Ahmedabad: The India International Travel Mart (IITM), one of India’s prominent travel trade exhibitions, opened in Ahmedabad on Friday at the YMCA International Convention Centre, bringing together stakeholders from across the global tourism and hospitality sectors.
The two-day B2B exhibition, scheduled from March 20 to 21, has drawn participation from over 100 exhibitors representing more than 10 countries and 15 Indian states. The event serves as a networking platform for travel agents, tour operators, corporate planners, and hospitality professionals from Gujarat and nearby regions.
Organised by Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, IITM aims to facilitate business interactions between tourism boards, destination management companies, airlines, hotels, and travel service providers with the regional travel trade. A key highlight of this edition is the participation of Tourism Malaysia as the Partner Country. The showcase includes a range of tourism offerings such as leisure travel, cultural experiences, adventure tourism, and luxury hospitality, reflecting growing tourism exchanges between India and Malaysia.
The exhibition features national and state tourism boards, along with private sector participants including hotels, resorts, cruise operators, and travel companies. Industry professionals attending the event are expected to explore new destinations, understand emerging travel trends, and establish business collaborations.
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.
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.
With increasing interest in experiential travel, MICE tourism, wellness, and adventure segments, the event reflects evolving travel preferences among Indian consumers. The organisers expect steady participation from industry professionals over the two days. The Ahmedabad edition of IITM is expected to further strengthen connections within the travel ecosystem while opening up new business opportunities for both domestic and international stakeholders.