Tag Archives: IITM

IITM to be held in 9 cities across India in 2024

As the global tourism industry is looking forward to 2024, Sphere Travel Media & Exhibitions has announced schedule of the India International Travel Mart (IITM).
Schedule of Events
• IITM Kochi: 19 – 21 January 2024
• IITM Kolkata: 1 – 3 March 2024
• IITM Ahmedabad: 15 – 17 March 2024
• IITM Chennai: 26 – 28 July 2024
• IITM Bangalore: 2 – 4 August 2024
• IITM Delhi: 20 – 22 September 2024
• IITM Mumbai: 18 – 20 October 2024
• IITM Pune: 29 November – 1 December 2024
• IITM Hyderabad: 6 – 8 December 2024
The IITM series of travel events provide opportunities for direct and face-to-face engagement with potential customers. This hands-on experience allows potential customers to better understand and appreciate the features and benefits of the offerings, leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales.
With this year’s edition of ‘IITM,’ Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions enters into its 25th year of providing the travel industry; a productive platform to showcase, network and do business.
With organisations and tourism boards from over 30 Indian states and over 25 countries, ‘India International Travel Mart’ will showcase a variety of destinations from different spheres such as international destinations, travel-technology products, niche travel verticals pilgrimages, adventures, culture & heritage, beaches, hills and many more.
The events for 2024 shall have over 1,500 participants from over 25 key tourism segments. The participants include Tourism destinations, Travel agents & Tour Operators, DMC, Hotels & Resorts, National Tourist Offices, Online Travel Portals, Adventure Tour Operators, Eco – Tourism activities, Travel Technology, Wedding Destinations etc.
Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia, said, “In recent years, the Indian outbound travel market has witnessed an unprecedented surge, transforming the nation into a formidable force in the global tourism landscape. Fuelled by rising affluence, a growing middle class, and increasing travel aspirations, Indian travellers are exploring the world like never before. This phenomenon has significant implications for destinations worldwide and offers exciting opportunities for the travel industry to cater to this burgeoning market”.
Highlights:
• This year ‘India International Travel Mart’ will see several new products in the Hospitality and Travel sphere being unveiled.
• IITM will unveil the IITM Travel Start-up forum at the IITM Events.
• The ‘India International Travel Mart’ provides an ideal ‘marketing opportunity’ and ‘excellent backdrop’ to enhance the participant’s ‘brand-equity’ in the eyes of the discerning travel-market.
• Boost for Domestic Tourism: Domestic Travel being India’s biggest travel segment, this year shall see participants from over 25 different tourism specialties from over 30 Indian states.
• The events are supported by all major associations such as ADTOI, ATOAI, IATO, TAAI, SKAL, ETAA, TOA, Karnataka Tourism Society, Travel and Tour Operators of Andhra Pradesh, Tour Operators Association of Telangana, Network of Indian MICE Agents, etc
Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia added “India’s domestic tourism industry has emerged as a significant driver of economic growth in recent years. With a diverse cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and a rich tapestry of traditions, the country offers a myriad of travel experiences for its own citizens. As disposable incomes rise and travel becomes more accessible, Indians are increasingly exploring their own nation, boosting the domestic tourism sector, and generating substantial economic benefits. The base of over 500 million discerning domestic holidaymakers; it is a yearlong bankable market; no hospitality and travel organization can ignore”.

Chennai and Bengaluru editions of IITM focused on tourism revival

Special tourism revival editions of ‘India International Travel Mart’, took place at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai & Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru on 18-19 October 2021 & 22 – 23 October 2021 respectively. Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions organised the events.

The events held in Chennai & Bengaluru saw a healthy response from the travel trade fraternity and the end consumers. The Chennai edition of IITM had 100 participants from over 10 Indian states and the Bengaluru edition had 150 participants from over 20 Indian states along with international representation from Italy & Nepal.

The two-day event showcased glimpses from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries covering a variety of destinations from different spheres such as pilgrimages, adventures, culture & heritage, beaches, hills and much more. The exhibitors included Travel Agents & Tour Operators, DMC, Hotels & Resorts, National Tourist Organizations, Cruises, Airlines, Online Travel Portals etc. The time for IITM Chennai & Bengaluru was perfect for the upcoming holiday season in India.

The Chennai edition was inaugurated by Thiru Dr. M Mathiventhan, Honourable Minister for Tourism, Govt of Tamil Nadu, along with Dr. Chandra Mohan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tamil Nadu Tourism. Sandeep Nanduri, IAS, Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Vice President, South India MICE Association. Thiru Kalaimamani VKT Balan, President, Tamil Nadu Tour, Travel and Hospitality Association. Seetharam Subramaniam, President, SKAL Chennai, Mr. Saravanan Palanivelu, International Skål Council.

The Bengaluru edition was inaugurated by Anand Singh, Minister for Tourism, Ecology and Environment along with. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, IAS, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka, Sindhu B Rupesh, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka, Manoj Kumar, IFS, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd and Shyama Raju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere TravelMedia said, “India in spite of the present business environment is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive countries for the travel trade industry both for leisure and business travel. A combination of factors is responsible for the growth and demand of travel trends from India”.

Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia added, ” ‘Domestic travel as the backbone’ of India’s tourism portfolio and with an estimated 561 million domestic tourist visits. This segment is probably only second to China in terms of sheer size. With the rapid economic development taking place in the country and availability of greater disposable income combined with affordable holiday packages, tourism in India is increasing steadily and acts as a catalyst for the furthering the economic growth in view of its wide-ranging linkage effects and multiple impacts”.