Monday, February 15, 2021
As the tourism world slowly gets on recovery mode, IITM hosted its first event of the calendar. The pandemic has affected the tourism industry hugely and as the industry attempts to get back into business mode, we are happy to add value to the recovery of the tourism industry.
Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions successfully hosted 123rd edition of its ‘India International Travel Mart’, to be held from 4 – 5 February 2021 at Taj Gateway Hotel, Marine Drive, Cochin. With this year’s edition of ‘IITM’ in Pune, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions completes twenty-two years of providing the travel industry and discerning buyers from the travel – trade and corporate sector an opportunity and a consistent platform to add value to their businesses.
‘India International Travel Mart’ showcased a variety of destinations from different spheres such as pilgrimages, adventures, culture & heritage, beaches, hills and much more. The event had over 50 participants from over 5 Indian states. The participants include Travel Agents & Tour Operators, DMC, Hotels & Resorts, National Tourist Organizations, state tourism boards, hotel guest amenities etc.
The event was inaugurated by Smt. Sandhya Haridas, Asst. Director, India Tourism, Sri. UC Riyaz, Governing Board Member, Indian Convention Promotion Bureau and Kerala Travel Mart Society, Mr. Shine, CEO – KTM Society and Sri Paulose K Mathew, Chairman – Kerala Chapter, Travel Agents Federation of India
The two-day event showcased glimpses from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The time for IITM Cochin perfect for the upcoming summer holiday season in India, long weekends as well as round-the-year travel, vacations and business plans.
Boost for Domestic Tourism: The event showcases travel and hospitality products from every part of the country, making it one of the biggest congregations of travel-trade in the country. The event provides unmatched networking opportunities to interact with Travel-Trade and Corporate Buyers alike.
Mr 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. The participants from the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and many more destinations will be seen aggressively marketing their products will be there with their travel and tourism stakeholders”.
Highlights:
• Gujarat Tourism is the ‘Partner State’ at ‘India International Travel Mart’ this year.
• Himachal Pradesh Tourism is the ‘Feature State’ at the event.
• Other states being represented include Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
• Diverse Tourism segments on display such as Pilgrimage Travel, Adventure, Cultural pursuits, shopping tours, etc.
• The event is being supported by ‘Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India’.
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 end consumer and the travel-trade.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere TravelMedia said, “India will be one of the earliest destinations to recover, in spite of the present prevalent business environment and is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive markets for the travel trade industry both for leisure and business travel. The visitor profile is on a B2B format like and will have over 2000 Travel Agents and tour-operators’ buyers over two days”.
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