The vibrant city of Ahmedabad witnessed the grand opening of the India International Travel Mart (IITM) at the YMCA International Convention Centre, bringing together key stakeholders from the global travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. The two-day B2B travel exhibition, taking place from 20 – 21 March 2026, serves as a dynamic platform for tourism boards, travel operators, hoteliers, destination management companies, and service providers to connect with travel trade professionals from across the region.
The Guests of Honour at the Inauguration included Mr. Shreeram Patel, Hon. Secretary General, TAAI, Mr. Paras Lakhia, Hon. Treasurer, TAAI, Mr. Prashant Madlani, Chairman, TAAI – Gujarat Chapter, Mr. Bijal Shah, Secretary, TAFI ( Gujarat Chapter), Mr. Munjal Fitter, President, Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Gujarat, Mr. Ashok Dhoot, EC Member – IATO, Ms. Jane D’Cruz, Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Kalpesh Shah, Secretary, GTAA; Mr. Kunal Kothari, President, Tour Operators Assc. Of South Gujarat and Mr. Nilesh Barot, Vice – President Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Gujarat.
Organised by Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, the India International Travel Mart has established itself as one of India’s leading travel trade networking platforms. The Ahmedabad edition features over 100 exhibitors and stakeholders representing more than 10 countries and over 15 Indian states, offering an expansive showcase of destinations, travel services, and tourism experiences to the growing travel trade community in western India.
This year’s edition highlights Tourism Malaysia as the Partner Country, presenting a range of tourism offerings including leisure travel, cultural experiences, adventure tourism, and luxury hospitality. Malaysia’s participation underscores the strong tourism ties between India and Malaysia, while also promoting the country as a preferred destination for Indian travellers seeking diverse holiday experiences.
The exhibition floor features national tourism boards, state tourism departments, destination management companies, airlines, hotels, resorts, cruise operators, and travel service providers who are showcasing their products and services to travel agents, tour operators, corporate travel planners, and MICE specialists from Gujarat and neighbouring regions.
The travel and tourism industry continues to witness strong growth in India, particularly with the rise of outbound travel, experiential tourism, and specialised segments such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), wellness travel, and adventure tourism. Platforms like the India International Travel Mart play a vital role in connecting tourism stakeholders with the travel trade, facilitating business interactions and fostering collaborations that drive tourism growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, expressed his enthusiasm about bringing the travel trade fraternity together in Ahmedabad. “Ahmedabad and the state of Gujarat represent a dynamic and growing market for tourism and travel services. Through the India International Travel Mart, our objective is to create an effective networking and business platform where tourism stakeholders from across the world can engage directly with the travel trade in this region. The participation of international tourism boards, including Tourism Malaysia as our Partner Country, along with a wide representation of Indian states, makes this edition particularly exciting and promising for all participants,” he said.
The event is expected to attract a significant number of travel trade professionals including travel agents, tour operators, corporate travel planners, and hospitality professionals from Ahmedabad and neighbouring cities. The B2B format of the exhibition enables focused meetings, product presentations, and networking opportunities, helping exhibitors promote their destinations and services to potential partners and buyers.
Commenting on the significance of the event, Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, highlighted the importance of regional travel trade platforms in strengthening the tourism ecosystem; “The India International Travel Mart has consistently served as a catalyst for tourism business development across India. By hosting the event in Ahmedabad, we aim to tap into the strong travel demand emerging from Gujarat and neighbouring markets. With participation from over 10 countries and more than 15 Indian states, the exhibition provides travel professionals with an excellent opportunity to explore diverse destinations, forge partnerships, and expand their business horizons,” he said.
The two-day exhibition will feature a variety of networking opportunities and business interactions designed to facilitate collaboration between exhibitors and buyers. Participants will also can gain insights into new tourism products, travel trends, and destination offerings that are increasingly shaping travel decisions among Indian consumers.
With strong participation from global and domestic tourism stakeholders, the Ahmedabad edition of the India International Travel Mart is set to further strengthen travel industry linkages while opening new avenues for tourism partnerships and business opportunities.
Special focus at IITM Ahmedabad – Delhi Tourism Expands Heritage Walks to Promote Experiential, Night Tourism and Increase Length of Stay
Delhi Tourism continues to strengthen its position as a leading experiential tourism destination by organizing a series of curated Heritage Walks designed to promote cultural engagement, boost night tourism, and increase the average length of stay in the capital.
Promoting Night Tourism & Experiential Engagement – Delhi Tourism has been actively developing thematic walks, many of which are scheduled during late afternoons and evenings, to enhance the capital’s night-time tourism offerings and encourage visitors to extend their stay.
