Victoria captured through Indian Eyes
A major exhibition featuring visions of Victoria by leading Indian photographer Atul Kasbekar was officially opened today by the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher in Mumbai, India.
The exhibition features over 30 large scale photos of some of Victoria’s most iconic attractions including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 12 Apostles, Flinders St Station and Melbourne’s laneways captured by one of India’s best-known and respected photographers, Atul Kasbekar. Atul is the first Indian to win the prestigious International Food and Beverage Creative Excellence Awards and is honorary chairman of the Photographer’s Guild of India.
The exhibition “Melbourne Moments” is being held at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel in Mumbai and will be open to the public in the Trident Art Walk from 13 to 17 March.
Speaking at the opening, Ms Asher said Tourism Victoria, together with the Victorian government, was committed to working towards positioning Melbourne as Australia’s most romantic and stylish city, host to major sporting and cultural events and with easy access to unparalleled nature based experiences like the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and the Great Ocean Road.
“India is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing inbound tourism markets. 71,600 Indian visitors came to Victoria in 2012, an increase of 16.4 per cent over the previous 12 months. They spent $217 million in the State over the year and for the first time on record we attracted the largest share of visitor numbers as well as expenditure by Indian visitors of any state in Australia.” said Ms Asher.
“The Tourism Forecasting Committee estimates India will continue to be one of our fastest growing inbound tourism markets - increasing by an average of 7.1 per cent annually to 2021/22 - a higher rate than that for any other country. If this estimate holds, then by 2021/22 Victoria will enjoy around 127,500 visitors from India annually, spending over half a billion dollars - second only to China.” she added.
“Melbourne is a vibrant city full of energy and life; it has the perfect blend of ancestral heritage and modern culture. I was extremely lucky to be able to capture the city, its culture, vitality and spirit on camera. I’m sure that all those who see these pictures will be transported to that enchanting cultural hub of music, art and gourmet food that I experienced”, said Mr Kasbekar.
“Atul Kasbekar’s exhibition will help highlight Victoria and Melbourne’s many attractions on the ground in Mumbai.” said Ms Asher while describing other strategy initiatives undertaken by the Victorian government in India. The recently launched Melbourne Now! Campaign helped develop new, innovative and commercially viable travel itineraries that were submitted through Indian travel agents and an online consumer engagement campaign hosted on Facebook.
Ms Asher was in Mumbai leading a Victorian Government Super Trade Mission to India with over 200 delegates representing 150 Victorian organisations from 10 industry sectors including tourism.
For any further information please contact:
Atul Malikram
9827092823