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India’s foremost travel media company, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, is hosting the ‘India International Travel Mart’ (IITM) in Bengaluru from July 26 to 28, 2024, at Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds.
The grand inauguration of IITM featured prominent figures such as Shri. K. Lakshminarayanan, Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Puducherry, Dr. Rajendra KV, IAS, Director of Karnataka Tourism and Managing Director of KSTDC Ltd., Dr. Jayanta Kumar Ray, IAS, Secretary (Tourism), Government of Puducherry, Shri K. Muralidharan, Director of Tourism, Government of Puducherry, Mr. S. Syamaraju, President of the South India Hotel and Restaurant Association and Karnataka Tourism Society, Mr. S Mahalingaiah, Chairman of IATO (Karnataka Chapter), Mr. Ayappa Somaiah, President of SKAL International Bengaluru, Mr. Mani Manimegalai, Vice President of SKAL International Bengaluru, Mr. Raminder Singh, Chairman of TAFI (Karnataka Chapter), Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, and Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, alongside other industry leaders.
IITM is India’s leading trade exhibition that unites travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure, and related industries. It aims to connect the industry with travel trade, corporate buyers, and end-customers. The event features travel agents, tour operators, DMCs, hotels, resorts, national tourism offices, technology platforms, and online travel portals.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, IITM serves as a crucial business platform, fostering interactions and networking among travel agencies, hoteliers, tour companies, and other industry stakeholders, leading to collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures.
The exhibition showcases over 600 exhibitors from 20 Indian states and 15 international destinations, presenting diverse travel options including pilgrimages, adventures, culture, wildlife, and more. Highlights include India’s rich heritage, Karnataka’s tourism promotion, and the upcoming Mysuru Dasara Festival.
IITM promotes sustainable and responsible tourism, featuring eco-friendly initiatives, community-based tourism projects, and conservation efforts. It encourages travelers to make a positive impact on the destinations they visit.
Tourism stakeholders from over 25 Indian states, such as Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and more, along with international participants from countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam, Israel, Thailand, the UK, Nepal, Dubai, Turkey, Singapore, Bhutan, Indonesia, and the Maldives, will actively market their destinations, products, and services.
India’s economy remains one of the fastest-growing, with a GDP increase of 7.2% in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Despite global challenges, strong domestic demand and government capital expenditures drive robust economic development. The IMF projects 6.3% growth for FY24 and FY25.
Travel is an essential lifestyle component for Indian tourists, driven by a growing middle class, higher disposable incomes, and cultural shifts. Post-pandemic, there is a strong desire for travel, contributing to the industry’s resilience and adaptability. Domestic travel has significantly supported the sector’s recovery, with Indians exploring the nation’s cultural and geographical diversity.
Sphere TravelMedia Director, Rohit Hangal, said, “Welcome to the heart of innovation and collaboration in the travel industry. This exhibition is a gateway to shaping the future of travel through new opportunities and partnerships. Let’s explore new horizons, forge lasting connections, and inspire the world of travel. The B2B Tourism Exhibition celebrates collaboration, resilience, and excellence in the industry, bringing together top minds to pioneer sustainable practices, innovative technologies, and new partnerships. Together, we are creating a future where travel is connected, sustainable, and extraordinary, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and advancement in the industry.”
Sphere TravelMedia Director, Sanjay Hakhu, added: “India has emerged as a key player in the travel industry, offering opportunities for leisure and business travel. The IITM Event, with over ten thousand B2B visitors over three days, showcases our commitment to advancing travel. It serves as a hub for idea exchange, partnership building, and innovation. The growing outbound travel market in India presents vast possibilities, with more Indians seeking unique global experiences. The B2B Travel Exhibition aims to connect global destinations with diverse Indian travellers, paving the way for future international travel growth from India.”
Key highlights include:
Discovering new destinations with partners worldwide
Over 1000 holiday packages for destinations in India and abroad
600+ exhibitors from 25 Indian and 15 international destinations
Sri Lanka Tourism as the partner country and Israel Tourism as the feature country
Karnataka as the host state, with partner states including Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh as the focus state and feature states like Puducherry, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya
The event is in a B2B format, open to trade visitors only, with free entry and mandatory on-site registration
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