Highlighting the sectors of weddings, wellness, leisure, conferences and sustainability with its focus on the luxury segment, The Iconic Experiences Show (TIES) 2023 had a successful debut in New Delhi recently.

The maiden edition of a new travel trade event, The Iconic Experiences Show (TIES) 2023, held in New Delhi, proved to be a major success, attracting participation by key delegates from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries as well as government representatives and those working in the yoga and wellness fields.

According to a press statement by the organisers, the luxury segment was the debutant show’s main target with its presence and growing potential. TIES 2023 focussed on five sectors of the industry, including weddings, wellness, leisure, conferences and sustainability.

The statement adds that acknowledging the presence and growing potential of the luxury segment, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI and Director TIES in collaboration with Chander Mansharamani, MD, Alpcord and Director TIES & TV9 network, came together to launch TIES.

The organisers add that day one was dedicated to discussions, deliberations, masterclasses, TED talks, powerful presentations and more. Touching upon the most relevant sector in luxury today, weddings, the panel discussion witnessed deliberations with industry leaders.

The statement says that the last session of the day focussed on Women Powering Sustainability Goals and witnessed the viewpoints of Jyoti Mayal, Rupinder Brar, Commissioner of Income Tax, Government of India, Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of Bharat Hotels and many others. From multi-tasking talented women to those who are outweighing men in performance numbers, the session was all about women empowerment. The organisers add that the day witnessed more than a house packed venue followed by lively fusion music gala dinner with ambassadors.

On the second day, TIES 2023 took on an Exhibition Format and saw many industry stakeholders take up booth space, showcasing their products and services. With pre-fixed meetings with 30 corporates in MICE, 50 high end wedding planners and a good number of walk-ins, the show allowed ample opportunities to the tourism professionals to network and form mutually beneficial business ties, adds the press statement.

It goes on to say that the event came to a conclusion with the Mock Wedding, which showcased some traditional Indian ceremonies, the rituals and process of an Indian wedding.

“It fills me with great pride and humility to say that the maiden show of TIES 2023 has been a huge success. Seldom do you see conference hall filled to capacity at 10:15 in the morning, which is exactly what happened to us on Day 1 of the show. The impressive and aspirational line of speakers, whom we had requested to come and share their experiences with the audience, all showed up – sharing their vast pool of knowledge with the gathering and staying back to hear what their peers had to share,’’ says Jyoti Mayal, Director TIES, President TAAI and Vice Chairperson FAITH.

‘‘Looking back, it warms my heart to say that just like every great success starts with a small idea, TIES too was conceptualised with a small thought that in the post-pandemic era, people are looking for experiential travel and not the regular mundane itineraries. In order to provide that to the discerning travellers, travel agents have to make an extra effort, go beyond the regular, look for out of the box ideas, which many of them are not doing,’’ adds Mayal.

‘‘At the conclusion of its first show, I am glad to share that TIES 2023 was immensely successful in offering people from the travel trade an opportunity to interact with State Tourism board heads, Representatives of countries, attractions, hoteliers, aviation experts, DMCs directly and learn how ‘differently’ they can package the same old destination and how they can offer an iconic experience to their clients,” says Mayal.