ITM 2019 to focus on emerging & new inbound source markets

India Tourism Mart (ITM) 2019 will focus on promoting the country in emerging and new international markets apart from traditional source markets like the US and Europe. Pegged as India’s biggest buyer-seller meet on inbound tourism, the event is all set to take place from September 23 to 25, 2019 at Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi. 

The second edition of the event that is being organised by the umbrella travel trade association of the country, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) in partnership with Ministry of Tourism is expected to draw buyers from non-traditional source markets like China, South East Asia and South America beside others.

Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH while announcing the event at a press conference in New Delhi highlighted the potential of US$ 30 billion valued South and South East Asian travel market.

“India has made rapid strides in improving infrastructure required for tourism be it world class airport or easy visa facilitation. ITM has proven to be an excellent platform for buyers, tourism stakeholders, states and the ministry to come under one roof for B2B meetings and knowledge sharing with the sole aim of promoting inbound tourism,” added Anand.

A strict process to evaluate business potential of hosted buyers has been put in place and the organisers have ensured that only decision makers of a company are invited to participate in the show.
Subhash Goyal, Honorary Secretary, FAITH said, “In order to achieve our target to record 20 million tourists in the coming years, we need to also tap the potential vested in our neighbouring markets. ITM has created a marketplace to gauge business opportunities and promote India to the world.” 

Chander Mansharamani, Vice-Chairman, ITM 2019 said that the selection of invited buyers is transparent and through a well structures process. “In the future we are also looking to organise ITM in other parts of the country,” he shared.

Subhash Verma, Project Director & Coordinator, ITM said, “Every year this event will become bigger and better. We will host the future editions in venues like Pragati Maidan. Our aim is to create a global tourism mart for India on the lines of WTM London and ITB Berlin.”  

ITM 2019 will be inaugurated by the Tourism Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel while Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Shipping & Transport will be the Chief Guest.

The event was attended by 244 buyers from 62 countries last year. The organisers are expecting 300 buyers from 70 countries to participate in ITM 2019.