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India’s leading travel media company, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, is organizing ‘India International Travel Mart’ (IITM) from July 26 to 28, 2024 at Palace Ground, Tripura Vasini, Bengaluru.

The grand opening of IITM was attended by prominent personalities such as Shri. K. Lakshminarayana, Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Puducherry, Dr. Rajendra KV, IAS, Director of Karnataka Tourism and Managing Director of KSTDC Limited, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Ray, IAS, Secretary (Tourism), Government of Puducherry, Shri K. Muralitharan, Director of Tourism, Government of Puducherry, Shri S. Shyamaraju, President, South India Hotel and Restaurant Association and Karnataka Tourism Society, Mr. S Mahalingaiah, IATO (Karnataka Chapter), Mr. Ayyappa Somaiah, President SKAL International Bangalore, Mr. Mani Manimegalai, Vice President SKAL International Bangalore, Mr. Raminder Singh, TAFI (Karnataka) Chapter), Mr. Sanjay Haku, Director, Spare Travelmedia & Exhibitions and Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, along with other industry leaders.

IITM is India’s leading trade fair that unites travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure and related industries. It aims to connect the industry with travel trade, corporate buyers and end consumers. Travel agents, tour operators, DMCs, hotels, resorts, National Tourism Office, technology platforms and online travel portals are involved in the event.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, IITM serves as an important business platform, promoting interaction 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 Mysore Dussehra festival.

IITM promotes sustainable and responsible tourism, with eco-friendly initiatives, community-based tourism projects and conservation efforts. It encourages tourists to make a positive impact on the places they visit.

Tourism stakeholders from more than 25 Indian states like 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, UK, Nepal, Dubai, Turkey, Singapore, Bhutan, Indonesia and Maldives, will actively market their destinations, products and services.

India’s economy is one of the fastest growing with a GDP growth of 7.2% in the financial year 2022-2023. Despite global challenges, strong domestic demand and government capital spending are driving strong economic growth. IMF projects 6.3% growth for FY24 and FY25.

Travel is an essential component of lifestyle for Indian tourists, driven by a growing middle class, high disposable income and cultural shifts. Post-pandemic, there is a strong desire to travel, which contributes to the resilience and adaptability of the industry. Domestic tourism has significantly supported the sector’s recovery as Indians explore the nation’s cultural and geographical diversity.

Rohit Hangal, Media Director, Sphere Travel, Said, “Welcome to the heart of innovation and collaboration in the travel industry. The exhibition is a gateway to shaping the future of travel through new opportunities and partnerships. Let’s explore new horizons, create lasting connections and inspire the world of travel. The B2B tourism exhibition celebrates collaboration, resilience and excellence in the industry, bringing together leading minds for 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.”

Sanjay Haku, Sphere TravelMedia Director, Added: “India has emerged as a major player in the travel industry, offering opportunities for leisure and business travel. The IITM event, with more than ten thousand B2B visitors over three days, demonstrates our commitment to advance travel. It acts as a hub for idea exchange, partnership building and innovation. The growing outbound travel market in India presents huge opportunities, with more Indians seeking unique global experiences. The B2B Travel Exhibition aims to connect global destinations with diverse Indian travelers, paving the way for future international travel growth from India.

Key highlights include:

• Discovering new destinations with partners around the world
• More than 1000 holiday packages for destinations in India and abroad
• 600+ exhibitors from 25 Indian and 15 international venues
• Sri Lanka Tourism as Partner Country and Israel Tourism as Feature Country
• Karnataka as the host state, with partner states including Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh as a central state and specialized states like Puducherry, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and Meghalaya
• The event is in B2B format, open to trade visitors only, with free entry and mandatory on-site registration.