India International Travel Mart (IITM) Opens in Bengaluru, Celebrating 25 Years of Travel Excellence

Bengaluru hosts'India International Travel Mart - thisweekindia

Bengaluru hosts’India International Travel Mart’ India’s Premier Travel and Tourism Exhibition

India International Travel Mart (IITM) Opens in Bangalore:
Spotlight on India’s Growing Travel & Tourism Sector

Date: 24 – 26 July 2025
Venue: Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru
Timing: 1100 Hrs – 1800 Hrs

Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Travel Partnerships
Bengaluru, 24th July 2025

The vibrant city of Bengaluru welcomed the travel and tourism fraternity as the India International Travel Mart (IITM) officially opened its doors today at the Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds, heralding a three-day showcase of the finest in travel, tourism, hospitality, and destination marketing.

The event opened in the presence of several leading stakeholders of the industry with the Guests of Honour being Sri Dr. R Rajendra, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka, Sri. Syamaraju, President, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India and Karnataka Tourism Society; Sri. Prashant Shankhinamath, IFS; Managing Director, Jungle Lodges & Resorts Limited; Sri. GK Shetty, President, Karnataka State Hotel Association; Sri. PC Rao, President, Bangalore Hotel Association; Sri. Dr. Nalin Mittal, President, Network of
National Coordinator, Network of Indian MICE Agents; Sri. Lokesh Bettaiah, Vice President, Travel Agents Association of India; Sri. Niranjan Bhargava, Chairman, Travel Agents Association of India; Smt. Manimegalai, President, SKAL International Bangalore, Sri Mahalingaiah, Chairman, Indian Assc. Of Tour Operators, Sri. Radhakrishna Holla, President, Karnataka State Travel Operators Association; Sri. Patrick George, President, Karnataka Tourism Forum; Mr. M Vinod, President, Andaman Association of Tour Operators and Mr. Kaulesh Kumar, President, Association of Buddhist Tour Operators

IITM is India’s premier trade exhibition that brings travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure and other related industries under one roof. It aims to bring the industry, face-to-face with the travel trade, corporate buyers and the end-customers. The event will see the participation of travel agents and tour operators, DMC, hotels and resorts, national tourism offices, technology platforms, online travel portals, etc.

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 features over 800 exhibitors from 25 Indian states and 20 international destinations, showcasing diverse travel options like pilgrimages, adventures, culture, wildlife, and more. From Indian rhinoceros in India’s North East to Rajasthan’s festivals to Karnataka’s heritage sites, the event enriches holiday choices. Emphasizing Karnataka’s tourism, it boosts the upcoming Mysuru Dasara Festival and promotes the state’s archaeology and culture. The ‘India International Travel Mart’ offers networking opportunities for the travel industry to expand portfolios and conduct business.

As the world embraces sustainable practices, IITM takes strides to promote responsible tourism and wellness. The exhibition demonstrates eco-friendly initiatives, community-based tourism projects, and conservation efforts to protect India’s natural and cultural heritage. It encourages travellers to tread lightly and leave a positive footprint on the destinations they visit.

 

Indian tourists view travel as an essential component of their lifestyle rather than just a recreational activity, particularly for the younger generations. 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 fueling the domestic travel sector.

Sphere TravelMedia Director, Sanjay Hakhu, added: “We are delighted to inaugurate the Bangalore edition of the India International Travel Mart 2025, one of the most anticipated events in the travel and tourism calendar. Every edition of IITM is built with the vision of driving tourism growth across verticals — from leisure and MICE to wellness and responsible travel. This year, we have seen remarkable enthusiasm not just from travel professionals, but also from state tourism departments, international destinations, and the hospitality sector, all of whom are eager to showcase what they have to offer. Bangalore, as a host city, brings together an audience that is globally connected, tech-savvy, and highly mobile — making it a critical market for both outbound and domestic travel. IITM remains committed to supporting the sector with a credible, quality-driven platform that emphasizes both business development and destination education.”

Sphere TravelMedia Director, Rohit Hangal added, “The India International Travel Mart (IITM) has always strived to be more than just an exhibition — it’s a movement that connects destinations, experiences, and people. As we open the Bangalore edition of IITM 2025, we are proud to see the overwhelming response from exhibitors and delegates, both domestic and international. Bengaluru has always been a vibrant hub for travel, thanks to its cosmopolitan population and strong outbound and business travel markets. This year, with participation from over 800 exhibitors and representation from more than 25 Indian states and 20 countries, IITM stands as a reflection of India’s dynamic and resilient tourism industry. Our goal is to create a platform where stakeholders can engage meaningfully, explore new opportunities, and drive forward a sustainable and inclusive tourism economy.”

Highlights:

The time has come to explore new destinations and enjoy the sensations of the world as the Indian passport continues to gain popularity!

• Biggest variety of holiday packages of over 1000 destinations in India and abroad.
• This year, find more than 800 exhibitors showcasing 25 Indian tourism destinations and 20 International destinations participating making it one of the highlights of your search for that perfect travel partnership.
• ‘Tourism Malaysia’ is the partner country at IITM Bangalore.
• Karnataka is the host state for the event
• Odisha Tourism, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan Tourism are the partner states
• Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat are the Feature States
• View ‘Incredible India’ with all its amazing hues and peerless vibrancy.
• A once-a-year opportunity for travel agents and tour operators to reach out to partners from more than 20 International destinations and over 25 Indian states.
• Add more to your travel portfolio
• Adventure – International Destinations – Visas – Pilgrimage – Cultural pursuits – Wildlife – Conference – Wedding Destinations – pure joy!
• The event is on a B2B format and only open for trade – visitors only.
• Entry is free and Registration at the site is mandatory.

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