25 Years of Empowering Travel Partnerships
New Delhi, December 13, 2024: The recently concluded Pune and Hyderabad editions of the ‘India International Travel Mart’ (IITM) have once again set benchmarks in the travel and tourism industry. Held from 29 November – 1 December 2024 in Pune and December 6 – 8 2024, in Hyderabad, these events brought together an impressive array of exhibitors, travel professionals, and Meeting Planners under one roof.
Both editions were celebrated as premier platforms for fostering connections, showcasing travel opportunities, and encouraging collaborations. With participation from national and international tourism boards, travel operators, hotels, airlines, and ancillary industries, IITM highlighted India’s potential as a global tourism hub while promoting domestic and outbound travel.
The Guests Of Honour At The Inauguration Of The Pune Edition of IITM were Mr. Sameer Kulkarni, Chairman, Travel Agents Federation Of India – Pune Chapter, Mr. Pandurang Taware, President, Agri-Tourism Development Organization And Managing Director – Agri Tourism Development Company / Maharashtra, State Agri & Rural Tourism Co-Operative Federation Ltd., Mr. Shahbehram Rabbani, President, Skal International Pune, Mr. Nilesh Bhansali, President, Travel Agencies Assc. Of Pune, Mr. Yazdi Marker, Hon. Secretary, Travel Agents Assc. Of India, Ms. Trupti Pawar, Secretary General, Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India).
The Hyderabad Edition Of IITM Was Inaugurated By Sri Zendage Hanumant Kondiba, IAS, Director –Tourism Department Of Tourism, Government Of Telangana. The Guests Of Honour Included Mr. NSN Mohan, Director – India And Dy. Vice President, SKAL International, Mr. Nagesh Pampati, Chairman, Travel Agents Association Of India, Mr. Sailesh Mathur, President, SKAL International, Hyderabad, Mrs. Sujana Kumar, Vice President Of TOAT.
Key Highlights:
Exhibitor Participation:
- Over 400 exhibitors across various travel and tourism sectors participated.
- Representation from over 15 countries and multiple Indian states showcased the diversity of offerings.
Business Networking:
- Hosted buyer programs facilitated over 10000 one-on-one business meetings.
- Exhibitors reported significant business inquiries and collaboration opportunities.
Visitor Engagement:
- Footfall exceeded expectations, with over 5000 Travel Agents across both cities.
- Engaging destination presentations, and cultural showcases added vibrancy to the events.
- Focus on Sustainable and Experiential Tourism:
New-age travel experiences, including adventure, wellness, and culinary tourism, took center stage.With participation from leading tour operators, travel agencies, state tourism boards, and international Destination Management Companies, IITM Hyderabad is poised to become a hub for fostering connections, promoting tourism, and unveiling new opportunities in the industry.
As IITM celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, the occasion forms an important business platform. Travel agencies, hoteliers, tour companies, and other industry stakeholders can interact and network resulting in collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures.
IITM featuredover 400 exhibitors from 20 Indian states and 15 international destinations, showcasing diverse travel options like pilgrimages, adventures, culture, wildlife, and more. The event was the perfect platform for Travel Agents looking for partners from across different genres from religious travel, adventure, family holidays, Heritage, and honeymoons or to even those, who are looking for conference destinations for their companies etc.
The tourism stakeholders from over 20 Indian states such as Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and many more along with international participants representing over 15 countries like Turkey, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, etc. will be seen aggressively marketing their destinations, products, and services.
With the Indian economy still among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. In contrast to a 9.1% increase in the previous fiscal year, India’s GDP rose by 7.2% in the 2022–2023 fiscal year. India’s economic development continues to be robust despite the war-related disruptions in the agricultural and energy sectors, as well as an unprecedented tightening of global monetary conditions aimed at curbing decades-high inflation. Strong domestic demand and a push for governmental capital expenditures have been the main drivers of this. For both FY24 and FY25, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected growth of 6.3%.
The growth of the middle class, higher disposable incomes, and a paradigm shift in cultural views have all contributed to the recent spike in tourism. In addition, the pandemic’s aftermath has spurred a desire for travel as people look for novel experiences and a break from their daily routines, strengthening the travel industry’s adaptability and resilience.
Much of the Indian travel business is derived from domestic travel, which also helped the sector recover from its pre-pandemic lows. Indians progressively discovered the cultural and geographical diversity within the nation’s borders, from the tranquil Himalayan landscape to the vibrant coastal areas, greatly fuelling the domestic travel sector.
Sphere TravelMedia Director, Rohit Hangal, said, “The Pune and Hyderabad editions of India International Travel Mart have reaffirmed our commitment to being the foremost platform for the travel and tourism industry in India. The enthusiastic participation from exhibitors and the overwhelming response from visitors highlight the growing dynamism of the sector. We are proud to provide a stage for fostering collaborations that shape the future of travel.”
Sphere TravelMedia Director, Sanjay Hakhu, added: As we successfully conclude the Pune and Hyderabad editions, we are reminded of the resilience and creativity that define the travel industry. These events have not only facilitated meaningful business connections but also inspired new ideas in sustainable and experiential tourism. We look forward to continuing this momentum in our future editions.The growing outbound travel market in India presents vast possibilities, with more Indians seeking unique global experiences. IITM aims to connect global destinations with diverse Indian travellers, paving the way for future international travel growth from India.”
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
