Newstrack

IAAPI annual trade show attracts foreign participants

EH Staff - Mumbai

Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industry's (IAAPI) annual trade show held its seventh edition recently in Mumbai. It has been estimated that 3000 industry associates visited the trade show. The event has already set a record for the highest number of exhibitors, 75; from 15 countries (Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, USA and India).

The amusement industry is increasing at the rate of 25 per cent per year. The amusement, leisure and entertainment too has both organised and unorganised sectors; where the latter has the larger share. Efforts are being made to consolidate the industry though these trade shows and highlight the importance of quality products and also educate the buyers in investing in reliable and quality products.

Rajen Shah, president, IAAPI said, "In 2006, an estimated 300 million Indians generated Rs. 5,000 crores in turnover, a 25 per cent surge. An investment of approximately Rs. 2,800 crores was announced for large Greenfield theme parks."

Arijit Sengupta, vice-president adds, "With increased domestic travel and disposable income, people are looking more than just a weekend of movie and dinner. This has led to the mushrooming of amusement parks all over the country. With new products and equipments coming into the Indian market, a trade show is an excellent platform to display a variety of equipment of all our members."

IAAPI, established in 1999 is a non-profitable organisation, comprising of operators, manufacturers, importers, traders, suppliers, distributors and other related industrialists from the amusement, leisure and entertainment industry in India.