Recognition highlights Karnataka’s leadership in wildlife conservation, eco-tourism and sustainable travel
Bengaluru: Karnataka Tourism has been recognised as the ‘Best Nature & Wildlife Tourism Destination’ at the 26th India International Travel Mart (IITM) Bengaluru 2026, reaffirming the state’s position as one of India’s leading wildlife and eco-tourism destinations.
The recognition came at the conclusion of the three-day travel exhibition held from July 23 to 25, 2026, at Tripura Vasani Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, where Karnataka participated as the Host State and showcased its rich portfolio of tourism experiences spanning heritage, wildlife, nature, coastal tourism, culture, wellness, adventure and MICE tourism.
The Karnataka Tourism pavilion was inaugurated by Shri K.J. George, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, in the presence of Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism; Shri Shivaprasad P.R., IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC); Shri Sivaram Babu, IFS, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges and Resorts; and Shri K. Syama Raju, President, SIHRA and Karnataka Tourism Society, along with senior tourism officials, industry leaders and travel trade representatives.
One of India’s largest travel trade exhibitions, IITM Bengaluru 2026 featured over 850 exhibitors representing 25+ international destinations and 20 Indian tourism destinations, creating a vibrant platform for tourism boards, hospitality brands, airlines, tour operators, destination management companies and travel service providers to build new partnerships and explore business opportunities.
Karnataka Tourism participated alongside 16 tourism stakeholders, including hotels, resorts, tour operators and tourism service providers from across the state. Throughout the exhibition, the delegation engaged in extensive business-to-business (B2B) meetings with travel agents, corporate planners, destination management companies, hospitality professionals and tourism stakeholders from India and overseas.
These interactions focused on destination promotion, itinerary development, collaborative marketing initiatives and strengthening long-term tourism partnerships.
A major highlight of Karnataka’s participation was receiving the ‘Best Nature & Wildlife Tourism Destination’ award, recognising the state’s significant contribution to wildlife conservation and nature-based tourism.
Home to renowned protected areas such as Bandipur National Park, Nagarahole National Park, Biligiri Ranganatha (BRT) Tiger Reserve, and significant portions of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Karnataka continues to attract wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers and nature lovers with its exceptional biodiversity and sustainable eco-tourism experiences.
The pavilion also attracted strong visitor interest by promoting Karnataka’s diverse tourism offerings, including its four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the scenic Western Ghats, coffee plantations, pristine beaches, cultural festivals, wellness retreats and the state’s rapidly expanding MICE ecosystem centred around Bengaluru.
Visitors explored curated travel itineraries, emerging destinations and thematic tourism circuits while interacting with officials from the Department of Tourism and participating stakeholders. Karnataka Tourism said its participation at IITM Bengaluru 2026 further strengthened industry partnerships, enhanced the state’s visibility in domestic and international tourism markets and created new opportunities for future collaborations.
The Department noted that the business engagements, networking opportunities and market exposure generated during the exhibition are expected to contribute towards higher visitor interest and sustained growth for Karnataka’s tourism industry in the coming months.