marketing in 2013, and thereafter has been actively engaging with the media and travel trade through a range of ongoing joint-promotions and programs. Earlier this year Philadelphia also participated in two familiarization trips organized by Brand USA - one especially for the travel trade and other focusing on consumer media. Additionally PHLCVB participated in educational seminars organized by Brand USA in 10 Indian cities, and in

joint- advertising campaigns promoting destination Philadelphia in partnership with several major Indian tour companies.