Hyderabad’s landmark ‘India International Travel Mart’ 2023 united global travel enthusiasts, showcasing over 1000 holiday destinations and promoting sustainable tourism.
The ‘India International Travel Mart’ took centre stage in Hyderabad from 1 – 3 December 2023.
The Guests of Honours of the event for the event were Ms. Rakhee Kankaria, Chairperson, Tourism Committee, FKTCCI, Mr. Krupakar Ravipati, India Tourism, Mr. HP. Janardhana, Joint Director, Karnataka Tourism, Ms. Sujana Kumar, TOAT, Mr. Abdul Jabbar, J&K Tourism, Mr. Pawan Jain, Rajasthan Tourism, Smt. Madhumati Rathod, Maharashtra Tourism, Mr. Valmiki Kishan, SKAL, Mr. Monik Dharamshi, SKAL, Mr. Rajesh Philip, ANTO and Ms. Rakhee Kankaria, Chairperson, Tourism Committee, FKTCCI.
A warm welcome was extended to the ‘India International Travel Mart’, where the world came together to celebrate wanderlust, discovery, and the boundless possibilities offered by travel and tourism. As Hyderabad’s biggest Travel showcase was inaugurated, the event served as a gateway to the wonders of our vibrant planet, creating an engaging platform for networking, transactions, and business.
With the Winter holidays having drawn closer, it was the perfect time to plan holidays at the IITM at the Hitex Exhibition Centre. With over 200 exhibitors offering more than 1000 holiday destinations in India and abroad, discerning holiday-makers were indeed spoilt for choice. The easing of borders made international holidays more accessible, and the array of destinations at the event provided the impetus to embrace travel once again.
The ‘India International Travel Mart’ was more than an exhibition; it was a collective ode to the spirit of adventure residing in each individual. This exhibition not only showcased the latest trends and innovations in the travel industry but also acted as a platform for building bridges between cultures and fostering a deeper understanding of the world. It became a space where industry leaders, seasoned travel agents, and aspiring wanderers came together to exchange ideas, share business opportunities, and embark on new and exciting journeys.
The lure of the wild and the temptation to experience the unknown changed how holidays were planned. The holiday platter became more experiential, ranging from skiing sojourns in Jammu & Kashmir to cultural offerings in Gujarat and Rajasthan, wildlife adventures in the forests of Karnataka, or reliving India’s civilizational roots in Kashi, Uttar Pradesh.
As India’s Most Productive Travel-Marketplace, the event offered unparalleled networking opportunities for those in the travel and hospitality industry to enhance their holiday portfolios. It was a unique opportunity for the travel trade to meet, network, negotiate, and conduct business, aimed at bringing the industry face-to-face with the travel trade, corporate buyers, and end-customers with the requisite purchasing power.
Unveiling the world of Responsible Tourism, IITM took strides in promoting responsible tourism and wellness. The exhibition highlighted eco-friendly initiatives, community-based tourism projects, and conservation efforts to protect India’s natural and cultural heritage. It encouraged travellers to tread lightly and leave a positive footprint on the destinations they visited. Participants delved into unique and upcoming destination hotspots from Meghalaya to Jharkhand to Odisha, uncovering the world of sustainable tourism.
IITM Hyderabad | Solutions for Success, Connections for Growth
The gathering aimed to establish a vibrant pool for aspiring travel agents, tour operators, corporate buyers, and members of various travel-trade organizations. Budding influencers also had the chance to create content and network with their peer group. This event was a once-a-year opportunity for all travel-trade to engage, network, and forge meaningful connections in the dynamic world of travel and hospitality.
Travel the Country, See the World!
Rohit Hangal, Director of Sphere Travel Media, expressed, “After the successful IITM events in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore, I was thrilled to highlight Hyderabad’s astounding potentiality. With a 15% year-over-year increase in tourist footfall and a 20% rise in the hospitality sector’s contribution to the city’s economy, Hyderabad stood as a beacon for global travellers. Hosting the IITM event, bringing together various tourism boards, was not just a celebration; it was an acknowledgment of Hyderabad’s significant role in shaping the future of the travel industry. In this city of pearls, where history met modernity, every data point reflected a story of exponential growth and limitless possibilities.”
Sanjay Hakhu, Director of Sphere Travel Media, added, “IITM, hosted in Hyderabad, promised unparalleled networking opportunities, drawing a diverse audience of potential customers, travel-trade, and corporate partners. Hyderabad’s tourism future looked bright, with ongoing infrastructure developments and a strong commitment to peerless growth. The city’s allure was evident in a steady increase in tourist numbers, contributing significantly to its economic growth. Beyond being a cost-effective means to engage a targeted audience, this event was a strategic move that enhanced brand recognition and delivered sustained brand recall.”
George is the News Feed Manager, Content Creator, and Social Media Manager at the TravelDailyNews network of online newspapers. At the same time, he is completing his studies in the Department of Business Administration at the Athens University of Economics and Business.