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Caricature of Madura Katti - Managing Editor- India , South & West Asia.“India is not just growing as a destination but also as a market. It’s regaining its centuries-old glory as an economically, culturally, philosophically, astronomically, scientifically and spiritually developed knowledgeable country after recovering from the long lull of foreign occupations. What’s amazing is India’s continuous retention of its in-depth qualities”, said India Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat while inaugurating Outbound Travel Mart (OTM), supposedly the largest travel mart in Asia.

Infrastructure transformation for a decade, with 150,000 km of new road network, advanced developments in rail networks with modern railway stations, and doubling of airports from 75 to 171, are all aiding India’s tourism growth.

India Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

India Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The minister added, “The outbound growth from India is so vast that some destinations depend on Indian tourists for their tourism. In many countries, a third of their inbound arrivals are from Indian tourists or tourists of Indian origin. The presence of 2100 exhibitors from 60 countries participating at OTM is a testimony to that.”

OTM, organised by Fairfest Media, had 40,000 delegates from 36 National Tourism Offices and destinations interacting with Indian travel trade from 30 January to 1 February at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Fairfest Media has been organising travel marts across India for 3 decades.

Founder and Chairman of Fairfest Media, Sanjeev Aggarwal, said: “They are here for a slice of the Indian tourism market, which is such a resilient market. It has emerged as a most promising travel market in the post-COVID era.

Hence, the exhibitors are here to do business in a healthy atmosphere on this platform. A survey by Nielson last year found that in terms of business potential, if not in terms of size, OTM is at par with leading travel trade shows like WTM and ITB.”

30 Indian states and Union territories also participated in the domestic section of the same event.

Japan promoted Osaka Expo 2025 at OTM.

Japan promoted the Osaka Expo 2025 at OTM.

Minister Shekhawat said: “Spiritual, MICE and health tourism have grown speedily. Ongoing Kumbh Mela, celebration of the pious dip in the holy waters at the confluence of three sacred rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati has already received 270 mn visitors to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. A fraction among them are also international visitors.”

The event is the world’s most significant confluence of people and is happening from 13 January to 26 February, considered the most auspicious time for a holy dip.

Visitors to Kumbh Mela extended their trip to the sacred cities of Varanasi and Ayodhya, which has received 26 mn visitors within a year of opening the holy Ram Temple.

OTM 2025 also offered networking opportunities and knowledge sessions to delegates.

 

 

 

Written by: Madhura Katti

 

 

 

 

 

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